2008 Woodie Awards
Fate of campus passed to voters
November election poses $249.5 million bond decision for Marin
Jeremy Duvall
Issue date: 9/28/04 Section: News
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The coming of fall heralds both a change in seasons and the beginning of another academic year at the College of Marin and as students scurry to class, shoulders laden with backpacks, the shifting weather or new class schedules may not be the only changes in store for the future of COM.
Come November Marin county residents will decide the fate of the COM campus and facilities when they determine whether or not to cast their vote in favor of a bond that will provide $249.5 million dollars for massive campus improvements.
"We need to agree on what our strategic plan is and we need to pass the bond," said Francis White, the new COM president. "Once you are able to pass the bond you now have freedom and opportunity to not have to worry about certain expenditures from your general fund budget."
On July 20 COM trustees voted 6-1 to pass a resolution that will put a general obligation bond onto the ballot in November. If the bond passes it will provide the college with funds to improve both the Kentfield and Indian Valley campuses. Trustee Barbara Dolan, who has been on the COM board almost 20 years, was the sole member to vote against the bond issue. The bond will cost property owners $19 per $100,000 of assessed property value per year in additional taxes.
"I think its unfair to saddle future generations with this burden," said Dolan. She also talked about some of the greater issues and troubles COM is facing. "I think (the bond) is driven by outside influence and unless we really deal with the tension in the work environment we are circumventing the problem."
"I think we have long unresolved union issues," said Dolan. "We can't solve these problems by just throwing money at them."
Dolan noted funds provided by the bond do not cover any of the maintenance costs for the new buildings it proposes to build. "We would have to pass a parcel tax to pay for maintenance," Dolan said.
Dolan said she agrees with the spirit of the bond and that she cares very deeply for COM. As a single mother she returned to COM to continue her education and now as a member of the board with the longest tenure she wants to see COM heading in the right direction. "We need to have the faculty on the same team as the administration and get the students we have lost to Santa Rosa JC coming back to COM," she said.
Come November Marin county residents will decide the fate of the COM campus and facilities when they determine whether or not to cast their vote in favor of a bond that will provide $249.5 million dollars for massive campus improvements.
"We need to agree on what our strategic plan is and we need to pass the bond," said Francis White, the new COM president. "Once you are able to pass the bond you now have freedom and opportunity to not have to worry about certain expenditures from your general fund budget."
On July 20 COM trustees voted 6-1 to pass a resolution that will put a general obligation bond onto the ballot in November. If the bond passes it will provide the college with funds to improve both the Kentfield and Indian Valley campuses. Trustee Barbara Dolan, who has been on the COM board almost 20 years, was the sole member to vote against the bond issue. The bond will cost property owners $19 per $100,000 of assessed property value per year in additional taxes.
"I think its unfair to saddle future generations with this burden," said Dolan. She also talked about some of the greater issues and troubles COM is facing. "I think (the bond) is driven by outside influence and unless we really deal with the tension in the work environment we are circumventing the problem."
"I think we have long unresolved union issues," said Dolan. "We can't solve these problems by just throwing money at them."
Dolan noted funds provided by the bond do not cover any of the maintenance costs for the new buildings it proposes to build. "We would have to pass a parcel tax to pay for maintenance," Dolan said.
Dolan said she agrees with the spirit of the bond and that she cares very deeply for COM. As a single mother she returned to COM to continue her education and now as a member of the board with the longest tenure she wants to see COM heading in the right direction. "We need to have the faculty on the same team as the administration and get the students we have lost to Santa Rosa JC coming back to COM," she said.