MiraCosta puts $497M bond on ballot

COAST CITIES — MiraCosta College is asking voters to OK a $497 million bond in November that will be used to renovate current buildings and construct science, biotechnology, nursing and technical health classrooms. 

Plans include adding a significant building to each of the three campuses and expanding veteran support facilities.

Polls were taken in December and July by FM3 Research. July polls showed that more than 60 percent of voters are likely to support bond measure EE.

“In most demographic groups, over 55 percent leaned toward voting yes, particularly when given information,” Richard Bernard, FM3 Research senior vice president, said.

“Residents understand the impact and benefit of investment in higher education,” Francisco Rodriguez, superintendent/president of MiraCosta College, said.

Bernard said those polled showed very strong support of expanding campus veteran support facilities.

The bond is expected to cost homeowners roughly $20 per year per $100,000 of assessed home value for 30 years. But exact costs for homeowners will be known after the measure is passed and bonds are sold.

The benefit to residents will be upgraded facilities and sufficient classrooms to educate students for jobs and transfers to four-year universities. Currently there are three-year waiting lists for some programs at MiraCosta College.

Once bond funds are secured, construction will be done in three phases and will take place on the Oceanside, San Elijo and Community Learning Center campuses simultaneously. The first phase will include classroom modernization on all three campuses that will see the college through the next 50 years.

“They’ll see immediate improvements and a better learning environment,” Rodriguez said.

Throughout construction some classes will be housed in temporary classrooms. Rodriguez said the construction schedule is planned with respect to the semester instruction schedule.

“Plans ensure a full semester course is taught at the same location with minimal disruption to the learning environment,” Rodriguez said.

The last time MiraCosta College asked voters to OK a bond was in 1961. At that time the college was called Oceanside Carlsbad Junior College and there were about 600 students. The college has raised all building funds since that time. It now has 20,000 students.

Community groups, such as Kiwanis Clubs, League of Women Voters, and city Chambers of Commerce have already held information meetings about the bond’s benefits and costs and will continue to do so.

For more information, see miracosta.edu/ourplan.