College of San Mateo, Cañada College and Skyline College are some of the region’s top community colleges for students pursuing degrees, certificates and transfers. Each year, about 42% of local high school graduates rely on San Mateo County community colleges for higher education and job training.
SMCCCD ensures that low-income students who can’t afford the high price of a university still have an opportunity to succeed. Because the cost of attending the University of California and California State University systems has become so expensive, many more students are starting their education at community colleges.
Our local community colleges — College of San Mateo, Cañada College, and Skyline College — are a vital resource for our community. They train nurses and healthcare professionals who serve our medical needs, firefighters and first responders who keep us safe, and skilled workers who fuel our economy. They are an essential resource for students seeking a vocational education that provides job training, technical knowledge, and specialized skills to compete for good-paying, modern careers.
Many of our local college buildings were built at least 50 years ago, and some have never been updated, meaning they don’t meet modern building or safety standards and need repairs to roofs, plumbing, and electrical systems. Some may contain hazardous materials, including asbestos and lead pipes that need to be replaced. Career training facilities and science labs are outdated and have not kept up with industry standards for in-demand fields like EMT, fire science, health sciences, engineering, chemistry, technology, public safety, and skilled trades. Basic repairs, modernizations, and essential improvements could help ensure facilities remain functional and able to serve the community for the next 50 years.
To repair and upgrade aging college facilities, the San Mateo County Community College District Board of Trustees has approved placing an $848 million facilities improvement bond measure on the November 2026 ballot. This measure is designed to simply extend, rather than increase, the current bond tax rate previously approved by voters, while bonds are outstanding, meaning no projected increase on taxpayers’ bills.
If approved by voters, the measure would:
Repair or replace deteriorating roofs, plumbing, heating, ventilation, gas lines, sewer lines, and electrical systems where needed
Upgrade classrooms, facilities and technology needed to support high-quality instruction in science, technology, engineering, math, and computer science.
Remove any hazardous materials found, like asbestos and lead pipes from older buildings
Modernize career training facilities, science labs, and equipment to keep up with industry standards and prepare students for in-demand careers in fields like health science, engineering, chemistry, technology, public safety, and skilled trades
Upgrade classrooms and facilities to help students affordably complete the first two years of college and transfer to the CSU or UC systems
A clear, transparent system of accountability, including a project list detailing exactly how the money will be used, a Citizens' Oversight Committee, independent audits and public disclosure of how all funds are spent are required
All funds raised by the measure will stay in our community to support our students—no funds can be taken by the State
No funds could be used for administrator salaries or benefits
The State of California offers funds for community college capital improvement projects; however, districts must provide a local funding match to compete for and secure those funds. A local bond measure would position SMCCCD to leverage and maximize eligibility for future State funding opportunities, including an estimated $250 million or more in potential State support. Without a local funding source, the District’s ability to compete for State funding will be significantly limited, and those funds may instead be awarded to other districts across California.
Cañada College
College of San Mateo
Skyline College
