Frequently Asked Questions

What is Measure L?

On November 4, 2014, San Luis Obispo County voters approved Measure L, a $275 million local education bond measure, paving the way for Cuesta College to address longstanding facility, infrastructure and technology needs. The bond required a 55 percent approval of SLO County voters to be successful; it achieved 62 percent.

 

What does Measure L pay for?

Temporary classroom replacement and new classrooms and facilities. The removal of temporary buildings per Education Code 17292 will necessitate the replacement of said temporary buildings with four new structures. The new structures are the San Luis Obispo Campus Center Building, San Luis Obispo Campus Instructional Building, North County Campus Center Building and North County Campus Early Childhood Education Center.

Repairs and upgrades to existing facilities, specifically to roofs, heating and air conditioning units, the aquatic center and other infrastructure and utility repair needs. Repairs will be made to 50 buildings on the San Luis Obispo Campus and three building on the North County Campus.

21st century technology upgrades. Technology upgrades are necessary to deliver effective and meaningful educational and job training programs that meet current industry standards and provide up-to-date technology in the classroom and operations.

North County Campus Job & Career Training Facility. To facilitate improvements to Career Technical Education Programs in the North County, satisfying the demands of voters in North County.

Refinancing/Debt Retirement. The District has not had a bond in more than 40 years. Since 1974, the District had to obtain other financing to make urgent and necessary improvements and repairs to aging facilities.

 

What can Measure L funds not be used for?

No Measure L funds can go toward administrator salaries or pensions and all funds will be used locally. Measure L funds can also not be spent on anything that was not approved by voters in the November 2014 election.

 

What are the accountability requirements of Measure L funds?

It includes strict accountability requirements including a Citizens’ Oversight Committee and independent annual financial performance audits to ensure Measure L funds are spent only on voter authorized projects. By law, the Citizens’ Oversight Committee must include, among others, representation of a bona fide Taxpayers’ Association, a Business Organization, and a Senior Citizens’ Organization.

 

What does Measure L cost taxpayers?

The tax levy is set at $19.25 per $100,000 of assessed property value. Next year’s property tax bills will be mailed out at the end of October with a property tax line titled ‘Cuesta CCD 2014 Bond’. In July of 2014, the Board of Trustees voted to place the bond on the November ballot in the amount of $275 million, equating to a tax rate of less than $20 per $100,000 assessed property value. The Board members agreed that the amount of $275 million would address the needs of the college while also being mindful of the impact on voters.

 

How long will it take for Cuesta College to pay back the bonds?

Cuesta College will see four issuances of Measure L monies:
First Issuance: 2015, $75 million
Second Issuance: 2018, $73 million
Third Issuance: 2021, $70 million
Fourth Issuance: 2024, $57 million

The bonds will be paid off in the year 2049. Each of the four issuances is paid over 25 years.

 

When was the last bond? What did it pay for?

In November of 1974 Cuesta passed an $8 million bond. The funding was used to complete basic campus structures, including engineering and technology, business education, language arts, social sciences, fine and performing arts, and library learning center.

 

What educational needs and priorities does Measure L address?

  • Preparing returning veterans and local students for universities and good-paying jobs
  • Providing career technical education in early childhood education, welding, construction, engineering, technology and architecture
  • Improving and maintaining nursing and paramedic/9-1-1 emergency medical training programs
  • Fixing deteriorating buildings, aging classrooms, leaking roofs and faulty electrical systems that lead to power outages and canceled classes

How does Measure L impact job training?

Cuesta College provides essential job training and workforce preparation for students of all ages. Many of our area’s 9-1-1 emergency first-responders are educated here, and Measure L will enable Cuesta College to continue playing a vital role in keeping our communities healthy and safe by training and educating our area’s paramedics, nurses, emergency medical responders and other healthcare professionals.

Additionally, Measure L upgrades facilities for training in automotive technology, agriculture trades, early childhood education, law enforcement, welding, construction, engineering, technology and architecture, among others.

 

Does Measure L address veterans’ needs?

Our community is home to the California National Guard’s Headquarters at Camp San Luis Obispo and the California Military Academy, and our region has a strong tradition of supporting our veterans. Measure L is improving access for disabled students and expanding job-placement facilities to assist veterans in re-entering the civilian workforce.

 

How did Cuesta College decide to go for this bond measure?

In December 2013, it was found via an independent survey of voters in the San Luis Obispo County Community College District that the community strongly supported Cuesta College’s affordable education and job training/workforce preparation programs. Furthermore, the survey – conducted in October of that year by opinion research firm of FM3 Research – showed as much as 69% of respondents would support a local funding measure to improve and upgrade the College in November 2014, well above the 55% threshold needed for passage.

After that time, Cuesta College spent months working with a consulting firm to assist the college’s Board of Trustees in determining the feasibility of whether the voters in San Luis Obispo County would support a bond in November of 2014. Various college representatives also spent months distributing information and gathering public feedback from the community regarding college needs and challenges.

At a July 2014 meeting, the Board of Trustees were presented with and reviewed the results of a second survey conducted of local registered voters and also heard various public comments from college staff and community members. At that meeting, the Board members unanimously voted to place a bond on the November ballot in the amount of $275 million, which would address the needs of the college while also being mindful of the impact on voters.

 

How can I get involved with Measure L?

The public can become involved with Measure L by applying to serve on the Citizens’ Oversight Committee and/or attend the meetings held by the COC.

 

How can I get on the vendor list?

To be put on a vendor list and/or find out vendor information, please visit the contractor pre qualification page.

 

How can I get more information?

To submit a question, please visit our contact page.