This document provides definitions, methods of computing data, and information regarding state laws, which are needed by California community college lay trustees to successfully execute their responsibilities as board members. Following a brief history of state support for community colleges in California, the author provides: (1) the schedule for budget development; (2) classifications of the various kinds of revenues and expenditures; (3) a description of the elements considered in assessing the valuation of a community college district; (4) a model "Report of Average Daily Attendance" to be submitted for state apportionment; (5) descriptions of the three types of tuition charges for out-of-district residents; (6) the method of applying the "Collier Factor", a penalty factor for districts located in counties which assess property below market value; (7) classifications of students for apportionment purposes; (8) definitions of enrollment terms; (9) an example of the computation needed to determine compliance with the state law requiring that the salaries of classroom teachers represent at least 50 percent of the total current expense; (10) guidelines for requesting reduced assessed valuations for improvements due to redevelopment; and (11) a short description of the new Management Information System (MIS) for accounting and budgeting. (DC)