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: The cost to property tax payers is an estimated average of 11 cents per thousand dollars of assessed value over a maximum of 23 years ($16.50 per year for a home valued at $150,000). This bond measure was approved by voters in May 2000, but did not receive the required voter turnout to pass.
The measure would provide Portland Community College funds for construction of new classrooms and labs, technology upgrades, bond issuance costs 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 2000-2001, PCC will educate more than 90,000 students. Enrollment has increased for the past 15 consecutive terms.
Projects include:
• Additional classroom and lab space at all campuses to meet enrollment increases
• Library and science labs at the Rock Creek Campus in Washington County
• Technology upgrades to meet students’ needs and job requirements
• Property acquisition
• Facility improvements to meet safety requirements and prolong building life
EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
The Portland Community College Bond (Measure 26-7) 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 an average of 11 cents per $1,000 of assessed value – about $16.50 a year or $1.38 per month for a home valued at $150,000.
• Of the 11 cents, 4.8 cents would be allocated for technology improvements, 3.6 cents for building repair and 2.6 cents for new buildings.
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 16 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:
The Portland Community College
Board of Directors:
Dana Anderson, Norma Jean Germond, David Kish, Mike Hereford,
Doreen Margolin, Karen McKinney,
Harold Williams
No arguments AGAINST this measure were filed.
ARGUMENT IN FAVOR
Hello, my name is Heidi Soderberg and I finished high school at Portland Community College. I also took college transfer 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 26-07 for many reasons:
My family has taken advantage of several PCC programs. My husband takes classes to upgrade his skills for his new career in computer information systems. My daughter took the drivers’ education class. And I’ve taken many, many classes here.
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 company, workers must be able to compete in the Northwest’s high tech job market. With Bond Measure 26-07, PCC will be able to upgrade their technology to train workers to meet the employer demand for qualified workers.
If you have access to education as much as I do, please join me in supporting Bond Measure 26-07. At such a small cost, it’s a smart investment in our community’s future.
Heidi Soderberg
Former PCC student.
(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.
ARGUMENT IN FAVOR
Intel and Portland Community College have enjoyed a partnership for more than 20 years. Intel depends on PCC for high quality training for our current employees and for future workers. We have provided scholarship dollars and equipment to help support PCC’s facilities and 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 re-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 # 26-7 – PCC bonds.
Cheryl Hinerman
Workforce Development Manager,
Pacific Northwest and International
Intel Corporation
(This information furnished by Cheryl Hinerman, Workforce Development Manager, Pacific Northwest and International, 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.
ARGUMENT IN FAVOR
I am a graduate of Portland Community College’s Fire Science program. I got a great education at PCC and know first-hand the quality of the teachers and education I got there.
I hope that the PCC bond measure 26-7 passes because I know how much it is needed. The fire science program was great, but the equipment was old. Students were crammed into small classrooms and worked on outdated computers and fire suppression equipment. These will be updated if the bond measure passes, and will really help students succeed.
Students know the value of a place like Portland Community College. We can go to classes that are low cost and close by. Teachers are there to help students decide what career is best for us if we don’t already know. I grew up in Beaverton and I was always interested in fire science, so I felt very lucky there was a program right at PCC for me. The instructors in the fire science program are actual firefighters, so I got a real education from them.
The bond measure will help all PCC students because it will go to build new classrooms all over the college district.
People in southeast Portland will be able to use more computer labs at the PCC building on Southeast 82nd. This will help all of us, even graduates, because we always have to keep learning computer skills. They will be open Saturdays and nights too. And the Cascade Campus in North Portland will get new classroom and science labs.
I picked PCC because it was offered exactly what I wanted and I learned what I needed to get a great job. I hope voters will say Yes to the PCC bond measure so it can help more students like me in the future. Please vote Yes on Measure 26-7.
Juan DeLeon
PCC Graduate
(This information furnished by Juan DeLeon, PCC Graduate)
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.
ARGUMENT IN FAVOR
I am supporting the PCC bond measure #26-7 because it will improve the education and training programs 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. For just 11 cents per thousand dollars of assessed value, you can help the college make our community even stronger in the future.
Please join me in voting yes on PCC’s bond measure.
Douglas A. Smith, P.G.
Vice President
AGRA Earth and Environmental, Inc.
(This information furnished by Doug Smith, Senior Vice President, AGRA Earth Environmental, 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.
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 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.
Wacker decided to locate in Portland where we presently employ 1,600 people, 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. 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 # 26-7.
James R. Ellis
President and CEO
Wacker Siltronic Corporation
(This information furnished by James R. Ellis, President and CEO, Wacker Siltronic 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.
ARGUMENT IN FAVOR
I am supporting the PCC bond measure #26-7 because it will improve the education and training programs 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. For just 11 cents per thousand dollars of assessed value, you can help the college make our community even stronger in the future.
Please join me in voting yes on PCC’s bond measure.
Douglas A. Smith, P.G.
Vice President
AGRA Earth and Environmental, Inc.
(This information furnished by Doug Smith, Senior Vice President, AGRA Earth Environmental, 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.
ARGUMENT IN FAVOR
I am supporting the PCC Bond Measure 26-7 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 1920s and 1930s and are in poor condition. They need to be replaced. The Cascade Campus needs to offer the 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 11 cents per thousand dollars of assessed value, so if your house is assessed at $150,000 you would only pay $1.37 a month for this PCC bond measure.
I hope you will join me in voting "Yes" on Measure
26-7 – 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, President, S. Brooks and Associates, 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.
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 26-7 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 26-7. It is critical to the future.
Kenneth V. Fry, Executive Director
Electrical Training Center
Local 48, NECA-IBEW
(This information furnished by Kenneth V. Fry, Executive Director, Electrical Training Center, Local 48, NECA-IBEW)
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.