Ballot Language

View the Full Text Bond Resolution Concerning Measure Q (PDF)

Full Text Ballot Proposition State Center Community College District Bond Measure Election November 5, 2024

The following is the full proposition presented to the voters by the State Center Community College District.

LOCAL COMMUNITY COLLEGES WORKFORCE TRAINING, AFFORDABLE EDUCATION AND CLASSROOM REPAIR MEASURE. "To upgrade local colleges/education centers; improve nursing, paramedic, firefighter, police/agriculture/manufacturing and vocational training; fix leaky roofs, asbestos, lead paint; sewer lines; protect drinking water; acquire, construct, repair facilities, sites, equipment; shall State Center Community College District’s measure authorizing $698,000,000 in bonds at legal rates, levying 2¢ per $100 assessed valuation ($42,000,000 annually) while bonds are outstanding be adopted, with oversight, all funds used locally?"

Projects

The Board of Trustees of the State Center Community College District, to be responsive to the needs of its community, evaluated each of Fresno City College's, Reedley College's, Madera Community College's, Clovis Community College's and the District's education centers' urgent and critical facility needs, and their capacity to provide students an affordable education and job training facilities for nursing, allied health, firefighting, public safety, agriculture and advanced manufacturing, and prepare them for success in local jobs and in transferring to four-year universities. Job training and college transfer facilities, safety issues, class size and offerings, and information and computer technology were each considered in developing the types of projects to be funded by this measure. In developing the types of projects described herein, job training facilities, facilities supporting college transfer and career training classrooms, and the expansion of opportunities for local students to receive an affordable, quality education, were prioritized. If these facility needs are not addressed now, each of Fresno City, Reedley, Madera and Clovis Colleges would be unable to remain competitive in preparing students for jobs in high demand industries and transfer to four-year colleges and universities.

The Board of Trustees determines that State Center CCD MUST:

1. IMPROVE job training programs for nurses, peace officers, firefighters, paramedics and 911 emergency responders; and
2. KEEP the cost of a local college education and job training programs affordable; and
3. EXPAND career and vocational programs; and
4. IMPROVE job training programs in technology, engineering, and clean energy; and
5. MAKE BASIC REPAIRS, such as fix leaky roofs; repair deteriorating gas, electrical and sewer lines remove asbestos, upgrade security systems; and
6. REQUIRE PUBLIC DISCLOSURE OF ALL SPENDING, INDEPENDENT AUDITS AND NO FUNDS FOR ADMINISTRATORS' SALARIES OR PENSIONS.

The following types of projects are authorized to be undertaken at Fresno City College, Reedley College, Madera Community College and Clovis Community College campuses and at the District's Education Centers include:

PROVIDE LOCAL STUDENTS AN AFFORDABLE EDUCATION:

Improvements Needed to Allow State Center Colleges to Provide
AFFORDABLE JOB TRAINING FOR CAREERS IN NURSING AND PUBLIC SAFETY

Goals and Purposes:

Our local community colleges offer an affordable alternative to the skyrocketing cost of four-year universities. This measure will increase opportunities for local students to earn college credits, certifications, and job skills at a reasonable price and then, if they choose, transfer to a four-year university to complete their degrees.

Our community colleges operate the largest registered nursing program in the region, which provides critical healthcare services at our hospitals, medical clinics, and nursing homes. This measure will be used to upgrade and expand nursing education and training programs to ensure that local residents have access to highly skilled healthcare workers.

Local community colleges are where our area's nurses, peace officers, firefighters, paramedics and 911 emergency responders are trained. This measure will expand the Police and Firefighter Academies, and improve health care education programs to ensure our local area has the well-trained first responders needed to keep our communities safe.

• Fix leaky roofs.
• Repair deteriorating gas, electrical, and sewer lines.
• Remove asbestos and lead paint.
• Upgrade pipes and plumbing to ensure access to safe, clean drinking water.
• Improve job training programs and facilities for nursing, peace officers, firefighters, paramedics and 911 emergency responders, agriculture and advanced manufacturing.
• Improve job training programs in technology, engineering and clean energy.
• Expand career and vocational program classrooms.
• Prepare returning veterans for high-paying jobs.

***

Fiscal Accountability

This bond measure has strict accountability requirements including:

1. All money will benefit our local college campuses and CANNOT BE TAKEN BY THE STATE.
2. NO MONEY can be used for ADMINISTRATOR SALARIES or pensions.
3. Require TAXPAYER OVERSIGHT and yearly audits to ensure all funds are used locally, effectively and as promised.
4. PUBLIC DISCLOSURE OF ALL SPENDING.
5. NO ADMINISTRATOR SALARIES. Proceeds from the sale of the bonds authorized by this proposition shall be used only for the acquisition, construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, or replacement of school facilities, including the furnishing and equipping of school facilities, and not for any other purpose, including teacher, faculty and college administrator salaries, pensions and other operating expenses.
6. 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 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 ALLOWED TO SERVE ON THE CITIZENS’ OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE.

***

In addition to the listed types of projects stated above, the types of authorized projects of the measure also include the acquisition of a variety of instructional, maintenance and operational equipment, including interim funding incurred to advance fund projects and the refinancing of outstanding lease obligations, payment of the costs of preparation of all facility planning, fiscal reporting, facility studies, assessment reviews, facility master plan preparation and updates, environmental studies (including environmental investigation, remediation and monitoring), design and construction documentation, connection fees, permit fees, and temporary housing of dislocated college activities caused by construction projects. In addition to the projects listed above, repair, renovation and construction projects may include, but not be limited to, some or all of the following: renovate student and staff restrooms; replace aging electrical and plumbing systems; improve handicap accessibility; repair and replace heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems; install building management systems; acquire vehicles, trucks; upgrade of facilities for energy efficiencies including the installation of solar panels or arrays, electric charging stations, chiller replacements and decarbonization programs; repair and replace worn-out and leaky roofs, windows, walls doors and drinking fountains; replace or remove outdated buildings and classrooms and construct new classrooms, facilities and support buildings; plan, construct, acquire or contribute to affordable employee and student housing units; upgrade wiring and electrical systems to safely accommodate computers, technology and other electrical devices and needs; upgrade facilities to meet current environmental sustainability, State compliance standards and earthquake safety; repair and replace fire alarms, emergency communications and security systems; upgrade, resurface, replacing or relocate hard courts, fields, turf and irrigation systems; replace turf on athletic fields; upgrade classrooms; build new or renovate existing facilities such as a career and technical education building, one-stop student services/student union building, parking structures; build new or upgrade sports fields, gymnasiums, pools and other athletic facilities, including Ratcliffe Stadium; upgrade, resurface and recondition existing parking lots, roads and sidewalks; improve vehicular access and circulation; improve drop-off zones; repair, upgrade and install interior and exterior lighting systems; replace water lines and valves and sewer lines; construct, upgrade, acquire or expand, multi-use classrooms and labs, swing space, student resources center, student library, police, firefighter and EMT training academies, police department facilities, fine arts, theater and visual arts, music and performing arts facilities, culinary classrooms, field lights, bleachers, press box, track replacement, collaborative office suites and administrative offices, purchasing and maintenance facility, and public safety facilities; improve water conservation and energy efficiency; acquire land; construct agriculture center and farm store at Reedley and a permanent child development center at Madera; upgrade central plant; construct or improve multi-purpose event center/range, truck driving training center, facilities for applied technology, classrooms, arts and instructional complexes; replace existing window systems with energy-efficient systems to reduce costs; improve insulation, weatherproofing and roofs to reduce costs; improve access for the disabled; install and repair fire safety equipment, including alarms, smoke detectors, sprinklers, emergency lighting, and fire safety doors; replace broken concrete walks, deteriorated asphalt; replace/upgrade existing signage to reflect better wayfinding, bells and clocks; demolition of unsafe facilities; install or upgrade new security systems, such as security (surveillance) cameras, burglar alarms, handrails, outdoor lighting, fencing, landscaping, gates, gateways and classroom key cards/door locks; replace sewer lines and improve drainage systems to prevent flooding; upgrade roadway and pedestrian paths and pathways and bridges for improved safety and access for emergency vehicles, site parking, utilities and grounds. The upgrading of technology infrastructure includes, but is not limited to, upgrading classroom technology, expanding wireless internet access throughout each college campus, acquire portable interface devices, servers, switches, routers, modules, sound projection systems, information systems, printers, digital white boards, upgrade voice-over-IP, communication systems, audio/visual and telecommunications systems, call manager and network security/firewall, Internet connectivity, wireless systems, technology infrastructure, acquire necessary software and other miscellaneous IT and instructional equipment, DATA storage, fiber/copper infrastructure, phones, identity access cards and the construction and installation of a data center in the cloud for District's enterprise systems, such as resource planning, websites, domain name systems, cloud applications and information security.

The listed projects will be completed as needed. Each project is assumed to include its share of furniture, equipment, architectural, engineering, legal and similar costs, connection fees, permit fees, program and project management, staff training expenses, a customary contingency, and costs associated with the Total Cost of Ownership of facilities and equipment. The allocation of bond proceeds may be affected by the final costs of each project. Some projects may be undertaken as joint use projects in cooperation with other local public or non-profit agencies. 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 or decisions will be determined as plans and construction documents are finalized, construction bids are received, construction contracts are awarded and projects are completed. Based on the final budgets of projects or on the then current priorities of the District, certain of the projects described above may be delayed or may not be undertaken. Demolition of existing facilities and reconstruction of facilities scheduled for repair and upgrade may occur, if the Board determines that such an approach would be more cost-effective in creating more enhanced and operationally efficient campuses. Necessary on-site and off-site improvements, site preparation and restoration, including the acquisition and installation of temporary facilities (swing space) may occur in connection with new construction, renovation or remodeling, or installation or removal of relocatable classrooms, including ingress and egress, removing, replacing, or installing traffic signals, sewer, irrigation, utility lines, trees and landscaping, relocating fire access roads, widening roads, and acquiring any necessary easements, licenses, or rights of way to the property. Proceeds of the bonds may be used to pay or reimburse the District for the cost of District staff when performing work on or necessary and incidental to bond projects. Bond proceeds shall only be expended for the types of projects and purposes identified herein. The District shall create an account into which proceeds of the bonds shall be deposited and comply with the reporting requirements of Government Code § 53410.