Like the San Francisco Unified School District, City College of San Francisco has had its issues with fiscal stability. While the situation is OK now, problems are on the horizon with the 2025-2026 fiscal year if enrollment doesn't increase. This November, four seats on the college's Board of Trustees are up for election. Trustee Shanell Williams, a bi woman, and Murrell Green, Ph.D., are not seeking reelection. In fact, Green recently resigned and Mayor London Breed appointed Luis Zamora, a gay Latino man, to the seat, potentially giving him a leg up in the race as he was already a candidate.
Below are our recommendations.
Luis Zamora
Zamora was just sworn in as a trustee earlier this month. In his endorsement questionnaire, Zamora explained the funding problem. "While CCSF has achieved short-term stability, the looming end of 'hold harmless' funding poses a serious threat," he stated. "In a nutshell, aside from student enrollment, community colleges receive funding from the state based on full-time equivalent students, or FTES. As you can imagine, the number of FTES has dropped dramatically starting even right before the pandemic. The state enacted 'hold harmless' funding, in which it decided to fund community colleges at 2017-2018 student levels. In a sense, if community colleges were below 2017-2018 FTEs, the state would pay the difference. For several years, CCSF has been funded for more students than it has had. That funding runs out in 2026.
"In light of these looming shortfalls, I would advocate for developing a long-term fiscal plan to align with the state's new Student Centered Funding Formula," he added.
Zamora also called for more transparency around the college's budget process.
There is also the need for more students. City College is well-known for its programs, and Zamora would like to revamp its marketing, as well as "revitalize our course offerings by working with the academic senate around innovative programs around emerging technologies like AI, reinvest in pipelines like skilled trades, and provide the support our students need," he stated.
City College must also hire a permanent chancellor. Interim Chancellor Mitchell Bailey, a gay man, is expected to serve for about a year. Zamora outlined some of the things he's looking for in the permanent hire. "I would be specifically looking for someone with financial acumen, someone who has strong leadership skills and a vision for CCSF outside of just stabilization, a person who should be adept at community engagement, and someone with a clear understanding of shared governance principles," he stated.
These are good ideas, and voters should elect Zamora to a full four-year term.
Alan Wong
Wong, a straight ally, is currently the board president. He said enrollment is up and he has a more positive outlook on the budget, though he acknowledged the change in state funding that's coming in 2025-2026. "To qualify for more state funding, City College must increase enrollment in line with the new formula, freeze expenses for several years, or both," he stated. "Assuming no more enrollment growth, City College might not be eligible to receive increased funding until the 2031-32 fiscal year. However, if City College grows 8% in annual enrollment in the coming years, it could be eligible for increased funding as soon as the 2028-29 fiscal year." As for enrollment, Wong stated, "As of May 14, 2024, the spring 2024 semester credit FTES has increased by 509 (or 12%) over the spring 2023 credit FTES at the same point in the semester."
Wong stated that to further grow enrollment, "City College has increased its marketing efforts using new digital platforms and traditional methods to communicate its affordability and array of courses for potential transfer students, mid-career professionals and lifelong learners."
"The Free City College program, which uses municipal funds to directly pay student tuition, has increased access to education and encourages student enrollment," he added. "We have also prioritized scheduling the most in-demand courses supporting job training and transfers to four-year institutions."
But problems are likely for this popular program, as Wong, a former legislative aide for former District 4 supervisor Gordon Mar, stated the city has cut back on its funding. He stated that if reelected, he would continue negotiating with the city to preserve the Free City College funding.
As for a new chancellor, Wong stated he is looking for someone who has a commitment to making collective decisions instead of unilateral; a commitment to sound financial planning and fiscal stability; and a commitment to student success.
Wong has done a good job on the college board and voters should reelect him.
Aliya Chisti
The other incumbent running is Chisti, a straight ally and the first Muslim elected to public office in San Francisco.
Concerning Free City College, Chisti has some experience that will be vital as the college works to renegotiate its agreement with San Francisco officials. "As the former Free City analyst at the Department of Children, Youth, and Their Families, I have an extensive understanding of this program and if reelected I will use my expertise to lead the negotiation process to protect the Free City program for our community," she stated in her questionnaire.
She added that while the program covers tuition, other expenses are not included. "Free City only covers $46 per unit for students that are SF residents and meet the California one-year and one-day residency requirements per education code for in-state tuition fees," she explained. "We must continue to address basic needs for students and total cost of attendance, such as expenses for books, transportation, food, and housing."
The search for a permanent chancellor will be critical, she stated.
"City College has had 10 Chancellors in 12 years, which has led to instability at the college," Chisti noted. "A long-term commitment to City College's success is crucial. Our next permanent chancellor must have a proven track record of successfully overseeing the financial health of educational institutions, particularly community colleges. Strong leadership and collaboration skills are equally essential, as the chancellor must be able to work effectively with the board, faculty, staff, and students, fostering a culture of mutual respect and transparency."
Chisti's experience, particularly with the Free City program, will be important as City College works to make itself fiscally sound. We endorse her for reelection.
Heather McCarty
McCarty, who identifies as queer, would bring out representation on the college board to three if she's elected. (Trustee Vick Chung, who is nonbinary, is not up for election this year.) A longtime community college professor in history and gender studies at Ohlone College in Fremont, McCarty has a lot of good ideas regarding finances and other issues. She stated in her endorsement questionnaire that she's a member of the Ohlone Budget Committee and has "developed a deep understanding of financial challenges facing community colleges." McCarty has also served in numerous roles in Ohlone's faculty union and faculty senate, she noted.
McCarty discussed the upcoming end of the "hold harmless" state funding. "As a result, additional cuts will not solve CCSF's long-term fiscal issues. CCSF must come into alignment with the Student Centered Funding Formula," she stated. "My vision for fully funding CCSF is to ensure stable, sustainable, and diverse revenue streams that support high-quality education and services for all students. While many funding decisions are made by other entities, the board of trustees can take strategic actions to support this vision." Those include state advocacy, funds from external sources, internal resource management, and maintaining the Free City program.
For a permanent chancellor, McCarty would seek someone with strong fiscal management skills; proven experience in community college leadership; demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion; a collaborative leadership style; a vision for academic excellence; and strong community engagement skills.
We're impressed with McCarty's depth of community college experience and her ideas for City College. She has our endorsement in the race.
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