State politicians, faculty members, and students stood beneath the dilapidated “17” on the steps of the weathered building of the same name on Lane’s main campus on Jan. 21. Among them were Lane President Dr. Margaret Hamilton, Springfield Mayor Christine Lundberg, and Oregon State Representative Marty Wilde. They were gathered to gain support for a $121 million bond. The LCC Board of Education reduced the amount of the bond from $145 million to $121 million earlier this month. The college hopes, with the funding, to provide improvements and updates to a number of neglected priority items:
· All science lab facilities
· The creation of a Mobile Fabrication Lab
· Interactive technology for nursing students
· Updates to seismic technology and safety codes
· Cybersecurity and infrastructure
· a Workforce Development Center for displaced workers and training services
There would also be more career and technical education offered to students, ideally bridging the gap for skilled labor in the community.
If approved by voters, the $121 million would be paid for through property taxes. The proposal was initially met with some trepidation. LCC Board of Education member Matt Keating said, “Yes, there’s great support for the college, but voters are tired of property tax constantly being the answer. It’s the option in front of us that allows us to tackle the most deferred maintenance, but I caution against what it looks like we’re about to do.”
According to Dr. Hamilton, LCC would need a total of $230 million, including the $121 million from the bond, to fulfill all of the needed renovations. Voting for the bond will take place in May 2020.
