SAN FRANCISCO — A recent proposal to extend the length of an accreditation review is a positive for San Francisco Community College District, according to Fitch Ratings.
The Western Association of Schools and Colleges' Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges announced on June 11 a proposed policy change that would give the district an extra two years to complete reforms necessary for maintenance of its accreditation.
The district, which includes the City College of San Francisco, was notified last year that the ACCJC would revoke the college's accreditation at the end of this July after it said, among other things, that the school failed to reduce spending amid state funding declines.
The policy change comes after many San Francisco politicians, including House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, said the agency was treating the college too harshly.
Following the announcement, the ACCJC convened a hearing panel on June 13, which acknowledged the district's progress towards meeting accreditation standards and called for a new review of the district that would consider recent reforms.
Fitch said it views these developments as a positive for the district.
"The district's financial prospects have also improved following the state legislature's adoption of a provision to stabilize district funding over the next several years despite recent enrollment declines," analysts said.
Fitch currently rates the district's general obligation bonds BBB-plus with a negative outlook. The agency said it would review the impact of these developments on the district's outlook once there is more certainty about the policy change.
