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Class Sizes Inflate as State College Funding Drops

Palomar College has set a new enrollment record this semester. But that's not all good news. The story from KPBS reporter Alan Ray.

Class Sizes Inflate as State College Funding Drops

Palomar College has set a new enrollment record this semester. But that's not all good news. The story from KPBS reporter Alan Ray.

The slowdown in the economy, particularly in construction and real estate has given more workers less work, and more time for school.

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Palomar College Director of Enrollment Services Herman Lee says this semester's enrollment is more than 32,000. In normal years, the state of California would provide more money to cover the higher enrollment.

Instead, the state's huge budget deficit will mean community college spending cuts. And that mean some unwanted changes for students.

Lee : We may be in a situation where we're looking at larger class sizes. There may be certain classes that, because of program requirements can't take any more students so students will be turned away.

Lee says other community colleges in California are seeing enrollment increases. And most will face the same problems as Palomar College.

Alan Ray, KPBS News.