By QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews
In a perfect world a trades education center would already be up and running on the main campus of Oregon Coast Community College in Newport.
College officials began working on plans for such a center seven years ago. But its board and administrators decided to pivot from 2018-20 to the task of gaining independent accreditation, and then the Covid pandemic upended almost everything for another two years.
A year ago, the college had a bond request ready for voters, then discovered at the last minute that a promised $8.1 million state grant had disappeared. So it pulled that measure off the May 2023 ballot.
Now they’ve got everything lined up and are asking voters in the May 21 primary election to approve a $33.16 million bond to build what they call a “cutting-edge” trade and technical education center. And yes, with passage, the state grant is now assured by the Oregon Legislature — bringing the total money available to $41 million.
“This would be very different from the current facilities we have,” said OCCC president Birgitte Ryslinge during one of four public information sessions she held last month around Lincoln County.
Here some basic information:
- Of the $41 million, Ryslinge said an estimated $20 million would be used to build and equip the 20,000 square foot trades education center;
- The other half of the bond and state grant would pay to replace failing roofs on the Newport campus; install safety measures in all OCCC buildings and update classrooms, technology and other facilities; expand, adapt and modernize existing career technical training facilities and acquire land to support programs including education, allied health, aquatic sciences, and welding, and enhance or acquire equipment to help respond to community-wide emergencies;
- The proposed bond would replace one that voters approved 20 years ago that established the OCCC campuses in Newport, Lincoln City and Waldport. That bond expires in June 2025 when the new one – if approved – would take effect.
- The expected tax rate for the new bond would be 21 cents per $1,000 assessed property value – the same rate as the expiring bond. That translates into $63 a year for the owner of property assessed at $300,000. “The new bond will not charge more than your current tax statement,” said David Price, the college’s vice president of engagement. “There will not be any overlap in bond payments.”
Operational in 2027
The centerpiece of the bond request is a modern trades education center, which would have roll-up doors, high ceilings and moveable labs that could adjust as courses change, Ryslinde said, making it “much more useable space.”
It should be operational 18-24 months after the bond takes effect in June 2025, but college administrators are already exploring what kind of programs it could offer if voters say OK.
“You can’t wait for the building to start your programs,” said Ryslinge, adding the college also needs to approval from the state and community college associations to launch new programs.
Ryslinge said there could be up to 15 programs that could use the building, some more intermittently than others – like fire science or emergency medical technician training — depending on demand.
The college is also conducting research to make sure it does not duplicate union apprenticeships, local training, or offerings available at other schools. It’s also looking at data on existing or emerging fields, Ryslinge said, “and in a small place like Lincoln County you also talk to employers as well.”
The ideas include aquaculture, advanced welding, marine construction trades, water/wastewater certifications and still be flexible enough “to imagine trade programs that don’t even exist now,” said Ryslinge.
Ryslinge said the college is also looking to expand its infrastructure for career technical programs in the Lincoln City area.
A political action committee formed a year ago and headed by former college president Patrick O’Connor is organizing the campaign for the measure, including speaking engagements, advertising and social media.
The college has a permanent tax base of 17.6 cents per $1,000 assessed value that provides yearly operating funds. That costs the owner of property assessed at $300,000 about $53 a year.
Oregon Coast Community College was formed in 1987, but operated under the charters of other Oregon colleges until 2020 when it became an independent institution with the ability to make its own financial and academic decisions.
- Quinton Smith is the editor of YachatsNews.com and can be reached at YachatsNews@gmail.com
It completely blows my mind that Lincoln County thinks everyone has plenty of money. I’m retired living on a fixed income, so where do I get the extra tax money? Pull it out of my magic hat?
John, this measure would not increase your tax rate. It would continue a levy that is set to expire in 2025, keeping your tax rate at its current level.
In return for keeping that levy at its existing rate, we have the opportunity to make a once-in-a-generation investment in trades education here at the coast. I hope you will consider supporting the measure.
Did I read the article incorrectly??? Didn’t it say there would be no increase in current taxes??
I would like to see more info about what programs are being considered and anticipated enrollment. There isn’t much detail provided or evidence of planning. How will employers be engaged? There isn’t a robust track record of community engagement from OCCC. The record of successful CTE programs at OCCC is mixed at best. Nursing having the most completions, but how many medical assisting and early childhood grads have there been recently?
Furthermore, I am concerned about sustainability. The building will require staff of some kind and the bond doesn’t cover operational costs. Why is a bond needed to replace the roof? This should be an expense that is planned for as a regular cost of doing business. I am not sure why the college has a role in disaster prep to the extent that warrants a bond.
I am probably voting yes, but the community must think critically, ask more questions, and demand transparency and accountability from college leadership rather than blindly believing what is printed in OCCC press releases and advertisements.
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Hi, Kim.
We have delivered about dozens of public presentations over the past 15 months about this proposal, and have had a long series of engagements with employers and local unions about this project.
You ask a very good question about the “programs being considered.” The link isn’t in the headline, but on our OCATT web page accessible from our home page, you’ll find a link to our “Programs Under Consideration.” There are currently 14. https://oregoncoast.edu/ocatt-programming-under-consideration/
As you peruse each of these, you’ll find descriptions … and funding sources. One, for example, the Common Technical Maritime Core, secured $899,000 in Congressionally Directed Spending from Sens. Merkley & Wyden, for development. Sen. Merkley called that particular project out specifically during this week’s Oregon Coast Economic Summit. Further, I know you’ve seen our PACT program, as well, which we successfully funded with about $300,000 in “Future Ready Oregon” Round 4 funding, and has Northwest Oregon Works (our regional WIOA Office), which is co-located at OCCC’s North County Center, providing funding for all participants in the pilot program, which begins Sept. 6 (with or without a successful bond passage).
Please note that “Programs Under Consideration” are just that; OCCC can not, nor can any university or college in the Northwest, guarantee any particular program will ultimately be approved by our Accrediting Agency, the NWCCU.
The College began planning this building and meeting with industry partners in 2017, when the first drawings and program proposals were generated. The sustainability of this proposed facility and its programs is based on the same model as our transfer, certificate, and degree programs; tuition and state support (which is allocated per Full-time equivalent student). That’s how our new Welding degree programs, our Teach at the Beach CTE program, and others are funded. Those CTE programs are among the areas that have helped swell current year enrollment 11% over prior year, and 15% this Spring over last Spring.
It’s also fair to wonder “why the college has a role in disaster prep.” I won’t bore you with history, but the fact is we do have a role. We are a critical cog in the South Beach Disaster Preparedness network, and are currently working with OSU and the County on a $300,000 grant to install 6 new 40-foot containers on college property, at no charge to our partners, to enhance that resource. Further, the United States Navy was engaged in a conversation about our proposed new building and associated parking expansion, and specifically expressed interest to work with us to help plan a parking area that could facilitate the landing of heavy helicopters and VTOL aircraft for evacuation of disaster survivors and ferrying in of equipment. Such conversations will no doubt continue, regardless of the outcome of the vote. Meanwhile, another proposed project at the North County Center would be to enhance local disaster preparedness here with the installation of a low-power FM station; this project stems from the community’s experience with the Echo Mtn. Complex fires and the evacuation it forced, and the communications shortcomings that exposed.
Thanks for your interest. We applaud voters’ engagement and encourage everyone to cast their ballots, regardless of their position on our proposed ballot measure.
Dave Price, VP, Engagement, OCCC