I found it interesting that the Oct. 23 article, “A Look at Accessory Dwelling Units and Who Lives in Them, Amid Housing Crisis,” indicated that 8% (approximately 70 ADUs) are used as short-term rentals.
However, the article doesn’t mention that the use of ADUs as short-term rentals is prohibited under Santa Barbara County’s Land Use and Development Code.
So much for enforcement of the rules. Why bother to make such rules when they aren’t enforced?
Kelly Rose
Los Olivos
• • •
As a local real estate appraiser, I found the ADU article to be very interesting and informative.
However, I have no idea why I needed to know the statistics on the skin color of the contractors of ADUs. That just made no sense to me.
John Thermos
Lompoc
• • •
Just a note to thank Noozhawk publisher Bill Macfadyen for his Oct. 25 column, “Abrupt Recusal Stahls Montecito Review of Miramar Resort Project.”
Unfortunately, lots of so-called residents manage to get letters of support into local publications. The same goes for the letters submitted to government commissions. Editors as well as commission members don’t bother to check the validity of their claims. (I do.)
My great-grandparents settled right next to what was then the Miramar Convention Center in 1905. Our now sixth-generation family is still here.
Over the years we have been “connected” to Montecito Union School and All Saints By-the-Sea Episcopal Church.
Too many Santa Barbarans are totally unaware of what’s coming down the pike.
Pamela Jameson Boehr
Montecito
• • •
Thank you to Judy Foreman for her Oct. 20 column, “Keeping Holiday Traditions Alive as We Age.” My mother was from Park Ridge, Illinois, so I’m very familiar with Marshall Field’s.
We used to have many traditions but they have gone away. My fun Christmas China goes unused. I have boxes of ornaments, some from the World War II era. Out of four daughters, two live out of state.
I do keep my tradition of a “horsey” tree on my kitchen table as well as decorations on my historical house. I like Foreman’s idea of inviting friends over instead.
Dale Obern Hoeffliger
Santa Barbara
• • •
I just want to thank Noozhawk for the best news coverage in California!
I really appreciate your hard work and your timely diligence in providing us with what’s happening in Santa Barbara County. You folks are on target.
Peggy Morgan
Goleta
• • •
It was a crushing blow to lose architect David VanHoy.
David designed the Boathouse at Hendry’s Beach, a favored and valued Mesa location, and I mean he designed it! With enormous love for the location and a sense of design the likes of which were a marvel to witness.
I cannot express how important David was to the rebirth of this restaurant. His creative vision jumped us over so many hurdles and problems, and made the Boathouse the neighborhood favorite it is.
I never go into the Boathouse without paying a little respectful nod to David, and I never will.
From all of us locals, thank you, David VanHoy!
Tom White
Santa Barbara
• • •
Santa Maria Mayor Alice Patino has been serving the community since 2000. As a city official for 24 years, she has a proven track record of supporting public safety.
Under her leadership, backing and approval, Patino has facilitated adding two new fire stations, relocating a fire station, and adding a second fully staffed response unit to Station 1.
To further protect the community and ensure firefighter safety, Patino supported a ¼-cent sales tax in 2012 and committed 90% of that revenue to public safety.
She not only followed through on her promise, she took another bold step in 2018 and asked the community to support a sales tax increase. The citizens overwhelmingly stood behind her and first responders by passing a full 1-cent sales tax that again, she committed 90% of those funds to public safety.
No one can argue that a community would be safer if there was a police officer on every corner and a few more fire stations, but they have to balance that with what they can afford.
For two decades, the citizens of Santa Maria have demonstrated their support by funding new fire stations and hiring additional firefighters. And for two decades, Patino has honored her oath to protect the community.
Patino and the City Council have consistently demonstrated their support for the police and fire departments as they were elected to do.
Leonard Champion
Retired Santa Maria fire chief
• • •
We are local parents and grandparents whose children attend public schools in our Santa Ynez Valley.
We are also individuals who have been elected to our local school boards, serving three elementary schools in Santa Barbara County Trustee Area 5.
We understand and appreciate the importance of constructive, nonpartisan, student-focused leadership at the school board level, which is why we are urging the re-election of Chris Johnson to the Santa Ynez Valley Union High School Board of Trustees.
Personal and political agendas weaken our school community. As a result, the school recently saw the dissolution of the Parent Teacher Student Association, a hard-working and respected principal resign, and the superintendent resign.
This was costly to the district, deeply disruptive to our children’s education, and frustrating for the staff and the majority of parents.
In the middle of this chaos, Johnson stepped up. He was elected to a two-year term, and the board promptly elected him president.
He delivered real benefits to ALL of the students, strengthened accountability and transparency, openly and respectfully listened to all opinions, and actively engaged in bringing all factions together.
Most notably, Johnson merged the superintendent and principal roles, saving the district money. His real triumph was in the hiring of one of the most transformational school leaders our Valley has known, Dr. Kimberly Sheehan.
As our new superintendent/principal, Sheehan has made rapid improvements in the student experience, both in academic and extra-curricular endeavors.
She has the full support of teachers, staff and feeder schools. Santa Ynez Pirates are on a path toward excellence with Sheehan and Johnson at the helm.
A graduate of Santa Ynez High himself, Johnson is deeply invested in the school’s success and making it the pride of our community. He built two successful businesses in the Valley, saw two children graduate from Santa Ynez High, and fully expects his grandchildren to attend the school, as well.
Facing an opponent who is a parent at a private high school, we strongly encourage you to
vote to re-elect Johnson to serve another term at our public high school.
We need his experience, character, and leadership to ensure that our kids and our school continue on a positive course. We believe this single vote may have more impact on the Santa Ynez Valley than any other vote you will cast this election cycle.
Carlee Fernandez
Los Olivos Elementary School trustee
Mark Herthel
Los Olivos Elementary School board president
Leanna Drammer
Los Olivos Elementary School trustee
Kyle Abello
Santa Ynez College School trustee
Tracey Cassidy
Ballard Elementary School board president
Art Kaslow
Ballard Elementary School trustee
• • •
In the campaign for SBCC Board of Trustees District 2, the very best person to fill the position is Kyle Richards.
His record shows 27 years of local academic and public service experience and leadership that will benefit the campus, SBCC students and the local community that cherishes the college’s mission and hopes for its continued success.
Specifically, Richards brings eight years as a Goleta City Council member who has been a crucial player in confronting the full range of city, county and state fiscal and legal responsibilities, deferred maintenance and housing issues, diversity initiatives, and public engagement opportunities, paving the way for a more inclusive city.
At the same time, his primary employment at UCSB in major administrative jobs has included dealing with enrollment changes, academic budgets and planning, and student housing, among many other vexing problems of growth.
Richards’ experience is wide and deep and obviously relevant to what the SBCC Board of Trustees needs right now.
In the 22 years I have known him, Richards has consistently brought good humor, penetrating analysis and keen collaborative skills to all he has served in the academic and local community.
His deep, long-term commitment to public service will surely benefit the decision-making processes of SBCC trustees.
A vote for Richards is a vote for strong, competent, experienced leadership. Whatever the outcome of the Measure P bond, Kyle Richards brings what’s needed to pave the way forward for our outstanding community college.
Beth Schneider
Goleta
• • •
Following the recent League of Women Voters Mayoral Candidate Forum in Solvang, it has become painfully clear that the future of Solvang hangs in the balance.
While candidates Dave Brown and Jamie Baker presented their views on critical issues such as water management, the Wildwood Project and the budget, their glaring failure to address the pressing traffic and safety concerns at the intersection of Alamo Pintado and Old Mission Drive cannot be overlooked.
As a resident and concerned community member, I found their discussions inadequate and concerning. The intersection of Alamo Pintado and Old Mission Drive is not just another spot on a map; it is a vital artery for our community, and the ongoing reports of near misses and collisions involving pedestrians and cyclists demand immediate attention.
Yet, when this critical issue was raised, both candidates deflected rather than engage, revealing a troubling lack of urgency in their responses.
Baker proposed a collaborative approach to development, yet he failed to articulate any actionable plan to enhance traffic safety or address the ongoing risks that residents face daily.
His suggestion to “unite different parties” was more of a platitude than a solution, leaving many questions unanswered.
Meanwhile, Brown’s focus on fiscal responsibility and maintaining the town’s brand did not translate into a concrete commitment to ensure the safety of our roadways.
Even more alarming is their reluctance to challenge the ongoing Wildwood builder’s remedy project. Both candidates skirted the critical topic of halting the project based on its misalignment with Solvang’s character and the glaring deficiencies in the original application.
The failure to secure signatures from all underlying property owners is not a minor oversight; it is a legal requirement that cannot be ignored. This lack of attention to detail raises serious questions about the integrity of the development process in Solvang and the candidates’ commitment to upholding the law and representing the community’s interests.
Moreover, we cannot afford to ignore the implications of allowing “monster projects” to advance unchecked. Solvang’s charm and character are what make it unique; these traits must be preserved.
The candidates need to present robust plans to manage growth responsibly while prioritizing community safety and preserving the essence of what makes Solvang special.
As we move closer to the election, let us urge Brown and Baker to address these crucial issues head-on. Our community deserves candidates who will prioritize safety, transparency and the preservation of Solvang’s unique charm in all their decision-making processes.
Brian Carrillo
Solvang
• • •
I write this letter of support for Guy Walker, candidate for a seat as trustee of the Santa Barbara County Board of Education.
I have known Walker for the last 51 years. During this time it has been increasingly evident that he is an extremely committed advocate for the education of our youth. He is well versed in both the public education world as well as private education.
He is an active member of the Santa Ynez community and has a finger on its pulse with regard to all aspects of youth education.
Ricardo Flores M.D.
Santa Maria
• • •
Santa Maria Mayor Alice Patino has been an active member of our community for many decades. Her involvement and contribution to this city is unwavering, from raising her family here, to being a long-time small business owner and activist. She loves our city.
I have known her personally for more than two decades. We come from opposite sides of the political spectrum. I am a lifelong Democrat committed to electing Democrats, yet I am supporting Patino for mayor.
Patino is honest, forthcoming, kind, respectful and trustworthy. We don’t always agree, but her character is impeccable, and she knows how to communicate, using diplomacy in her decision making.
So, who is mayoral challenger Diana Perez? Is it true that she’s recently moved into the city limits to run for mayor?
She’s been a trustee of the Santa Maria Joint Union High School District, but how many of those at the school district support her? How about her job as an “administrator” at Allan Hancock College?
I have worked with Perez in her capacity as the college administrator. Sadly, she does not possess the qualities I find necessary to be the mayor of my city of 40 years.
I have had direct contact with her as a former employee and job steward of the union. She’s been unprofessional, mistreated her employees by verbal scolding them, creating a toxic work environment, and has behaved unprofessionally.
It is my intention to bring the truth to light. Perez may be a Democrat, but she lacks the character to run Santa Maria.
Vote Alice Patino!
Yvette Valadez-Andrade
Santa Maria
• • •
As an Eastside Santa Barbara resident, I would like my fellow Eastside residents to hear what is at stake in the Nov. 5 election.
The three candidates — incumbent Alejandra Gutierrez and challengers Wendy Santamaria and Cruzito Herrera Cruz — running for the City Council District 1 seat have many similarities and differences. Gutierrez and Santamaria are the two front-runners.
As a longtime resident, I have always viewed the Eastside as the heart of the city, as we have the working class, the blue-collar workers who keep the city running.
We have many historical buildings, such as Santa Barbara High and Santa Barbara Junior High schools.
We have a rich culture with beautiful traditions such as the Milpas Street holiday parade, the Casa de la Raza and the Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church festivals.
Gutierrez, being from this district and having attended Franklin School, knows the importance of the Eastside and preserving these local traditions.
Santamaria recently moved to the Eastside and her campaign is focused on rent control and implementing a rental registry.
A rental registry would add more hoops to jump through, like yearly fees and possible fines, which will immediately increase rents and could cost the city millions of dollars when we are currently in a deficit.
This will also discourage people to keep renting out their homes or even rooms, which will reduce affordable housing on the Eastside and push out longtime residents even faster.
Santamaria’s policies, in an effort to attack corporate landlords, will allow mom-and-pop landlords on the Eastside to be sacrificed along with the families who rent from them.
While Gutierrez is in favor of reducing the red-tape permitting processes, Santamaria’s policies will add red tape.
The Eastside is known for having rents well below market rate and made up of families and friends who often rent from one another. The Eastside also has many Housing Authority apartments that would be exempt from rent control and the rental registry.
Santamaria seems to be pushing for an agenda that is trying to fix issues that exist in other districts, not the Eastside.
On Oct. 17, there was an in-person community discussion on the Milpas Sidewalk Widening Project. Gutierrez was present and Santamaria was nowhere to be seen.
Possibly because Milpas Street does not have anything to do with her agenda? Or is Santamaria only present when events are getting news coverage?
I believe Santamaria does not understand the dynamics on the Eastside, is more familiar with issues in other areas in the city, and that she will vote based on an agenda, political aspirations and preconceived notions.
I am voting to re-elect Councilwoman Alejandra Gutierrez to keep Eastside traditions, maintain existing affordable housing and reduce red tape to help provide more affordable housing.
Amy Cruz
Santa Barbara
• • •
As the retired superintendent of the College School District in Santa Ynez, where I served for 19 years from 1999-2018, I’m writing to endorse Guy Walker for the Santa Barbara County Education Office Board of Trustees, Area 4.
I have known Walker for 25 years. He is everything we’re looking for in an outstanding board member. He is clear-thinking, reasonable and of good intention. His moral character is beyond reproach.
Walker cares deeply about those he serves, and will be a true advocate for our students and their learning.
Walker’s experience and knowledge of Santa Ynez Valley schools and community make him an exceptional candidate. He will bring valuable insights and a strong and reasonable voice to the county Board of Education.
Jim Brown Ph.D.
Simi Valley
• • •
I am running for re-election to the Santa Ynez Valley Union High School board.
Two years ago I ran because I love our school and our community. As a third-generation alumnus and with a family full of future Pirates, I was concerned by the direction in which the school was headed and the fiscal cliff the district was approaching due to chronic deficit spending.
Whether they are college bound, pursuing a trade or eager to develop a business, I am working to give our students the best education possible and make their campus a safe and engaging place for all students.
What excites me most about my next term is working in tandem with highly recruited new Superintendent/Principal Kimberly Sheehan. Our shared goal is to make Santa Ynez High the No. 1 public school district in California.
As board president, I intend to ensure that Sheehan has the resources and support to do so.
Santa Ynez High students are incredible — they are creative, diverse citizens of our Valley. I am continually encouraged by the vast array of clubs and extra-curriculars that we support.
The students’ voices — and yours as community members — are always welcome at our board meetings.
Santa Ynez High is on a path to excellence. My passion for the school, and my successful leadership on the board and in business, make me the right choice to continue working with Sheehan to deliver the greatest benefits to our kids.
With gratitude, I ask for your vote.
Chris Johnson
Santa Ynez Valley Union High School board president
• • •
I’m writing about Paula Perotte, not as a candidate, politician or Goleta’s mayor, but as my longtime friend.
In 1996, Brandon School came back to life after being shuttered for 17 years. I became the principal of that treasured school. We had the school, teachers and administrators, but needed to create a Parent Teachers Association.
Then I met Perotte, whose daughter, Kaycie, was enrolled in Brandon. She became the “secret sauce” to successfully establishing our own PTA.
She worked on Safe Routes to Schools, advocated for increased speeding fines in school zones, and even lay down in a crosswalk for our children’s safety.
She listened, collaborated, advocated, and then she led. As principal, I benefited, but I also gained a lifelong friend, someone to count on whenever she was needed.
We need public officials with leadership skills like Perotte. As with the PTA long ago and her work with the Community Action Commission, she’s brought to her public service grace, intelligence and deep commitment to Goleta.
She’s been dedicated not to imposing her policies on the community, but to increasing opportunities for residents to participate in the city’s policy making.
Please vote to keep Mayor Paula Perotte providing the leadership Goleta needs.
JoAnne Meade Young
Santa Barbara
• • •
I’m supporting Paula Perotte for re-election as Goleta mayor.
Perotte has been a dedicated public servant for decades. Even before being elected in 2010, she was assisting special needs children through the Community Action Commission. Working locally and through the statewide Parent Teacher Association, she advocated for Safe Routes to Schools, and served on multiple boards devoted to helping our children.
Since joining the City Council, and later as mayor, she has been a tireless advocate for the city and its residents. The hallmarks of her record on the City Council are responsible fiscal policy, pacing Goleta’s growth, and health and safety.
She’s advanced policies that protect our agriculture, air and water, while improving traffic and pedestrian safety.
Perotte has promoted appropriate housing options that will increase opportunities for working families to live here. She’s consistently said NO to too-big housing projects, and demanded that impacts be minimized and mitigated.
I have confidence that she’s the right person to advocate for us as housing proposed under the state’s mandates come forward for approval.
Paula Perotte has long been a strong and steady voice for our city, leading a cohesive council that has focused on getting things done. I hope you will join me to keep her as mayor for another term.
Hugh Michaels
Goleta
• • •
My western Goleta neighbors and I are very concerned about the rezones for housing, including at Glen Annie Golf Club.
In my experience as a land use attorney, I know that the fight has only just begun. The next steps are critical to preserving our quality of life.
We must fight to ensure that each project’s impacts are accurately analyzed, that projects are designed to fit each site and neighborhood, and that mitigation measures like providing adequate roads, setbacks and parking are required.
For rezone sites under Santa Barbara County’s jurisdiction like Glen Annie and the Patterson agriculture block properties, we need a strong and experienced leader to advocate for Goleta.
Perotte publicly and repeatedly opposed the ounty’s rezoning Glen Annie for housing, which helped motivate the developer to reduce the number of units. She will continue to fight for Goleta as projects come forward on this and other county rezone sites.
Under Perotte’s leadership, Goleta took a different approach to state-mandated housing rezones, focusing on commercial and mixed-use infill sites. While ultimately forced by the state to include rezones or upzones of open space with willing owners instead, Goleta’s timely and diligent approach to working with the state avoided the worst-case scenario “builder’s remedy” projects that other jurisdictions are now facing.
Now more than ever, we need Paula Perotte leading our fight to preserve Goleta’s quality of life. Please vote to re-elect her.
Ana Citrin Johnson
Goleta
• • •
With the leadership support and vote by Mayor Paula Perotte, Goleta’s Historic Preservation Commission was formed in 2022, specifically to “… preserve and protect resources that, once lost, cannot be replaced or replicated.”
As a local historian with more than 30 years of experience in architectural and historical work, I have volunteered in various ways to celebrate and share Goleta’s history, such as conducting historical walking tours of Old Town, and lately as a proud HPC member serving as its first-year chairwoman and now vice chairwoman.
Perotte made sure that when the city commemorated its 20th anniversary, our Preservation Ordinance protects both historic buildings and cultural and tribal resources.
We take special pride that elders and members of the Goleta-Santa Barbara Barbareño Chumash authored the context statement for the archaeological, cultural and tribal resources.
Goleta may be the only city in Santa Barbara County with a Barbareño Chumash serving its Preservation Commission.
Our City Council did not limit our commission’s responsibility. They knew that we needed a much broader charter, including identifying and protecting Goleta from future development that threatens cultural, tribal and historical resources. We are committed to balancing proposals with protection.
I am humbly asking voters to support the re-election of Mayor Paula Perotte. Her leadership in establishing Goleta’s Preservation Commission and its broad charter is just one example of the her commitment to protecting our priceless history and heritage.
Fermina Murray
Goleta
• • •
The following statement is NOT true: Measure H, a transient-occupancy tax increase on hotels and short-term rentals, will not cost Santa Barbara County residents a penny because it’s paid exclusively by tourists.
Now a TRUE statement: The transient-occupancy tax is often paid by the owner, not the tourist. I pay the tax out of my own pocket, every month, as I’ve been doing for years.
As a retired, nearly childless cat lady on a limited income who rents out a room in my house as a short-term rental, I am not alone in paying the tax.
Can I up my rates to compensate? If I wanted fewer bookings. Can I collect it from guests? Tried that, but STR platforms make it expensive and a hassle to do, so many hosts don’t.
Bottom line, many small business owners like me cough up the tax, like my cat does a hairball.
A parting fact to ponder: A transient-occupancy tax increase to 14% would distinguish Santa Barbara County as one of the highest TOT counties in all of California.
And by “highest” I really mean greediest, but that would be impolite. Like what my cat left on my pillow.
Vote No on Measure H.
Coleen Hefley
Santa Ynez
• • •
As organizations committed to the well-being of our community, the Santa Barbara Public Library Foundation, the League of Women Voters Santa Barbara and CAUSE (Central Coast Alliance United for a Sustainable Economy) urge residents to carefully consider the critical importance of Measure I.
This small increase in sales tax is essential to maintaining the services that help keep Santa Barbara a safe, vibrant and more equitable place to live.
We need to ask: What will our city lose if Measure I does not pass?
Without the projected $15 million in annual revenue from Measure I, our city will face deficits as high as $15 million in the next few years.
This gap in funding will lead to drastic cuts in services that affect us all. In addition to public safety risks, we could see budget reductions that would impact Santa Barbara’s social safety net — the critical support systems that many of our residents depend on.
Our libraries are key pillars of this infrastructure. They not only provide books and information, they offer literacy programs, job-search assistance, internet access, and safe, welcoming spaces for children families, and community building.
For many in our community, particularly those without reliable access to these resources elsewhere, the library is essential.
Without Measure I’s funding, these services could be reduced or eliminated, leaving a major gap in our social safety net, especially for our most vulnerable, only amplifying the stress on other city services.
Affordable housing programs are also at risk. In a city where housing costs continue to climb, these programs provide a lifeline for low-income families, seniors and individuals struggling to make ends meet.
By supporting affordable housing, we help stabilize our community, prevent rising homelessness and create a more inclusive Santa Barbara.
If Measure I fails, our ability to invest in critical housing initiatives will be compromised, worsening an already difficult housing crisis.
Measure I is about more than just avoiding a budget crisis, it’s about preserving the social and critical infrastructure that makes Santa Barbara a strong, compassionate and connected community.
Without it, our libraries, affordable housing programs, public safety and other essential services will be threatened, unraveling the societal safety net that so many rely on.
Please join us in voting YES on Measure I to protect Santa Barbara’s future.
Lauren Trujillo
Santa Barbara Public Library Foundation
Joined by League of Women Voters Santa Barbara and CAUSE (Central Coast Alliance United for a Sustainable Economy)
• • •
The City of Lompoc is on the brink of an exciting new chapter that will reshape its economic and educational landscape.
With the passage of Measure R, Lompoc will host Space Base CA, a $135 million space-themed education and entertainment center. This will offer STEM education and space tourism experiences while allowing for the continuation of Ken Adam Park.
The Space Base CA project includes programs for students from elementary through high school. This includes a three-day science camp, career track internships for high school students, space and aerospace technician certifications, and summer camps designed for various ages.
The project will not only enrich local education but create jobs. It is slated to create approximately 400 jobs, including 350 full-time and 50 part-time positions.
Space Base CA is projected to generate about $5 million annually. With an anticipated 260,000 visitors each year, local businesses are likely to see a significant increase in sales.
While ambitious, Space Base CA has the potential to redefine Lompoc and our future. Vote Yes on Measure R!
Deborah Blow
Former Lompoc Unified School District interim superintendent and Pale Blue Dot Ventures director of education
• • •
Lompoc is built on grit, heart and community. As a City Council member and the father of a spirited toddler, I see every day how much we care about our future.
Our schools are the backbone of this town, shaping the next generation. But let’s be honest: They need help, and our kids can’t wait any longer.
We’ve stretched every dollar and patched things up, but that only takes us so far. Every other district in Santa Barbara County has passed a school bond in the last decade, while Lompoc’s last bond was in 2002.
Schools in California are underfunded, and bonds are the only tool we have to address big infrastructure needs. It’s like your home: you can get by with minor fixes for a while, but eventually, you need a new roof or a water heater.
Passing Measure M will cost property owners just $50 per $100,000 in assessed value. For the average homeowner in Lompoc, based on assessed values, that works out to about $138 per year.
That’s a small investment for what it will deliver: safe, updated schools that give our kids a fair shot at success.
Take a walk through our schools and the need is obvious. Teachers are moving buckets to catch leaks, leaving doors open because the HVAC is broken, and teaching in portables that should’ve been replaced long ago.
Many classrooms don’t even meet basic health and safety codes. Yet, we expect 9,000 kids to learn in these conditions? We can, and must, do better.
Our children deserve schools that reflect Lompoc’s strength and resilience — places where they can thrive in today’s world.
Passing Measure M sends a clear message: Our kids matter. We’re not asking for luxury, just fairness.
This is about more than buildings. It’s about giving our kids a fair shot at the future. Strong schools build strong communities. Families choose to live where schools are good, and businesses invest where the workforce is ready.
Passing Measure M is an investment in Lompoc’s future, plain and simple.
Jeremy Ball
Lompoc City Council member
• • •
As the former interim superintendent/president at SBCC, I am speaking up about Measure P.
As a former financial executive leader, I am acutely aware of the college’s financial and facility issues since I spent two years working to clean them up.
Important here is that it took more than 10 years to create the problems, and it will take years to fix them.
If SBCC does not receive the community’s support, the budget issues will only worsen because the facility’s repairs will continue to consume the budget.
So, a couple of points:
First, when I arrived in 2021, it was clear that the budget was in disarray, and the facilities were in dire need of funding as they had deteriorated to the point that SBCC’s operating budget would not cover them.
A critical point to make here is that the California Community Colleges’ budget does not provide enough funding to maintain and modernize community college facilities.
The local community’s role is to step in and support their college. While the state does run an occasional statewide bond, communities that value and need their community college contribute to the repair, modernization and care of the facilities because they are your community assets.
Second, there were issues with managing the SBCC budget, and I know that when I arrived, we started cleaning up those issues.
We began this vital work by hiring Vice President Brian Fahnestock, creating a budget sustainability work group, and assessing the facility’s seismic and overall condition, which I know Superintendent/President Erika Endrijonas has furthered since I left.
This community has an excellent superintendent/president in Endrijonas, and you need to her support her in restoring the college.
Yes, enrollment has declined, and rightfully so, because the college was too big for the size of the Santa Barbara community. It is about the proper enrollment now for a community the size of the SBCC service area.
The communities of Santa Barbara County have an administration at the college, and most of the current board members understand the importance of fiscal and facilities management and accountability.
They need your help to ensure that SBCC is a thriving educational institution serving the students and communities.
I received a community college education and value the community college system. The community is central to community colleges, and the community should also contribute to the success of the college.
Vote yes on Measure P.
Kindred Murillo
Former interim SBCC superintendent/president
• • •
Despite what proponents of Measure P advertise, this bond will INCREASE and EXTEND property taxes passed for SBCC in 2008 from 2033 to 2060-2061. It is disingenuous to claim otherwise.
Has the Board of Trustees even made good use of the money it has already gotten, and done what they claimed they would do with it? The answer is NO.
Now, they are claiming they need more money for better student learning outcomes, even with a 6,000-student decline since 2008, and for maintaining needed infrastructure.
They had the last 17 years to prove they were good stewards of taxpayer support, and miserably failed. Finances at the school are so mismanaged that they have cut basic maintenance to a quarter of the allotted amount, and for emergencies only.
They have also omitted the fact that they intend to use this bond for a $90 million country club gym, which is absolutely unnecessary, especially when pot holes are almost big enough to swallow a car, and take years to fill, and plumbing is backed up, and inadequate. (My personal experience as a student there.)
Also, has the Board of Trustees told the public who is backing and donating to this measure? NO, because if they did, the public would resoundingly defeat it.
More taxes increase our cost of housing, which is then passed on to those in the rental market. Locals are fed up with more extraneous expenses that are not guaranteed to improve student success, on top of already out-of-control inflation.
Voting NO on P will send a message that SBCC needs to stop deficit spending, and be responsible, and transparent with their management of the school before taxpayers will be at all interested in paying more in the future.
Lisa Ostendorf
Santa Barbara
• • •
Recent letters about Measure P have aired views both pro and con. Like any complicated subject, there are many moving parts and judgment calls.
Measure P does not affect the general college budget, nor its general income and expenses, nor state support or governance, nor does it give guidance on the execution of its budget.
Its funds are strictly for the physical plant or facility infrastructure of the college. All agree many of the facilities need help as most buildings were constructed in the 1960s and ’70s, with some dating back to the mid-1920s.
Measure P adds $2 per $100,000 tax to the assessed home value to current property taxes on residences in the district. It also extends the years to be paid by taxpayers.
But since its passing in 2008, the existing college bond payment for Measure V was reduced by $2 from $8.50 to $6.50. The new P bond joins with the V bond line item and raises the assessment back up to $8.50 so the extra $2 makes it a “wash” overall.
Technically, there is increased tax, but the amount is minimal and does not raise the original college bond total assessment.
True, the assessment tax will be extended. An average Santa Barbara’s home assessed value for property tax purposes is $625,000, which translates to $53 per year ($4.40 per mont) that this bond will cost most homeowners.
A bond oversight committee of seven, by law, will be set up to ensure the funds are spent properly on SBCC facility improvements, not salaries or other general fund budget expenses.
The committee must be informed about all bond payments and yearly audits that the state requires. But like any committee, it is up to its members to be responsible and act prudently.
I think it prudent for the SBCC Board of Trustees to require the Oversight Committee to make progress reports to them quarterly about facilities and expenditures for any passed bond measure.
The gym is a listed priority partly because the state will add $35 million to the budgeted $65 million from Measure P covering the $100 million projected cost. That is a 33%-off deal for local taxpayers on this facility.
The community should also keep in mind that this same SBCC gym was used as an emergency shelter and a place for staging emergency services during the Montecito debris flows and wildfires. It is a community resource.
There is no denying that SBCC student enrollment has declined over time, and staff and faculty numbers should be commensurate with student needs being addressed, along with the productive use of personnel, resources and time.
The issue of maintaining the buildings should be a priority even in the face of recent state budget cuts in this regard.
SBCC needs our help and in many ways and Measure P is one of them. I am voting Yes on P.
Dr. John Burk
Santa Barbara
• • •
Regarding Santa Barbara City College trustee Marsha Croninger’s Oct. 19 commentary, “Why, As an SBCC Trustee, I’m Opposed to Measure P,” it is refreshing to see a Democrat who looks out for the taxpayers’ hard-earned money with the Measure P bond.
I was a campus president for private colleges across the country and Southern California for 25 years, and my specialty was taking over troubled colleges (financially and compliance) in making the tough decisions similar to what Croninger has revealed.
Although these colleges had high tuition costs versus SBCC’s depending on state and federal tax dollars, the problems they had mirrored what SBCC is going through now!
I have been retired since 2013 and work part time at Trader Joe’s on Milpas Street, where most of the crew members are SBCC students! When I was their age, guidance counselors pushed students to attend four-year colleges to get the best paying opportunities. But not every student is meant to do that now.
The colleges that I led were mostly trade schools that now are in high demand for a fraction of the cost of a four-year degree, which are in high demand.
I would be willing to lend my experience to SBCC to help make the tough decisions I made in turning a college around and on firm footing!
Harry Strong
Goleta
• • •
My journey began as a student at a community college, where I aspired to become a registered nurse. Today, I am a board-certified Adult Nurse Practitioner with a doctorate. I also am SBCC’s Trustee for District 1.
My journey is a testament to the transformative power of what a community college provides. It drives local communities’ economic mobility, employment and dynamism.
While SBCC continues to provide affordable, high-quality education, the need for repairs and upgrades to classrooms and labs has grown significantly over the last decade, compromising the safety of our students, staff and faculty.
This is an urgent issue that requires our immediate attention. Fortunately, SBCC has a majority of Board of Trustees and a president/superintendent steering the college toward a more equitable, efficient and improved direction.
SBCC is a beacon of hope for ethnically diverse individuals, from high school students to prospective transfers to four-year universities, from adult learners to those seeking skilled trades certificates.
Measure P will not just be a testament to the power of our community’s collective dedication to our students, it will be a game-changer.
We need you, because Measure P has the potential to be instrumental. Your Yes vote will be a powerful demonstration of our dedication to improving the well-being of every student at SBCC.
I urge you to vote Yes for Measure P. Your vote is not just a mark on a ballot but a statement of our dedication to the well-being of every student at SBCC.
Charlotte Gullap-Moore
SBCC trustee
• • •
Measure P’s cost over its lifetime will average about $1 million per month. The funds will be used for whatever those in control choose and that will change over time.
Past bonds have had the stated purpose of infrastructure improvement, but we have seen only the deterioration that Measure P’s supporters point out.
Shall we continue to fund bad management? Is the perception wrong that many of the supporters are those whose careers will be enhanced with access to mountains of cash?
I believe the annual SBCC budget is around a quarter of a billion dollars. Does that suggest responsible spending?
Additionally, SBCC’s enrollment has declined markedly and-off campus attendance via internet access has grown significantly.
Gerald Rounds
Santa Ynez
• • •
In a lot of the “talk” about Measure P that I’ve come across, I notice a central element is missing: What’s best for our students?
As a born-and-raised Santa Barbaran, alumna and veteran teacher at SBCC, I am intimately aware of how the passage of time has left its mark on the three campuses that serve our community.
I am also aware that the funding model for California community colleges does not come close to providing the needed money to maintain or modernize our facilities in the lovely but expensive Santa Barbara.
Our future students deserve better than the dilapidated and outdated facilities on each campus, which include some of our most prominent and well-used community structures.
Because when it comes down to it, that is what Measure P is about: Students, their future and our shared future.
Together, as a community, we can choose to improve the learning conditions for our students at SBCC. We can say “Yes” to our future nurses, mechanics, care-givers and all others who aspire to improve their lives through a community college education at SBCC.
We can do it by voting Yes on Measure P.
Sally Saenger
Santa Barbara
• • •
As more information is revealed concerning SBCC President Erika Endrijonas, the suspicious Measure P becomes increasingly transparent to me.
Endrijonas has been involved with other community colleges and not in the best interests of those communities and students. Lawsuits and accreditation (key to a colleges success) controversy? (E.g. Los Angeles Valley College, Pasadena City College).
Why was Endrijonas even considered for the president’s position? One now questions if the “trusted” Board of Trustees president et al. (who voted for her) are more involved than just approving the flawed misinformation Measure P on the ballot.
Furthermore, a quick look at the construction/architectural firm donations supporting this boondoggle is indicative of big money — pay to play — schemes.
Measure P gets more suspicious daily. Vote No on P.
Michael Schaumburg
Santa Barbara
• • •
For more than 100 years, SBCC has been a vital asset to our community, providing low-cost higher education, vocational training and adult education to our community.
I became a trustee for SBCC in 2022. The opinions expressed in this letter are my own — a long-term resident of Santa Barbara and a Mesa homeowner.
Much has been written both pro and con about Measure P, a bond measure that would extend the tax rate approved in 2008 until 2061, releasing funds for much needed facility repairs and replacement.
I am in favor of Measure P. When I voted to put the measure on the ballot as a tax extension (instead of a separate new bond), I did so, not to deceive voters, but rather as the least painful way for taxpayers to repay the debt.
Why do we need a bond extension? If you take a walk on any of our three campuses (Cliff Drive, Schott and Wake) it will become obvious that our facilities need attention.
And, if we ignore the problems now, they will only continue to deteriorate and become more costly to repair or replace.
We need improvements on all three campuses; Measure P addresses urgent needs for plumbing, roofing, paving, electrical and heating, along with replacement of the physical sciences building and the physical education complex.
Retrofitting and replacing buildings is very expensive, yet SBCC does not receive significant funding from the State of California to do this because the state expects districts to fund major facility projects through local bonds.
Instead the state offers matching funds, and both of these building replacement projects would qualify SBCC to receive as much as $100 million in matching funding.
Who benefits? We all do! Santa Barbara benefits from the well-trained work-force produced by community colleges. These graduates are our nurses, auto mechanics, dental hygienists, cosmetologists, firefighters, etc.
Our children, grandchildren, neighbors and friends can all take advantage of free or low-cost entry into higher education. And people all over our community benefit from classes that enrich our lives, from painting to parent education and everything in between.
Here are some facts about enrollment: In the fall of 2023, SBCC had 13,427 students enrolled in credit classes. Of these students, about 55% were in-district students, about 38% were from districts elsewhere in California, and about 7.5% were from out of state or international.
Many community colleges specialize in specific areas; SBCC is known for its excellent programs in marine diving technology, culinary, nursing and X-ray technology, to name a few.
These programs attract students who wish to advance in these fields.
Likewise, students from our area are welcome to enroll in community colleges throughout the state that offer the programs they seek, such as the fire academy at Allan Hancock College in Santa Maria.
In the fall of 2023, SBCC also served almost 5,000 students in noncredit (adult education), offering a wide variety of classes that greatly enhance the quality of life in our community.
Why now? There will not be a better time to pass this bond. Putting it off until sometime in the future will only increase the problems — costs will be higher and campus infrastructure will be in worse condition and more costly to repair.
Bottom line: SBCC is coming out of 15 years of administrative instability, leaving it with a budget deficit and an oversized campus.
Fortunately, last year SBCC hired a strong and experienced president who is committed to leading the college as it realigns the budget and right-sizes the campus for the future.
This is critical and hard work, but it’s not either/or. We can do both at the same time!
With your investment in SBCC we can repair, rebuild, modernize and retrofit the facilities that so desperately need attention, while also balancing the budget and strengthening priorities.
Please support this valuable community asset and join me in voting Yes on Measure P.
Ellen Stoddard
Santa Barbara
• • •
I read Lanny Ebenstein’s Oct. 9 commentary, “Measure P for SBCC Merits Yes Vote,” and Marsha Croninger’s Oct. 19 commentary, “Why, As an SBCC Trustee, I’m Opposed to Measure P.”
In talking with Ebenstein, whose opinion I respect greatly, he mentioned that buildings at SBCC are in severe disrepair. He also mentioned that the college is no longer benefiting from high tuition from foreign students (In my opinion, junior colleges should be for the benefit of local students anyway.), and fewer students from other areas means less pressure on local housing.
Croninger brought up some important insights into the Measure P debate. She mentioned that since 2017 the college has reduced the annual building maintenance budget to cover emergency repairs only.
She also stated that now only 37% of credit classes are attended in person and that average class sizes are half of the statewide standard.
Since the COVID-19 mandated shutdown, students are taking classes online. It is clear to me that colleges everywhere no longer need as many buildings and that SBCC would be well advised to consolidate its classrooms into fewer buildings.
Politicians and administrators are well aware that money is fungible and that if they can raise funds from a bond or tax increase, they can simply budget less for that purpose and spend the money elsewhere.
If the classes are now only half full, not approving Measure P would also provide the opportunity to reduce costs by downsizing its faculty and administration.
Could this be the reason the college administration and board have proposed Measure P? I will now vote against Measure P.
Douglas Scott
Santa Barbara
• • •
For more than 100 years, SBCC has been creating opportunities for local students from Carpinteria to Goleta.
By offering affordable access to high-quality college education and career training, SBCC opens doors and unlocks the full potential for students from many different backgrounds.
Nearly 50% of local high school graduates rely on SBCC and, with the rising cost of universities, more and more students are relying on community colleges.
Many SBCC students are the first in their families to attend college and are not able to afford the high cost of university tuition. For many, SBCC is an affordable steppingstone to transfer to four-year universities.
For other students, SBCC provides job training for essential careers in nursing, health care, public safety, hospitality and skilled trades.
Many of these students are adults seeking training for new careers or career advancement. Our local community and our economy benefits tremendously from these skilled and educated workers.
SBCC is an essential local institution that has helped so many, but now SBCC needs our help.
Most classrooms, labs and job training facilities at SBCC were built more than 60 years ago and need urgent repairs and upgrades to meet current academic, building and safety standards.
Many aging facilities have asbestos and lead, and do not meet current earthquake safety standards. Each day, students attend class in buildings with leaky roofs, broken pipes, dry rot, water damage, mold and structural issues.
Chemistry, physics and other science labs haven’t been upgraded in decades.
Essential upgrades to aging and deteriorating college buildings cannot wait and will only become more expensive with time. Fortunately, with Measure P, we have an opportunity to repair and upgrade SBCC without increasing our taxes.
Voting Yes on P provides locally controlled funding to repair and upgrade SBCC facilities. Measure P simply extends the tax rate that voters approved in 2008 but does not increase our tax rates.
Measure P also allows SBCC to access state matching funds that will help fund repairs and upgrades to college facilities at no additional cost to local taxpayers.
In fact, SBCC has already qualified for state matching money that the college cannot access without the required local match that Measure P will provide. Without Measure P, more than $100 million in state matching money intended for SBCC will go to other communities.
By law, funds from Measure P can only be used for the repairs and upgrades to classrooms, labs, job training facilities, and other aging college facilities on the legally binding project list.
An independent oversight committee, annual audits and public spending disclosure are required to ensure funds are spent as promised.
SBCC has created opportunities for so many local students. Now we have the opportunity to provide critical support for this essential local institution. A Yes vote on Measure P is an easy choice.
Kandy Luria-Budgor
Montecito
• • •
SBCC, via Measure P, asks local taxpayers to contribute to the college approximately $440 million — $200 million for the bond, plus approximately $240 million in interest, through 2060.
Community colleges were established to provide accessible, affordable education and vocational training to local populations.
That is why there are approximately 1,000 community colleges in America to focus on the needs of their local communities.
SBCC has been in a state of decline over the last 10 years. Student enrollment has declined from 19,331 to 12,575 at the end of 2023.
But 4,199 of the current student population studies 100% online and have no use for campus buildings. Of the remaining 8,376 students, 4,900 study partly online and partly in campus classrooms.
If we assume that an equivalent full-time number is one third of the students now studying part-time online, we have an additional 1,600 equivalent full-time online students not using campus facilities for a total of 5,799. Leaving the equivalent of 6,776 students using campus facilities.
We know that there are a significant number of SBCC students who do not originate from local communities in Santa Barbara County; they are from other counties, states and counties. Therefore, why should Santa Barbara County taxpayers vote for Measure P?
Fortunately, Marsha Croninger, the longest serving SBCC trustee, who voted against advancing Measure P to a public vote, has answered those questions in her Oct. 19 commentary, “Why, As an SBCC Trustee, I’m Opposed to Measure P.”
It is a very informative, detailed explanation of all the failings in the management of SBCC, and the kind of adjustments needed to face reality in the management and faculty, and the production of a detailed plan before any more money is borrowed at taxpayer expense.
Derek Hanley
Santa Barbara
• • •
SBCC trustee Marsha Croninger’s Oct. 19 commentary is the strongest, and most recent, example of why she is untrustworthy to serve on the Board of Trustees.
In June, the board voted 5-2 to approve a general obligation bond on the Nov. 5 ballot to support SBCC building renovation and repair. Croninger and trustee Veronica Gallardo voted in opposition.
Unfortunately, Croninger has blatantly disregarded the California Community College Trustee Code of Ethics and SBCC Board Code of Ethics BP 2715 by publicly opposing Measure P, outside of official SBCC meetings:
“The board’s voice is expressed through the policies and actions it takes in its official meetings. Once the board has decided a policy or position, a trustee must be prepared to support it publicly. It is unethical to try to use authority independently from the board, to speak out against, or to try to sabotage a board decision.” (Community College League of California Trustee Handbook, Chapter 13, Ethics and Laws, page 51
Croninger, elected in 2010, believes in transparency. Her op/ed fails to provide key information about her actions as a board member. Prior to her arrival, the average length of employment for an SBCC president was 4.8 years. Since 2010, the average length of employment for an SBCC president is now 1.3 years.
Croninger has been a destabilizing force at SBCC. Thankfully, current Superintendent/President Erika Endrijonas is a seasoned professional who understands the complexities, challenges, opportunities and financing of California community colleges. She has successfully managed multiple bonds as a community college president.
Measure P is what SBCC needs to repair failing infrastructure on all three campuses: Cliff Drive and the Wake and Schott centers.
In the past nine years, the state has only provided $11 million in deferred maintenance funds to SBCC for these facilities combined.
Many of the buildings on these campuses are 50-plus years old and in need of significant repair/modernization.
Band-aid approaches to major building failings is not a sound approach to maintenance. Buildings have a lifespan and SBCC has some that need replacement.
Measure P will provide funds to replace the seismically unsound Physical Education Complex that was built in 1971. The facility serves SBCC students, Santa Barbara Parks & Recreation Department participants, youth sports groups, local high schools, facility rentals and the Red Cross as an evacuation center.
An analysis of the PE complex by state auditors determined that the cost to repair/renovate the current facility was greater than 50% of the cost to replace it. As such, the state will award $34 million to SBCC to assist with the cost of replacement.
Measure P would provide the remaining funds SBCC is required to contribute to replace the PE complex. As Lanny Ebenstein’s Oct. 9 commentary explained, the state expects local communities to approve local bonds to provide funding for community college infrastructure renovations.
Don’t be fooled. Croninger’s real objection to Measure P is the funding of the PE complex replacement. In her years as a board member, she has consistently voted against any major expenditure of funds related to the athletics/physical education curriculum.
Croninger erroneously stated that the Physical Education program only contributes 70 full-time equivalent student funding when, in fact, the contribution over the last two semesters has been 630 FTES.
This does not include the 400 full-time student-athletes who are required to enroll full time each semester in order to participate on our teams. These full-time students take classes across the college curriculum.
Her op-ed masks her bias by citing numerous incidents of perceived fiscal mismanagement.
Interestingly, Croninger has referred to herself in board meetings as a “budget expert.” The board must approve budgets and expenditures, so apparently her “expertise” has led to the fiscal issues she cites.
Measure P is needed for the long-term health of the campus infrastructure to revitalize our decaying campuses. Measure P funds can only be used for facilities, nothing else. Measure P is required by law to have a citizen’s oversight committee that reviews the expenditures of the funds.
Croninger’s assertion that SBCC leadership doesn’t have a plan for the funds and won’t spend the funds wisely is simply untrue.
Croninger is correct that SBCC’s enrollment has declined. Enrollment declines have happened at all California community colleges.
However, despite declines, other communities continue to support community college bonds and invest in their campus infrastructure to provide students with modern educational facilities to fuel their first-class education.
Croninger referred to the 2025 Facilities Vision plan to justify her arguments regarding lack of building occupancy and student enrollments. She is well aware that the plan contained incorrect information and was withdrawn from the Board of Trustees agenda.
Modern, state-of-the-art facilities attract students. The reason that every living past SBCC president supports Measure P is that college administrators know that education evolves over time, instructional delivery methods change, career technical training needs emerge, student needs vary, enrollments swell and decline, and that the decisions boards make today have significant implications for decades to come.
SBCC needs Measure P for our future to ensure our college continues to provide the stellar education so many have experienced at our campuses.
Croninger’s myopic, short-sighted, biased focus on a singular aspect of the college does a disservice to the institution and the taxpayers who support it.
As SBCC President Emeritus Peter MacDougall said on many occasions, if you want to be a great college, you cannot rely on the state budget.
The best thing Croninger could do to help SBCC is to resign from the board and allow voters in SBCC Area 5 to elect a representative with a broader vision to create a college environment that regains administrative stability and rebuilds the pathway to excellence for which the college is known.
Kathy O’Connor
Physical Education Department chair, faculty member since 1973
Ellen O’Connor
Physical Education emeritus faculty (1988-2023)
• • •
Supporters of Measure P are removing many “No on P” signs and replacing them with “Yes on P” signs. This group, capable of lying and misrepresenting, is also stealing signs.
They are trying to trick voters into supporting a tax increase using lies and deceit, which will affect both property owners and renters in the form of rent increases.
SBCC has a continuing decline in enrollment, with only 40% of students attending in person, and an excess of facilities.
Both current and previous administrations and boards of trustees have a pattern of deficit spending and prioritize things that are not in the best interest of students or the community.
Don’t be fooled, Vote No on Measure P!
Rosanne Crawford
Santa Barbara
• • •
SBCC’s mission statement begins with seven simple yet powerful words: Santa Barbara City College welcomes all students. This mission is at risk without the investment that Measure P promises.
Measure P is about so much more than upgrading outdated buildings. It’s about preserving SBCC’s mission as a college that serves everyone. It’s about ensuring that all students, regardless of their background, continue to have access to the high-quality education, vocational training, and support services they need to succeed.
As a laboratory teaching assistant in SBCC’s Computer Science Department, I see firsthand the impact our facilities have on our students every day. The classrooms and labs we use are more than 60 years old.
We’ve experienced power outages, forcing abrupt pauses in learning. Every day, at the same time, the lights shut off due to a malfunctioning management system. Water damage from broken pipes has seeped through and deformed walls.
That’s why I support Measure P, which will provide a lifeline to upgrade and repair our aging facilities before it’s too late.
Fixing old buildings is a means to an end. What is truly valuable is the future of our college and our community.
Some, like SBCC trustee Marsha Croninger, argue that SBCC should shrink its footprint, serve fewer students and focus on local residents. This vision is severely misguided.
SBCC has long been a place of opportunity for students from across the district, state, country and even world.
This diversity enriches the learning experience for everyone and allows SBCC to offer more than 155 degree and certificate programs, training in a wide range of career technical fields, and transfer programs that provide the first two years of study toward the baccalaureate degree.
In my lab, I work with students from the Bay Area and Los Angeles, Colorado, Argentina, China, France, Germany and Mexico alongside local Promise students.
The cross-pollination of ideas, perspectives and experiences makes SBCC a truly dynamic educational environment.
A “locals-only” approach would reduce SBCC to little more than a continuation of high school, stripping away the very opportunities that make this place special.
It’s no secret that enrollment at SBCC, and throughout California, has declined in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
But rejecting Measure P because of a temporary dip in enrollment is shortsighted. The reality is that SBCC’s total student count is rebounding, with numbers for the 2023-2024 academic year surpassing pre-pandemic levels.
Full-time equivalent studentshave also stabilized, increasing by 7.6% from the pandemic low.
And while there’s been a shift toward online classes, that doesn’t mean SBCC’s facilities are irrelevant. Programs in health care, engineering and skilled trades still require in-person instruction, and these are the very programs that Measure P will support.
Measure P is about investing in the future. If we neglect our campus, we risk turning SBCC into a “zombie campus” with deteriorating buildings and underutilized facilities. That’s not a future any of us wants.
Yes, mistakes have been made in the past, and Croninger is right to point that out. But should today’s students pay for those mistakes?
Should we allow crumbling infrastructure to define the future of SBCC because of mismanagement by administrators who are no longer here? The answer is no.
Measure P is not about reckless spending; it’s about targeted investment. The funds are specifically earmarked for facility upgrades and maintenance, meaning they cannot be diverted to other uses.
And by investing in these repairs now, we save money in the long run by avoiding the more expensive repairs that will inevitably come if we continue to delay.
Some opponents claim Measure P is just about building a new Physical Education building. This argument is misleading. Yes, the PE building is part of the plan, but it’s far from the whole story.
Measure P will address critical facility needs across the entire campus, especially in areas like nursing, engineering, technology and skilled trades.
These programs are essential for preparing students for high-demand careers, and they need modern facilities to match their importance.
Understandably, some are concerned about taxes. But Measure P is structured as a tax rate extension, not an increase. With the retirement of previous bonds, the tax impact is minimized.
More important, investing in SBCC’s facilities can enhance property values in the community. A well-maintained, thriving college is an asset to any city, attracting businesses, producing a skilled workforce and driving local economic growth.
The cost of doing nothing is far greater. Letting public infrastructure deteriorate only leads to more expensive repairs in the future.
Measure P ensures that SBCC remains a beacon of opportunity, contributing to both the education of our students and the vitality of our community.
No bond measure is perfect, but the question is: Do we want to let SBCC’s infrastructure crumble, or do we want to invest in its future?
Measure P is more than a building bond. It’s a statement of our values. Do we believe in a college that welcomes all students or do we want to limit SBCC to a small, local footprint?
If you think SBCC should serve only local students, then rejecting Measure P makes sense. But if you believe, as I do, that SBCC’s strength lies in its diversity and its ability to offer opportunities to all, then voting for Measure P is the obvious choice.
Let’s keep SBCC a place where all students can learn, grow and thrive. A vote for Measure P is a vote to protect the values that make SBCC a place of opportunity for all.
Parker Shankin-Clarke
Goleta
• • •
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