Measure M Ballot Text
FULL TEXT BALLOT PROPOSITION OF THE SANTA CLARITA COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT BOND MEASURE ELECTION, NOVEMBER 7, 2006
“College of the Canyons Measure To Add/Upgrade Local Classrooms. To relieve classroom overcrowding, upgrade technology, prepare local students for university transfer/high demand jobs and secure State funds, shall Santa Clarita Community College District repair educational facilities, including nursing, fire fighting, law enforcement classrooms, science/high tech computer labs; upgrade aging plumbing, roofing, electrical, earthquake, safety systems; acquire equipment; construct new educational facilities; by issuing $160 million in bonds, at legal rates with independent citizen oversight with mandatory audits?”
Bonds - Yes / Bonds No
BOND PROJECTS LIST
The Board of Trustees of the Santa Clarita Community College District, to be responsive to the needs of students and the community, evaluated the District’s urgent and critical facility needs, including providing additional classrooms and labs to offer more courses and programs to students close to home, expanding facilities for programs in nursing and vocational training, facility maintenance, safety issues, class size and offerings, energy cost reduction and information and computer technology, in developing the scope of projects to be funded. In developing the scope of projects, the District has prioritized the key health and safety needs so that the most critical needs and the most urgent and basic facility needs and repairs are addressed. The District’s strategic plan reflects the scope of college facility projects to be funded. The District, with input of faculty and community leaders, concluded that if these needs were not addressed now, College of the Canyons will be unable to remain competitive in preparing adult learners for current and emerging growth industries and university transfer. In preparing this Bond Project List, the Board of Trustees determines that College of the Canyons must:
• Due to the rapid growth of the area, and the need to provide core classes in English, math and science to day and night students, increase the number of classrooms and labs that respond to university transfer requirements and provide job training for critical professions, such as nurses, emergency medical technicians, firefighters and law enforcement officers.
• Renovate existing classrooms, science labs and vocational training facilities to ensure that they are safe, energy efficient and provide access to an affordable, local, higher education as well as instructional technology which will prepare students to be competitive in the job market.
• Upgrade essential campus infrastructure, such as electrical systems and wiring for computer technology and internet access, plumbing, lighting, heating and ventilation systems, upgrade fire safety equipment, smoke detectors, sprinklers and aging roofs, as well as meet current earthquake and handicap accessibility standards.
• Guarantee that all bond funds stay in the local community and that such funds are leveraged to qualify for State matching facility funding.
COLLEGE OF THE CANYONS
• Repair, Upgrade, Maintain, Equip, and/or Replace Obsolete Classrooms, Nursing and Health Care Training Facilities, Science and Computer Labs, Library, Instructional and Job Training Facilities, Public Safety Training Facilities, Sites and Utilities; Meet Demands of Changing Workforce:
Upgrade buildings to include educational equipment and laboratories; provide updated computer technology capability for students; repair, build, reconfigure, upgrade and/or replace leaky roofs, decaying walls, old ceiling tiles and flooring, peeling paint, aging plumbing, sewer and drainage systems, inefficient electrical systems and wiring, deteriorated restrooms, heating, ventilation and cooling systems, classrooms, lecture halls, warehouse storage systems, playing fields, physical education facilities, grounds, science and other instructional laboratories and healthcare workforce facilities, technology center, library and student support facilities, administrative facilities, campus landscaping, fire fighting, public safety and other instructional facilities; wire classrooms for computers and other technology, increase energy efficiency, acquire furniture and equipment, increase safety, reduce fire hazards with alarms, smoke detectors, fire safety doors and sprinklers; renovate space to consolidate operations, reduce operating costs in order for more classes and job training to be offered, improve academic instruction; and meet legal requirements for disabled access.
• Expand Classroom and Facility Capacity, Construct Classrooms and Buildings, Improve Science Center, Learning Resource Center/Library, Upgrade Classrooms/Labs For Nursing and Emergency Medical Technicians, Public Safety and Vocational Training:
Increase permanent classroom and facility capacity for academic and job training classes, including an allied health/nursing building for training nurses, paramedic technicians, lab and pharmacy technicians, math, computer technology, other health care programs, upgrade or replace science labs, expand classroom facilities for vocational training in hotel and restaurant management, automotive technology, construction management, and advanced technologies, and applied arts and sciences facilities, and upgrade campus technology. Construct a new Public Safety Facility for fire fighting and law enforcement training. Expand student services areas and the Learning Resource Center/Library and build out the University Center to allow more students to obtain a 4-year college degree locally.
• Improve Safety and Disabled Access:
Upgrade and repair facilities for earthquake safety as well as existing fire alarms, sprinklers, smoke detectors, install security systems, exterior lighting, emergency lighting, emergency communication systems, concrete sidewalks, signage, improve accessibility for the disabled, repair stairs, walks and ramps, resurface parking lots.
• Provide Classrooms at Canyon Country:
Construct and equip classrooms, administrative facilities and areas for student services for vocational and general education programs; install site infrastructure to accommodate campus growth; provide technology facilities, Internet access and wireless and cable technology to improve technology-enhanced learning opportunities.
• Upgrade Technology:
Replace outdated technology facilities, upgrade Internet access and wireless and cable technology, build technology-enhanced classrooms, upgrade telecommunications systems, upgrade campus-wide technology, replace outdated computers, hardware and software, replace network infrastructure equipment, and install wiring upgrades, campus wide underground fiber optics installation.
• Repair, Replace and Upgrade Electrical and Mechanical Systems to Reduce Energy Consumption and Utility Bills and Accommodate Computer Technology, Internet Access and Communications Systems:
Improve and upgrade electrical and mechanical systems and take advantage of energy saving technologies to reduce energy bills and have more resources for student learning.
• Improve Access:
Improve campus road network and walkways, upgrade and expand parking areas, improve pedestrian safety and increase access for emergency vehicles.
Listed building, repair and rehabilitation projects and upgrades will be completed as needed. Each project is assumed to include its share of furniture, equipment, architectural, engineering, and similar planning costs, program management, staff training expenses and a customary contingency for unforeseen design and construction costs. The Bond Project List also includes the refinancing of existing lease obligations. The allocation of bond proceeds will be affected by the District’s receipt of State bond funds and the final costs of each project. The budget for each project is an estimate and may be affected by factors beyond the District’s control. The final cost of each project will be determined as plans are finalized, construction bids are awarded and projects are completed. Based on the final costs of each project, certain of the projects described above may be delayed, modified or may not be completed. Demolition of existing facilities and reconstruction of facilities scheduled for repair may occur, if the Board determines that such an approach would be more cost-effective. All projects include necessary site preparation/restoration in connection with new construction, renovation or remodeling, or installation or removal of relocatable classrooms, including ingress and egress, removing, replacing, or installing irrigation, utility lines, trees and landscaping, relocating fire access roads, and acquiring any necessary easements, licenses, or rights of way to the property. Bond proceeds shall only be expended for the specific purposes identified herein. The District shall create an account into which the proceeds of the bonds will be deposited and comply with the reporting requirements of Government Code Section 53410.
FISCAL ACCOUNTABILITY. THE EXPENDITURE OF BOND MONEY ON THESE PROJECTS IS SUBJECT TO STRINGENT FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY REQUIREMENTS. BY LAW, PERFORMANCE AND FINANCIAL AUDITS WILL BE PERFORMED ANNUALLY, AND ALL BOND EXPENDITURES WILL BE MONITORED BY AN INDEPENDENT CITIZENS’ OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE TO ENSURE THAT FUNDS ARE SPENT AS PROMISED AND AS SPECIFIED. THE CITIZENS’ OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE MUST INCLUDE, AMONG OTHERS, REPRESENTATION OF A BONA FIDE TAXPAYERS’ ASSOCIATION, A BUSINESS ORGANIZATION AND A SENIOR CITIZENS’ ORGANIZATION. NO DISTRICT EMPLOYEES OR VENDORS ARE PERMITTED TO SERVE ON THE CITIZENS’ OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE.
NO ADMINISTRATOR SALARIES. PROCEEDS FROM THE SALE OF THE BONDS AUTHORIZED BY THIS PROPOSITION SHALL BE USED ONLY FOR THE CONSTRUCTION, RECONSTRUCTION, REHABILITATION, ACQUISITION OR REPLACEMENT OF COLLEGE FACILITIES, INCLUDING THE FURNISHING AND EQUIPPING OF COLLEGE FACILITIES, AND NOT FOR ANY OTHER PURPOSE, INCLUDING TEACHERS’ AND ADMINISTRATORS’ SALARIES AND OTHER OPERATING EXPENSES.