President's Update

continued President's message

Now that the Board has voted to place a bond measure on the June 2006 election ballot, a community campaign committee (Friends of Cuesta College—FOCC) has formed and will be directing the campaign.  The campaign will be funded with privately raised dollars and will consist of citizen advocacy, direct mail, voter registration drives, telephone campaigns to get out the vote, and television advertising. Serving as consultant to the Friends of Cuesta College will be William Berry Campaigns. The FOCC committee members come from throughout the county, represent a cross-section of occupations, and are community activists. Employees may join the FOCC Committee, but employees may not participate in any campaign activities during normal working hours or use district resources to advocate for or against this ballot measure. 

Preceding the February 16 vote by the Board of Trustees were 10 months of campus and community information and input, voter polling, facilities needs assessment and planning, and learning about bond measures. All employees had numerous opportunities during the fall semester to learn more about the District’s educational and facilities master plan updates, educational program developments and facilities needs. Several employees served on the District Planning and Bond Education Committee, three campus forums were held and presentations and questionnaires about a potential bond measure were part of both opening days for Fall 2005 and Spring 2006. Faculty had opportunity to serve on the District Committee, respond to questionnaires, participate in discussions through division or cluster meetings, and provide input through personal conversations, division meetings, written communication, or service on such District committees as Planning and Budget.

Elsewhere in this issue of CC News, readers will find “What Employees Can and Can’t Do During a Bond Campaign” and a recent two page Q&A summary of why the District is now pursuing a proposition 39 bond measure.

The Cuesta College Job Training and Modernization ballot measure – Measure G – if passed, would bring the SLO Campus urgently needed funds for repairing HVAC systems, modernizing buildings and classrooms, new buildings for both campuses and development of a South County Center, new technology and equipment for classrooms and labs, site infrastructure, and debt retirement.

If you have questions or comments, my campaign e-mail is marierosenwasserfoc@yahoo.

Full text of the Cuesta College Job Training
and Modernization ballot measure
(Measure G):

APPENDIX A

BALLOT MEASURE
FULL TEXT OF MEASURE

To prepare Cuesta college students for skilled jobs and university transfer by:

• Repairing deteriorating roofs, plumbing, mechanical and electrical systems
• Building and modernizing classrooms, science and computer labs, dental hygiene and job training centers
• Updating classroom and lab technology
• Acquiring facilities/sites and constructing and equipping buildings, classrooms and labs

Shall the San Luis Obispo County Community College District issue $310,000,000 in bonds at legal rates, with citizen oversight and no money for salaries?

BOND PROJECT LIST

The Bond Project List shown below is a part of the ballot proposition and must be reproduced in any official document required to contain the full statement of the bond proposition.

Projects Subject to Available Funding. The following list of projects is subject to the availability of adequate funding to the District.

Scope of Projects. Bond proceeds will be expended to modernize, replace, renovate, construct, equip, furnish and otherwise improve any of the following facilities of the District.  The specific school facilities projects which are described below include all related and incidental costs, including costs of design, engineering, architect and other professional services, site preparation, utilities, landscaping and other incidental costs, and construction management. The District may alter any of the specific projects which are described below as required by conditions which arise during the course of design and construction.

I. Modernization, Repair and Renovation Projects

II. Projects Which May be Assisted by State Matching Funds

III. Property Acquisition Required to Retire Existing Obligations

Proceeds of the Bonds are authorized to be applied to finance or refinance the acquisition of property by the District for the purpose of retiring long-term obligations of the District, as follows:

Acquisition of the Student Center property which is currently leased to the District by the San Luis Obispo County Community College Financing Corporation (the “Financing Corporation”) under a First Amended and Restated Lease Agreement dated February 1, 1996.

Acquisition of certain equipment consisting generally of heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems installed in District buildings, which has been leased to the District under an Equipment Project Lease/Purchase Agreement dated May 7, 1998, between the District and LaSalle National Bank.

Acquisition of the North County Campus property which is currently leased to the District by the Financing Corporation under a First Amended and Restated Lease Agreement dated July 1, 2003.

IV. Technology Infrastructure and Equipment

Information Technology: New Management Information System

Proceeds of the Bonds may be applied to finance the acquisition and installation of a new integrated software system for the District to replace the existing obsolete system of the District.

Instructional/Non-Instructional Equipment

Proceeds of the Bonds may be applied to finance the acquisition and installation of new computers and related technology equipment for the District.  Bond proceeds may also be applied to finance the acquisition and installation of additional technology equipment including the following:

Computer Replacement
Dental Hygiene Equipment
Instructional Technology Equipment
Lab Equipment Replacement  

V. Site Infrastructure

Site infrastructure (including utilities, sewer, and water) on approximately 75 undeveloped acres across from the San Luis Obispo Campus, including costs of planning, studies, environmental impact reports, engineering and other preliminary development costs.

Landscaping and irrigation systems at both the San Luis Obispo Campus and the North County Campus.

Parking lots at both the San Luis Obispo Campus and the North County Campus.

VI. New Permanent Buildings

District Job Training Center
North County Campus Dental Hygiene Building
North County Campus Early Childhood Education Building
North County Campus Humanities Building
North County Campus Performing Arts Building
North County Campus Physical Education Building/Swimming Complex
North County Campus Student Support Services Building
San Luis Obispo Campus Expansion/Remodeling of Administration Building
San Luis Obispo Campus Math Building
San Luis Obispo Campus Warehouse, Shipping/Receiving Facility
South County Center Classrooms/Labs
South County Center Land Purchase or Long-term Lease
South County Center Site Infrastructure Development
South County Center Student Support Services Building
Construction Management and Construction Cost Escalation