January 8, The Honorable Stephen Gildner Presiding Judge of the Kern County Superior Court 1415 Truxtun Avenue Bakersfield CA 93301

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1 Office of the President Bakersfield COLLEGE The Honorable Stephen Gildner Presiding Judge of the Kern County Superior Court 1415 Truxtun Avenue Bakersfield CA Dear Judge Gildner: My response to the Grand Jury report dated October 17, 2002, regarding Bakersfield College, was purposefully delayed. I had hoped to provide definitive information based on the outcome of the Kern Community College District Measure G. I am pleased to report the voters within the service area of the Kern Community College District, which includes Bakersfield College, approved Measure G in the November 2002 election. Measure G is a $180 million general obligation bond. From its proceeds, $115 million will be used to renovate, modernize, and expand our aging Bakersfield College facilities. I am also pleased to report that listed among the projects to be funded with Measure G bond proceeds are three of the projects identified among the six recommendations presented by the Grand Jury, specifically #2, 3, and 4. While funding for these three specific projects is contained within Measure G, the timeline with which these will be completed is uncertain at this time. The Kern Community College District (KCCD) is in the process of creating its new Facilities Development, Planning and Management Structure. The Kern Community College District, including Bakersfield College, is in the process of arranging its Measure G project priority list. As required by law, a citizens' oversight committee will review projects to be financed. The Kern Community College District Board of Trustees will appoint this committee at their March meeting. It is anticipated that the first general obligation bonds will be issued as early as March Kern Community College District 1801 Pano rama Drive Bakers field, CA Online Fax Phone

2 The Honorable Stephen Gildner Page Two Following is my response to each of the individual recommendations enumerated in the Grand Jury report: Recommendation #1: Immediate attention to repair the bus stop landing is needed for the safety of the students. It is intended that the bus stop landing will be repaired this year with capital revenues currently budgeted. As you are well aware, public agencies are facing drastic mid-year reductions. It may become necessary for the college to revert scheduled maintenance money to the State in order to cover the State-mandated reductions. Recommendation #2: The electrical system requires modernization. The electrical system will be modernized in phases. The initial phase is scheduled to begin in May. Subsequent phases of modernization are designated among the first priorities to be addressed with Measure G proceeds. Recommendation #3: The water pumps and pipes require immediate repair and/or replacement. Water pumps and pipes in some buildings will be repaired and/or replaced as college project proposals are approved by the State for capital outlay or scheduled maintenance allocations. In the event State approval is not forthcoming, the modernization of Bakersfield College's infrastructure is contained within the list of projects planned for Measure G proceeds. The Measure G project list is enclosed. (Attachment A) Recommendation #4: Painting of buildings, especially the Language Arts Building, needs to be accomplished. Painting of the Language Arts building is a priority. In addition to being listed as a Measure G project, preliminary plans for completely refurbishing the Language Arts buildings have been submitted for possible State capital outlay funding secured under the Proposition 47 revenue bond. This project is currently moving through the Initial Project Proposal (IPP) process. The IPP process is the first step of a five-step, fiveyear construction plan. The proposed budget year for this project, if approved, is

3 The Honorable Stephen Gildner Page Three Recommendation #5: An individual should be assigned at the Community College District level to perform grants research. Over the course of the last two years, Bakersfield College has contracted with three consultant/grant writers, and has submitted proposals realizing over $8 million in successful grants, infusing much needed capital into our instructional programs. Bakersfield College will continue to prospect grants as resources permit. Considering the precarious fiscal conditions the California Community College system is currently facing as a result of the State of California budget deficit, it is inadvisable to consider new staff positions at this time. The Kern Community College District mid-year reduction is projected to exceed $3 million. This represents an annualized amount of more than $6 million, which will be on going; this uncertain financial situation makes it difficult to add new positions. Recommendation #6: Establish a committee composed of students and faculty to resolve the parking issue. In my 14-year tenure at Bakersfield College, parking concerns have surfaced periodically from students and faculty. There have been ad hoc meetings with students and faculty leadership represented to resolve parking issues. It has been approximately two years since faculty and students last met to discuss parking issues. The issue is not one of lack of adequate number of parking spaces available, but rather the proximity of the parking spaces to the buildings. Several years ago, in order to mediate the complaints about parking being "too far" from the buildings, the Associated Student Body provided shuttle services. Enclosed is a campus map identifying parking areas on campus (Attachment B). l have highlighted the, areas that at all times have parking available. Students have also expressed concerns about the cost of parking. The California Education Code authorizes the District to require parking fees of up to $40 per semester. The parking service fees assessed at Bakersfield College are currently $20/semester. Comparatively, California State University, Bakersfield charges $36 per quarter. The parking fee is annually evaluated and approved by the Kern Community College District Board of Trustees.

4 The Honorable Stephen Gildner Page Four In conclusion, recommendations 2, 3, and 4 will be completed with proceeds from State and local bonds. The local bond, Measure G, will likely be issued in three phases over the course of the next 12 years. From Bakersfield College's perspective, recommendations 1, 2, 3, and 4 are high priority projects. Thank you for the time and consideration you, the Honorable Judge Arthur Wallace, and members of the Grand Jury have shown Bakersfield College as we continue to look for ways to improve our service to the community. Sincerely, Sandra V. Serrano President SVS:ds cc: Mr. John Rodgers, President, KCCD Board of Trustees Dr. Walter Packard, Chancellor, KCCD Attachments

5 ATTACHMENT A EXHIBIT A-.1 The Governing Board of the Kern Community College District has evaluated safety, technology and instructional needs in developing the scope of college facility projects to be funded as outlined in the District's Educational/Facilities Master Plan, amended from time to time, on file at the District's Chancellor s Office. Key projects and estimated costs are identified below. PROJECTS Projects to be completed at Bakersfield College (BC), Cerro Coso College (CC), Porterville College (PC) and District-wide (D) Additional Classrooms and Renovation $99,675,000 Additional Classrooms-Ridgecrest (CC) Expanding Classrooms in Health Services (PC) Expand Delano Education Center (BC) Additional Classrooms for Satellite Education Centers (D) Improving Classrooms in the Agricultural Instructional Facility (PC) Expanding the Computer/Applied Technology Facility (PC) Expand Media/Art /Performing Arts Classrooms (CC) Acquire land to expand local education center(s) (D) Improve Student Services Facilities (PC) Improve/Upgrade Health/Fitness Center, Physical Education facilities (PC) Renovate Science Learning Center (CC) Renovate/Construct Science and Engineering Facilities (BC) Construct Labs (BC. CC, PC) Expand Child Development Facilities Health and Safety Upgrades $44,520,000 Upgrade Buildings, including replacing outdated safety and utility systems Upgrade deteriorating classrooms, instructional spaces and facilities for: Language Arts, Levinson Hall (BC) Upgrade electrical infrastructure campus wide (BC) Remove Asbestos and hazardous materials (CC) Modernize outdated Applied Science & Technology facilities for health/safety (BC) Modernize Business Education and Fine Arts Buildings for health/safety (BC) Upgrade outdated Classrooms/Labs for health/safety (BC, CC, PC) Acquire updated physical education equipment, improve physical education fields/facilities for health/safety (BC, CC, PC) Construct Water Well (CC) Energy Efficiency Improvements $7,550,000 Install Solar Energy Systems for energy efficiency (CC) Replace outdated Heating and Air Conditioning units for energy efficiency (PC)

6 Site Improvements for Accessibility, Safety & Security $905,000 Install modern Fire Alarm Systems (PC} Repair and resurface unsafe blacktop in parking lot(s) for safety (CC) Install Emergency Telephone Systems for safety/security (PC) Information Technology and Equipment $27,350,000 Install modem computer technology District-wide at college and education centers (D) Replace outdated Instructional Equipment (BC, PC, CC) Modernize College Learning Center (BC) Install Distance Learning technology at colleges and education centers (D) Install modem wiring/technology in college libraries and computer technology centers (D) Upgrade College Telephone Systems (BC, CC, PC) Replace outdated Technology Equipment (BC, CC, PC) TOTAL $180,000,000

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