2016 Bond Mailer
Our Moment is Here, Our Goals are Within Reach
West Hills College Coalinga
- North District Center - Firebaugh Ca.
A new North District Center will provide a regional hub that will help create: • More jobs that can be filled in diverse economic sectors • Enhanced partnerships in local K-12 schools • Building a model of healthy communities
A New Beginning
• More affordable housing • Research in safe drinking water • Field-ready talent base in sophisticated technological agricultural methods
Nuestro momento esta Aquí, Nuestras metas están al Alcance Un nuevo Centro Norte del Distrito proporcionará un centro regional que ayudará a desarrollar: • Más puestos de trabajo para cumplir con diversos sectores económicos • Mejorar asociaciones en las escuelas locales del Kínder a Secundaria • Construir un modelo de comunidades saludables
• Más viviendas con costo accesible • Investigar la seguridad de agua potable • Preparar una base de talento con métodos de tecnología avanzada en la labor de agricultura
Un Nuevo Comienzo
9900 Cody Ave. Coalinga, CA 93210
West Hills Community College District has served the educational needs of this community for decades. We opened our first North District Center in Firebaugh in 1972, leasing property from the Firebaugh Elementary School District and building four classrooms and an office on Saipan Avenue. We moved to our existing center, a former bowling alley, in the late 1990s thanks largely because of the passage of bond Measure G, a local higher education bond which was approved by the voters and allowed us to make room for classrooms, a bookstore, computer and science labs and a library. In 2010, NDC was named the 34th best of America’s 1,200 community colleges by Washington Monthly. It serves students in some of the poorest communities in America, giving them a chance to go to college at a low cost. More than one-third of residents served by the North District Center live in poverty with a median household income less than half the state average. Only 42 percent of residents who are 25 or older have a high school diploma. Only five percent hold a bachelor’s degree. West Hills Community College District plans to build a new 28,000 sq. ft facility. It will dramatically expand learning and job training opportunities in the rural western reaches of Fresno County and will serve as a vibrant hub for community education, outreach and engagement.
1972
Past, Present and Future
This project will be a new beginning for the west side. It will create a regional center to serve the residents of Firebaugh, Mendota, Dos Palos, San Joaquin, Tranquility, Three Rocks, Helm, and Kerman. It will provide a seamless web of learning from pre-Kindergarten through college degrees and certificates. It will serve as a magnet for learning partners including a Fresno County Library branch in Firebaugh and North District University Center offering on-site services by four-year colleges and universities.
The existing NDC structure was a former bowling alley before voters approved a bond issue in 1998 that allowed the District to buy and refurbish the space. Our new structure would be double the size of the current center and serve as a state of the art education center and community learning space. • Land along Ninth Street between the current NDC building and the San Joaquin River has been purchased for the new facility.
The expansion of the North District Center has been approved by Governor Jerry Brown. Most of the funding for the new center is secured through local bond measures including Measure Q, which was overwhelmingly approved by voters in 2008. The remaining funds needed to complete this project may come from the passage of Proposition 51, a statewide initiative designed to repair schools, upgrade classrooms and train veterans.
• A proposed plaza will serve as a community gathering place. • West Hills College and the Fresno County Library are planning to provide a new library for students and the community.
Our goal is to begin construction during the 2017-2018 academic year. We thank the community for its continued patience and support of our efforts in the North District Center service area and our dedication to expanding educational opportunities.
Our Center serves students in some of the poorest communities in America, giving them a chance to go to college at a low cost.
• A community room is planned for public meetings and receptions. • The spacious new center will include computer, science and art labs, career technical training areas, and classroom space. • CSU Fresno, UC Davis and UC Merced have all expressed interest in participating in a “university center” at the new NDC facility.
Today
• During the ensuing months, we will have community meetings to discuss functionality and features of the new facility.
West Hills Community College District plans to build a new 28,000 sq. ft facility. It will dramatically expand learning and job training opportunities in the area.
North District Center in Firebaugh opens, leasing property from the Firebaugh Elementary School District.
Future
1990’s
Pasado, Presente y Futuro
North District Center moved to our existing center, a former bowling alley, in the late 1990s thanks largely because of the passage of bond Measure G.
El Distrito del Colegio West Hills ha servido las necesidades educativas de esta comunidad durante décadas. Abrimos nuestro primer Centro Norte del Distrito en la ciudad de Firebaugh en 1972, con el arrendamiento de la propiedad Distrito Escolar Elemental de Firebaugh y la construcción de cuatro aulas y una oficina en la Avenida Saipan. Nos mudamos a nuestro centro actual, una antigua bolera, en fines de la década de 1990’s debido gracias en gran parte haber pasado el bono de la Medida G, un bono local educativo aprobado por los votantes, permitiendo aumentar espacio para aulas, una librería, computadoras y laboratorios de Ciencias y una biblioteca. En 2010, Centro Norte del Distrito fue nombrado el 34o mejor colegio comunitario de los 1,200 colegios de América por el medio de Washington Mensual. Se sirve a estudiantes de las comunidades más pobres de América, dándoles la oportunidad de ir al colegio a un bajo costo. Más de un tercio de los residentes atendidos por el Centro Norte del Distrito viven en la pobreza, con un ingreso familiar promedio de menos de la mitad de la media estatal. Solo el 42 por ciento de los residentes de 25 años o más tienen un diploma de escuela secundaria. Solo cinco por ciento tienen una licenciatura. El Distrito del Colegio Comunitario West Hills tiene planes de construir una nueva instalación de 28,000 pies cuadrado. La instalación dramáticamente extenderá aprendizaje y oportunidades de entrenamiento para empleo rural occidental del condado de Fresno, y servirá como un centro vibrante para educación comunitaria, difusión y compromisos.
Este proyecto será un nuevo comienzo para nuestra ubicación del oeste. Creará un centro regional para servir a los residentes de Firebaugh, Mendota, Dos Palos, San Joaquin, Tranquillity, Tres Piedras, Helm y Kerman. Proporcionará una perfecta red de aprendizaje desde el pre-kínder hasta títulos de colegio y certificados. Servirá como un imán para colegas de aprendizaje incluyendo una sucursal de la Biblioteca del Condado de Fresno en Firebaugh y Distrito Centro Universitario del Norte ofreciendo servicios universitarios en sitio por Colegios Estatales de 4 años y Universidades. La expansión del Centro Norte del Distrito fue aprobado por el Gobernador Jerry Brown. La mayor parte de los fondos para el nuevo centro están seguros a través de medidas de bonos locales, incluyendo la Medida Q, que fue aprobada abrumadoramente por los votantes en el 2008. El resto de los fondos necesarios para completar este proyecto podría venir con la aprobación de la Propuesta 51, una iniciativa estatal diseñada para reparar las escuelas, mejorar aulas y proveer entrenamiento para veteranos. Nuestra meta es de empezar la construcción durante el año académico 2017-2018. Queremos darle las gracias a la comunidad por su continua paciencia y por apoyar nuestros esfuerzos de proveer servicios en el Centro Norte del Distrito y en nuestra dedicación de extender oportunidades educativas.
Dr. Frank Gornick, Chancellor
La estructura que existe hoy en el Centro Norte del Distrito era una antigua bolera antes de que los votantes aprobaran la emisión de bonos en 1998 que permitió al Distrito comprar y reacondicionar el espacio. Nuestra nueva estructura seria doble el tamaño del centro actual y funcionara como un centro educativo de alta estatura y espacio de aprendizaje para la comunidad.
West Hills Community College District
• La propiedad a lo largo de la calle nueve entre el edificio actual del Centro Norte del Distrito y del Rio San Joaquín se ha comprado para la nueva instalación.
Dr. Frank Gornick, Canciller
• Una propuesta plaza servirá como sitio de reunión para la comunidad.
Distrito Comunitario de West Hills
• El Colegio West Hills y la Biblioteca del Condado de Fresno tienen previsto ofrecer una nueva biblioteca a los estudiantes y la comunidad. • Esta previsto un salón comunitario para las reuniones públicas y recepciones • El nuevo centro será amplio e incluirá laboratorios de computadoras, Ciencia y Arte, áreas para entrenamiento de carreras técnicas, y espacio para aulas. • Las Universidades CSU Fresno, UC Davis y UC Merced han expresado interés en tomar parte en un "Centro Universitario" en la nueva instalación del Centro Norte del Distrito. • Durante los siguientes meses, haremos juntas con la comunidad para hablar sobre la funcionalidad y diseño de la nueva instalación.
Original Expansion Proposal Brochure
Opportunities for success are seeded within the agricultural lands on the west side of central California's San Joaquin Valley. Featuring more than 560,000 acres of crops harvested in 2013, the west side is one of the most productive agricultural regions in the worl, d. This area is also home to the t,housands of individuals that make up the driving workforce behind the agriculture industry.
Populating the small communities of Firebaugh, Mendota, San Joaquin and Tranquillity, among others, these farmworkers share a common dependency upon the natural environment to ensure successful crop production. However, climate changes and unpredictable weather patterns in recent years have left these communities struggling to survive.
A lack of water resources has plagued the region since 2009, amplified by the government declared drought of 2014. Many farmers are choosing to fallow the once prosperous farmlands due to the unavailability of water or high water costs. This is a devastating blow to local communities as poverty levels and unemployment rates in the area have officially escalated to nearly 40 percent. These figures do not include undocumented workers, which make up a majority of the agricultural workforce.
NORTH DISTRICT CENTER EXPANSION CONCEPTUAL DESIGN
Persons below poverty level (2008-2012): Educational Attainment (% of persons age 25 + ):
While residents endure these hardships, there is hope that education will be the answer to reviving the spirit of the west side.
DEMOGRAPHICS (Figures do not include undocumented workers} Firebaugh, CA - U.S. Census Bureau, 201 O Census Population: Ethnicity:
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0 BUILDING CONCEPT
A space of distinct identity while relating to the site, community and history of the environment. Cultural context emphasizing modernity. Traditional and new materials, solids and voids, mass and light, forming the materiality of the building and site.
Maximize outdoor spaces, sitting-height steps, pedestrian destinations, multiple gestures of entrance, integrate building and site, embrace the community from all directions.
NOC EXPANSION
PEDESTRIAN CROSSING Safely integrate pedestrian and vehicular traffic, challenges at 'P' street crossing, layered solutions, stop signs, dividing lane median, paving material changes, bollards, landscaping elements, define the college setting.
f) BUILDING MATERIALS Investigating contrast (traditional versus modern) - a distinct role play between opposites.
Traditional
·'heavy" materials (stone, brick and plaster) anchor the building and create deep, wide, faceted features, as well as provide shade and cooling.
Modern "light"
C) LANDSCAPING
materials (glass and metal) sever the masses, creating slits for natural light and framing views of the building, tying interior spaces to the overall site.
SITE ANALYSIS DIAGRAM
Lush and colorful, water-friendly, native plants, controlled landscaping elements, shade, garden areas.
Press Release to local media
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 28, 2017 Amber Myrick Phone: (559) 934-2132 E-mail:
[email protected] Editors: Renderings of the new building are available upon request
With Signing of California’s Budget, North District Center Project Moves Forward
With the signing of the 2017-2018 California budget on June 27, the West Hills College building project in Firebaugh now has the funding it needs to move forward.
A total of $16.9 million in Proposition 51 bond funds was budgeted for community college facilities projects as part of the 2017-2018 budget, including the building of a brand new 28,000 sq. ft. North District Center in Firebaugh. The new building would replace the current center, a former bowling alley purchased and extensively renovated by the West Hills Community College District in 1998.
“I would like to thank the taxpayers for their continued patience and faith in this project,” said Dr. Frank Gornick, Chancellor of the West Hills Community College District. “We are dedicated to expanding educational opportunities and thank the community for its continued support of our efforts in Firebaugh and the surrounding communities. I would also like to thank Governor Brown for approving the state budget and allowing our project to move forward.”
The funding for the new center is thanks to the passage of Proposition 51 by voters during the Nov. 2016 election and the passage of Measure Q in 2008. A new center for Firebaugh has been planned since 2008, when the $11.8 million Measure Q was approved by 70 percent of voters, but was delayed by several factors including the 2008 recession.
The new North District Center would be double the size of the current 11,764 sq. ft. center and offer a variety of new opportunities for students and the community. The spacious new center would include state-of-the-art science, art and computer labs, study areas, expanded classroom space, a library for students and the community and community gathering spaces.
Several local universities have also expressed interest in participating in a university center at the new facility.
“We are a forward thinking district that is committed to providing the best educational opportunities to our service area,” said Dr. Stuart Van Horn, WHCCD Vice Chancellor of Educational Services and Workforce Development. “We’re innovative and forward thinking and all of that will be reflected in this new state-of-the art facility.”
The new center, most importantly, would also expand the educational opportunities available in Firebaugh with more space for new programs and training.
The new center would be located on land already secured by the district on Ninth St. in Firebaugh.
“This is a win-win for the entire Westside of Fresno County,” said Jack Minnite, WHCCD Board of Trustees member for Area 2, which includes Firebaugh. “This is huge and has been a long time coming. It will be a real economic and education contribution to Firebaugh and the surrounding areas. The impact of West Hills College is just going to continue to grow.”
Minnite also said the building of a new center could be an economic boon for the community as well, generating construction jobs and potentially attracting new businesses and companies to the area.
Story from Spring 2017 West Hills Magazine
River Conservation &Outdoor Education are the Goal in Firebaugh Since its founding as a ferry crossing for prospectors heading for gold country, Firebaugh has been a city well known for its river. West Hills College’s North District Center in Firebaugh is no exception as the center itself, and the planned 28,000 sq. ft facility that will replace the current buildings, is close to the San Joaquin River. Now, thanks to a technical assistance grant received from the National Park Service’s River, Trails and Conservation Assistance (RTCA) Program in 2015, students at North District Center will soon have an opportunity to get to know their river and environmental science.
The tentative name for the program is the San Joaquin River Outdoor Education Program and it has several goals including:
Create an outdoor classroom for students at North District Center Establish a river trail from Mendota to Firebaugh
Offer a fishing camp for the community
“This is really about community enrichment and helping our students and community residents get to know their river and respect the river.” Brian Boomer - Program organizer and Coordinator of Special Grants for the West Hills Community College District.
The program is still in its early stages, but an environmental science club has already been founded for NDC students. So far, club members have helped to fill sandbags to curb river flooding and plan to work on projects ranging from recycling to sponsoring an annual canoe or kayak event on the river.
With the nearest national park nearly 100 miles away, one of the main goals of the program is to help the community come to see the river as a great place to recreate and experience nature.
Another component of the project is the creation of an outdoor classroom. The new North District Center facility, which is set to be constructed in the next few years, will be right on the river and would lend itself to outdoor learning. Al Graves, a geography instructor at NDC and one of the faculty advisors for the environmental science club, is excited about the possibilities for outdoor learning. “We’re going to be making a stronger effort to get students out of the classroom and down to the river,” Graves said. “Especially with the sciences, if the students are able to get out there in nature and actually feel things, touch things, smell things and hear things it adds dimensions you don’t get from a PowerPoint or video.” Environmental science will also have a bigger place going forward in science classes at NDC, according to Boomer. Students won’t be the only ones to benefit from the program. The outdoor education program will also have a big community aspect, including offering community activities such as a fishing camp.
MaLisa Martin, Outdoor Recreation Planner with the National Park Service “It seems that with a little bit of help from RTCA, we can connect residents and students with the resources around them,” said MaLisa Martin, Outdoor Recreation Planner with the National Park Service. “My own philosophy is that being outside makes you a happier, healthier person and we want that for Firebaugh.”
The National Park Service is just one of the community partners working on this project alongside West Hills College. Other supporters include the San Joaquin River Parkway and Conservation Trust, Firebaugh High School and Firebaugh Rotary, Workforce Connection, the City of Firebaugh and Firebaugh Police Department, and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Mendota High School, UC Merced’s Harmon Research Lab, San Joaquin Valley Rural Development Center and Meyers Water Bank and Wildlife Project have also supported the effort.
North District Center TRiO and Environmental Club fill sand bags to combat river flooding. 31
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West Hills magazine
Spring 2017
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Social Media relating to campaign
Links to Press Coverage (also included in entry online) 1. One visit to Firebaugh. That’s all we ask, Gov. Brown Click here 2. Firebaugh college center is in a bowling alley now. State budget will help change that Click here 3. Finally, good news about Firebaugh’s long-stalled college plans Click here 4. State budget approval paves the way for new West Hills site in Firebaugh Click here 5. Measure Q Click here
