Rogue Community College
Bond Measure #17.18

Rogue Community College is asking Josephine County voters to approve a $15 million bond measure at the Nov. 7, 2006, election.

RCC is requesting the bond to —

• Remodel and upgrade facilities at the Redwood Campus and in the Illinois Valley

• Funds would be used only in Josephine County for improving facilities at the 36-year-old Redwood Campus in Grants Pass and expanding RCC’s learning/training center in the Illinois Valley to meet the needs of a growing population in that area. The work would assist in protecting the community’s investment in the college.

• Improve and sustain education and job-training opportunities for Josephine County residents

• Priorities include remodeling or upgrading facilities that house education and training programs in science, health care, business, arts and humanities, and nursing.

• Refinance existing college debt

• Funds also would be used to retire approximately $800,000 in existing debt incurred for earlier Redwood Campus renovation projects.
  Estimated cost to property owners for the $15 million bond measure would be 19 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value or approximately $38 per year for a property with an assessed value of $200,000.

FACTS ABOUT THE RCC BOND MEASURE

Why is RCC proposing a bond measure?

The RCC Board of Education is proposing a bond measure so the college can continue to provide high-quality education and job training programs in up-to-date facilities.

While the college’s facilities in Josephine County have been well cared for and maintained, buildings have aged and in some cases are inadequate for today’s technical training requirements. And while federal grants, private funding, and financing have helped the college make some improvements to the campus over the years, Josephine County residents have never provided capital construction funding to RCC.
  
Because the cost of making major improvements exceeds the college’s operating budget, the board is asking the community to consider a bond measure as a way to improve and sustain education and job-training opportunities for Josephine County residents. The capital construction bonds would allow the college to focus its operating budget on improving educational programs for students and the community.

What would the bond measure fund?

Improvements on Redwood Campus
On the Redwood Campus, funds would be used to —
• Expand and improve the science facilities to meet 21st century needs as well as support current and emerging health care education and training needs.
• Develop an arts, cultural and humanities complex – including an arts quad – that would allow integration of arts and technology, such as welding, sculpture, and computer graphics.
• Construct a business and industry-training center that would provide large meeting space and flexible classrooms for campus and community use.
• Renovate the Rogue Building, 130-seat theater used as a classroom and for numerous community events, as well as upgrading the Marjorie Holzgang Concert Bowl.
• Remodel the college’s business and art center in Old City Hall in downtown Grants Pass, which houses art classes and the Small Business Development Center, to increase space for education and training.

Upgrade the Illinois Valley Learning Center
A portion of the funds would be used to upgrade the Illinois Valley Learning Center to meet emerging training and education needs in the Cave Junction area, and make the building more accessible to persons with disabilities.

What would the measure cost?

It is estimated that a $15 million bond measure would cost property owners approximately $.19 per $1,000 of assessed value, or $38 per year for a property valued at $200,000. RCC has not general obligation bonded debt in Josephine County. The bonds would mature in 21 years.

Can the college fund these projects with its current budget?

No, the majority of the college budget is used for educational programs – for instructors, educational equipment, and student services. The college budget comes from the state general fund, student tuition and property taxes.

Are there funds available from the state?

In 2005, the Oregon Legislature set aside some dollars for community college construction projects. RCC received $4.1 million in matching funds for the purpose of constructing an educational center in downtown Medford to be shared by RCC and Southern Oregon University. None of those funds may be used in Josephine County.

What would happen if the measure fails?

The college would not be able to upgrade or construct facilities to develop new education and job-training programs on the Redwood Campus in Josephine County. And the college would continue to allocate a portion of its educational budget to pay off existing debt incurred from past Redwood Campus improvements.