Frequently Asked Questions

What is Measure C?

Measure C is a community college facilities bond measure on the November 3, 2026 ballot seeking voter authorization to fund essential repairs and upgrades to Barstow Community College's aging classrooms, career training facilities, technology, and campus infrastructure. Measure C requires 55% support to pass. A "YES" vote approves funding for the District's facilities plan; a "NO" vote rejects the plan.

Why has Barstow Community College District (BCCD) placed Measure C on the November 3, 2026 ballot?

Barstow Community College District serves an essential community role in the High Desert by providing affordable, high-quality higher education, workforce training, and transfer opportunities close to home. Every year, more than 5,300 students, veterans, active-duty service members, and working adults rely on the College to gain the education and skills they need to succeed. Barstow Community College has two key priorities: first, to prepare students and veterans for academic success, in-demand jobs, and transfer to 4-year colleges and universities; and second, to ensure that classrooms, career training facilities, technology, and campus infrastructure are safe, modern, well maintained, and capable of supporting today's educational and workforce needs.

Barstow Community College has worked hard to maintain its campus facilities and be a responsible steward of taxpayer resources. However, after more than 60 years of continuous use, many campus buildings and infrastructure systems require essential repairs and upgrades to support modern technology, hands-on workforce training, and student success. Many classrooms, career training labs, and campus systems were not designed for the technology, equipment, and workforce training programs students rely on today. The College is also evaluating opportunities to create and expand classrooms, labs, and learning spaces to accommodate more students and strengthen workforce training and transfer opportunities.

To address these identified needs, the District has explored available funding options, including existing College resources and state and federal funding opportunities. After extensive planning and community outreach, the Board of Trustees voted to place Measure C on the November 3, 2026 ballot. If approved by voters, Measure C would provide funding to begin addressing identified facility needs while continuing to support affordable higher education, workforce training, student success, and economic opportunity throughout the High Desert.

What would funds raised by Measure C go towards?

Measure C Project Summary:

  • Prepare students and veterans for skilled trades, high demand jobs/careers
  • Maintain local affordable higher education
  • Repair/Update deteriorating gas, electrical lines, air conditioning, and heating systems
  • Improve access to skills training, career counseling, and job placement for veterans/active-duty service members
  • Upgrade facilities supporting career training in technology, engineering, nursing, and other in-demand fields

What is the actual question that voters will be asked to decide in November?

“To repair/upgrade local community college classrooms/labs, maintain affordable higher education in classrooms preparing students/veterans for high-demand jobs/careers, including skilled trades, engineering, nursing; update aging computer technology, emergency systems; repair deteriorating gas/electrical lines; shall Barstow Community College District’s measure be adopted authorizing $37,000,000 in bonds at legal rates, levying approximately $25 per $100,000 assessed valuation ($2,500,000 annually) while bonds are outstanding, requiring spending disclosure, oversight, audits?”

How much would the proposed bond cost?

If approved by voters, a $37 million bond translates to levies of about $25 per year for every $100,000 of assessed valuation for property owners. The assessed valuation refers to taxable value, not the market value of your home. If the bond is approved, the typical homeowner in our community college district will pay about $33 a year, or $2.78 a month.

How are Barstow Community College facilities improvements funded? Isn't there already a facilities budget for ongoing maintenance?

With limited resources, Barstow Community College District staff work hard to maintain campus facilities and keep them in good working condition for students, faculty, staff, and the community. However, the reality is that the types of essential repairs and upgrades needed after more than 60 years of continuous use go far beyond the scope and means of the College's regular operating and maintenance budgets.

The District continues to pursue available funding sources, including existing College resources and state and federal funding opportunities. However, these sources alone are not enough to address the significant repairs and upgrades needed to repair and upgrade classrooms, career training facilities, technology, and campus infrastructure. Passing a local community college bond measure is the most common way California community colleges fund major capital improvements while preserving funding for instruction and student services.

Are Barstow Community College facilities really that old?

Yes. Many Barstow Community College buildings and infrastructure systems have been in continuous use for more than 60 years. While the College has worked hard to maintain its campus and be a responsible steward of taxpayer resources, many classrooms, career training facilities, and campus systems were not designed for the technology, equipment, and workforce training programs students rely on today. Essential repairs and upgrades are needed to modernize classrooms, laboratories, and infrastructure so students can continue preparing for in-demand careers and transfer opportunities.

How would Measure C support veterans?

Barstow Community College has a strong partnership with Fort Irwin and serves veterans, active-duty service members, military families, and Department of Defense personnel throughout the region. Measure C would improve facilities that support workforce training, career counseling, job placement, and educational opportunities that help veterans successfully transition into civilian careers. These improvements would help ensure veterans have access to modern classrooms, technology, and career training programs close to home.

How do improved facilities result in improved instruction?

Safe, modern college facilities are essential to supporting high-quality instruction and workforce training programs. Students preparing for careers in healthcare, skilled trades, technology, and other in-demand fields need classrooms, labs, and equipment that reflect real-world industry conditions.

Many Barstow Community College buildings and infrastructure systems have been in continuous use for more than 60 years and were not designed for the technology, equipment, and hands-on training programs students rely on today. In some programs, limited classroom and lab space can make it difficult to expand course offerings or accommodate all students who want to enroll, requiring class sizes to be limited or delaying access to certain courses. Additional classroom and training space would allow the College to offer more classes and ensure more students can enroll in the programs they need to complete their education and career training. Updated classrooms, labs, and training facilities allow instructors to provide more effective hands-on learning, incorporate modern technology, and better prepare students for good-paying careers or transfer to four-year universities.

No one in my household attends Barstow Community College. Why should this matter to me?

Investing in Barstow Community College benefits the entire High Desert, including people who never attend the College. A strong community college helps prepare nurses, skilled trades workers, first responders, technicians, and other professionals our local economy depends on. It strengthens the local workforce, supports employers, attracts new businesses, and creates economic opportunity while improving the quality of life throughout our region.

What is a Proposition 39 community college bond measure and what can it pay for?

A Proposition 39 community college bond measure can be used to fund the repair, upgrade, construction, acquisition, and modernization of community college facilities, equipment, and technology improvements. A Proposition 39 bond requires 55% voter approval to pass. Proposition 39 college bonds prohibit the use of the funds for operations, administrator salaries, or pensions, and also require independent financial and performance audits on the use of bond proceeds to help ensure funds are spent as promised. No revenue generated by a local bond can be taken away by the State. All funds stay local to benefit Barstow Community College District.

Does the District have a Facilities Master Plan?

Yes. Barstow Community College District recently completed its Comprehensive Educational + Facilities Plan, which identifies the College's long-term facility needs and priorities for future campus improvements. The plan reflects a comprehensive assessment of classrooms, career training facilities, student support spaces, technology, and campus infrastructure across the Barstow Community College campus. Many campus facilities require repairs and upgrades after more than 60 years of continuous use.

When will the work begin?

If approved by voters, Barstow Community College District will immediately focus on the most critical facilities needs identified through its planning process. The District will develop a project schedule so improvements can be completed responsibly, on time, and within budget. Projects will be prioritized based on need, available funding, and the College's long-term facilities plan.

What about the Lottery funding? Wasn’t it supposed to fix our College?

Unfortunately, Lottery funds can only be used for classroom instruction, not technology or facility upgrades. Moreover, the money our college district receives from the Lottery each year comprises less than 2% of our annual General Fund Budget.

How can we be assured that Measure C would be spent properly?

If approved by voters, Measure C would require independent Citizens Oversight and reports to the community to ensure the funds are spent as promised. None of the money from this measure can be used to increase salaries, benefits, or pensions for administrators, or any other college employees. All funds raised would stay local to support BCCD facility and technology improvements. These funds cannot be taken by the State.

Doesn’t the STATE provide funding for facility upgrades?

Very little. While Barstow Community College District continues to pursue available state and federal funding opportunities, those sources alone are not enough to address all of the College's identified facility needs. In many cases, if the State provides funding for community college facilities, local districts must provide matching funds to qualify. A local bond measure is the most common way California community college districts fund major repairs and upgrades while also positioning themselves to compete for future state funding. Unfortunately, all other funding sources for major capital improvements are extremely limited.

How does Measure C impact college affordability?

The cost to attend California’s public universities is at least six times that of attending a community college. This measure increases opportunities for local students to earn college credits and certifications, and learn job skills at an affordable price, and then transfer to four-year colleges and universities without generating unnecessary debt.

How would Measure C improve access to bachelor's degree pathways for local students and adults?

It will allow our local community college to expand and upgrade classrooms and labs used to offer university-level classes so students can earn credits towards a bachelor’s degree and expand partnerships that make it easier to transfer to a four-year university.

Will businesses share in the cost of Measure C?

Yes, commercial, industrial, and residential property owners will be subject to the same property tax levy.

Have there been other BCCD bonds? If so, when was the last bond?

The District has not asked local voters to approve a campus bond measure in many decades. Barstow Community College’s permanent campus was originally made possible after the community approved a $3 million bond issue in 1960. Barstow Community College District has worked hard to maintain its campus facilities and be a responsible steward of taxpayer resources. However, after more than 60 years of continuous use, many campus buildings and infrastructure systems now require essential repairs and upgrades to support modern technology, hands-on workforce training, and student success. Measure C would provide funding to begin addressing these identified facility needs.

Is the local Barstow workforce impacted?

This measure will allow Barstow Community College to expand and improve classrooms and workspaces that offer hands-on learning to prepare our students for skilled-trade careers, such as welders; electricians; and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning technicians. This will help ensure our students are qualified for these in-demand, good-paying jobs and provide the workforce our area needs.

Who is eligible to vote on Measure C?

All registered voters within the Barstow Community College District are eligible to vote on Measure C on the November 3, 2026 ballot.

For more information, visit our website at: www.YesOnCforBCC.com or email us at [email protected].

Sign in with Email