Voters Pass Measure C to Upgrade Buildings at Mission and West Valley Colleges

The West Valley-Mission Community College District will continue updating academic facilities, thanks to voters’ support of Measure C, a $350 million facilities bond that will renovate aging and deteriorating buildings at both Mission College and West Valley College.

“The voters showed their trust in our building planning effort and agreed to raise taxes necessary to put into reality our mission for new and improved instructional and student services facilities,” said WVMCCD Chancellor John Hendrickson. “Passage of Measure C guarantees that our buildings will work for our students and faculty and staff for many years into the future. We express our gratitude for the trust of our taxpayers and will continue our tradition of excellence in serving the students of West Valley and Mission colleges.”

That appreciation is echoed across the district and across all levels of staff and faculty. Dianne Dorian, president of the Mission College Academic Senate and a faculty member in the reading department, thanked voters for their support. “These new classroom facilities and upgrades will make a huge difference to the quality of teaching and learning at Mission College,” she said. “Our students and our faculty will benefit from them daily. When I say the quality of teaching and learning is going to improve, I’m very sincere.”

Laurel Jones, MC president, said: “To say I am thrilled with the passage of Measure C is an understatement. Thanks to the voters who saw the need for modern facilities as an integral component in successful education. Mission College will be working immediately to respond to this vote of confidence in our institution.”

Lori Gaskin, WVC president, also sees the outcome as evidence of voters’ trust. “The passage of Measure C is a vote of confidence in the educational opportunities West Valley College provides to our communities,” she said. “We are deeply thankful for this expression of support and are energized to move ever forward in building upon the strong and vibrant teaching and learning environment that is the hallmark of the college. On behalf of the entire West Valley College family, we thank the communities we serve for believing in us.”

Key priorities that will be addressed by Measure C include replacement of outdated classrooms, labs, lecture halls, performing arts spaces and administrative facilities, including the completion of a new Main Building at Mission College and the renovation of central campus buildings at West Valley College.

The bond will also pay for such things as the repair and replacement of leaky roofs, heating, cooling, plumbing and electrical systems throughout the aging campuses as well as the updating of technology infrastructure to help students prepare for transferring to four-year universities.

Measure C will build upon the success of Measure H, a 2004 bond measure that implemented initial upgrades to both campuses. As the last of construction funded by Measure H wraps up next year, construction funded through Measure C will begin, said Ed Maduli, vice chancellor of administrative services. This will allow for a seamless transition between the two bonds as well as continuity of the people involved in the projects, he said.

The district is now preparing the required construction program and financing documents to sell the first bond after the official 45-day “canvassing” of election results as provided by state law.

“The passage of Measure C is a vote of confidence not only in the district in general, but also our finance department for how it has handled the Measure H monies,” said WVMCCD Trustee Jack Lucas, who commended Measure C committee members who worked tirelessly in getting the district’s message out.

Said WVMCCD Board of Trustees President Adrienne Grey: “We are humbled and grateful for the tremendous support of voters who heard our story and understood the importance of updating our aging classrooms at West Valley and Mission colleges. This will continue the wonderful building plan that’s been laid out for the future of our schools.”