State Board to consider college system strategic plan, continue 2021-23 budget discussion

OLYMPIA, Wash. — The Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges will meet for a special business meeting Monday, March 23 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. The special meeting is in place of the board's regularly scheduled meeting, which was set for March 23 and 24. The meeting was changed due to COVID-19 social distancing directives from Gov. Jay Inslee.

On the agenda is consideration of a strategic plan for the state's system of community and technical colleges and continued discussion as the system develops its 2021-23 operating budget request to the Washington state Legislature.

The proposed strategic plan, which targets the year 2030 for completion, includes goals to:

• Achieve educational equity for students who are historically underrepresented in higher education.
• Improve completion rates for all enrolled students across all programs and credentials.
• Increase access and retention among populations who can benefit the most from college access.

The board will also continue its operating budget discussion as it develops the system's 2021-23 budget proposal. Board members will hear from students, trustees, college presidents and members of the labor community with their thoughts on best ways to strengthen the college system through new budget investments, factors members should keep in mind during the development process, and how the system can work together to be successful in the 2021 legislative session.

The meeting will be held at the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges office, Cascade conference room, 1300 Quince Street SE in Olympia. The meeting agenda and background materials are posted on the State Board website.

The meeting is open to the public.