Community College District places bond measure on ballot

This November voters will be faced with the choice on whether or not to allow the San Bernardino Community College District (SBCCD) to issue $898 million in bonds.

Measure Y, SBCCD’s Local College Affordability, Job Training and Repairs Measure was placed on the ballot by the Board of Trustees “after more than a year of gathering community input about the future of Crafton Hills College and San Bernardino Valley College” according to a statement on the District’s website.

Measure Y would authorize bonds for San Bernardino Valley College and Crafton Hills College to repair and upgrade classrooms, labs, training spaces, infrastructure and equipment. Projects identified in the measure also include providing safe drinking water, removing asbestos and mold, repairing deteriorating gas lines, and acquiring, constructing and repairing college facilities, sites and equipment.

If approved, Measure Y would levy $25 a year for every $100,000 of assessed property value and generate about $56 million annually while the bonds are outstanding. The measure requires citizen oversight, public disclosure of spending, and annual independent financial and performance audits. By law, all Measure Y funds must stay local and be used for projects identified in the measure.

For more information, including the official ballot question and frequently asked questions, visit www.sbccd.edu/MeasureY.