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SDCC Dips Into Reserves to Tread Water During Budget Impasse

San Diego Community College District officials say they're forced to dip into their financial reserves because of California's overdue budget. KPBS reporter Ana Tintocalis has more.

SDCC Dips Into Reserves to Tread Water During Budget Impasse

San Diego Community College District officials say they're forced to dip into their financial reserves because of California's overdue budget. KPBS reporter Ana Tintocalis has more.

The budget impasse means close to $330 million in state funding hasn't been given to community colleges across the state. The San Diego Community College District is digging into its reserves so that programs and classes stay on track in the summer and when the fall semester begins.

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College spokesman Rich Dittbenner they have enough money to carry the district through a reasonable period of time. He says this is not the first time they've had to deal with a late budget.

Dittbenner : When the elephants stamp around in the jungle, in this case, Sacramento, all the other animals scurry around…so that's what we're doing…we're scurrying around, and we call up our reserves to keep us from getting trampled.

The state also hasn't been able to pay for special education programs, remedial summer school, and private pre-school and day care programs.

Ana Tintocalis, KPBS News.