Frequently Asked Questions about Proposition R

Prop. R FAQs

Q:	What is the problem?
A:	Aging classrooms and buildings need repair and renovation. Years of wear and tear have taken their toll. Deteriorated plumbing, heating and ventilation systems and safety hazards like leaky pipes, frayed wiring and damaged flooring now plague both campuses. Electrical and wiring systems predating the digital age can’t accommodate the overwhelming need for computer technology. The colleges cannot fulfill their fundamental missions of preparing students and community members for jobs, career advancement and transfer to four-year colleges and universities without undertaking costly upgrades to meet today’s high-tech demands. Enrollment at both colleges has far exceeded capacity. Grossmont College was built for 4,800 and now enrolls more than 18,000. Cuyamaca College, built for 3,500, enrolls 8,000. Combined, both colleges are projected to serve 35,000 by 2015.
Q:	How will the bond money be used?
A:	By law, Proposition R funds cannot be spent on administrative salaries. Every cent must be spent on repairs, renovations, upgrade, and construction projects specified in Proposition R. Bond proceeds would be used for: Structural repairs and renovations, including correcting hazardous conditions such as faulty wiring, leaking roofs, deteriorated bathrooms and corroded plumbing. Repairing, renovating or replacing obsolete classrooms and laboratories. Upgrading electrical and wiring systems that predate the digital age and can’t accommodate the overwhelming need for computer technology as part of the instructional program. Constructing and equipping college buildings, sites and science/computer labs.
Q:	Is there a complete list of the projects to be funded by Proposition R?
A:	The governing board resolution calling for the bond election included a complete list of projects to be funded by the bond. The complete list is in the full text of the ballot proposition and on the college district’s web site under Bond News at www.gcccd.net. The most important projects to be funded include: Grossmont College Health Professions and Nursing Building Grossmont College Science Classroom and Laboratory Building Grossmont College Instructional Technology Center Cuyamaca College Communication Arts Instructional Building Cuyamaca College Business and Computer Information Systems Instructional Building Cuyamaca College Science & Technology Center Depending on the level of district funding from the state and possibly other sources, some projects may be funded entirely or partially from other sources. The Governing Board will establish the timing of projects after review by the Citizens Oversight Committee. All projects are from the facilities construction, maintenance, renovation and repair, energy reduction and technology master plans approved by the governing board in 2002. These plans are on file in the District’s Public Information Office.
Q:	Aren’t community colleges funded by the state?
A:	Yes, but state funds have been woefully inadequate. An outdated state formula puts the Grossmont-Cuyamaca College District near the bottom for state funding per student. And when it comes to community college construction, the state now has a backlog of $2 billion for approved community college construction projects, but is allocating only $150 million a year.
Q.	Has the District issued bonds before?
A:	Yes. In 1962 and 1965, the voters of East County passed bonds to build college facilities. These bonds were paid off in 1982. Since the opening of Grossmont College in 1961 and Cuyamaca College in 1977, the district has served more than 1 million students.
Q:	Why not raise student fees?
A:	The state has been committed to keep community college affordable for every Californian and has set fees at $11 a unit. The district cannot raise this.
Q:	Why haven’t you maintained your buildings?
A:	An independent facilities assessment by 3D/International this year concluded that the buildings have been well maintained, but they are old and worn out. Tremendous use has taken its toll. To continue preparing our students for four-year colleges and jobs, plumbing, pipe, roofing, and ventilation problems must be addressed. The issue isn’t maintenance—it’s the sheer magnitude of building use. There are many more students than the facilities were designed to handle. Imagine your home with 30 people coming in for an hour or so at a time, 8 or 10 hours a day, 50 weeks a year, for many, many years. The resulting needs far exceed "routine maintenance."

Q:	How has the college district paid for projects in the past?
A:	The district has received some state funds and used them carefully. The district has also been innovative in using alternatives, such as lease revenue bonds, leases, certificates of participation and income-generating contracts. Being shortchanged by the state has meant that the district has also had to use local operating funds for capital projects. Out of necessity, the district has also had to defer urgent, critical repairs and necessary modernization to meet technological demands. Every possible funding alternative has been used prior to even considering a general obligation bond.
Q:	Why now, when there are other bond measures anticipated for the fall election, including a state educational facilities bond?
A:	The costs of major renovations and sorely needed new construction continue to climb and student enrollment continues to grow, particularly during lean economic years as more working adults return to school in hopes of improving their employability. The state bond will not provide any maintenance or renovation funds. For the Grossmont-Cuyamaca District, it would fully fund at most one building on each campus. To obtain a second building on each campus, the college district would need to provide 50 percent of the cost. Passage of Proposition R will provide the funding for the local 50 percent.
Q:	What about Lottery funds?
A:	Lottery funds are included in the college’s annual budget, but the law limits their use to operational costs. Lottery funds represent only 2½ percent of the district budget.
Q:	What about private fund-raising?
A:	The district has been innovative in finding ways to meet college needs, successfully pursuing numerous state and federal grants, foundation fund-raising and garnering private industry support. Unfortunately, the money needed to pay for numerous construction projects far surpasses the colleges’ fund-raising abilities.
Q:	What is the amount and term of the bond and what will it cost property owners?
A:	The $207 million bond, Proposition R, translates to a maximum of $25 annually over a 30-year period for every $100,000 of assessed valuation, or a maximum of $2.08 a month. Assessed valuation refers to taxable value, not the market value of your home. The taxable value of your home or business will depend on when you purchased it. Because many East County residents have owned their homes or business property for many years, the average assessed value is $170,000.

Q:	How can the public be assured the bond money will be spent properly?
A:	An independent Citizens Oversight Committee will be established to work with the governing board to ensure that Proposition R funds will be spent exactly as promised and not wasted. The committee will include community members with expertise in construction and finance, taxpayer organizations and others representing the broad scope of community interests in the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District. Every cent will be spent directly on the renovations, repairs, construction and infrastructure as specified in the bond. No money will be spent on administrator salaries. An independent Citizens Oversight Committee will guarantee that all bond funds are spent exactly as promised. An independent audit of all Proposition R expenditures will be conducted annually to examine whether the money is being spent as promised. Audit results will be publicized.
Q:	When is the election?
A:	Nov. 5, 2002
Q:	Where can I get more information?
A:	Contact the District Public Information Office at 619-644-7573, e-mail info-gcccd@cox.net, or check Bond News on the district web site at www.gcccd.net .