The governing board of the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District has voted to place a $398 million bond measure on the Nov. 6 ballot for expanded career training facilities, veterans’ centers to assist former and active-duty military, and updating aging classrooms, infrastructure and technology systems.
The ballot measure will be placed before about 230,000 voters residing in the East County cities and communities located within the college district, which stretches from the East County cities of El Cajon, La Mesa, Lemon Grove and Santee to the Imperial County and Mexican borders. To pass, the measure requires approval by at least 55 percent support of the votes cast. If approved, the typical East County homeowner would be assessed less than $40 each year, district officials said.
Bill Garrett, president of the district’s Governing Board, said that as the result of drastic cuts in state funding, the bond measure is the most realistic option for the district to be able to build and maintain facilities that meet the educational and vocational training needs of East County.
Money from the new bond measure would continue work on renovations and upgraded facilities at the Grossmont and Cuyamaca college campuses that began after voters approved Proposition R, a $207 million bond measure, in 2002.
“What’s important to understand is that Proposition R just got us started,” Garrett said. “Let’s take that next step. We still have a lot of work to do with renovating old buildings and improving the technology infrastructure. This bond measure will move us forward.” He added that the spotless, independent audits of Prop. R funds and the careful monitoring by a citizens bond oversight committee — mandates that will be followed with the new bond – have proven the district is a trustworthy steward of public dollars.