What role does Gavilan Community College play in our community?
Gavilan has provided high quality and affordable education to our community for generations. With the rising cost of attending a four-year college, our local community colleges ensure that everyone who can’t afford the high price of attending the University of California or State University systems have an opportunity to succeed in college and future careers. Gavilan educates the healthcare professionals that serve our medical needs, the police and firefighters that keep us safe and the skilled high-tech workers who fuel our economy.
What communities does Gavilan College serve?
The Gavilan Joint Community College District includes southern Santa Clara County, including Gilroy and Morgan Hill, and most of San Benito County including Hollister.
How does Gavilan College prepare students for careers?
Our community relies on Gavilan College to prepare students of all ages for careers. Twenty percent of all local high school graduates rely on Gavilan College for higher education and to prepare for careers. Just minutes away from the heart of Silicon Valley our students have access to careers in the technology and service fields. Unique specifically to Gavilan are the direct and potential partnerships with high tech companies that are expanding rapidly in the region which give our students hands on experience while being able to obtain a quality education at a fraction of the cost of attending a four-year college.
What upgrades are needed to support continued student achievement?
Facilities on campuses need to be expanded and improved to support quality education and to prepare students for careers. We need up-to-date classrooms, labs, equipment and technology that prepare students for jobs in science, high-tech and the service industry.
How is the college planning to address the facility needs?
To continue providing a high-quality education that prepares students for the 21st-century workforce and to obtain an affordable education so that they can transfer to a four-year college, the Gavilan Joint Community College District Board of Trustees is planning to potentially place a local bond measure on the November 2018 ballot. The measure will provide locally controlled funding to make essential upgrades to our colleges.
What will the local bond measure do?
The measure will make essential upgrades and improvements to Gavilan College including:
- Repair or replace leaky roofs, old rusty plumbing, and faulty electrical systems where needed
- Upgrade and add classrooms, labs and career training facilities for science, math, engineering, and technology
- Upgrade and add classrooms and labs to help local students complete the first two years of college affordably, and transfer to the Cal-State or UC systems
- Expand Veterans’ Center which provides job training, job placement, counseling and support services to military veterans and their families
- Improve access for students with disabilities
- Improve student safety and campus security systems including security lighting, security cameras, emergency communications systems, smoke detectors, re alarms, and sprinklers
- Add classrooms, labs and facilities in San Benito County, and at the Coyote Valley Center, to offer a much larger selection of classes, certificated programs and degrees
- Renovate the aging College library to meet modern standards for technology and research
Can the State take away these funds?
All money raised by the measure will stay in our community to support our local community college and students. It cannot be taken away by the State or used for staff salaries or pensions.
How can I be sure the funds will be spent wisely?
This measure requires a clear system of accountability, including a project list detailing exactly how the money will be used, a Citizens’ Oversight Committee, and independent audits to ensure the money is spent properly.
Have we ever passed a local bond measure for Gavilan College?
Our local community has continued to support Gavilan College over the years. In 2004, District voters approved Measure E, a facilities improvement bond that updated facilities and classrooms. The Measure E Citizens Oversight Committee reviewed Quarterly Financial Reports, annual independent audits, and ongoing updates on Measure E progress. All reports and audits have indicated each year that all Measure E funds have been expended appropriately and legally only for voter-approved activities.