Fearing the potential loss of more than $550,000 in state funding this fall, Southern Maine Community College has eliminated four administrative positions and left three support positions vacant.

James Ortiz, president of SMCC, told the Portland Press Herald two people resigned and two others were laid off. The school will also spend $400,000 in surplus funds from the fiscal year that ended June 30 generated by increased enrollment in 2009, money the school had hoped to save "as a cushion," Ortiz said. The state's other community colleges are facing similar budget cuts that range from more than $220,000 to nearly $330,000.

Earlier this month, Gov. John Baldacci said funding to the community college system, the University of Maine System and Maine Maritime Academy could be curtailed by $11 million because Congress has not approved $100 million in federal Medicaid funds for the state. Of that total, $2.3 million would be cut from the community college system, and $8.4 million from UMS.

Go to the article from the Portland Press Herald >>