Copyright© 2000 by School Services of California, Inc.
Community College General Obligation Bond
Elections
Five California community college districts went before the voters on November 7 hoping to get approval of local General Obligation Bonds. Unfortunately, only two of the five districts were successful in achieving the necessary two-thirds margin for approval.
The following two districts received the support of their local electorate:
Peralta Community College District
For the second consecutive bond election, Peralta passed a local General Obligation Bond measure, this time by a 79.10% margin. The funds ($153 million) will be used to repair, renovate, and construct classrooms, vocational training facilities, science labs, and high-tech computer labs, and also to meet current health, safety, and accessibility standards. In addition, inadequate electrical, ventilation, gas, water and sewer systems would be replaced. Bond funds will also be used to construct and acquire other facilities.
Southwestern Community College District
By a 70.04% margin, voters approved a $89 million bond measure. Southwestern will use its bond funds to relieve overcrowding, improve high-tech training facilities, repair classrooms, and build college buildings.
The following district elections went down to defeat:
College of the Sequoias
Received 61.23% of the vote for their $49 million bond request.
Contra Costa Community College District
Received 63% of the vote for their $236 million bond request.
Los Rios Community College District
Received 62.20% of the vote for their $215 million bond request.
Since Proposition 39 (55% bond authorization) was approved by the voters on November 7, 2000, it is likely that the districts that failed under the current two-thirds requirement will try again. If Proposition 39 had been in place prior to the November 7 elections, all five bond measures would have passed if they elected to use the 55% process.
--Arnold Bray