Training & Educating Valley Workers
A: A unanimous State Center Community College Board of Trustees voted to place the LOCAL COMMUNITY COLLEGES WORKFORCE TRAINING, AFFORDABLE EDUCATION AND CLASSROOM REPAIR MEASURE on the November 5, 2024 ballot. This general obligation bond measure will assist the District in expanding and improving facilities at each of its campuses and centers, serving a student population in four counties. Measure Q will expand opportunities to prepare local students for jobs and earn credits to transfer to four-year universities.
A: This measure is a key piece to SCCCD’s collaborative planning process to align its mission, vision, and facilities plan into VISION 2035, a comprehensive strategy for investing in state-of-the-art facilities across the District that are responsive to the demands of students and the Valley’s workforce development needs YES on Q will provide facilities and infrastructure to support students to gain certification, develop job skills, earn affordable credits, associate degrees and/or transfer to a four-year university.
A: Over 1,500 residents participated in a recent community conversation and survey to discuss the Valley’s higher education needs. YES on Q addresses higher education priorities identified by the community, including:
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Improving nursing, paramedic, firefighter, police, agriculture, manufacturing, and vocational training
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Fixing leaky roofs/ sewer lines
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Removing asbestos/ lead paint
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Protecting drinking water
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Providing affordable alternatives to four-year universities
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A: Our local community colleges operate the largest registered nursing program in the region, providing critical healthcare services at our hospitals, medical clinics and nursing homes.
YES on Q expands nursing, education, and training programs to ensure local residents have access to highly skilled healthcare workers.
A: Our local community colleges are where our area’s nurses, police officers, firefighters, paramedics and 911 emergency responders are trained. YES on Q expands the Police and Firefighter academies, improves healthcare education programs, and ensures our local area has the well-trained first responders needed to keep our communities safe.
A: Measure Q includes strict fiscal accountability requirements including independent annual financial and performance audits to make sure all funds are used effectively, efficiently and as promised. The independent Citizen Oversight Committee, which is comprised of non-paid civic leaders will provide annual reports to the community.
By law, no Measure Q funds can go towards administrators’ salaries or pensions, and all funds will be used locally for our local community colleges.
A: Measure Q will authorize $698 million in bonds at legal rates (levying 2¢ per $100 assessed valuation - $42 million annually). Funds will be used to upgrade local colleges/education centers; improve nursing, paramedic, firefighter, police/agriculture/manufacturing and vocational training; fix leaky roofs, asbestos, lead paint; sewer lines; protect drinking water; acquire, construct, repair facilities, sites, and equipment.
A: Election Day is Tuesday, November 5, 2024. Make sure to make it all the way to Measure Q on your ballot to support your local community colleges.
To register online visit: RegisterToVote.ca.gov.
Find answers to the most common questions about Measure Q and learn how this important initiative will impact our community, our students, and our workforce. Explore the FAQs below and get all the details you need to confidently vote YES on Q on Election Day!