San Joaquin Delta College trustees voted unanimously Tuesday to place a bond measure on the November ballot which, if approved by voters, would provide money to upgrade College facilities and ensure that students from all walks of life can raise their quality of living and achieve their dreams.

The $598 million bond would help address the most urgent improvements needed across all Delta College campuses, such as fixing old plumbing, repairing leaky roofs, upgrading classrooms and labs, and improving student safety.

If approved, the measure would cost property owners approximately $16 per $100,000 of assessed (not market) value, with the typical property owner paying about $49 per year.

“Delta College trains community members for higher-paying careers in important local fields like agriculture, robotics, law enforcement, and healthcare,” said Superintendent/President Dr. Lisa Aguilera Lawrenson. “For the healthcare industry alone, Delta College prepares more than 400 workers each year to fill critical jobs such as registered nurses, emergency medical technicians, and more.

“To continue providing these programs, we urgently need to upgrade and repair our facilities to meet today’s academic and safety standards. We encourage the public to learn more about our proposed bond measure in the months to come, and about Delta College’s ongoing efforts to uplift our community.”

In an era of big college debt, more and more families are relying on Delta College for a low-cost, high-quality education. According to a recent report, the College has an annual economic impact on the community of $572 million per year and supports more than 6,800 jobs across the region.

Despite the increased need for Delta’s services, it’s been 20 years since the College last proposed a bond for voter approval. The 2004 passage of Measure L allowed the College to build a new math and science building, upgrade career education shops, upgrade training facilities for first responders, and improve student technology, among many other projects. Subsequent refinancing of the bond saved taxpayers nearly $26 million.

Measure L is the only bond measure that has been passed in the half century since the College’s current Stockton campus was built.

“The decision to propose a bond measure in November 2024 is a landmark moment in the history of Delta College,” said Board of Trustees President Dr. Charles Jennings. “We must improve our aging facilities so that we can continue to provide a high-quality, affordable education for tens of thousands of students each year.”

By law, a school facilities improvement measure would require strict accountability protections, including an independent citizens’ oversight committee, mandatory annual audits, and a detailed project list. All funds would be controlled locally for Delta College improvements, and by law, no funds could be used for administrators’ salaries.

Learn more: More information about the proposed bond measure is available at deltacollege.edu/ourfuture.

About Delta College

Offering more than 200 degrees and certificates, Delta College is a top destination for students wishing to learn a new trade, upgrade their skills, or earn transfer units to four-year colleges and universities. Established in 1963, the College serves a diverse population of over 26,000 students at its campuses in Stockton and Mountain House, as well as online and at satellite facilities across the region. For more information, visit www.deltacollege.edu.