Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District's governing board is scheduled to decide July 27 whether to ask voters for a new facilities bond measure on the November ballot, according to East County Magazine.

The proposal is aimed at aging infrastructure and campus modernization needs, including storm drains, wildfire preparedness, sinkhole prevention, roof repairs, electrical upgrades and accessibility improvements. East County Magazine reported that district officials described the measure as an extension of the existing tax rate rather than an increase.

District officials told East County Magazine that state funding has not been enough to keep up with major renovations. The article cited a $45 million estimate for fire and safety upgrades and said the broader bond project is estimated at $624 million, while total facility improvement needs are estimated at more than $1 billion.

For Santee families, the decision matters because Grossmont and Cuyamaca colleges are core East County education and workforce-training campuses. If the board places the measure on the ballot, voters would get the final say in November.

Source: East County Magazine.