Preserving Affordable Higher Education and Career Training at PCC Without Increasing Tax Rates

Pasadena City College serves the residents of Pasadena, Arcadia, South Pasadena, San Marino, Temple City, Rosemead, La Cañada Flintridge, and portions of San Gabriel and El Monte by providing affordable access to higher education and career training. Founded in 1924, for more than a century Pasadena City College has helped hundreds of thousands of students earn degrees, transfer to four-year universities, and prepare for careers that support the region’s economy.

Pasadena City College is one of California’s premier community colleges, serving nearly 30,000 students annually and ranking among the state’s leaders in university transfer, degree completion, and workforce training. Pasadena City College is ranked #1 in California for associate degrees awarded and associate degrees for transfer, #1 statewide in transfers to University of California and Cal State systems, and awarded more than 7,200 degrees last year, helping local students access affordable pathways to both in-demand careers and bachelor’s degrees.

Each year thousands of local high school graduates and adult learners rely on Pasadena City College for higher education and career training. PCC ensures that all students, including lower and middle-income students who can’t afford the high price of a university, have an opportunity to succeed in college and careers.

Additionally, with the cost of attending the University of California, California State University, and other colleges and universities becoming so expensive, many more students are starting their education at community colleges to complete the first two years affordably.

Pasadena City College serves a vital role in the community, educating the nurses and healthcare professionals that serve our medical needs, firefighters and first-responders that keep us safe, and the skilled workers who fuel our economy.

Many classrooms at Pasadena City College were built between 60 and 90 years ago and do not meet current codes such as building codes, earthquake codes, or provide required access for people with disabilities. Some buildings at Pasadena City College were built so long ago that underground pipes and infrastructure are failing, resulting in plumbing leaks and backups. Aging classrooms, labs, and career training facilities and equipment need updates to meet current educational standards.

Thanks to strong community support for past bond measures, some classrooms and facilities at Pasadena City College have been repaired and upgraded, but others have not. The District has carefully assessed every classroom and facility at Pasadena City College and developed detailed plans for the repair and upgrade of these facilities to continue supporting affordable access to higher education and job training.

The Pasadena City College Board of Trustees voted to place a college facilities improvement measure on the November 2026 ballot to repair and upgrade aging college facilities. The measure simply extends the tax rate previously approved by local voters and will not increase tax rates.

No. The college facilities improvement bond extension measure would not increase tax rates. It would just extend the rate currently paid.

Measure P, a bond measure approved by local voters in 2002, will soon be paid off. The new proposed bond extension measure would simply extend the current $9 per $100,000 of assessed (not market) value Measure P tax rate to support the issuance of additional bonds. This would allow PCC to continue repairing and upgrading college facilities by extending, but not increasing, local tax rates.

The bond extension measure would construct and equip classrooms and career training facilities so students are prepared for in-demand careers in construction, welding, industrial fabrication, carpentry, and skilled trades.

It would also upgrade science labs and classrooms so students are prepared for in-demand careers in fields like nursing, health sciences, firefighting, and emergency medical services.

Yes. The bond extension measure would repair or replace leaky roofs, old rusty plumbing, faulty electrical systems, and dry rotted beams where needed. It would also upgrade older buildings to meet current health codes, building codes, earthquake safety standards, and provide required access for people with disabilities.

Yes. The college facilities improvement bond extension measure would provide the classrooms, facilities, and technology needed to support high-quality instruction in math, science, engineering, technology, English, and other subjects that help local students complete the first two years of college affordably, and transfer to the Cal State or UC systems.

The bond extension measure would add classrooms and facilities at satellite campuses so students throughout the San Gabriel Valley have equal access to the facilities, technology, and education they need to succeed.

The local college facilities improvement bond extension measure includes strict accountability and local control requirements, including an independent oversight committee, mandatory annual audits, and public disclosure of all spending.

No. By law, all funds from the measure may only be used to improve Pasadena City College facilities, and no funds can be taken away by the county, state, or federal governments.

No funds from the measure may be diverted to other uses or used for administrator salaries or benefits.