Measure A 2002 and Measure A+ 2006 Bonds Citizens' Oversight Committee

Voters of Contra Costa County have passed two facility bond measures enabling the Contra Costa Community College District to refurbish aging facilities, build new facilities to accommodate enrollment growth, and purchase sorely needed equipment for classrooms.

Measure A is a $120-million bond measure, passed on March 5, 2002, and Measure A+ is a $286.5 million bond measure passed on June 6, 2006.

Bond funds may only be used for the construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, or replacement of college facilities, including the furnishing and equipping of college facilities, or the acquisition or lease of real property for college facilities, and not for any other purpose, such as teacher and administrator salaries or other operating expenses.

As the Governing Board noted in its November 2001 resolution approving the first Measure A, most of the classrooms and science labs are over 30 years old, and some are at least 50 years old. Classrooms, science labs, restrooms, and other buildings and facilities must be repaired, wired for 21st century technology, upgraded, and modernized if they are to continue to serve the needs of Contra Costa County's students.

The District had not issued bonds since it was established in 1948. So after more than 50 years, it was decided that the time was ripe to pass a bond measure that will help ensure progress for the county's long-standing community college district, where countless numbers of students have received a superb education and gone on to make important contributions to the economy and general welfare of Contra Costa County, the state and the nation.

Citizens' Oversight Committee

Passage of the bond measures called for the creation of an 11-member, independent Citizens Oversight Committee to ensure that funds "are expended only for the college projects listed...." In addition, the resolution required an annual, independent performance audit to ensure that funds are used only on the official projects, as well as an annual, independent financial audit of bond funds until all are spent.

Committee members serve two-year terms. The Committee is selected as follows: One foundation member nominated by each college president, one student active in a college group nominated by each college president, one citizen representing business and community leadership interests nominated by each college president, one member of a bonafide taxpayers association nominated by the Chancellor (CCCCD) and one member active in a senior citizens organization nominated by the Chancellor (CCCCD) to assure compliance with membership criteria by Education Code section 15282(a).

Nominations made by the college presidents are based on input from college foundation boards of directors, student government organizations, and interest expressed by individuals representing business and civic organizations. The Chancellor asked the Contra Costa Taxpayers Association to select an individual to serve on the Committee, representing a bonafide taxpayers association. In addition, the Contra Costa Council on Aging was asked to nominate an individual representing a senior citizens organization.

Committee meetings are held in accordance with the California Education Code.

Committee Members

• John Cottrell, Senior Citizens' Organization Representative
• James Clay, LMC Support Organization Representative
• Jagjit Bhambra, DVC Support Organization Representative
• Jasmine Ramezanzadeh, CCC Student Representative
• Mark Ross, DVC Business Organization Representative
• Enrique Ruiz, CCC Business Organization Representative
• William van Dyk, CCC Support Organization Representative
• Mauna Wagner, CCCCD Taxpayer's Organization Representative
• Elijah Ziskin, DVC Student Representative
• VACANT, LMC Student Representative
• VACANT, LMC Business Organization Representative