Measure B Newsletter

This newsletter is to help inform our Marin Community College District community of the District’s progress on the implementation of the voter‐approved Measure B bond. The improvements made possible by this bond allow us to continue our commitment to educational excellence in providing equitable opportunities and fostering success for all members of our diverse community.

Message from College of Marin Superintendent/President

Dear Community Supporters,

First and foremost, I hope this finds you and your loved ones happy and healthy! As the saying goes, "this has been a year (plus!) like no other." You may recall that we have been predominantly remote since March 2020. I am very proud of how our faculty and staff went above and beyond to ensure there was continuity in providing quality instruction and student support and the overall operations of the College during the pandemic. They all deserve "best in class" designation!

Under the best of circumstances earning a degree or certificate or completing the requirements for transfer is challenging. Our students continue to persevere through the extreme challenges of the pandemic with political strife, social unrest, and the reckoning of social and racial injustice at the forefront.

As we begin fall semester, we are safely and slowly transitioning back to something that looks more normal. We have about 50% of our courses offered through distance education as we have for the past 18 months. The other 50% will be offered in the hybrid format - a combination of on-line and in-person teaching. We also plan to begin opening things like the library and computer labs with safe protocols in place.

While operating the College during a pandemic was extremely challenging, the time was not without its high points. Last fall we were recognized with the prestigious Dr. John W. Rice Diversity and Equity Award for having the greatest improvement of all 116 California Community Colleges in our outcomes for our students of color and for our progress in diversifying our faculty and staff.

In March, we landed on Academic Influences's list of the nation's best community colleges which appeared in Forbes Magazine. We were ranked #1 in California (out of 116) and #5 in the nation (out of 839). Not bad! I'll take those rankings any day. The best thing about this recognition is that we were unaware we were being considered for it!

We have also made significant progress with our Measure B projects during the pandemic as highlighted in this newsletter. We continue to take our fiduciary role and responsibility to the Marin taxpayers very seriously as we have throughout both Measures C and B. In August, we took advantage of historically low interest rates on the bond market and refinanced $200 million of both Measure C and B bonds resulting in $11.75 million in savings. This is the sixth time we have refinanced existing bonds over the past seven years, saving Marin taxpayers over $46 million.

Thank you for your continued support!

David Wain Coon, Ed.D                                                                                                              Superintendent/President

Citizens' Bond Oversight Committee (CBOC)

Marin Community College District is seeking qualified, interested individuals to serve on the Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee (CBOC). The CBOC is responsible for reviewing Measure B expenditures, with quarterly meetings open to the public.

There are currently vacancies for:

• Senior Organization Representative
• Student Organization Representative

Learning Resources Center
Design Development/Make Ready_Increment 1  | Kentfield Campus

Project Summary: Construction of new Learning Resources Center building

Status:

• The Learning Resources Center projects is in Design Development. Expected to be complete late fall with Board Approval. Community Outreach is ongoing.
• "Make Ready Projects" are scheduled to start March 2022, and will focus on preparing the site for the start of construction

Bolinas Marine Laboratory | District Project

Project Goals:

• Provide a facility that interacts and utilizes the prime Bolinas location
• A facility to support and provide opportunity for students to transition into the science research field
• Indoor and outdoor learning and research opportunities
• A living library resource
• Hands on learning facility
• Form that ties into the local vernacular
• Adequate storage for equipment and supplies
• A secure facility
• A resource for local and visitors to learn about the Bolinas ecology

Property Acquisition - 830 College Avenue | District Project

New Miwok Center and Dive Center | Indian Valley Campus

For any questions or comments regarding current or future projects, please contact:

Isidro Farias
Director of Capital Projects
(415) 485-9518
ifarias@marin.edu