Cuesta College’s Bond Measure L

On Nov. 4 San Luis Obispo County and parts of Monterey county voters are expected to vote on Cuesta College’s Measure L.

The bond would authorize the sale of up to $275 million in bonds of the Cuesta Community college district to finance facilities.

According to the county’s voter information guide, the bond would cost tax payers $19.45 per $100,000 assessed property value.

Terry Reece, the director of facilities at Cuesta said the funds would be applied to projects in need of immediate update first including the schools rusting and gaining heating units, rooftops that are falling apart and a swimming pool that could soon be out of service.

Some classrooms get leaks when it rains.

The college says it is struggling to stretch its dollars to continue upkeep.

One skeptic of the bond, Marilyn Rossa and English professor at the college, said she doesn’t support the bond right now because she believes the timing isn’t right. Rossa said, “The main reason is the lack of what I consider to be positive and effective leadership at Cuesta.”

School officials say Cuesta, the only community college in the county, needs taxpayer support.

For people who are saying why the buildings weren’t maintained? Reece said “Our reaction is they’ve been able to maintain it well. We’ve been able to keep the campus running as long as we have without a bond.”

Reese said Cuesta is part of around seven colleges in the state that doesn’t currently have a bond measure in place.

More information on the bond measure can be found on the San Luis Obispo County voter info guide.