Questions and Answers about Measure CC
Why consider a new bond measure?
Much of Compton Community College District’s facilities were constructed over 70 years ago. While these facilities have been carefully maintained, they are in urgent need of replacement and renovations to ensure quality higher education for the community. Classroom technology, science labs, nursing, automotive, and career education programs require up-to-date improvements, including:
- Upgrades and repairs to many aging buildings, classrooms, science labs, and replacement of job training equipment that is deteriorating and outdated
- Basic repairs such as upgrading electrical systems, gas and sewer lines; fixing leaky roofs, repairing bathrooms and replacing outdated plumbing and wiring; and removing mold, lead and asbestos
- Improvements to campus safety and security, including upgrading door locks and entry
points, as well as improving emergency communication systems
How are bond funds used?
A facilities bond can provide capital funds to the Compton Community College District for projects that often exceed operating budgets. These projects can include new construction, renovation or replacement of facilities. A facilities bond can also include the furnishing and equipping of facilities, or the acquisition of property.
Potential Measure CC projects include:
- 24/7 Health Center
- Student Union
- Basic Needs Center (renovation of Building D)
- New Instructional Building 3
- Stadium Improvements
- Physical Education Fields
- Quad Development
- Parking Improvements
- Infrastructure Upgrades
- Landscape Improvements
- Memorial Garden
Are these ongoing maintenance issues?
NO. The Compton Community College District has worked diligently to properly maintain school buildings, with the limited resources available. Many facilities have reached the end of their useful life and call for replacement or complete renovation, and are simply too extensive to address through ongoing maintenance. Additionally, technologies have improved since 2014 and keeping up-to-date with state-of-the-art, quality higher education and in-demand job training programs is the best way to prepare students for success.
Is there any other type of funding available?
With additional funding from a facilities bond such as Measure CC, the District would qualify to apply for the state matching funds necessary to complete some of the projects listed in the Facilities Master Plan. Some projects, such as the physical education facilities, may be undertaken as joint use projects in cooperation with other local public or nonprofit agencies.
With the community’s help, fundraising has helped support educational programs, but facility needs are too costly and extensive to address through volunteer fundraising efforts alone.
If Measure CC passes, how do we know funds will be spent properly?
By law, money from any proposed bond may only be spent on buildings, classrooms, or
instructional equipment. No funds can be spent on administrator pensions or salaries.
All bond funds are locally controlled. The State of California is prohibited from
taking any bond funds from the District. Once a bond is successfully passed, an independent
Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee safeguards all funds and ensures they are spent
as authorized.
An existing Compton Community College District Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee
has been in place since voters approved facilities bonds in 2002 and 2014 and is responsible
for informing the public about bond revenue expenditures and to actively review and
report on the expenditure of bond funds.
What will happen if Measure CC doesn’t pass?
Compton Community College District will continue to operate its existing facilities with limited resources, and seek whatever state funding may be available. However, it will be difficult to qualify for state matching funds, which might be allocated to other communities. It will take many years to make necessary repairs and upgrades, and in the meantime deterioration will continue, and technological advances will pass us by. It will become more difficult to ensure high-quality and affordable education for local students and residents earning college credits and certificates and job skills advancements.
