Around 140 people attended a special board meeting at the Walla Walla Community College’s Clarkston campus on Monday, many of whom urged the board of trustees to work to maintain the Clarkston campus programs.
That comes a week after another special board meeting, where trustees were presented with options to curtail a $4.3 million funding shortfall. That’s due to a 1.5% reduction in state funding, affecting state universities and community colleges.
Three possible financial scenarios were presented for the Clarkston campus. Not doing anything; cuts to both the Walla Walla location and Clarkston location that would include eliminating in-person classes in Clarkston, except for its nursing program; and cuts that would eliminate the Clarkston campus.
Chris Loseth, the president and CEO at Potlatch No. 1 Financial Credit Union, told the board he’s donated money to the college in the past. He’s had three children attend Running Start through the school.
Loseth urged the board to reject any of the current scenarios and direct a comprehensive institution-wide analysis by an accredited, independent third party.
“ I believe that this information is not accurate,” he said, “and any decision trying to be made by the board of trustees is a waste of time.”
Several speakers said the presentations on projected costs and savings in the different scenarios failed to accurately look at the potential revenue that would be lost by cutting Clarkston services.
Chad Miltenberger, dean of the WWCC Clarkston campus, said he believed eliminating the Clarkston campus would worsen the college’s budget problems.
“Scenario three makes no sense when enrollment growth has to be part of the solution,” he said. “To dig out of this, this needs to continue to inspire your questions.”
Don McQuary, a former member of the board of trustees, said he felt the board wasn’t getting the full picture.
“ I encourage you to take a step back, (to) not make a decision until you've got all the facts,” he said.
Doug LaMunyan, principal of Clarkston High School, said if WWCC’s Clarkston campus is cut, the college could lose out on enrollment, as well as relationships it’s built with the high school and other partners.
That includes an energy systems technology class the high school developed in partnership with WWCC, LaMunyan said, as well as a CNA class on the Clarkston High School campus that’s funded by the TriState Health Foundation.
“This campus closes, you've lost a revenue source,” he said. “What you've also lost is a relationship that's gained momentum in the last three to four years.”
Lt. Darren Gilbertson, a WWCC Clarkston graduate, said the college helped set him on the path that eventually led him to be the lead investigator in the case of the four University of Idaho students who were killed in 2022.
He said the campus has helped train nurses, trade workers and other professionals who strengthen the community.
“ I understand that the economy is tough right now,” Gilbertson said. “But to close the campus suddenly after decades of work and dedication that built it, I just think, what would the cost be if it closes? Ultimately, is it ever gonna reopen again? I don't think it would.”
Several speakers discussed a wide range of community benefits the college provides.
That included its training of many local nurses, a childcare center located on the Clarkston campus and a community garden on a plot leased by the college that donated over 11,000 pounds of fresh produce to the Asotin County Food Bank last year.
Speakers described the Clarkston campus as a “lifeline” for students in the area, and an important bridge for students between high school, higher education and the workforce.
The board did not take any action, tabling the decision on whether to declare a financial emergency.
