Forty Years of Teaching Math, Computer Science and Engineering Science at a Community College- Part IX - Tony Gullo

Tony Gullo came to NCCC in 1967, having a B.A. and M.A. in physical anthropology. From my student days all I remember is the name. Sometime later Tony told me of his involvement from the early days. His list was long, and from my recollection, Tony Gullo was omnipresent in college-wide affairs in the earliest stages of development of Nabisco Tech.

Certain things are a given when a college is formed. Other things are elective, like accreditations, union contracts, management domains, etc., and land wherever the people involved define the shape of things to come. Many of those things were formed inside Tony Gullo's brain and carried out by his will. 

I knew Tony as my Faculty Association president, from fall of 1985 to spring of 2006, when Tony retired.  In the fall of 1985, younger faculty were being impoverished by past circumstances that were beyond faculty control, and particularly beyond Tony's control.  By 2006 we had a faculty contract that was fair for all. It was not a prefect contract, but it was a herculean effort that took place, and was no doubt the best that anyone could have carried out.  In my case, that contract allowed me to support a family of 6 on one income and to earn an honest living doing what I truly enjoy.  My salary was on par with k-12 educators in the area, and that did not happen because of the good will of the county. 

Over 20 years ago I was the Chairman of the Board of Christian Education at St. John Lutheran School in Wheatfield. We went through a National Lutheran School accreditation at the time.  The benchmark for expenditures was that at least 70% of revenue was to be spent directly on instruction. If expenditures fell below 70%, our accreditation would not be renewed. Community colleges have similar benchmarks, nationally at about 40% and California having a state guideline of 50%.

The lower figure for CC's is to be expected. For one, most Lutheran schools are provided a building rent free, with capital expenditures being underwritten by a sponsoring congregation. And, CC's maintain a strong support staff that includes counselors and librarians, and more expenditures on lab/tech equipment than the average elementary school. 

Tony steadfastly made sure that funding from tuition, state and county was appropriately spent on faculty/instruction.  I don't have any hard figures from that era, but a good educated guess would be 40-50% being spent on instruction, perhaps more at times.  

Not too long ago, maybe 2018 or so,  one of our trustees complained that 30% of our budget was being spent on instruction. The complaint was that 30% is too high!  The true figure is probably below 30%, since many capital projects seem to be funded outside the budget. What that figure would be had Tony stayed on for another 20 years is anyone's guess, but the fact is that when Tony was on the job, money landed squarely where it was supposed to. I would guess there was constant pressure to do otherwise. 

My Lutheran theology tells me that all are sinful, and corrupt to a certain degree, but Tony's actions would seen to contradict that point. He was seemingly incorruptible, in steadfastly carrying out his duties as union boss.  There were a few disturbances in the early days of the Faculty Association, but they were quickly put down, and the honest edifice of union leadership allowed the whole faculty to prosper. He was surrounded by a few other bulldogs, who were as honest as the day is long - in particular Bryce McMichael, another man who I thoroughly respect.