Why is the College Considering a Bond?
It has been 50 years since the college has had a bond approved by voters. In that time the community has grown, a college education has changed dramatically and our facilities have aged.
50 Year Old Facilities are Aging and in Need of Repair
The proposed bond will upgrade our aging facilities. MHCC buildings are all original to when the college was first built: in 1970. These 50 year old facilities need major repairs like HVAC, plumbing, electrical, exterior siding.
Outdated Safety and Security Measures
The proposed bond will update our safety and security systems. While we work hard everyday to protect students, staff, parents and visitors, the fact is many of our buildings have outdated safety and security measures.
Growing Demand for our Programs
The proposed bond will prepare students for success by creating learning spaces with modern tools and offer cross-disciplinary training. It will create space to bring together programs like health sciences and modernize science labs.
Building a College for All
The proposed bond will improve facilities to better serve our students and community. The MHCC district is an asset for the entire region and is one of the most diverse community college districts in the state. We serve rural and urban communities across 950 square miles from Government Camp to Sandy, East Portland to Corbett and Troutdale to Gresham.
Placing a Bond on the Ballot
- Community Colleges in Oregon do not receive money from the State to fund major capital construction projects. Colleges can borrow funding from banks to pay for the construction, expansion and renovation of grounds and buildings but often are very limited in what they can borrow.
- Bonds are a way of funding large scale capital construction projects through assessment of property in the college district.
- A community college will develop a list of proposed project and total project cost and make a request of voters to fund these projects.
- Voters must approve these funds, and projects through a bond election on the ballot.
- MHCC hasn't had a bond since 1970, that's 50 years!
- MHCC is looking to put a bond measure on the May 2025 ballot.