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| For Immediate Release | Contact: Frances Squire |
| June 5 , 2008 | Phone: (559) 934-2134 |
Voters Approve West Hills College Bond Measure
Voters in the northern area of West Hills Community College District overwhelmingly passed an $11.8 million bond measure on the June 3rd ballot to support higher education facilities in the communities of Firebaugh, Mendota, San Joaquin and Tranquillity.
The measure will allow WHCCD to qualify for an additional $30 million in state matching funds.
Dr. Willard Lewallen, president of West Hills College Coalinga, expressed thanks to voters in the area for showing support for Measure Q during difficult economic times.
“We know that finances are tight right now, especially on the west side of the San Joaquin Valley where we’re experiencing a drought. More than 70 percent of voters in our school facilities improvement district in Fresno and Madera counties voted to financially support higher education. We appreciate their support and we offer our promise that those funds will be used to make college classes more accessible on the west side,” Lewallen said.
While no specific projects have been approved, Lewallen said the district is in discussions with the Fresno County Library to consider a joint use library with the college in Firebaugh. Learning centers are also being planned in Mendota, Tranquillity and San Joaquin.
The district is also working with the City of Firebaugh on joint use facilities that could be used for physical education classes, which are a degree requirement for students under 21.
WHCC currently operates North District Center, Firebaugh, where almost 500 students attend classes. It is also a partner in the Westside Institute of Technology, which is housed on the campus of Mendota High School. A variety of vocational programs are offered through the institute including truck driving, maintenance mechanic, fork lift driver and electrical repairs.
The WHCCD Board of Trustees will be considering school improvement facilities districts for Coalinga and Lemoore at its June 12th meeting. Mark McKean, president of the board, encourages the public to attend the meeting and comment on the SFID plans. The meeting starts at 3 p.m. at the district office at 9800 Cody, Coalinga.
McKean said that a formal public hearing on the SFIDs is slated for the July 22nd board meeting and that board members welcome public comments from community members. That meeting will also be held at the district office at 9800 Cody in Coalinga and will start at 3 p.m.
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West Hills Community College District serves the west side of the San Joaquin Valley and is part of the California Community College System. Its two colleges, West Hills College Coalinga, which includes North District Center, Firebaugh, and West Hills College Lemoore, serve more than 6,000 students on campus and online each semester.