Community and technical college board set to vote on system's 2021-23 operating budget request

OLYMPIA, Wash. — The Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges will hold its August business meeting Thursday, Aug. 27 from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. to give final consideration to the college system's 2021-23 operating budget request. If approved, the request will go to the Office of Financial Management and the Washington State Legislature as they begin developing the state's 2021-2023 operating budget.

The college system's draft budget includes funding requests to help ensure the college system has resources to help in the state's economic recovery related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, the proposal requests funding to:

• provide colleges with sufficient resources to address the pandemic's disproportionate impact on students of color and respond to community needs
• invest in workforce development to help colleges better meet the changing needs of business and industry

Prior to the business meeting, the State Board will hold a closed executive session Wednesday, Aug. 26 to evaluate the performance of a public employee. Board members will convene for their annual retreat the morning of Aug. 27. During the retreat, they will discuss the college system's role in the state's economic recovery and implementing the system's strategic plan with an eye toward diversity, equity and inclusion.

The retreat and business meeting will be held remotely and livestreamed on TVW. The meeting agenda and background materials are posted on the State Board website.

The retreat and business meeting are open to the public.