Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District Board of Trustees unanimously agree to place bond measure on the November 3 ballot

El Cajon, CA – On July 27, 2026, the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District (District) Board of Trustees unanimously agreed to place a bond measure on the November 3 ballot extending Proposition R, the 2002 initiative East County voters overwhelmingly approved to fund essential repairs and modernization projects at Grossmont and Cuyamaca colleges. The extension would generate an estimated $624 million without raising current tax rates.

The pending measure is a centerpiece in a deliberative process aligning the District’s mission to ensure that every student has access to a first-class education and that the colleges can offer the most up-to-date workforce training and preparation skills essential for thriving in an ever-changing economy.

“Community colleges are indispensable in building and strengthening local economic development, making it vital that our campuses are properly equipped to meet modern workforce needs,” said Governing Board President Debbie Justeson.

“Today’s vote is a significant milestone for our District,” added Chancellor Lynn Ceresino Neault, Ed.D., who noted a substantial portion of campus infrastructure at Grossmont and Cuyamaca colleges was constructed in the 1960’s.

Districtwide infrastructure and technology needs include upgrading wildfire protection and water systems; improving Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility; repairing and replacing leaking pipes, HVAC, electrical systems, aging roofs, flooring, windows, and paint; and upgrading electronics, including fire safety, security, and emergency response equipment.

Among the projects slated for Grossmont College are replacing or upgrading wildfire protection systems; developing new career and technical education facilities to expand programs in skilled trades such as welding, construction management, and advanced manufacturing; reconstructing an outdated child development center to support high-quality childcare and early education; and renovating and equipping other instructional buildings, classrooms, labs, and student service facilities.

Projects scheduled for Cuyamaca College include the reconstruction of the more than half-century old instructional building complex, which is unable to support modern technology and current academic needs; renovating a more than 25-year-old child development center to improve safety and security for children, families, and professional employees; modernizing a library built before smartphones and high-speed streaming services were developed; and renovating and equipping other instructional buildings, classrooms, labs, and student service facilities.

At least 55% of voters must approve the measure for it to pass. Bond funds can only be used for facilities, and cannot be spent on salaries or operational expenses. A Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee will monitor how bond dollars are being spent, and independent audits are required annually. The District’s current bond funds have been audited and praised for financial transparency, earning perfect grades for the past four years from the San Diego County Taxpayers Association.

About the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District

The Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District (the District) includes Grossmont and Cuyamaca colleges, which offer hundreds of degree and certificate programs, including Associate in Arts, Associate in Science, and Advanced/Basic Certificates. The District is the largest provider of higher education and job training in East County, and is a top transfer pathway to San Diego State University. The colleges lead the way in developing educational programs, classes, and services that meet the needs of the community of learners, and prepare students to meet changing community and workforce needs, while advancing social justice and economic mobility. Learn more at www.gcccd.edu.

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