Measure B

College of Marin's Educational Facilities Funding Measure

On April 6, 2016, College of Marin (COM) celebrated its 90th anniversary—90 years of transforming lives through education and training. When COM opened its doors in 1926, there were 87 students enrolled. Today, COM serves over 13,000 students annually in its credit, noncredit, and community education programs. We are proud to prepare students to transfer to four-year colleges and universities, and have one of the highest transfer rates to UC Berkeley in the state. COM helps keep the local economy thriving by providing job training and skill enhancement for thousands of workers each year. The success of our students is our number one priority.

Some facilities improvements are needed to ensure COM can continue to help local students reach their goals of earning a degree or certificate, transferring as a junior to a college or university, acquiring new job skills, or taking a class for personal enrichment. Read on to find out more about the 2014 facilities assessment and the repairs and upgrades deemed necessary to address COM's educational facilities needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is COM doing?

College of Marin is committed to educational excellence rooted in providing equitable opportunities and fostering success in all members of our diverse community. We are proud to prepare students to transfer to four-year colleges and universities, and have one of the highest transfer rates to UC Berkeley in the state. College of Marin helps keep our local economy thriving by providing job retraining and skill enhancement for thousands of workers each year.

What are COM's facility challenges?

Our oldest building at the College is over 80 years old, and many academic buildings are more than 45 years old. Upgrades and repairs are needed to meet current building codes for earthquakes, fire, and safety. In order to maintain and enhance the quality education College of Marin provides, many of our oldest classrooms, labs and vocational education facilities must be upgraded.

What additional facility updates are needed to prepare students for future success?

We need classrooms to help train firefighters, paramedics, and other health care professionals as well as campus facilities to provide job training to returning veterans. College of Marin also needs additional science labs and classrooms to meet growing student demand for these classes and to accommodate the more than 13,000 students educated here each year.

How has COM assessed its facility needs?

In 2014, the College completed a comprehensive facility assessment to evaluate all of our classrooms, labs and other educational facilities. We are currently finalizing a Facilities Master Plan that incorporates feedback from a wide variety of campus stakeholders.

How will COM address these needs?

In order to fund the identified facility needs, the College of Marin Board of Trustees voted to place a $265 million bond measure on the June 7, 2016, ballot.

What projects will need to be accomplished?

  • Repair and upgrade classrooms, science labs, vocational education facilities and job training centers for 21st-century careers in technology, computers and engineering
  • Repair or replace leaking roofs
  • Modernize and update science classrooms and labs
  • Update classrooms and educational facilities to meet current earthquake, fire and safety codes
  • Update campus facilities to provide access for disabled students

How can I be sure funds will be spent wisely?

Bond funds include strict fiscal accountability protections:

  • Every penny from the potential measure would benefit College of Marin campuses and could not be taken by the state
  • By law, no money could be used for administrator salaries or administration
  • The measure would require citizens’ oversight and annual reports to the community to keep the College accountable for how funds are spent

How will a bond measure help COM better serve our community?

As the cost of attending a public or private university in California has skyrocketed, more students are relying on community college for some or all of their education. A ballot measure would help provide our local high school graduates and community greater access to high-quality, affordable college education to prepare students for future careers or a four-year degree. This funding would help update classrooms, labs and facilities to equip students with the modern skills and job training they need to succeed in 21st-century careers. College of Marin is a vitally important resource for the community, and our facilities and technology need to stay current.

How much will Measure B cost?

The annual cost of the Measure B will not exceed $20 per $100,000 in assessed (not market) property value. The assessed value of a home is determined each year by the Marin County Assessor, but it is generally based on the original purchase price of a home.

At the February 16, 2016, regular meeting the Board of Trustees passed Resolution 2016-3, which stated in section 3(f) that the tax levy authorized to secure the bonds of this election shall not exceed the Proposition 39 limits per $100,000 of taxable property in the District when assessed valuation is projected by the District to increase in accordance with Article XIIIA of the California Constitution.

A link to the complete resolution is below under Links to Bond-Related Documents.

When can I vote on Measure B?

Measure B will appear on the June 7, 2016, ballot.

What level of support does Measure B need in order to pass?

To pass, Measure B must receive 55 percent support from those who vote. All registered voters in Marin Community College District will be eligible to vote on Measure B.

Haven't we passed a bond for COM recently?

In 2004, local voters passed Measure C, a facility improvement bond for College of Marin, with more than 60 percent support. Projects funded by Measure C included the first phase of repairs to aging facilities and accessibility improvements, as well as some modernization and energy conservation projects.

Since Measure C was passed over a decade ago, all funds from the measure have been committed. Members of the Measure C independent citizens’ oversight committee, as well as the annual, public audits of Measure C spending have demonstrated that funds from Measure C have been spent as promised. Projects have been completed on time and on budget.

However, Measure C was never intended to complete all needed facility upgrades, just the most urgent improvements at the time the measure was passed. In the decade since, the world–and Marin County–have changed tremendously. Some classrooms and labs need additional upgrades and repairs to support a modern education to prepare our students for four-year degrees or future careers.

Will funds from Measure B be spent at all college locations?

The 2014 facilities assessment evaluated all of our classrooms, labs, and other educational facilities, which identified needs at all College of Marin locations. We are currently finalizing a Facilities Master Plan that incorporates feedback from a wide variety of campus stakeholders. Projects would be prioritized by the Board of Trustees according to urgency to make sure we are meeting the educational needs of our students and community members.

Will IVC receive a fair share of funds from Measure B?

Yes. The Board of Trustees is deeply committed to ensuring that the Indian Valley Campus is equipped with the classrooms, labs, and other facilities needed to provide students at that campus with a great education. The Board will conduct a community visioning process if the bond measure passes to ensure that renovations at that campus reflect the communities' needs.

Will the pool at IVC be fixed?

College of Marin is doing its best to ensure that the pool at the Indian Valley Campus will be back on track to serve our community as soon as possible.

If I am a senior citizen, could I get an exemption from Measure B?

No. Unfortunately there is no legal basis for College of Marin to grant exemptions and without legal authority to do so, it cannot grant exemptions for any reason.

However, the cost of Measure B would be based on the assessed value of a person's property, which is typically lower than market value. The assessed value is often closer to the price of the home when it was purchased, which can help reduce the cost of bond measures for seniors who have lived in their homes for a long time.

Isn't there a statewide education bond heading to the ballot?

A statewide bond measure for school facilities for kindergarten through community college has qualified for the November ballot. However, it is very unlikely that any of the urgent facility improvement projects College of Marin needs would be eligible for funding from that measure. Measure B would ensure that all funds would stay in our community to benefit College of Marin exclusively.

What is the educational plan to use this money?

  • Repairing and upgrading classrooms, science labs, vocational education facilities and job training centers for 21st century careers in technology, computers, and engineering
  • Repairing or replacing leaking roofs
  • Replacing temporary portable classrooms
  • Updating older educational facilities to meet current earthquake, fire, and safety codes
  • Upgrading campus facilities to provide safe access for disabled students

When was the last student-needs assessment study and report made?

Students were surveyed in 2015 and again in 2016 as a part of our facilities master planning process. Students rated their experience with classroom, labs, and study space. As a part of the same process, over 30 focus groups were conducted with external groups. Common themes identified included the need for space to support new and enhanced programs, the need for enhanced community space for study and student engagement, the need for keeping up with technology, the need for improved campus orientation and way finding, and the need for funds to maintain all facilities.

While the master planning process continues, the Board of Trustees has been regularly briefed on the progress of the process.

What is the cost of educating each student?

College of Marin's cost of education is $5,227.38 per full-time equivalent student on an annual basis.

How much new curriculum is there?

In total, College of Marin offers 60 associate degrees, 24 certificates of completion and 20 skills certificates. Additionally, 292 new courses were developed during the same time frame. College of Marin also maintains multiple articulation agreements with 53 different public and private universities. Effective spring 2017, College of Marin will offer two Sonoma State University bachelor's degrees, one in interdisciplinary studies and the other in business.

Please note that proceeds from a general obligation facilities bond can NOT be used for curriculum or salaries for faculty, staff, or administration.

How many students transfer?

On average, 400 students transfer each year to public and private universities and colleges in California as well as other states.

What's the percent increase in students transferring or expected over the coming years?

We have an institutional set standard of a 3 percent increase in transfer rates year over year.

How will this bond better prepare students for transfer?

While there is no direct correlation between a facilities bond and preparing student for transfer, students who have access to modern, 21st century classrooms, labs, and technology are more likely to experience success and attain their educational goals.

How is job employability?

College of Marin offers career technical education in 17 different disciplines: accounting, administration of justice, auto collision repair, auto technology, business management, business office systems, computer information systems, court reporting, dental assisting, early childhood education, environmental landscaping, fire science, machine and metals technology, medical assisting, multimedia studies, nursing, and real estate. Students who receive training in these areas are able to find gainful employment at a living wage.

Links to Bond-Related Documents

Presentations to Community Groups

IVC Pool Information

Other Reference Material

Measure C Facilities Modernization Bond 2004