BALLOT TITLE
PCC GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS: IMPROVING CLASSROOMS AND BUILDINGS, UPGRADING TECHNOLOGY
Question: Shall PCC be authorized to issue general obligation bonds for capital construction, technology upgrades and building improvements, not exceeding $144,000,000? If the bonds are approved, they will be payable from taxes on property or property ownership that are not subject to the limits of sections 11 and 11b, Article XI of the Oregon Constitution.
Summary: This measure may be passed only at an election with at least a 50 percent voter turnout. The cost of the measure to property taxpayers is an estimated average of 13.5 cents per thousand dollars of assessed value over the next 20 years ($20.25 per year for a home valued at $150,000).
The measure would provide Portland Community College funds for construction of new classrooms and labs, technology upgrades and building improvements to meet increased enrollment over the next 10 years. The measure will enable the college to continue to provide educational opportunities for thousands of students each year. In 1999-2000, PCC will educate more than 90,000 students.
Projects include:
• Additional classroom and lab space at all campuses to meet enrollment increases of 2 percent per year over the next 10 years
• Improved technical classrooms and laboratories at PCC campuses in North, Southeast and Southwest Portland
• A library and science labs at the Rock Creek Campus in Washington County to serve an increasing student population
• Technology upgrades to meet students' needs and job requirements
• Property acquisition
• Improvements to facilities to meet safety requirements and prolong building life
EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
The Portland Community College Bond (Measure 26-1) will:
Keep education affordable, accessible, and high-quality
- For hundreds of thousands of metro-area residents, PCC has been the pathway to family-wage jobs and higher education.
- PCC is education that works for 90,000 students each year, or one in 10 district residents. The bond measure will let PCC continue to make it possible for local people to compete for the best family-wage jobs and go on to four-year colleges.
- The measure will ensure that PCC continues to provide the best technical programs and the first two years of college.
- The measure would cost homeowners 13.5 cents per $1,000 of assessed value - about $20.25 a year or $1.68 per month for a home valued at $150,000.
Prepare our community for the workplace of the future
- To enhance the region's competitive advantage in technology, PCC needs modern resources to train world-class workers in computer systems, health care, building trades and others.
- The bond will make needed improvements in technology in college classrooms, libraries and labs.
- The bond will build new computer labs at the southeast center and improve technology at PCC workforce training centers in Washington County and in central Portland.
Keep the doors of opportunity open
- PCC has had 14 consecutive terms of enrollment growth. Without more space, enrollment caps will become necessary.
- Enrollment in PCC's Computer Information Systems classes has increased by 70 percent in the past five years.
- PCC already trains more workers, gives more students access to college and moves more people from welfare to jobs than any other institution in Oregon. Demand for this training will grow substantially over the next 10 years.
- In just 10 years, PCC's enrollment is projected to exceed 120,000 students.
- Eight new buildings are needed to meet increased student demand for science, computer and occupational training and for the first two years of a college education.
Protect the community's investment
- The bond will bring technology up to date in aging classrooms and labs.
- The bond also will upgrade buildings - replacing old heating and electrical wiring systems for example - providing a healthy and safe environment for students and staff and protecting the public's investment.
- Many buildings at the PCC Cascade Campus date to the early 1900s and require replacement or renovation.
- The 30-year-old radiology labs at the Sylvania Campus require modernization to provide up-to-date training in health care.
Submitted by
Harold Williams
PCC Board Chair
No arguments AGAINST this measure were filed.
PORTLAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Measure 26-1
ARGUMENT IN FAVOR
Congressman Earl Blumenauer Supports Portland Community College Bond Measure 26-1
"It’s a critical institution that’s working hard to keep up with technological needs."
"PCC is bursting at the seams.
"I think this is probably the most cost-effective investment we can make to keep Oregon’s economic health in a good state."
U.S. Congressman Earl Blumenauer, Portland
Portland Business Journal, March 10, 2000
(This information furnished byEd Grosswiler, Robertson, Grosswiler and Company)
The printing of this argument does not constitute an endorsement by Multnomah County, nor does the county warrant the accuracy or truth of any statements made in the argument.
PORTLAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Measure 26-1
ARGUMENT IN FAVOR
Hello - my name is Heidi Soderberg and I finished high school at Portland Community College. I also took college transfer classes at PCC’s Sylvania Campus, and now have a Masters degree from PSU.
I’m currently working as the executive director of an employment and training agency serving residents of Southeast Portland. I’m supporting PCC’s Bond Measure 26-1 for many reasons:
My family has taken advantage of several PCC programs. My daughter is just finishing her senior year of high school at PCC and will graduate June of 2000. My husband is now taking classes in business administration. And I’ve taken many, many classes there.
I know that PCC tailors programs to meet the needs of the local community. In my job now, I help people connect to living wage jobs. Sometimes making these connections requires skills upgrading, technical training, or college degrees or certificates. That’s where PCC comes in.
For Southeast Portland, the bond will add additional adult basic education programs such as GED, literacy, and English as a Second Language. In Southeast Portland, there is a tremendous unmet need for these programs. Not having the basic skills makes it impossible for people to qualify the jobs, and the cycle of poverty just continues.
PCC recognizes that as the world of work shifts to a service and technology-based economy, workers must be able to compete in the Northwest’s high tech job market. With Bond Measure 26-1, PCC will be able to update their technology to train workers to meet the employer demand for qualified workers.
The bond will also allow PCC to build additional classroom space at the Southeast Center making it possible for students to complete their first year transfer courses in the community.
If you value access to education as much as I-do, please join me in supporting Bond Measure 26-1. At such a small cost, it’s a smart investment in our community’s future.
Heidi Soderberg
Former PCC student
SE Portland neighborhood activist
(This information furnished by Heidi Soderberg)
The printing of this argument does not constitute an endorsement by Multnomah County, nor does the county warrant the accuracy or truth of any statements made in the argument.
PORTLAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Measure 26-1
ARGUMENT IN FAVOR
Intel and Portland Community College have enjoyed a partnership for more than 20 years. Intel has depended upon the community college for high quality training for our current employees and for future workers and has provided scholarship dollars and equipment to help support PCC's microelectronics education and training programs.
I am supporting the PCC bond issue because it will help keep the college up to date on technology at all levels, not just in the microelectronics program. The college does an excellent job now of preparing students for the workforce and for higher education, but needs to update many of its labs and classrooms to ensure that students are ready for a future that is increasingly dependent upon technology and science.
The college's Rock Creek campus at 185th and Springville Road has experienced a huge increase in student demand for high technology and science instruction. Among other projects, this bond measure will expand the science labs at Rock Creek, enabling even more students to benefit from these courses. Also, the microelectronics program will be located at the Rock Creek campus, and will provide students the training and education they need to become technicians at Intel and other high tech companies.
PCC is a great resource for our community and deserves our support. Please join me in voting yes on Measure 26-1 - PCC bonds.
Cheryl Hinerman
Workforce Development Manager
Pacific Northwest & International
Intel Corporation
(This information furnished by Cheryl Ann Hinerman, Intel Corporation)
The printing of this argument does not constitute an endorsement by Multnomah County, nor does the county warrant the accuracy or truth of any statements made in the argument.
PORTLAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Measure 26-1
ARGUMENT IN FAVOR
Susan Erickson, Co-Chair, Humboldt Neighborhood Association
The PCC-Cascade Campus is a vital community resource for residents throughout North and Northeast Portland. Located in the heart of the Humboldt neighborhood, the Cascade campus has been a committed and responsive partner with the Humboldt Neighborhood Association to improve the lives of our residents and the livability of our community.
Enrollment at PCC-Cascade has risen 54% in the past five years. The Cascade campus currently enrolls over 10,000 full and time-time students each year. The campus has outgrown itself and needs to expand.
This bond measure will provide PCC with funds to build 4 new buildings, including a new humanities building with a 350 seat auditorium for school and community use; a physical education center for school and community use; an advanced technology and skill center building; and a new science & classroom building. The remaining funds will provide for much needed renovation to existing buildings.
These new buildings will also allow the Cascade campus to "bring home" the Emergency Medical Services Program, Legal Assistant Program, and Fire Science Program, all of which have had to rent space at other locations because of lack of space at the Cascade campus.
This measure will ensure that more people in the community have access to affordable higher education and job training, leading to a better prepared work force and a healthier and more vibrant neighborhood. Please join me in voting YES for this Bond Measure.
Susan Erickson
Humboldt Neighborhood
Association Co-Chair
(This information furnished by Susan Erickson, Co-chair, Humboldt Neighborhood Assoc.)
The printing of this argument does not constitute an endorsement by Multnomah County, nor does the county warrant the accuracy or truth of any statements made in the argument.
PORTLAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Measure 26-1
ARGUMENT IN FAVOR
I am supporting the PCC bond measure #26-1 because it will improve the education and training program the college offers students. I employ many graduates of PCC's engineering programs and can attest to the high quality of education they receive at PCC. I know the teachers and the staff of the engineering programs to be top-notch in their field and I count on PCC to produce graduates with high-level, employable skills.
PCC is a great resource to our community and to this business. The college makes it possible for us to hire local people for good jobs in this company - jobs which provide good wages and opportunities for advancement. While the college does a great job now, they do need to constantly work to improve to keep up with changing times. The bond measure will make it possible for PCC to retool and make technological advancements to its classrooms and labs, helping students learn the computer, science and engineering skills they will use on the job.
There is no better investment we can make in the future than an investment in education, and PCC is one of the best values for the dollar this community has. Please join me in voting yes on PCC's bond request to help the college make our community even stronger in the future.
Douglas A. Smith
Regional Vice President
AGRA Earth & Environmental, Inc.
(This information furnished by Douglas A. Smith, AGRA Earth & Env., Inc.)
The printing of this argument does not constitute an endorsement by Multnomah County, nor does the county warrant the accuracy or truth of any statements made in the argument.
PORTLAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Measure 26-1
ARGUMENT IN FAVOR
Wacker Siltronic supports the Portland Community College bond measure because we value the quality training that has been provided.
For years, PCC has given our community an economic boost by helping prepare a well-informed, skilled work force. PCC has been there to assist Wacker in training new employees as well as retraining our employees when our industry has demanded changes in our skill sets. As our business evolves, we have turned to PCC for first-rate instruction and training.
Twenty years ago Wacker studied the options carefully before deciding to locate in Portland where we presently employ 1,600 people. We could have located our business anywhere, but we selected Portland in part because of its reputation for quality education.
Wacker Siltronic understands the value of PCC to the community. It offers opportunities for thousands of residents annually who turn to PCC not only for a college education, but also for job skills training. In fact, many of PCC's students are mature adults who have returned to college to improve and enrich their lives through learning new skills or broadening their education.
AN INVESTMENT IN PCC IS AN INVESTMENT IN THE FUTURE. PLEASE JOIN ME IN VOTING "YES" ON THE PCC BOND MEASURE 26-1.
(This information furnished by James R. Ellis, Wacker Siltronic Corp.)
The printing of this argument does not constitute an endorsement by Multnomah County, nor does the county warrant the accuracy or truth of any statements made in the argument.
PORTLAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Measure 26-1
ARGUMENT IN FAVOR
I am supporting the PCC Bond Measure 26-1 for several reasons.
1. As a small business owner, I value the assistance I received from the college in preparing for business ownership. PCC helps many small businesses like mine develop and flourish. My company works with and hires many PCC students and graduates. We find them to be exceptionally well prepared and qualified. This bond measure will help the college keep its training and education up to date by making needed technology upgrades and by expanding classroom and lab space for students.
2. As a member of the Albina neighborhood renaissance efforts, I know how much the PCC Cascade Campus has contributed to the revitalization of this community. The college campus brings job training and college transfer courses right to our doorstep and helps thousands of people in this community every year.
But the Cascade Campus could be much better than it is. Many of the buildings date from the 20's and 30's and are in very poor condition. They need to be replaced. The Cascade Campus needs to offer the very best technical and computer training so that local people can compete for the top jobs and get into four-year colleges. Cascade Campus will get five new buildings if this bond measure passes, and our community will be much better served by PCC than it already is.
3. This measure is a great investment in the future. It only costs 13.5 cents per thousand dollars of assessed value, so if your house is assessed at $100,000 you would only pay $1.12 a month for this PCC bond measure.
I hope you will join me in voting "Yes" on Measure 26-1 - PCC bonds. It is a great investment in our future and in our children's future.
Sam Brooks, President
S. Brooks and Associates, Inc.
(This information furnished by Sam Brooks, S. Brooks and Associates)
The printing of this argument does not constitute an endorsement by Multnomah County, nor does the county warrant the accuracy or truth of any statements made in the argument.
PORTLAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Measure 26-1
ARGUMENT IN FAVOR
Portland Community College plays a major role in the education and training of electrical apprentices in this region, and we are in complete support of Measure 26-1 for PCC bonds.
PCC offers high quality training to our apprentices, and we are pleased with the variety and range of programs and services they are able to offer. I have worked closely with instructors at PCC's campuses and centers in Multnomah and Washington County, and know them to be working professionals in their fields. Our apprentices get the practical, hands-on training they need at PCC.
The electrical industry, like all others, is experiencing tremendous change in recent years. More and more we rely on computers and technology to do our work, detect problems and design our systems. Electrical apprentices must have advanced technical skills and knowledge to succeed in the trade, and they must have access to the latest equipment in order to learn. PCC is in real danger of falling behind in the computer and technical side of their programs and they cannot be effective with outmoded labs and technology.
Please join me in ensuring that PCC continues to provide us with top-notch technical programs for people throughout the metro area. Vote yes on PCC Bond Measure 26-1. It is critical to the future.
Kenneth V. Fry, Executive Director
Electrical Training Center
Local 48, NECA-IBEW
(This information furnished by Ken Fry, NECA-IBEW Electrical Training Center)
The printing of this argument does not constitute an endorsement by Multnomah County, nor does the county warrant the accuracy or truth of any statements made in the argument.