With some $2 million still in need of cutting from the school’s planned budget and important programs like Basic and Transitional Studies at risk, Seattle Central Community College is holding a public forum next week to give people in the community — me and you — an opportunity to be heard:

President Paul Killpatrick will host a community forum on Monday, June 6 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Broadway Performance Hall.   The purpose of the forum is to allow our external community supporters to have a dialog with Dr. Killpatrick and the college vice presidents.

Seattle Central must cut $4 million from its budget by June 30 and anticipates a similar cut next year.  All are welcome to attend, but please come prepared to offer possible solutions. All programs are valuable, this is understood. The question is, can we make every program financially sustainable?

We realize this is short notice; we want to hear from the community before making final decisions, and these must be made soon.

School administrators have already planned about $2.5 million in cuts by eliminating unfilled positions and other workforce cutbacks. According to a school spokesperson, SCCC is now assessing its programs for possible cuts to cover the remaining $2 million shortfall.