IDAHO, USA — Idaho's community colleges are grappling with significant budget cuts after Gov. Brad Little implemented a 3% holdback on state agency budgets in August. Institutions across the state are taking vastly different approaches to managing the financial strain.

The cuts followed the Idaho Division of Financial Management's warning to state agencies in June to prepare for potential reductions of 2%, 4%, or 6%.

At the College of Southern Idaho (CSI), President Dean Fisher said the college was well-prepared for the cuts, which totaled just over $1 million across regular appropriations and career and technical education funding.

"Fortunately, we had about a three-month head start," Fisher said. "The state gave us notice, and we planned, and I held positions."

CSI managed the cuts b

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