PASADENA, Texas – In a move designed to construct hands-on instructional science, allied health, and other technical education facilities at each of the three San Jacinto College campuses, the College’s Board of Trustees unanimously voted to call a bond referendum for the May 2008 election, at its regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, February 4, 2008.

To accomplish the college’s goals, voters within the San Jacinto College District will have the opportunity to vote on the issuance of $295 million in general obligation bonds needed to prepare students to live and work in the community.  Libraries and physical education facilities will also be updated, as well as changes in the student support services area to create a single location for students to access services that support student learning.  In addition, San Jacinto College will work with local businesses to consider a Business Industry Training Center to assist with their training needs.

“This bond referendum will allow the College to update and construct facilities to educate students and train workers in the critically needed areas of science, technology, math and allied health professions,” explained San Jacinto College Chancellor Dr. Bill Lindemann. “With three of the five major growth areas in the United States and our local community requiring workers with strong analytical skills and scientific thinking, it is necessary for the College to upgrade our aging facilities to properly train students who will either transfer to four-year universities or enter the workforce.”

Impact on taxpayers within the San Jacinto College district is expected to be minimal.  Residents owning a home with an appraised value of $50,000 who claim a homestead exemption would see a tax increase of approximately $1.50 monthly or $18.00 annually. Homeowners whose home is appraised at $100,000 who claim a homestead exemption would see a tax increase of approximately $3.16 monthly, or $38.00 per year, while homeowners with an appraised home value of $150,000 who claim a homestead exemption would pay $4.83 more per month or approximately $58.00 annually.

San Jacinto College does not plan to pass along a tax increase related to this bond measure to the majority of senior citizens and disabled homeowners.  San Jacinto College will keep its promise to these citizens on fixed income by increasing the exemption for disabled and over 65 taxpayers by an amount designed to offset a tax increase resulting from the bond issue. Several years ago, the San Jacinto College Board of Trustees established a practice of setting the over 65 and disabled exemption at a level that eliminates tax liability on the average home value for district residents in this group. Last night, the Board affirmed their intention to review the average home value for residents in this group and adjust the exemption commensurate with increases in the average home value.

“An educated workforce is critical to the economic health and vitality of our community,” said Ben Meador, a San Jacinto College Board of Trustees member, and co-chair of the Friends of San Jacinto College committee.  “This bond referendum will allow San Jacinto College to continue to be a leader in preparing students to meet the challenges of today and those we will face in the future.  Over the next several months voters throughout the district should become well informed about all aspects of the referendum prior to the date of the election.”

The bond referendum will appear on the May 10, 2008, ballot. Early voting begins April 28 and runs through May 6. For more information about the projects proposed in the bond measure, please visit www.sanjac.edu/bond.