The Clackamas Community College (CCC) Board of Education on Wednesday directed President Joanne Truesdell to begin developing a recommendation and completing due diligence to place a $90 million bond measure on the November 4, 2014,ballot. The proposal would continue the college’s current annual average tax rate.
“In 2016, CCC will mark its 50th year of service. We are working now to position the college for the next 50 years,” said Judith Ervin, chairwoman of the CCC Board of Education. “Our vision is to increase affordable education options and job training for high-demand careers by modernizing our facilities.”
CCC surveyed and interviewed more than 2,000 area residents in 2013 for the Imagine Clackamas community engagement process. Among the many lessons learned through the process was that people in the college district would like to see modernized facilities and equipment to meet the needs of the changing economy and workforce.
Based on that feedback, CCC undertook two studies of its facilities: a strategic assessment to determine educational and training needs of college programs and an appraisal of work needed to maintain current facilities for the public. All of this information was studied and considered by college faculty and staff to identify gaps in current facilities, learning spaces and equipment.
In January, an independent research firm conducted research on behalf of CCC to assess support for a bond measure that would meet the needs of the college and the community while continuing the current average tax rate. The results of the January survey found that 64 percent of respondents favored the proposed $90 million bond measure.
The college will spend the next few months utilizing all the research, community and staff input, and facility assessments to define the projects that will best meet the identified needs. The president is expected to return to the board with a recommendation about the bond in July.
For more information, please contact Janet Paulson at 503-594-3162.[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]
