West Hills College seeks voter approval for $20 million bond measure

Citing a need to keep pace with a rapidly changing pace of technology in the classroom, the West Hills Community College District on November 4 will ask voters, including those in Lemoore, to approve a $20 million bond issue that will pay for new technology.

School officials say a “Yes” vote on Measure T would allow the district to keep pace with today’s rapidly changing educational and job training technology at its campuses in Coalinga and Lemoore and at the North District Center, Firebaugh. The bond funds would be used solely to upgrade and replace obsolete technology, and is designed to save taxpayers millions of dollars in reduced borrowing costs.

“Technology in the classroom and the laboratories are essential in today's educational institutions,” said West Hills College District Chancellor Frank Gornick. “We have been a leader in the use of technology in the classroom and in preparing our students for careers whether those careers are in the health professions or the agricultural industry. It is also clear that technology is expensive and ever changing, therefore to provide a secure source of revenue that can only be spent on technology for the next 20 years is very important to the future of our district and in Lemoore.”

Gornick added that in order for students to be successful, they must have access to the latest in computers and other technologies. He said the bond measure does not provide new buildings or facilities, but instead will provide the ability to issue bonds in four $5 million increments over 20 years, which he says is essential for local college students to be competitive in the job market – and for the community to attract new employers.

 “Unfortunately, state funding for community college classroom technology has simply failed to meet the educational needs of today’s students over the past decade, and despite a rosier budget picture coming out of Sacramento, there is no relief in sight for funding new technology,” added Gornick.

Ken Stoppenbrink, the district’s deputy chancellor and chief financial officer, said the ballot question, Measure T, “solves this problem by providing an ongoing source of locally controlled, affordable funds for classroom computers, Internet infrastructure, and other technology equipment at each of the district’s sites.

“In addition, Measure T makes financial sense. Measure T bonds will be short-term; repaid in five years or less. With these low-interest bonds, funds that would have otherwise gone to make interest payments can now be used to fund technology upgrades and equipment. The average tax rate needed to repay the bond is estimated to be $9.87 per $100,000 of assessed valuation."

The District’s newest campus in Lemoore will undoubtedly benefit from Measure T. Lemoore voters have been generous to the college, passing previous measures that created funding for the campus. Does Gornick think Lemoore voters will step up to the plate again?

 We certainly hope so. All of our initial polling indicated that we have a solid positive reputation with the communities and students we serve. We also learned that the voters understand that technology is transforming the workplace as well as the classroom, so we hope that translates to a positive event for the district.”

Stuart Van Horn, vice chancellor for educational services and workforce development for the district, outlined three ways the funds would improve classroom technology:

“Classrooms throughout the district will have up-to-date computers and educational technology. Technological infrastructure will be upgraded. And educational and vocational job training computer equipment and software will be upgraded and kept current,” he said.

“The future is technology,” Van Horn added. “Measure T would provide the resources to ensure that our students are prepared to compete and succeed in the global economy of tomorrow.”

For more information, visit the website: yesforwesthillscollege.com

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