Readers likely are aware that Clatsop Community College’s controversial bond measure for a new campus failed to gain sufficient voter approval in May’s special election.
So the big question now is: what’s next for the college?
Clatsop Community College President Greg Hamann said the college board has not made any decisions yet. They’ll consider the issue this month.
"I think it’s really important for the board to lay out all its options," he said. "I believe we’ll have greater clarity of direction after the June 12th board meeting."
Hamann said board members and school officials want to learn as much as they can from what’s happened and the after effects of the bond measure’s failure.
He said the state may now reconsider whether to allocate more funding to the school. While the college does have $15 million in the bank, state resources would have provided another $17.5 million in matching funds, provided the bond passed. Now that voters have said no, those funds could be in jeopardy.
A recently released seismic review rated buildings on the current Clatsop Campus as being at high risk in case of an earthquake.
Hamann said college buildings, among 300 in such a risk category statewide, were the only buildings in the county so classified.
He said the findings are an additional piece of information the board will use to determine how to proceed.
Hamann said despite the controversy surrounding the vote, it’s important for residents to remember that the school is the same college it was before the election.
"Our commitment is still to students. We’ll continue to do the best we can in whatever facilities we have," he said. "The sky isn’t falling."