Federal and state grants totalling $1,470,000 are in the balance next Tuesday when Foothill Junior College District (FJCD) voters go to the polls in a special tax-override election.
The nearly one-and-a-half million dollar grants earmarked for Foothill College, and especially for De Anza College, will be forfeited to other junior colleges unless voters stamp “Yes” on their ballots Tuesday. A “No” vote, on the other hand, will mean De Anza will have to cut back many projects already planned, such as the Little Theatre, firearms court and physical recreation facilities.
De Anza President Robert A. DeHart pointed out that FJCD voters have passed two large bond bills: a $10,4000,000 bond issue in 1958 for the construction of Foothill College in Los Altos, and the $14,000,000 bond issue in 1962 for De Anza College.
Dr. Dehart has addressed eight different citizen groups. Public reaction at first was not very enthusiastic, but as Dr. DeHart presented the College’s strong case fot the tax override, the vast majority of people realized the importance of the upcoming election ot the students and future students in the area. De Anza’s president stressed the necessity of getting to the polles those “friends of the College,” those who value the “tremendous tradition of excellence of the College District.”
Since 1959, District reserves have enabled the District to participate in federal and state grants that required matching funds, but these reserves are now committed to existing programs.
The District has dropped greatly in assessed valuation per student until today it is in 12th place among the 15 Bay Area junior college districts and 54th among the 65 junior college districts in the state. Backers of the proposed tax override point out:
- The District is the only school district in Northern Santa Clara County without an override tax.
- Projected District enrollment of 12,000 students by 1971.
- The use of grant money is the only way to meet the growing demand for trained personnel. The District no longer has funds to divert to developing or expanding technical programs.
- Student work-study financial aid grants for needy students require matching District funds.
Archived from Volume 1, Issue 1.
