June 10, 2025
Dear SRJC Community,
Tonight, the Board of Trustees voted to place a general obligation bond measure before voters in the November 3, 2026, election, giving residents the opportunity to invest in the future of Santa Rosa Junior College and the communities we serve by extending the current measures supporting the College.
I want to thank the Board for its thoughtful and thorough discussion over the past year as trustees carefully evaluated SRJC’s long-term facilities needs and considered how best to support future generations of students.
Without increasing taxes, the measure would authorize up to $830 million to modernize and repair aging facilities, expand workforce training programs, improve instructional and public safety facilities, upgrade technology infrastructure, and ensure students continue to have access to high-quality, affordable higher education close to home. The measure is structured to maintain the existing combined tax rate associated with prior voter-approved bonds, meaning taxpayers would see no increase in the tax rate they currently pay to support SRJC.
The Board's action follows extensive assessment of facilities needs across our Santa Rosa and Petaluma campuses, the Public Safety Training Center, SRJC Roseland, and Shone Farm. Like many colleges across California, we face growing challenges associated with aging infrastructure, outdated technology systems, and facilities that require modernization to meet current educational, safety, accessibility, and workforce training needs.
If approved by voters, the measure would support improvements that strengthen programs for students transferring to four-year universities and prepare students for careers in healthcare, nursing, public safety, firefighting, emergency medical services, agriculture, auto mechanics, building trades, and other high-demand fields. Investments could include upgraded classrooms and laboratories, expanded workforce training facilities, modern instructional technology, improved safety systems, and repairs to critical infrastructure throughout SRJC.
The measure also includes strong accountability provisions. By law, all funds must remain under local control and can only be used for voter-approved capital projects. Bond proceeds cannot be used for salaries, pensions, or operating expenses. Independent annual audits, public reporting, and oversight by a Citizens' Bond Oversight Committee would ensure transparency and accountability.
As we move forward, there will be opportunities to learn more about the measure, the projects it could support, and the process leading up to the November 2026 election.
Thank you for all that you do every day to serve students.
In Community,
Dr. Angélica Garcia, Ed.D.
Superintendent/President
707-527-4431, angelicagarcia@santarosa.edu
