
MHCC Board Votes Unanimously to Place Bond Measure on the May 2025 Ballot
January 16, 2025Funds will address aging infrastructure, prepare students for high-demand jobs, and improve community access
The Mt. Hood Community College (MHCC) Board of Education has unanimously approved a resolution to place a $136 million general obligation bond measure on the May 2025 ballot. If passed, the bond would fund critical campus repairs, enhance workforce training programs for frontline vocations, and expand community accessibility to the college’s resources.
“No other institution plays a more vital role in our community’s success than MHCC,” said Board Chair Diane McKeel. “In a single year, college alumni working in the region help add more than $350 million dollars in economic activity – an incredible impact on the health and strength of East Multnomah and Clackamas County’s economies. We view this bond measure as the single most important action we can take to ensure our community can count on this vital resource now and in the future.”
The college has not relied on bond funding in over 50 years, leaving its 1970s-era facilities in serious need of modernization and safety upgrades.
“We’ve stretched every dollar to maintain our aging infrastructure, often at the expense of classroom resources,” said MHCC President Lisa Skari. “From outdated heating and cooling systems to crumbling siding, these challenges have a tipping point. The bond is an essential step to safeguard this community resource now, and in the years to come.”
Like school districts, MHCC facilities are owned and maintained by local communities. The college does not receive state funding for building repairs or upgrades but must seek support from its district constituency. In return, the college provides regional workforce training that allows students to build meaningful careers close to home.
Bond Priorities
If approved, bond funding would:
Prepare Students for Critical Workforce Needs:
- Establish a Center for Health Professions to address job shortages in healthcare fields.
- Modernize science labs and enhance cross-disciplinary training.
- Provide up-to-date technology and equipment for job-specific training within the region.
Protect and Modernize Community Assets:
- Renovate outdated classrooms and learning spaces.
- Replace inefficient heating and cooling systems.
- Upgrade computer labs, networks, and hybrid learning technology.
- Improve campus safety with seismic retrofitting, fire safety and lockdown upgrades.
Expand Access Across the District—Government Camp, Sandy, Corbett, Gresham, Fairview, Wood Village, Troutdale and East Portland:
- Enhance the college’s role as an emergency hub for natural disasters.
- Serve online and hybrid learners with improved technology.
- Upgrade facilities for accessibility, including elevators and restrooms.
- Improve important community amenities like the pool, adding a year-round cover for greater usability.
Affordable Investment
The bond proposal represents a focused, no-frills approach, addressing the college’s most urgent needs while minimizing taxpayer costs. At an estimated 25 cents per $1,000 of assessed home value, the bond would cost the average homeowner about $5 per month, or $60 annually. If approved, the State of Oregon would also contribute $8 million in matching funds, maximizing the community’s investment.
“The bond is designed with fiscal responsibility in mind and is an affordable investment that will benefit our entire community,” said McKeel. “I’m thankful to the hundreds of community members we have met with throughout this past year to put this together. We are prioritizing urgent needs that make the greatest impact – while keeping costs as low as possible.”
MHCC has earned top awards for financial stewardship and transparency including becoming the only public college in Oregon to receive the Government Finance Officers Association's prestigious Triple Crown Award. It is ranked among the top five community colleges in the United States for delivering a best value education for investment.
A Proven Community Resource
MHCC serves as a vital link in the effort to increase access to high quality healthcare in the region. Over the past five years, the college has trained nearly 1,000 healthcare professionals, including nurses, dental hygienists, physical therapists and mental health counselors. Students at the college contribute more than 60,000 hours every year in support of small, medium, large, urban and rural hospitals and clinics across the metro area.
Beyond career training, MHCC supports the community through initiatives such as:
- Small Business Development: Serving nearly 400 businesses annually with free or low-cost training, from opening storefronts to managing operations and growth.
- Early Childhood Education: Operating one of the state’s largest Head Start programs, providing around 1,000 children and families below the poverty line with high quality early education. The college also works to increase the number of childcare providers in the region.
- Community Education: Operating the only outdoor competition-size pool in the Northwest and providing swim lessons to nearly 26,000 residents last year and hosting numerous swim meets and events that brought 35,000 people to the community. The college also offers lifelong noncredit classes, athletic events, music and theater performances and community gatherings throughout the year.
“Since 1966, MHCC has empowered more than a million people in our community through accessible, high-quality education,” said President Skari. “This bond is a pivotal investment in preserving our legacy as a cornerstone of opportunity – and it is what we need to ensure we can continue to meet the needs of East County for decades to come.”
For more information about the bond measure, visit the MHCC Bond website.