Public fills district office but vote still passes

The San José-Evergreen Community College District voted on April 21 to develop 27 acres of surplus land for an annual income of $1.5 million that will go to the district general fund, against the wishes of the general public.

More than 30 members of the Evergreen community expressed strong opposition to the development during the public comments portion of the meeting.

In addition to the public dissent, the Evergreen Community College and San Jose City College Academic Senates drafted a resolution against the development and many faculty expressed their opinions against the proposal.

After more than three hours of sometimes angry and vulgar community expression the vote was taken by the Board and the proposal passed with six yes votes and one no vote.

The development project divides itself up into two issues.

The community express opposition based on the concern about the future growth of the college which might require all or a portion of this surplus land to be used to build new building an facilities for Evergreen.

The Academic Senates provided a presentation depicting how future college programs might require additional land. The AS also presented an alternate use of the land as possible sports fields or separate development of the land as a for profit aquatic center.

The Board said its main concern and objective is to create an ongoing source of income to give the district revenue stability during the down years of our economy. Its hope is this revenue would minimize any deep cuts to faculty or staff, which was the experience in the 2008 recession.

Evergreen Community College District (“District”) voted to develop 27 acres of surplus land for an annual income of $1.5 Million deposited into the district general fund at a standing room only board meeting on April 21.

Over 30 members of the community expressed strong opposition to the development during the public comments portion of the meeting.

In addition to the public dissent, the Evergreen Community College and San Jose City College Academic Senates drafted a resolution against the development and many faculty expressed their opinions against the proposal.

After more than three hours of sometimes angry and vulgar community expression the vote was taken by the Board and the proposal passed with six yes votes and one vote for no.

The development project divides itself up into two issues.

The community express opposition based on the concern about the future growth of the college which might require all or a portion of this surplus land to be used to build new building an facilities for Evergreen.

The Academic Senates provided a presentation depicting how future college programs might require additional land. The AS also presented an alternate use of the land as possible sports fields or separate development of the land as a for profit aquatic center.

The Board’s main concern and objective is to create an ongoing source of income to give the district revenue stability during the down years of our economy. Their hope is this revenue would minimize any deep cuts to faculty or staff which was the district’s experience in the 2008 recession.