Columbia Greene Community College outlines financial recovery plan amid layoffs

The Columbia County Finance Meeting held on March 26, 2025, focused on the financial status and future sustainability of Columbia-Greene Community College (CGCC). The meeting began with an apology from the college's financial officer for the previous month's cancellation, citing the recent layoffs of 17 employees as a significant reason for the absence.

The officer presented a revised financial report, correcting earlier projections that inaccurately suggested a savings of over $2 million in contractual expenses. The actual total disbursements for February were reported at $2 million, which included personnel benefits, equipment, and contractual expenses.

A detailed breakdown of cash balances revealed a decrease from $3.3 million in January to $2.8 million in February, with a subsequent increase to $6.5 million following the receipt of state aid and reimbursements. The officer noted that federal aid for the month was low, but year-to-date figures showed $1.4 million received, with additional funds expected.

Concerns were raised regarding the reliance on prison education revenue, which SUNY has advised should not be treated as a guaranteed funding source due to its volatility. The college plans to adopt an austerity budget for the upcoming year, moving away from previous practices of rolling forward departmental budgets. Instead, a zero-based budgeting approach will be implemented, requiring all budget requests to align with the college's sustainability goals.

The meeting also addressed the need for revenue diversification beyond tuition, including increased facility rental fees and the hiring of a dedicated grant writer to pursue federal and state grant opportunities. The financial officer highlighted the anticipated savings from recent layoffs and healthcare transitions, projecting a total of $1.32 million in savings.

The discussion concluded with a commitment to improve transparency and communication regarding financial matters, with plans for future meetings to ensure ongoing collaboration between the college and the county. The financial officer expressed optimism about stabilizing the fund balance and enhancing the college's financial health moving forward.