After years of bigger budget gaps than other state and national community college districts, Foothill-De Anza appears set to receive an increase, known as equalization, in per-student funding.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has included $130 million in equalization funding in his latest 2006-07 budget, and district officials hope it stays. The Foothill-De Anza district would be allocated about $1.3 million.

"We are woefully underfunded," Martha Kanter, chancellor of the district, said.

Due to a complex formula created as a part of Proposition 13, the district receives approximately $3,717 from the state per student, compared to the statewide average of $4,100. The national average for community colleges is closer to $8,000.

At the same time, the district's costs--particularly health benefits for staff, which have doubled in the last three years--have risen while enrollment pressures have grown. With both the University of California and California State University systems tightening enrollment, students have turned to community colleges. According to the district, both De Anza College and Foothill College, which have a combined enrollment of more than 43,000 students, enroll about 20 percent of Santa Clara County's public high school graduates.

As a result of these competing demands, the district has been forced to cut staff--laying off 22 employees in the spring of 2005--while raising tuition.

The hope is thatequalization funding will bring some relief.

"This is badly needed money," Kanter said. "It will help us maintain educational funding."

To ensure Schwarzenegger keeps the funds in his final budget, Kanter said she will continue to advocate in Sacramento for its inclusion.

"It will help restore us to excellence," she said.