By Jorge Casuso
February 3, 2026 -- The Santa Monica College (SMC) Board this Tuesday is expected to eliminate or abolish 74 classified and management positions to address a "fiscal crisis" that has "reached a tipping point," the school's top official said.
Tuesday's proposed actions also include raising the tuition rate for non-resident students, a major source of revenue that has seen a significant drop in enrollment contributing to the crisis.
In a January 29 letter to the SMC Community, SMC Superintendent and President SMC Kathryn E. Jeffery said the drastic measures must be taken to help bridge a structural deficit of $17 million in 2026-2027 and "safeguard the College’s long-term fiscal stability."
SMC's fiscal crisis has resulted in a general fund balance that has plummeted from $43.9 million in the 2021-22 fiscal year to a projected $13.4 million in the current fiscal year ending June 30, a projected decrease of 69 percent.
In addition, SMC is subject to a State funding freeze imposed on schools that cannot currently meet the metrics of California's Student-Centered Funding Formula, which is based on equity and success and prioritizes districts with low-income students.
Other rising costs have contributed to the crisis, according to a power-point presentation for a budget forum held on November 24 last year.
Salaries, which represent 60 percent of the budget, jumped from $118 million in the 2021-22 fiscal year to $140.3 million in the 2025-26 fiscal year, an 18.9 percent increase, while benefits rose from $59 million to $73.6 million, a 24.8 percent increase.
During that same period, the budget for utilities skyrocketed by $78.7 percent -- from $3.767 million to nearly $6.733 million.
At Tuesday's meeting, the Board of Trustees will take up a staff recommendation to eliminate 57 classsified positions, which are covered by Civil Service provisions, and abolish 9.5 full-time equivalent positions effective June 30.
"Coming to this determination was incredibly difficult," Jeffery wrote in her letter. "All of us involved in making these decisions are aware that this moment brings pain, frustration, and uncertainty."
The classified positions that would be eliminated include 8 custodians, 7 tutors and a tutoring coordinator, 3 grounds workers and 3 administrative assistants.
The positions that would be abolished include a police captain, 2.5 full-time equivalent administrative assistants, a custodial operations manager, a skilled maintenance worker, an HVAC mechanic and an IT infrastructure manager.
The Board will also take up a staff recommendation to eliminate 3.8 full-time administrative equivalent positions, including the project manager of CalFresh, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
Also eliminated would be the associate dean of instructional support, the director of Outreach & Onboarding Initiatives and the project manager for grants.
Staff also is recommending abolishing 4 vacant administrative positions -- the Dean of Academic Affairs, the Vice President of Enrollment Development, the Dean of Special Programs and the Associate Dean of the Emeritus program.
"We continue to be intentional about doing everything possible to minimize the impacts of a potential restructuring on our students," Jeffery wrote in her letter.
"We intend to ensure that every student can take the classes they need to complete their intended major and attain their desired educational or career goal," Jeffery wrote.
Staff also recommended that the Board on Tuesday adopt a non-resident tuition rate of $416 per unit -- a 4 percent increase from the current $398 -- and keep the nonresident capital outlay surcharge at $24 per unit.
The non-resident population at SMC fell from 4,259 students in the 2018-19 fiscal year to 2,841 students in 2025-26.
Staff also is recommending increasing the Student Health Fee to the maximum amount from $27 to $28 for the Fall and Spring 2026 semesters, and from $22 to $23 for the Summer intersession.
"The fee increase is based on the increase in the cost of health and mental health services and resources provided by Student Health Services and the Center for Wellness and Wellbeing," staff said.
In her letter, Jeffery concluded, "Across generations, the Santa Monica College community has done the very best to live up to its many vital responsibilities. We must now preserve the College for our future students and the communities we serve.
"Even in this difficult moment, I hold out hope for a bright future, one where SMC continues to shine as a beacon for what is possible when dedication and a passion for life-changing education come into contact with those seeking change and a better life for themselves and their families."