Moline, Illinois – Job cuts are becoming a real possibility for Black Hawk College in Moline.
The college issued a statement announcing that the state budget crisis in Illinois is forcing them to explore options, because it depends on state funding for $7.2 million, about 22% of this year’s budget. Enrollment for the fall 2015 term was also about 10% below the previous year, hitting the college for more than $1 million in additional lost revenue.
Now, administrators are considering what cuts are needed to make up for the shortfall.
“Our phase 1 plan addresses the immediate need to cover this (budget) gap, but with more than 75% of operating expenses in salaries and benefits, we will need to reduce labor costs,” said Black Hawk College President Dr. Bettie Truitt.
Black Hawk College has 682 full-time and part-time employees.
“If the state hasn’t resolved the budget impasse by the end of the (2015) calendar year, phase 1 reductions are expected to begin in January,” said a statement from the college issued November 20, 2015. Truitt did not say how many, or which, specific positions would be initially affected.
Administrators plan to cut $1 million from the BHC budget as part of phase 1.
Last month, Black Hawk College announced it would be merging the three sports teams on its East Campus in Galva, Illinois, with those in Moline. The consolidation will take effect at the end of the 2015-2016 school year, and it is expected to save more than $170,000.
“We used to have two men’s basketball teams, two women’s basketball teams and two women’s volleyball teams. We’ve consolidated those, and those will be located on the Quad City campus where there are facilities,” said Truitt.
Truitt called the college’s current position “frustrating.”
“We’re hoping for the best, but we are making plans in case the best doesn’t come through,” said Truitt.
Adult Education programs will continue as planned for Spring 2016.
The Black Hawk College announcement comes just a few days after Carl Sandburg College announced they will suspend off-campus classes that promote literacy, language skills and earning high school equivalency on January 1, 2016.
