Planning for the Future: FAQ

What role does Delta College play in our community?

Delta College is an essential local resource for students of all ages and backgrounds to learn new trades, obtain new skills, and earn affordable college credit they can transfer to the University of California, California State University, and other four-year colleges and universities. With the cost of attending California public universities more than six times that of community colleges, more and more local students and their families rely on Delta College for affordable higher education and job training.

How does Delta College help ensure our communities have a well-trained local workforce?

Delta College provides low-cost, high-quality education, job training, and community learning options for all residents, and especially some of our more underserved communities. For example, Delta College trains more than 400 health care workers each year to fill critical jobs in our community, such as registered nurses, emergency medical technicians, psychiatric technicians, certified nursing assistants, radiologic technologists, and speech language pathology assistants. In fact, through its new Project HOPE collaboration with local industry partners, Delta College is increasing the number of and diversity of local nurses who are trained in our community and stay in our community. Overall, Delta College is an essential resource for students seeking a vocational education that provides the job training, technical knowledge, and specialized skills to compete for good-paying, modern careers. 

What challenges does Delta College face in preparing students for successful futures and the local workforce?

While Delta College is a valuable part of our community, most of the classroom buildings were built decades ago and need urgent repairs and essential safety, and technology improvements. Additional funding is needed to allow Delta College to help maintain and upgrade the classrooms, labs, and vocational equipment, technology and facilities for training the first responders, nurses, nursing assistants, EMTs, and other professionals who protect and serve our community every day.

How does Delta College plan to address these challenges?

The San Joaquin Delta Community College District Board of Trustees has decided to place a $598 million school facilities improvement bond measure known as Measure K on the November 2024 ballot. Funding from the measure could be used to help address the most urgent improvements needed across all Delta College campuses.

Specifically, what projects could Measure K fund?

If approved by local voters, funding from Measure K could be used to:

  • Fix old plumbing and continue to provide clean drinking water
  • Repair leaky roofs and remove asbestos, lead paint, and mold
  • Improve student safety on campus
  • Upgrade classrooms and labs for career technical education programs to prepare students to enter the workforce
  • Prepare students to transfer to four-year colleges and universities
How would Measure K help improve job training programs at Delta College?

Measure K would allow Delta College to upgrade vocational education programs, so students can train and learn the skills they need to prepare for today’s in-demand jobs and a competitive global economy. This includes upgrading classrooms, labs, and technology to help train local teachers, nurses, and first responders, as well as training students for jobs that will help sustain the local agricultural economy, our region’s leading industry.

How would Measure K help ensure Delta College can meet the needs of local veterans?

Delta College serves hundreds of military veterans, many of whom have recently returned from war zones and face challenges, including post-traumatic stress disorder and permanent disability. Measure K would upgrade and expand facilities for veteran services and job training so returning service members receive the support they need to complete their education, enter the civilian workforce, and compete for a good-paying job.

How would Measure K help Delta College meet the needs of the local agricultural economy?

The agricultural economy is our region’s leading industry, and a significant part of our heritage. Delta College helps sustain the local workforce by providing students with the necessary training for jobs in the local agricultural industry. Measure K would allow Delta College to continue to meet the needs of our local economy and enhance agricultural job training programs.

How would Measure K improve safety at Delta College?

Measure K would help make Delta College a safer place for students, faculty, staff, and community members who use the campus. Funds could be used to keep the campus safe and clean by upgrading security locks, cameras, and emergency communication systems to be better prepared in case of an active shooter or other emergencies.

How do we know funds from Measure K would be spent wisely?

By law, a school facilities improvement measure requires strict accountability protections, including:

  • All funds would be controlled locally for Delta College improvements only and could not be taken away by the State
  • By law, no money could be used for administrators' salaries
  • An independent citizens' oversight committee and mandatory annual audits would help ensure all funds are spent as voters intended
  • A detailed project list outlining the specific use of funds would be required
How much would Measure K cost?

The measure would provide $598 million for repairs and updates to Delta College campuses and is estimated to cost $16 per $100,000 of assessed value (not market value) per year, or approximately $49 per year for a typical taxpayer.

What is the difference between assessed value and market value?

The cost of bond measures is based on the assessed value of properties. The assessed value of a property is based on the original purchase price and may not increase by more than 2% a year, while the market value tends to grow at a much faster rate based on market conditions. Thus, the assessed value is usually much lower than the market value, especially if a property was purchased long ago at a much lower price than it could be purchased for today. It is this lower assessed value upon which the cost of a bond measure is based.

Would all funds benefit Delta College only?

Yes. All funds would be locally controlled and would benefit Delta College only. No funding could be taken away by the State or used for other purposes.

When will I be able to vote on Measure K?

San Joaquin Delta College Board of Trustees has decided to place the bond measure on the November 2024 ballot.

What level of support will Measure K need to pass?

Measure K will need to be supported by 55% of those who vote on it in order to pass.

Didn’t we already pass a bond measure to improve Delta College?

In 2004, local voters approved Measure L bond funding to upgrade and expand school buildings, many of which were over 40 years old. However, that was 20 years ago. Those Measure L funds have since been used on needed improvements, including a new science and math building, upgraded training facilities for first responders, and upgraded student technology. Now after two decades, additional funding is needed to allow Delta College to help maintain and upgrade classrooms, labs, and vocational equipment to meet the needs of our local economy. It’s important to note that Measure L is the only local bond measure that voters have approved for Delta College since the Stockton campus was built a half century ago.

How has Delta College been a good steward of past bond funding?

Delta College spent all Measure L bond funds as taxpayers intended and as described in the bond measure. Delta College also successfully refinanced Measure L bond funds, saving taxpayers $25.8 million, while maintaining Fitch AA credit ratings.

How can I learn more?

As we plan for the future of Delta College, we want to hear your thoughts. Please reach out to Alex Breitler at alex.breitler@deltacollege.edu with questions or learn more at DeltaCollege.edu/OurFuture.