11,217 / 56.75% Yes votes ...... 8,550 / 43.25% No votes

See Also: Index of all Measures

Gavilan College website

Gavilan College

Information about the bond measure

Ballot Pamphlet Information

currently only in .pdf format (Note: the "Argument Against" and the "Rebuttal to the Argument For" Measure E have been changed by court order. See your Voter Pamphlet for the correct wording.)

Opponents

• Vote No on Measure E - Libertarian Party of Santa Clara Co.

• Vote Yes on Measure E - FPPC #1254360

Gavilan College Job Training, Overcrowding, Repair/Safety Measure: To prepare students for jobs/four-year colleges, accommodate increasing enrollment and upgrade Gavilan College campuses in Gilroy, San Benito County and the Greater Morgan Hill area by:

• Improving fire safety and security;
• Upgrading plumbing/sewer systems;
• Upgrading wiring for computer technology;
• Repairing, acquiring, constructing, equipping classrooms, buildings, libraries and sites

The Board of Trustees of the Gavilan Joint Community College District evaluated the District's urgent and critical facility needs, including safety issues, enrollment growth, energy efficiency and information and computer technology, in developing the scope of projects to be funded, as outlined in the Gavilan College Facilities Master Plan, dated January 9, 2001, updated on November 11, 2003, incorporated herein, and as shall be further amended from time to time. In developing the scope of projects, the faculty, staff and students have prioitized the key health and safety needs so that the most urgent and basic repairs that will make Gavilan College operational and safe for learning are included. The Board conducted independent facilities evaluations and received public input and review in developing the scope of college facility projects to be funded, as listed in the Facilities Master Plan which was unanimously approved by the Board of Trustees. This input of faculty, community and business leaders concluded that it would be less expensive to upgrade and repair aging community college buildings and classrooms now, than in the future. In preparing the Facilities Master Plan, the Board of Trustees made three critical determinations:

1. In tough economic times, community colleges, including Gavilan College, are critically important to re-train people who want to expand their job skills;

2. Statewide budget cuts are damaging Gavilan College's ability to provide a high-quality college education for local students; and

3. Because University of California and California State University systems are becoming more expensive, more people rely on community colleges, therefore Gavilan College must be upgraded so it can provide local students with a high quality education they might not otherwise receive.

The Facilities Master Plan is on file at the District's Office of the Superintendent/President, and includes the following projects:

GAVILAN COLLEGE - GILROY CAMPUS

• Repair, Upgrade, and/or Replace Aging Obsolete Classrooms, Science Labs, Instructional Facilities, Sites and Utilities:

  Repair, renovate and/or replace deteriorating roofs, corroding pipes and power lines, plumbing, sewer, drainage, electrical systems, wiring, unsanitary and run down bathrooms, antiquated boiler systems, telecommunications, foundations, classrooms, fields and grounds, science laboratories, pools, lecture halls, performing arts, and other instructional facilities, wire classrooms for computers and technology, increase campus security, installation and repair of fire safety equipment, including alarms, smoke detectors, sprinklers, emergency lighting, fire safety doors, increase energy efficiency, reduce operating costs and improve job training and academic instruction, and meet legal requirements for disabled access.

• Safey Improvements:

  Upgrade existing fire alarms, sprinklers, smoke detectors, intercoms and fire doors; install security systems, exterior lighting, emergency lighting, door locks and fences.

• Expand Job Training and Academic Classroom, Library and Facility Capacity:

  Increase classroom capacity for academic and job training classes, including math, business, english, science labs, library complex, physical and health education facilities; upgrade, repair, equip, and expand student services buildings to include academic and job training and counseling centers, study areas, lecture/meeting/seminar rooms, computer hook-up and other student support, as well as fine and performing arts, labs; expand maintenance building to support facilities, high technology learning resource center, and classrooms for partnering with a 4-year university to allow residents to obtain a bachelor's degree without commuting.

• Energy Efficiency Improvements; Repair, Replace and Upgrade Electrical, Mechanical, Old Boiler and Energy Systems To Reduce Energy Consumption:

  Replace old boiler and energy systems, heating, ventilation and air conditioning system and related utility systems; energy efficiency projects designed to increase efficiency.

• Information Technology Wiring and Equipment:

  Upgrade electrical systems and wiring for computer technology and Internet access; upgrade and replace outdated technology including computers, laboratory equipment and classroom furnishings.

• Refinance Existing Lease Obligations To Lower Interest Rates and Increase Funds Available For Instruction and Ongoing Maintenance of Classrooms and Buildings.

• Safety and Security; Sites; Site Accessibility; Improve Emergency Access:

  Improve pedestrian access routes across campus for safety; improve campus safety and security by adding exterior lighting; implement safety upgrades to relieve gridlock, traffic flow and parking congestion; redesign campus walkways to eliminate unsafe conditions; repair or replace outdated natural gas, water, sewer, storm drain systems; acquire property to expand student capacity, alleviate traffic congestion in neighborhoods adjacent to campus, increase access for emergency vehicles; add parking to accommodate increasing student population.

GAVILAN COLLEGE - SAN BENITO CAMPUS

• Establish Gavilan College Education Center in San Benito County to Accommodate Growth and Increasing Student Enrollment:

  Provide permanent classrooms, labs, library, job training and college transfer counseling and partner with a 4-year university to allow residents to obtain a bachelor's degree without commuting. Improvements in the San Benito County campus will be made with a combination of bond monies and State matching funds.

GAVILAN COLLEGE - GREATER MORGAN HILL AREA CAMPUS

• Establish Gavilan College Education Center to Accommodate Growth and Increasing Student Enrollment:

  To provide permanent classrooms, labs, job training and college transfer counseling buildings facilities in the Greater Morgan Hill area, including the acquisition of a sites(s) to allow local students greater access to an affordable education. Improvements in the Greater Morgan Hill area campus will be made with a combination of bond monies and State matching funds.

Listed repairs, rehabilitation projects and upgrades will be completed as needed. Each project is assumed to include its share of equipment, architectural, engineering, and similar planning costs, construction management, and a customary contingency for unforeseen design and contruction costs. The allocation of bond proceeds will be affected by the District's receipt of State matching funds and the final costs of each project. The budget for each project is an estimate and may be affected by factors beyond the District's control. The final cost of each project will be determined as plans are finalized, construction bids are awarded, and projects are completed.

The bond program is designed to provide facilities which will serve current and expected enrollment. In the event of an unexpected slowdown in development or enrollment of students at Gavilan College, or its several outreach centers, certain of the projects described above will be delayed or may not be completed. In such case, bond money will be spent on only the most essential of the projects listed above. The District will work with the Citizens' Oversight Committee on prioritizing those projects in the event factors beyond the District's control require that project be reconsidered.

FISCAL ACCOUNTABILITY. THE EXPENDITURE OF BOND MONEY ON THESE PROJECTS ARE SUBJECT TO STRINGENT FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY REQUIREMENTS. PERFORMANCE AND FINANCIAL AUDITS WILL BE PERFORMED ANNUALLY, AND ALL BOND EXPENDITURES WILL BE MONITORED BY AN INDEPENDENT CITIZENS' OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE TO ENSURE THAT FUNDS ARE SPENT AS PROMISED AND SPECIFIED. THE CITIZENS' OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE MUST INCLUDE, AMONG OTHERS, REPRESENTATION OF A BONA FIDE TAXPAYERS ASSOCIATION, A BUSINESS ORGANIZATION AND A SENIOR CITIZENS ORGANIZATION. NO DISTRICT EMPLOYEES OR VENDORS ARE ALLOWED TO SERVE ON THE CITIZENS' OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE.

NO ADMINISTRATOR SALARIES. PROCEEDS FROM THE SALE OF THE BONDS AUTHORIZED BY THIS PROPOSITION SHALL BE USED ONLY FOR THE CONSTRUCTION, RECONSTRUCTION, REHABILITATION, OR REPLACEMENT OF COLLEGE FACILITIES, INCLUDING THE FURNISHING AND EQUIPPING OF COLLEGE FACILITIES, AND NOT FOR ANY OTHER PURPOSE, INCLUDING TEACHER AND ADMINISTRATOR SALARIES AND OTHER OPERATING EXPENSES. BY LAW, ALL FUNDS CAN ONLY BE SPENT ON REPAIR AND IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS.