According to SDCCD Chancellor Gregory Smith, Measure HH will provide state-of-the-art facilities and technology to prepare students at San Diego City, Mesa, Miramar, and Continuing Education colleges for successful careers and contribute to the growth of our regional economy, for which the SDCCD has a $5.8 billion annual impact.
“For more than 100 years, the colleges in the San Diego Community College District have provided the foundation for building better futures in the San Diego region,” said Smith. “The district sincerely appreciates voters for supporting Measure HH, which will enable us to keep that foundation strong and vibrant.”
Measure HH will provide training facilities for good-paying jobs; upgrade classrooms and labs for nurses and other healthcare workers; upgrade instructional technology for science; engineering, arts and math programs; and upgrade facilities for first-responder public safety programs.
It also will include community enhancements such as public meeting spaces, recreational facilities, and green space.
Among the most needed projects are repairs and upgrades to outdated facilities, training facilities for veterans and active-duty military, renewable energy upgrades, affordable housing, and childcare facilities.
SDCCD Board President Bernie Rhinerson, who led the campaign in support of Measure HH, says there is urgency to begin repairs.
“It’s been 18 years since our last bond measure, and despite major infrastructure improvements, facilities have continued to age, and facility needs have evolved,” said Rhinerson. “We are now at a point where upgrades and replacement of outdated facilities is urgent if we are to continue to serve the community.”
Among the district’s next steps will be to convene an independent Citizen’s Bond Oversight Committee to oversee Measure HH spending. Mandatory audits will be conducted annually and no funds would be spent on administrator salaries or employee pensions.
Examples of projects to be funded by the bond measure include a new City College student commons that will replace an outdated student center; a new Mesa College early childhood education center; a renovation and upgrade of the Miramar College Aviation and Aeronautical Sciences program facilities that will allow for expansion of job training for careers in the aviation industry; and the renovation and modernization of College of Continuing Education’s career training areas for welding, HVAC and other building trades at the Educational Cultural Complex in the southeastern San Diego community. The 5,600 district students who are active military personnel, military veterans or military dependents also will benefit from new and expanded campus veterans service centers.
Consistent with its educational mission, the SDCCD will require contractors and vendors to provide student internships and other appropriate participation associated with Measure HH projects.
Previously, San Diego taxpayers overwhelmingly approved Propositions S and N in 2002 and 2006, respectively, which the bond rating agency Standard & Poor’s in February gave its highest rating possible – AAA – and cited the district’s steady financial profile, balanced operations and financial resources supported by favorable enrollment trends. The district’s stewardship has led to six bond re-funding, or refinancing, processes that have saved taxpayers a total of $339.1 million.
As one of the largest of California’s 73 community college districts, the San Diego Community College District serves approximately 90,000 students annually through its four colleges. San Diego City College, San Diego Mesa College, and San Diego Miramar College, offer associate degrees and certificates in occupational programs that prepare students for university transfer and good-paying careers. The credit colleges also offer bachelor’s degrees in high demand fields such as Health Information Management, Cyber Defense and Analysis, and Public Safety Management. San Diego College of Continuing Education, a statewide leader in noncredit education, offers free, adult education programs at seven campuses throughout San Diego.