Trustees Place Measure J on November Ballot; Campaign Underway
Voters in the District will decided on the bond, which would provide for the renovation of SEM, FA, and other Master Plan projects.
Affectionately known as Frankenstein’s Lab, renovation of this SEM instructional facility is one of the projects that would be funded by Measure J.
The North Orange County Community College District Board of Trustees voted unanimously on July 22, 2014 to place Measure J — the Fullerton/Cypress Colleges Repair and Student/Veteran Job Training Measure — on the November 4, 2014 ballot.
If approved by voters in the fall, Measure J would provide Fullerton College, Cypress College, and local continuing education programs with $574 million for significant upgrades to technical job training facilities, aging classrooms, and veterans resources.
“This is about staying relevant well into the future,” NOCCCD Chancellor Dr. Ned Doffoney said. “Many of our campus classrooms and buildings were constructed 50-80 years ago. As a result, students are learning science and other technical, in-demand disciplines with greatly outdated labs and technology. To keep high-paying jobs in our area and attract more high-tech jobs, we need facilities that have the capacity to keep up with the educational and job-training demands of our times.”
Key Measure J investment priorities include:
- Upgrades to antiquated science labs, lecture halls, technology and instructional equipment to better prepare students for growing fields of study and high-skill careers.
- Enhancements of classroom space and training centers for future nurses, firefighters and other first responders, as well as technically-trained workers.
- Expansion of veterans’ facilities and services as well as job-placement centers to train and re-train veterans as they transition into the civilian workforce.
Improvements also call for general health and safety repairs, energy-efficiency enhancements, and other needed facility renovations on each of the District’s three campuses.
The Board’s decision follows a June poll suggesting Measure J could be a success. Nearly 72% of likely voters surveyed recognized a funding need and indicated support of the measure.
“The community understands the value of our institutions,” said NOCCCD Board of Trustees President Jeff Brown. “More local residents than ever are relying on our high quality and affordable education programs to prepare them for competitive job opportunities or for transfer to CSU or UC campuses. We need to make sure that we’re able to continue to equip them with the skills they need to succeed.”
Passage of Measure J would amount to a projected $14.90 per $100,000 assessed value for property owners, and would include citizen oversight and regular audits to assure accountability and transparency. By law, funds from facility bond measures can only be spent on buildings, classrooms or instructional equipment. No bond funds can be spent on administrator pensions or salaries.
To pass this November 4, Measure J would need 55% support by voters falling within NOCCCD boundaries which include the cities of: Anaheim, Fullerton, Yorba Linda, Cypress, Buena Park, Placentia, Brea, La Habra, La Habra Heights, La Palma, Los Alamitos, Placentia, Rossmoor, Garden Grove, La Mirada, Orange, Seal Beach, Stanton, and Whittier.