Bond oversight committee issues annual report

Posted on: Feb 19, 2020 12:00:00 AM
In: Cuyamaca, District, Grossmont
Buildings and Facilities
Contact: Anne Krueger anne.krueger@gcccd.edu

The bond-funded construction projects that are transforming the Grossmont and Cuyamaca College campuses are highlighted in a citizens’ oversight committee annual report released this week.

 The 2019 Annual Report by the Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee reviews progress in the past year on the construction work that was funded by Prop. V, the $398 million bond measure approved by East County voters in 2012.

             The major projects underway include:

• A new Visual and Performing Arts Center at Grossmont College, which includes a 390-seat theater with a professional performance stage, orchestra pit and balcony for student performances that will be open to the community. Construction is set to be completed in spring 2020.
• A renovated Student Center at Cuyamaca College, including an expanded veterans’ resource center and improved facilities for the career center, bookstore, and convenience store.
• A renovated Science, Math, and Career Technology Complex at Grossmont College, which will house the Administration of Justice and Earth Science programs, a fingerprinting lab for the Forensic Technology program, computer labs and classrooms. The first phase of the project was completed in January 2020.
• A renovated Ornamental Horticulture facility at Cuyamaca College, which will provide classrooms, new greenhouses, a retail area and outdoor instructional spaces. The work is expected to be completed in fall 2020.

 The report also notes that the projects employed more than 2,400 workers, with about one-fourth East County residents and 82% San Diego County residents. Those workers received more than $13.8 million in wages and benefits.

 “These new facilities will better serve our students and the community,” said Lynn Neault, chancellor of the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District. “Our ongoing construction projects will also continue to offer employment opportunities to hundreds of workers in East County and beyond.” 

 The 11-member Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee is charged with ensuring that revenues from Prop. V are spent on campus construction as promised to East County voters. The committee includes community members with expertise in construction and finance, as well as representatives from business and taxpayer organizations, the colleges’ student body, a senior citizens’ organization, the district’s foundation, and the colleges’ advisory committees.

 Committee chair Dave Gauthier noted that the San Diego County Taxpayers Educational Foundation gave the oversight committee a perfect score for its transparency and accessibility of information on its website. The foundation praised the college district as one that is providing “proper and timely dissemination of information” and urged other school districts starting new bond programs to look to the district’s model for transparency. The website is located at http://propsrv.gcccd.edu/Pages/Home.aspx.

 A separate audit analyzing the district’s fiscal practices received the highest possible rating from independent auditors, marking a 16-year streak of financial transparency. The audits of the district, the Foundation for Grossmont & Cuyamaca Colleges and the Proposition V funds resulted in unmodified opinions, meaning the financial information reviewed was accurate and complete, and done in accordance with accepted accounting principles.