June 9, 2026, Santa Rosa - The Sonoma County Junior College District Board of Trustees voted today 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 it serves by extending the current measures supporting the college.
Without increasing taxes, the measure would authorize up to $830 million in bonds to modernize and repair aging facilities, expand workforce training programs, improve public safety and instructional facilities, upgrade technology infrastructure, and ensure students have access to high-quality, affordable higher education opportunities close to home. The measure is structured to maintain the existing combined tax rate associated with prior voter-approved bonds, ensuring taxpayers would see no increase in the tax rate they currently pay to support SRJC.
"SRJC has been a community anchor for educational opportunity and workforce development in our region for more than a century," said Dr. Angélica Garcia, Superintendent/President of Santa Rosa Junior College. "This measure reflects our commitment to ensuring that students have access to safe, modern learning environments that prepare them for transfer to four-year universities and careers in the industries that power Sonoma County's economy."
The Board's action follows extensive evaluation of facilities needs across the District's Santa Rosa and Petaluma campuses, the Public Safety Training Center in Windsor, CA, SRJC Roseland, and Shone Farm, near Forestville, CA. The District has identified significant infrastructure needs, including aging classrooms and laboratories, outdated technology systems, deteriorating roofs, and facilities requiring modernization to meet current educational, safety, accessibility, and workforce training demands.
The proposed bond measure would support improvements that help students prepare for careers in healthcare, nursing, public safety, firefighting, emergency medical services, agriculture, auto mechanics, building trades, and other high-demand fields. Planned investments include upgrading classrooms and laboratories, modernizing instructional technology, expanding workforce training facilities, improving earthquake and fire safety systems, and repairing aging infrastructure across District facilities.
The measure would also support improvements that enhance the student experience and strengthen SRJC’s ability to attract and retain high-quality faculty while providing affordable educational pathways for local residents seeking college degrees, workforce credentials, and university transfer opportunities.
The measure includes strong taxpayer protections and accountability requirements. By law, all funds must remain under local control and may be used only for voter-approved capital projects. Bond proceeds cannot be used for administrator salaries, pensions, or operating expenses. The measure also requires annual independent financial and performance audits, public disclosure of expenditures, and oversight by an independent Citizens' Oversight Committee representing taxpayers, businesses, seniors, students, and community members.
"The Board has a responsibility to plan for the future of this institution and the students who depend on it," said Board President Ezrah Chaaban. "This measure would allow our community to preserve and strengthen the educational facilities that prepare students for successful careers, transfer opportunities, and lifelong learning."
The bond measure will appear on the November 3, 2026, ballot throughout the Sonoma County Junior College District service area.
