(​Santa Ana, CA) – At its regularly scheduled Board of Trustees meeting on October 28, 2019, the Rancho Santiago Community College District (RSCCD) Board of Trustees adopted a Resolution ordering an election to authorize the issuance of $496 million in general obligation facilities bonds on the March 3, 2020 ballot.

In connection with the calling of the bond election, the Board of Trustees acknowledged that:

• Santa Ana College (SAC) and Santiago Canyon College (SCC) ensure that lower and middle-income students who can’t afford the high price of a university have access to career training and higher education.
• Student and Veterans Centers must continue to be updated and improved so veterans can continue to receive the support they need.
• More than one-third of all local high school graduates rely on Santa Ana College and Santiago Canyon College to continue their education.

The District conducted an evaluation at both Santa Ana College and Santiago Canyon College to develop the scope of capital projects to be funded. If approved, the Bond Measure would fund educational facility improvements including:

• Construction of an Applied Technology Building to house programs such as welding, manufacturing, automotive and culinary arts/hospitality
• Construction of a Student Services Building to house support services for our students
• Renovation/modernization of the Centennial Education Center
• Construction of a Fine and Performing Arts Center and Learning Commons
• Modernizing school facilities to improve access for students with disabilities
• Improving student safety and campus security systems including security lighting, cameras, emergency communications systems, smoke detectors and fire alarms
• Upgrading classrooms, labs and career training facilities that require upgrades for science, technology, engineering, math, biotech, and skilled trades including industrial technology, welding, automotive technology and other career training programs that do not duplicate existing programs, and are necessary upgrades of continuing education centers
• Repairing or replacing leaky roofs, rusty plumbing, faulty electrical systems and dry rotted beams where needed and removing hazardous materials (i.e. asbestos and lead paint) from older buildings

“I am confident that all parties – SAC, SCC, the District and the Board of Trustees – performed the necessary due diligence to ensure that this Bond Measure best serves the current and future needs of our students, as well as our community,” said RSCCD Chancellor Marvin Martinez. “The District is also committed to working with public and private entities to leverage public funds and share use of facilities in order to maximize student success and save taxpayer dollars.”

The bond measure will include strict taxpayer protections to ensure funds are spent appropriately.

About Rancho Santiago Community College District
Santa Ana College and Santiago Canyon College are public community colleges of the Rancho Santiago Community College District, which serves the residents of Anaheim Hills, Orange, Santa Ana, Villa Park, and portions of Anaheim, Costa Mesa, Irvine, Fountain Valley, Garden Grove, and Tustin. Both colleges provide education for academic transfer and careers, courses for personal and professional development, and customized training for business and industry.