Columbia Green Community College official details budget shortfall, warns prison-education funding is unreliable

Amanda, a presenter from Columbia Green Community College, told the Columbia County Finance Committee that the college’s February disbursements totaled $2,000,000 and that the institution faces a “structural” deficit driven by falling revenues and rising personnel and benefit costs.

The college’s cash balance fell from $3.3 million in January to $2.8 million in February, Amanda said, but after receivables and foundation reimbursements the operating fund rose to $6.5 million as of the morning of the meeting. “On the first page is the warrant … the total disbursements for February were $2,000,000,” she said.

Amanda emphasized that one revenue source in particular is now treated as unreliable. “CGCC will no longer treat prison education revenue as a guaranteed funding stream for 25‑26,” she said, describing SUNY guidance and the recent volatility in access to correctional facilities as the reason for the change. She said the college will adopt an austerity budget for 2025–26 and move to zero‑based budgeting for departmental requests.

Why it matters: prison-education classes and county chargebacks have been a substantial and variable portion of the college’s…