MADERA COUNTY — The State Center Community College District (SCCCD) Board of Trustees voted at its Mar. 1, meeting to place a local bond measure on the June 7 primary ballot.
The bond seeks to generate $485 million to address District needs at Oakhurst Community College Center, Fresno City College, Reedley College, Clovis Community College, and Madera Community College Center, and improve its aging school facilities.
“This bond will allow State Center Community College District to repair and upgrade our five campuses and its Career and Technical Center in order to prepare students and veterans for jobs or university transfer,” said Interim Chancellor, Dr. Bill F. Stewart. “We will be able to provide state-of-the-art career technical education facilities, in addition to upgrading classroom buildings, labs, and technology for the nearly 50,000 students that we serve.”
One of the projects earmarked from the hoped-for funding from this bond measure is the creation of new campus in Oakhurst, including site acquisition, infrastructure development and Phase I construction of critical classrooms and labs.
In the SCCCD 2012-2025 District Wide Facilities Master Plan, the overview proposed that Oakhurst receive a new campus building that is a two-story structure on the existing campus location. Whether money goes toward expanding the existing campus location or acquiring suitable property at a new location, yet undetermined, the Oakhurst site could be the recipient some $25 million dollars from the proposed bond.
SCCCD has the oldest community college in California, with Fresno City College celebrating its centennial in 2010. Also included in the bond are state-of-the-art police and fire academies. Attached is a list of the projects at each of the sites.
The bond measure includes independent annual financial and performance audits, and the eyes of a citizens oversight committee. Under state law, the bond can only go to facilities projects, and can’t be used for any other purpose, including teacher and administrator pay, or other ongoing operating expenses.
The bond measure will require a “Yes” vote by at least 55 percent of the voters.
Read an earlier article about the future of Oakhurst Community College Center
Oakhurst Community College Center
State Center Community College District
