T H E C L A C K A M A S P R IN T
| O C T. 22, 2014
Vote YES on
CCCbond
Editorial
n Nov. 4, voters have a momentous opportunity to bring Clackamas
Com m unity College into the 21st century. With bond measure 3-447,
C C C is asking for a $90 million endowment that will fund major im
provements and expansions to its facilities and academic programs.
In a two-year engagement process, the board o f education conducted meetings with
the public to discuss the needs o f the college. Members o f the business community
suggested that the college’s outdated programs do not sufficiently train students for
the workforce; they would be more inclined to hire graduates whose educations meet
current industry standards. In general, the community leaned toward the reinforce
ment o f programs that prepare students for family-wage jobs in high-demand fields.
The answer to this demand will be not only to modernize existing labs and facilities for
health care, engineering and science programs, but also to build an entirely new indus
trial technical learning center for electronics, manufacturing, and automotive depart
ments. New and improved spaces for these fields will open the programs up to a higher
capacity o f students, and create new jobs to staff the expansion.
In addition to accommodating the needs o f in-demand career fields, many general
campus improvements will be included. As the college approaches its 50-year anni
versary, there is a call to renovate nearly all o f its original buildings. The electrical
system in place cannot compete with the demand o f an increasingly technological
way o f life. The buildings themselves lack the efficiency that an energy-conscious
society requires. Seismically unsound buildings need retrofitting. Plumbing, heat
ing, security and the appliances these systems use are all in need o f repair or re
placement. If the bond passes, many o f these issues will be addressed and corrected.
Three buildings are slated to be completely replaced or expanded: the 6 1-year-old build
ing at the Harmony campus, the Bill Brod Community Center on the main campus and
a new wing o f Dejardin. The construction o f a new $19 million community center will
create a more efficient and attractive jewel in the campus crown. The bookstore will be
moved to the new building, creating a more functional and cohesive space for student
resources.
Perhaps the most pressing use o f the bond would be to pay o ff an existing debt the col
lege owes for the construction o f the newer building on the Harmony campus, freeing
up $1.6 million annually in the general fund. This reallocation o f debt will allow for
funding o f additional staff positions, as well as sustaining current positions that may be
cut if the bond is not passed. A ll three campus unions support the passing o f the bond.
It is important to note that because this bond will be taking the place o f a prior bond, there
w illbe no significant increase to annual tax rates. It is proj ected to cost homeowners 19 cents
per thousand dollars o f their home’s value. For example, the tax contribution on a $250,000
hom ewouldbe $47.50 annually. The school w ouldpaythebondbackover26orfeweryears.
In summary, we on the editorial board find the plans for this bond to be in the best
interest o f the students and community. Enforcing a shift to prioritize job training for
in-demand fields will help fuel the economy and add lasting value to the college. The
im p r o v e m e n ts to the campus will increase the safety and overall experience o f C C C s
students, as well as protecting and creating the jobs o f its teachers. A ‘yes’ vote from the
students for bond measure 3-447 could make all the difference.
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