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California Community Colleges board adopts $700M-plus 2026–27 budget and legislative priorities
Summary
The Board of Governors approved a 2026–27 budget and legislative request that centers Vision 2030 priorities — equitable baccalaureate attainment, workforce development, AI literacy, and noncredit expansion — and requests roughly $700 million in combined one‑time and ongoing investments plus infrastructure funding for a common cloud data platform.
The California Community Colleges Board of Governors on Sept. 16 approved the system’s 2026–27 budget and legislative priorities, asking the state for roughly $700 million in one‑time and ongoing funds and seeking statutory fixes and COLA application adjustments.
Executive Vice Chancellor Chris Ferguson and vice chancellors briefed the board on a package aligned with Vision 2030 that includes investments in equitable baccalaureate attainment, workforce and economic development, AI professional development and infrastructure, dual enrollment expansion, and supports for historically underserved students. Vice Chancellor David O’Brien outlined specific asks, naming items such as $1.2 million one‑time to expand rural baccalaureate transfer opportunities, $35 million one‑time and $2 million ongoing to strengthen credit for prior learning for veterans and working adults, and requests to fund a common cloud data platform ($36 million one‑time, $9 million ongoing).
Chancellor Sonia Christian flagged federal risks to minority‑serving institution funding and noted state mitigation in this year’s budget, saying the system is “actively collecting and verifying the survey responses” about HSI/MSI designations and that the governor and legislature provided $60 million in block grant funding to help colleges mitigate federal cuts.
Board members praised the presentation for centering equity and student supports. Member Pamela Haines moved to approve the package; a second was recorded, public commenters — including faculty association leaders, student representatives and advocates — urged attention to part‑time faculty support, Umoja expansion, data privacy for centralized systems, and veteran services. The board voted and the motion passed.
Next steps: the chancellor’s office will proceed with advocacy in Sacramento and make any technical edits to include a late addition of $1 million ongoing to expand Umoja programs, as noted during the presentation.
