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Speak Out
Against Measure E
I am a resident of the West Valley-Mission Community College District and I believe it is important to support improvements in education within our college district.
However, Measure E, the $715 million bond issue that the district has placed on the March 5 ballot, won't improve education within the district one bit.
More than half of the bond measure is for construction of new buildings. A larger physical plant will increase the district's fixed operational costs but it will not necessarily improve the education that takes place within those buildings. Some of the bond money is for purposes not closely related to education. Twenty two million to pay off the district's past long-term debts, another $20 million for as yet undefined "institutional support" projects and more than $5 million for a football stadium.
None of the Measure E funds will be used to improve part-time faculty salaries or to hire more full-time faculty. Measure E will not result in more sections of beginning college English or beginning college math, although every year the district fails to meet the need for these crucial courses.
The district has 26,000 students but fewer than 4 percent actually earn degrees each year. Measure E will not expand academic or vocational counseling services that are so crucial to the district's primary mission.
The district's deteriorating academic performance during the last several years has been well documented. It is essential for the district to evaluate and improve existing academic programs and services. Unfortunately, Measure E will do none of that. To the contrary, Measure E may work against academic improvement in the district because the focus will be on bricks and mortar and out-of-control growth, rather than on academics.
Please support education by voting against Measure E on March 5.
Nicole Shuman
San Jose
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Campbell, California
