Students and teachers from the College of San Mateo are pleading on behalf of individual programs slated to be impacted by projected cuts required for next year’s budget, a conversation school officials have already began.

“This is probably the worst financial times this college has been in and the public education has ever had. It’s a hard time for all of us and all of you,” said Karen Schwarz, president of the San Mateo County Community College District Board, after hearing pleas from students, teachers and community members at the Wednesday night meeting. “We can only get through this by working together.”

The district anticipated receiving $5.5 million from federal stimulus funds, which never materialized. The loss to this year’s budget was taken as deficit spending as to not make more mid-year cuts. With an estimated 10 percent to 15 percent in cuts needed for next year in addition to the loss of these one-time funds, each of the three colleges is beginning to discuss what those cuts will look like, said district CFO Kathy Blackwood.

The district’s 2009-10 budget is $367 million and the College of San Mateo’s budget needs to be reduced from $28.3 million to $22.1 million by 2010-11.

Although cuts will not go into effect until July, those at the College of San Mateo are beginning to voice concerns over the loss of programs.

With a list of potential cuts already out for the College of San Mateo, many are concerned who take or teach courses among those suggested for elimination — including aeronautics, American Sign Language, anthropology, architecture, building inspection, counselor arts and science, education, French, geography, German, human services, humanities, Italian, Japanese, meteorology, military science, paleontology, perioperative nursing, real estate and the alcohol and other drugs program.

County prescribes drug card

San Mateo County residents will be offered a prescription discount card to help them manage medication costs if the Board of Supervisors signs off as expected Tuesday on the plan.

The proposed card would not only help users save up to 40 percent off prescription cards — protecting those burdened with hefty health costs from choosing between care and other necessities — but also give San Mateo County a specific royalty for each one filled.

The Board of Supervisors introduced the card idea in early August but sent it to the Housing, Health and Human Services Committee first for consideration. At its Sept. 22 meeting, the committee agreed to recommend the board move forward.

To participate, the county doesn’t need to spend any of its own staff time, according to Health System Director Jean Fraser.

Cards will be distributed through local pharmacies and a county-specific Web site managed by Financial Marketing Concepts. FMC provides the Coast2Coast discount card for free and recoups a dispensing fee from the participating pharmacy at which it is redeemed. A piece of that is then given to the county.

The current proposal calls for a 50-cent royalty for each prescription but that could be negotiated because other jurisdictions receive higher amounts, Fraser said in a board memo.

First step taken to sell school site

Peninsula High’s home, 41 acres in San Bruno, along with three acres along Hillsdale Boulevard at Hillsdale High may be unneeded and could be rented or sold, according to a committee charged by the San Mateo Union High School District with identifying surplus property.

If a new site can be found to house Peninsula High School, the 41 acres upon which the continuation school currently sits in San Bruno will be excess property, according to a draft report approved last night by the committee charged to identify surplus assets. Two small sites on Hillsdale High school, totaling 3 acres, can also be considered surplus. A public hearing on the report will be held 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 17 with a location in San Bruno yet to be set. Public comments from the hearing will be considered to revise the draft before it ultimately goes to a vote by the district Board of Trustees. If the board finds the properties to be surplus, the committee recommends the property be used for long-term lease or sale.

The committee grappled with saying a school site was excess noting needs could clearly change 10 to 20 years down the road, but ultimately approved the draft report.

DA wants DNA from alleged school bomber

The 17-year-old boy accused of plotting and unsuccessfully carrying out a massacre at Hillsdale High School must give prosecutors samples of his DNA, a judge ordered Thursday.

Cheek swabs from Alex Robert Youshock will be used to connect him to gloves and a sword believed to belong to the teen but not directly on his person when tackled by school personnel.

The items, which have male DNA on them, were near the spot Youshock allegedly detonated pipe bombs but he was subdued elsewhere, said Assistant Deputy District Attorney Karen Guidotti.

Youshock is charged as an adult with two counts of attempted murder, two counts of exploding a destructive device with intent to commit murder, one count of possession of a destructive device in a public place, one count of use of explosives in an act of terrorism and two counts of possession of a deadly weapon.

Youshock allegedly arrived on campus at approximately 8 a.m. with a vest strapped with pipe bombs and the sword and carrying a chain saw he nicknamed Collie — short for Columbine. Aside from the weapons, Youshock reportedly had a welder’s mask to protect his face during the attack and a plan to commit suicide or take a hostage if police wouldn’t shoot him dead.

After setting off two pipe bombs that injured no one, Youshock reportedly attempted to start the chain saw but had problems. After attracting attention by the actions, English language development teacher Kennet Santana tackled Youshock. Principal Jeff Gilbert and counselor Ed Canda joined and the three held him until police arrived.