|
|
 |
September 13, 2004
Bond fund would help MCC expand
Dan Smith
Mesa Legend
 |
| Rebecca Straughmatt Mesa Legend |
| Indicates buildings that will either be added or renovated. New buildings will be added to the Red Mountain campus while existing buildings will be renovated at the Southern and Dobson campus. |
Maricopa Community Colleges are nearing the end of a push to receive a $951 million boost in funding this fall through a bond allocation. Although the money is not yet secured, those campaigning for the bond adoption are confident that the proposition will pass.
“It is very positive response from every corner of the Valley. If there is any complaint at all, it’s that they would like us to do even more,” said Jay Thorne of the Bond Committee Outreach.
MCC would be allocated $111 million in additional resources following the passing of this bond, which will be voted on in November.
The voter decided bond purchase would be paid off by a Maricopa County property tax increase. A Maricopa resident owning a house valued at $100,000 would pay approximately $16 more annually, according to Thorne.
Opposition to the bond has been scarce. President of the League of United Latin American Citizens, Samuel Esquivel, expressed unease over the amount of power that the Maricopa Governing Board would have for utilization of the funds.
“In the past the funding has not reached the concerns of the Hispanic community student population.” He also pointed out that, “We are underrepresented in Hispanic faculty and nothing has been done towards fulfilling that goal (of a representative faculty) in the Maricopa Colleges.”
LULAC has not officially taken a stance to oppose or support the bond proposition. The value of a Maricopa bond is not disputed by Esquivel who stated, “We know that it can help a lot in the Community Colleges, the concern is over whose hands are going to be directing these funds.”
Esquivel said that LULAC would prefer an oversight committee at state level to analyze and guide the use of such funds. “As long as no oversight committee exists overlooking how the money is spent, it gives us reason for very much concern over the power of the board,” stated Esquivel.
Other Hispanic groups have already endorsed the bond including the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and Chicanos Por La Causa, according to Thorne.
Vice president of the Arizona Tax Research Association, Nick Hunter, pointed out that money from the bond will mostly fund structural projects for the Community Colleges. “The bond is going to be about books and mortar.” According to Hunter, a small portion of the money will be going towards faculty and programs. Approximately five percent of the bond money would be used for operational costs, which include funding for staff, said Hunter.
Plans for MCC use of the bond money include improvements to the Red Mountain Campus, the creation of a downtown Mesa campus and additional structures on the Southern and Dobson campus.
Back to Top
| Previous Page | Home
|
|
|
|
