2024 Facilities Bond Measure

What is this Southwestern College Ballot Measure I’m hearing about?

It is a facilities bond measure proposal on the November 5, 2024, ballot seeking voter authorization for Southwestern Community College District’s locally-controlled funding to make needed facility repairs, technology upgrades, and improvements to Southwestern College facilities. This Measure requires 55% support to pass. A “YES” vote approves funding for the District’s plan; a “NO” vote rejects the plan.

Why has Southwestern CCD placed this measure on the ballot?

After more than six decades of constant use by students and staff, our local college continues to age and deteriorate. Upgrades continue to be needed to ensure that the College is here for current students and future generations to come. This measure seeks voter authorization to upgrade classrooms, labs and facilities to better prepare local college students and returning veterans for jobs, careers and transfer to 4-year colleges and universities, so they achieve career success and prosperity in life. No other funding exists to address these needs.

What would funds raised by this measure go towards?

Approval of the SWCCD Bond Measure will:

• Upgrade job training, vocational classrooms, labs and technology to help train first responders, including local nurses, firefighters & paramedics
• Prepare college students and returning veterans for jobs and transfer to 4-year colleges and universities
• Continue to provide clean drinking water systems and remove old lead pipes and asbestos
• Repair leaky roofs, deteriorated HVAC units, gas and sewer lines, and faulty plumbing and restrooms
• Increase accessibility for disabled students
• Improve campus safety, updating lighting, fire alarms, cameras, and emergency systems

What is the actual question that voters will be asked to decide in November?

“SOUTHWESTERN COLLEGE CAREER EDUCATION, REPAIR, AFFORDABLE HIGHER EDUCATION MEASURE. To upgrade job training, vocational classrooms, labs/technology to help train local nurses, firefighters/ paramedics; prepare students/veterans for jobs/university; repair deteriorating roofs, gas/sewer lines; remove lead pipes/asbestos; shall Southwestern Community College District issue $800,000,000 in bonds at legal rates, levy on average $25 per $100,000 of assessed valuation, generating $51,100,000 annually while bonds are outstanding, requiring audits, public spending disclosure, all funds staying local, be adopted?”

How much would the proposed bond cost?

This bond proposal translates to about $25 per $100,000 of assessed valuation. The 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.

Is Southwestern College really that old?

Yes. The College is now more than 60 years old.  Continuing repairs and upgrades are needed. Some classrooms were built so long ago that they have asbestos and lead pipes, and do not meet current earthquake safety standards. This bond will not only better prepare students for jobs and careers, but it will also complete BASIC REPAIRS – e.g. repairs to leaky roofs, and deteriorated HVAC units, gas and sewer lines, plumbing and restrooms; increasing accessibility for disabled students, and improving campus security lighting, fire alarms, cameras, and emergency safety systems.

What about ongoing facilities maintenance? Doesn’t the District have a facilities budget?

Yes. District facilities staff members work hard to maintain our local college facilities and keep them in good working condition with limited resources. However, the reality is that the types of repairs and renovations that are currently needed go beyond the scope and means of our minimal State-allocated maintenance budgets. 

No one in my household attends Southwestern College.  Why should this matter to me?

SWCCD is a vital economic engine for the South San Diego County area, creating thousands of jobs and generating economic benefits for local workers and businesses. Southwestern College is where most of our local nurses, police, firefighters, and 911 emergency responders are trained. It’s a vital resource for South Bay college students and veterans seeking real-world skills to compete for good-paying jobs or prepare to transfer to 4-year colleges or universities without facing crushing loan debt. Southwestern even invites local high school students to get a jump start on college by taking courses while still in high school and leads innovative initiatives to provide residents and students from across the border to attend Southwestern College, many of whom are the first members of their families to receive and experience a college education. 

Does the District have a Facilities Master Plan or Assessment?

Yes. SWCCD has prepared a detailed Facilities Vision Plan (FVP) that evaluates the condition of all college facilities, identifies needed improvements, and provides a plan to upgrade and construct classrooms and student services facilities over the next 5 to 15 years.  The State of California provides very limited funding for community college facility improvements and to repair and upgrade aging college facilities, SWCCD must identify local funding sources such as a college facilities improvement bond measure.

What about the Lottery funding? Wasn’t it supposed to fix our public schools and colleges? 

Unfortunately, Lottery funds can only be used for classroom instruction, not technology or facility upgrades. Moreover, the money our college district receives from the Lottery each year comprises less than 2% of our annual General Fund Budget.

If voters approve the bond, when will the work begin? 

If voters approve this bond measure proposal, the District will immediately focus on addressing the most critical facility needs. A schedule for funding projects will be developed so that they can be completed on time and within budget. 

How can we be assured that the bond money will be spent properly?

Taxpayer protection is REQUIRED.  ALL funds generated by this measure MUST STAY LOCALLY CONTROLLED for the direct benefit of Southwestern College.  MANDATORY public spending disclosures, annual financial and performance audits, and an independent citizens’ oversight committee ensure funds are used as promised.    None of the money from this measure can be used to increase salaries, benefits, or pensions for administrators, teachers, or any other school employees.

Doesn’t the STATE provide funding for facility upgrades?

Very little. In the past, State funding has been available to support local public school and college upgrades, but especially now, we cannot count on this uncertain source of funding. Moreover, to access State funding, community college districts MUST generate local matching funds by passing a local facilities bond measure. Passing a local bond is the ONLY way to qualify for additional State funding if, and when, it becomes available. There are no other sources of funding for major facility upgrades. 

Will this measure support student and staff health and safety?

If approved by local voters, this ballot measure will support student and staff health and safety by upgrading utility systems, deteriorating infrastructure, removing hazardous materials like asbestos and lead pipes where encountered, and improving fire and emergency communications systems. By funding these upgrades we can ensure the College’s instructional environment is safer both on a day-to-day basis and in case of an emergency.

What is a Proposition 39 school bond measure and what can it pay for?

A Proposition 39 bond measure can ONLY be used to fund public education facilities and technology improvements (capital projects - not maintenance or regular repairs). A Proposition 39 school bond requires 55% to pass. Proposition 39 school bonds prohibit the use of the funds for operations, salaries or pensions. It also requires independent financial and performance audits on the use of bond proceeds. No revenue generated by a local bond can be taken away by the State.

Will businesses share in the cost of this Measure?

Yes, commercial, industrial, and residential property owners will be subject to the same property tax levy.

Who is eligible to vote on Measure?

All registered voters within the Southwestern Community College District are eligible to vote on this ballot measure headed for the November 5, 2024, ballot.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:  Contact Sofia Salgado Robitaille at (619) 216-6613 or email srobitaille@swccd.edu.

Bond 2024's Fact Sheet