Our view: $694 million bond measure will enhance vital part of our community

North County residents should vote yes on Proposition M -- Palomar College's $694 million bond measure -- when it appears on the ballot Nov. 7.

It's a large chunk of change to be sure; it will add $14.72 per $100,000 of assessed value to property tax bills for the next 30 years. But it's a sound investment in higher education in the region, and the time has come to upgrade Palomar's San Marcos campus and give it the tools to educate students in the future.

Many of the buildings at the San Marcos campus are approaching 50 years of age. Science classes are conducted in dilapidated labs plagued with poor air circulation and vermin. Essential English and math programs don't have enough seats for the number of students attempting to register. And classes for the nursing program and speech, psychology, journalism and graphic communications departments are held in "temporary" bungalows constructed more than 20 years ago.

Add to that the estimate that the college's student population will grow from 26,000 today to 50,000 by 2020, and the need for more facilities becomes even more apparent.

Here's what we'll get for approving Prop. M: $200 million will be used to build two new campuses in Fallbrook and the Poway area; $7 million will go toward remodeling the college's Escondido Center at the corner of Valley Parkway and Midway Drive; and the rest of the bond will be used to build several classroom buildings, a library and sports facilities on the San Marcos campus.

The bond needs 55 percent of voters to approve it to pass, and if they do, the college could be eligible for an additional $277 million in state matching funds. That would bring the total investment to $971 million -- nearly $1 billion to rebuild and expand the aging college.

For 60 years, Palomar College has been a vital part of our community, beyond the giant, white "P" motorists see on the hill while driving down Highway 78. The district -- larger than the state of Delaware -- runs from Vista in the west out to Borrego Springs and from the Riverside County line in the north south to Highway 56.

The college is an important first step for many students seeking a bachelor's degree. Many of those students stay locally and transfer to Cal State San Marcos. Its affordability also gives low-income students, who wouldn't otherwise attempt higher education, a chance to see if college is right for them.

Palomar also provides first-class vocational training in nursing, woodworking, automotive repair, fire technology and more. Students there are our future mechanics, nurses, police officers and firefighters. They should be learning in updated, permanent buildings -- buildings that can hold all of today's students and those to come in the future.

The last time Palomar asked local taxpayers for money was in the 1960s, and we certainly got a lot of bang for our buck. The campus has educated more than two generations of students in its aging buildings.

The college has had a rough time since its longtime president, George Boggs, left in 2000 -- grabbing negative headlines with ongoing faculty contract negotiations and a seemingly revolving door to its president's office. But it has turned that corner during the last two years, and stability seems to have returned under President Robert Deegan.

Now's the time to reinvest in our community college and ensure high-quality education for generations to come.

Vote yes on Prop. M.