PORT ANGELES — Peninsula College has declared a financial emergency for the second time in nine months as it works to close a $1.8 million budget gap.
The Board of Trustees approved the resolution Tuesday, pointing to lower-than-expected enrollment, a shortfall in the Instruction budget, and ongoing state funding challenges.
Earlier this year, the college cut 7 percent — about $2.1 million — closed its Port Townsend campus and eliminated 16 positions. Now, three more staff jobs will be cut, with the possibility of additional reductions after the legislative session.
College leaders say non-instructional departments are already at minimum staffing levels, so some course offerings will be streamlined. High-demand, workforce programs will be prioritized, while some low-enrollment classes could be dropped or shifted to Continuing Education.
To balance the books, the college will use about $800,000 from reserves and receive $240,000 from the Peninsula College Foundation.
Even with the cuts, the college plans to launch a new Dental Hygiene degree and expand its bachelor’s program in Teacher Education.
Leaders say their focus remains on maintaining student access and academic quality despite ongoing financial pressure.