Santa Monica College in Financial Crisis | Venice Beach News

Venice Beach News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Aug 21, 2026 · 1m

Santa Monica College is in financial peril, slapped with an “at-risk” warning from its accreditor after three years of spending more than it earns — compounded by a massive unfunded employee benefits liability, dwindling cash reserves, and unresolved labor contracts. While the college argues recent cost-cutting and pending state funding shifts could turn things around, looming threats include declining international enrollment due to visa changes and ongoing budget battles with the state over funding formulas. Layoffs have already hit dozens of staff, and trustees are debating everything from…