FAQs

Measure HH is the San Diego Community College District’s $3.5 billion general obligation bond program, overwhelmingly approved by the City of San Diego voters in November 2024, for upgrades, repairs, and renovations to classrooms and facilities throughout the district.

General obligation bonds (GO Bonds) fund projects, such as renovations to existing classrooms and school facilities, as well as new construction. When voters approve a bond referendum, the Board of Trustees is authorized to issue bonds to finance renovation/replacement, additions, and technology upgrades.

The bonds are sold over a multiple-year period and represent a long-term, general obligation, like a home loan. GO bonds are typically repaid over 30 years, but can be repaid over a shorter period. By passing the bond, voters agree to pay ad valorem (property-based) taxes to fund the annual principal and interest payments on the bonds. The loan repayment comes from a tax on all taxable property located within the district - residential, commercial, agricultural, and industrial.
 

No. By law, the proceeds from the bond can only be used for the construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, or replacement of college facilities, including the furnishing and equipping of college facilities, or the lease of real property for college facilities. Bond funds cannot be used for teacher or administrator salaries and/or other operating expenses.

A Facility Master Plan – sometimes called a Facility Strategic Plan - is a comprehensive, long-term outline of capital projects required to meet the current and future needs of the District. Each college completed a year-long process, involving dozens of stakeholders, to create master plans that helped identify projects to prioritize for Measure HH funding.

• San Diego City College
• San Diego Mesa College
• San Diego Miramar College
• San Diego College of Continuing Education

Approved upgrades include classroom renovations, student housing, new technology infrastructure, ADA compliance improvements, energy efficiency projects, safety & security, and new student support spaces. Approved projects also include performing arts and athletics facilities. Active projects in the first phase of design and construction under Measure HH can be found here.

Yes, bond funds will support solar energy projects, LED lighting upgrades, water conservation measures, light management, and eco-friendly building materials to align with California’s green initiatives.

Some areas may be temporarily closed or rerouted; the colleges will provide updates, alternative routes, required temporary spaces, and minimize disruptions as much as possible.

Bond funds are overseen by the Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee (CBOC). The Committee is composed of volunteer community members, faculty, and business leaders, whose mission is to ensure funds are properly utilized as approved by voters and that projects are completed efficiently.

One of the primary responsibilities of the CBOC is to produce and present an annual report, inform the public about the district’s expenditures of bond proceeds, and share its reviews to ensure that proceeds are being spent on projects approved and outlined within the measure. The Committee’s first report covering fiscal year 2024-2025 is available here.

The community can also learn more about bond fund expenditures through monthly reports provided to the Board of Trustees, regular presentations and forums at each college, and on the website.

Updated facilities will provide modern classrooms, enhanced technology, better lab spaces, safer facilities, and expanded student services, ensuring students have a state-of-the-art learning environment.

Yes, the bond includes provisions for local contractor participation, supporting job creation and economic growth within the community.  

SDCCD’s Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) applies to all future large-scale construction contracts valued at $1M or higher. 

Initial Employment Preferences 

• Residents of qualifying ZIP codes designated in the CBA 
• Veterans residing anywhere

Craft Hour Allocation 

At least 80% of all craft hours must be performed by the following: 

• Residents of San Diego County 
• Dependents of active-duty military personnel 
• Current or former students of SDCCD (including those enrolled in online programs)

The district also prioritizes engaging small and diverse firms from underrepresented communities. The Measure HH teams hold outreach events throughout the year. They are intentional in their efforts to identify firms using local, state, and federal databases, as well as to reach out to local trade organizations, business groups, and local chambers to promote bid and contract opportunities. You can learn more here. 

As a homeowner, the City of San Diego collects property tax on the assessed value of your home; the City uses property tax revenue to pay the bond principal and interest to investors.

If you are renting, when you pay rent to the property owner, you are indirectly paying for the bond issue cost. The rent you pay to the owner helps to cover the owner's expenses, including the owner's payment of this tax as part of the property tax bill.

Learn more about Measure HH tax implications here.