The Gavilan College Trustees from San Benito County, together
with the Trustees from Gilroy and Morgan Hill, unanimously acted to
place a bond measure, known as Measure E, on the March 2, 2004
ballot.
The Gavilan College Trustees from San Benito County, together with the Trustees from Gilroy and Morgan Hill, unanimously acted to place a bond measure, known as Measure E, on the March 2, 2004 ballot.
Gavilan College has served our county since 1919 and plays a key role in providing quality, affordable job training and education opportunities to our local residents. Of most interest to those of us in San Benito County is the plan to establish a new Gavilan College Education Center in our county in order to expand the overcrowded facilities here. The main campus has many aging or obsolete facilities which are in dire need of repair. The older mechanical systems need to be replaced. Job training, library capacity, campus lighting and safety are just some of the areas which can only be funded locally.
In his State of the Union address Jan. 20, 2004, President George W. Bush stated: “I propose increasing our support for America’s community colleges so they can train workers for the industries that are creating the most new jobs.”
We agree with the president and believe a local effort is needed. Gavilan College serves a critical need for our local residents offering quality, affordable job training and education opportunities close to home at a fraction of the cost of increasingly expensive state university systems. As our community has grown, so have the needs of the college to provide the space for the students who will become our nurses, public safety employees, aircraft mechanics, cosmetologists and college graduates.
The $107 million bond Measure E will help do what the state cannot – to renovate and upgrade our facilities in Hollister, Gilroy and Morgan Hill. The cost to the property owners in our communities will be $15 for each $100,000 of assessed valuation, which we believe is a prudent and practical resolution of some of Gavilan College’s long term needs.
No funds will be spent for administrators’ salaries and all funds are subject to strict fiscal accountability requirements, including annual audits by a Citizens Oversight Committee.
We appreciate and thank you for your careful consideration of this important Measure E on March 2.
Tom Breen,
Trustee, Gavilan College
