" They figure out an honest approach to accounting and strategic planning.They ask the hard question "what the college really needs to educate it's students".

The become clean with what and how the taxpayer dollars are going to be spent. They relate to the community the real needs. $2 million bathrooms are not a need. $7 million athletic field restoration is not a need.
I do feel that this bond measure will return in another form in the not to distant future. "

" I think they need to hire an outside professional construction manager or management team with lots of experience with large construction projects in private industry. They also need to come back later with just enough money to finish what they already started instead of trying to add all these new items at the same time in the middle of cut backs in the rest of government, and huge state deficits. After this is done, down the road they should reevaluate expansion. "

"
They either need to replace the Administration or replace the NVC Board...or maybe even both. This type of public fund waste is merely a drop in the bucket when you compare it to other agencies...it would be nice if some day some body came along and really united this country based on the simple premise of ‘government by the people’ as opposed to our situation of ‘government instead of the people.’

"

" NVC may want to look at letting go of the Board members and Administration. And look in house to fill those position with the staff that educate the people that attend the college so that thmoney they do have is noy wasted on BS like well Bush has done!! "

" This is a major message to all taxer and spenders. "The taxpayers will not accept waste of their hard earned tax dollars". Napa Valley College still needs to tell us where the $133,800,000 went that we gave them 5 years ago. They need to tell us why they ignored the facilities for 40 years. They need to tell us why the classrooms and bathrooms are still dilapidated after we gave them $133,800,000. They need to come clean about which of their campaign donors are benefitting from their donations. They need to tell us why they blasted us with such an electioneering blitz that angered this community and turned voters away from them. They need to whittle down the 33 vocational programs to a number they can do well within their budget. They need to include the community in their plans. They need to find new management that will reach out to this community and ask the taxpayers what they will fund and what they want their college to look like and what programs it is to offer. "

" ubeu: Three-fifths of the current administrative staff/leaders did come from in-house or were prior employees, all with the exception of the president and one VP. "

" This is classic financial mismanagement. The last time I donated to and org, I received "Thank You" letters, wanting more money for more than a year. There's an old cliche that says, "Here's your budget, so spend it or lose it next time." These people spent out money like it wasn't theirs, and they now want more. Ineptitude and greed do not mix. "

" I'm an optimist and am still holding out for the final tally of the one-quarter of all votes yet to be counted. Don't celebrate too soon, you anti-education folks, the college may still win this measure. "

" Musiklvr: You might allow our dollars to be spent frivolously by legislators and yet you deny our People access to education.

Napa Valley College grows because our population grows. I'm talking about illegals. I'm talking about citizens who matriculate from K-12 and realize they have more potential. They really can achieve their dreams and ambitions.

So, there will be no new classrooms to fill. No Instructors to occupy those classrooms. Um, who won the Super Bowl while you spent time watching television?

Learning is a life long experience. "

" They need to get back to the basics and realize that the tax payer will not tolerate more waste. Education is what will make our nation strong. "Classes in fruit loop basket weaving" is not what the moola is supposed to go into. Provide classes that will enable the student to progress on to higher education, Proceed on to meanfull jobs, Let the adminstrators watch out for our hard earned dollars and they would have my fullest support. "

" JimClark: What? "

" Now, the college administrators, trustees, etc. need to tighten their purse strings, adhere to a reasonable budget, stop asking homeowners to fund grandiose, unnecessary & elaborate building plans. They also should consider raising fees, per unit costs, book prices, etc. in order to raise more $ for future true needs. Ask for grants, donations from alumni, set up a web site for fund gathering, an online store or eBay site selling artifacts, used equipment, etc....be creative. Just stop asking the general homeowning public to fund this 'by choice' enterprise. Those who attend 2 year colleges are, often times, doing it for their own entertainment, social opportunities, etc. For this reason, and because attending college is a CHOICE, those who CHOOSE to do so should expect to foot the bill. "

" Dwayne, I just read your comment and you are exactly right. Years ago, I worked for an educational facility and, at the end of the school year, everyone rushed to spend every last cent they had so that, next year, they would be funded "in kind." In other words, if they spent less, or did not use up all the present years funding, they would be given LESS the following year. So, waste ran rampant; "incentive" gatherings were quickly scheduled which cost lots of $, supplies were purchased which were not necessary, etc. So, end result? All the money had been spent with the (unstated but lightly veiled) suggestion that MORE would be needed next year. That's the truth, folks, and I bet it's still going on. "

" Why is it that nobody addresses the root cause of bond issues? Is it because they don't understand that the cost of interest makes the cost of construction twice as much as the cost of paying as you go? A $100 million bond issue will cost you $200 million. Get real, you guys. This is Economics 101. "

" musikluvr: "They need to whittle down the 33 vocational programs to a number they can do well within their budget."

Which programs would you suggest?

Admit it... You hate the educational program at NVC. You have been spouting hate for it for days now. Let it go all ready! Your dietribe is unwanted, so stop waxing poetic and move on in life. Go listen to music.

I graduated from the Telecomm program. The money that Telecomm program receives from the college is minimal. The program relies on donations. Unfortunately, the donations are a generation old as TV has moved from analog to digital to HD in a very short time. The cameras are old and antiquated. The switcher is 35 years old. Recently, my company donated almost 100k worth of router equipement; hardware and software as our facility went through an upgrade to digital and some HD. And maybe the amount of students that have graduated from that program is not as high as say; the police program or the nurse program, but I bet that the Telecomm grads do better in life over all, as we have had to grovel at the feet of the adminisrtation just to keep the program alive.

I am grateful for the program and all the graduates that have found ways to give back to their program/college/community. SMPTE Chapter 11 has pride.

I just wonder who you would consider unworthy of a future?
"

" Someguy - I have seen companies like yours "donate" antiquated junk equipment to schools before - for "tax deductions". That's where the 35 year old other stuff came from. I don't hate NVC, I want to raise the controversy so people take notice. The community now sees the real mess rather than the college's white wash of everything. The college deserved to get $1133,800,000 for Measure N and the community deserves to see how it was blown. It is obvious that 33 vocational programs are too many. The college has a good nursing program, a winery and viticulture program and a cooking school in St. Helena. Each of them relates to Napa and that is enough! NVC's main function is to provide basic undergrad courses. From what I have seen they don't even do that very well. Now that the community has seen the college's dirt we are hoping for a total change in management to someone who can lead the college back to respectability. "

" when all the other bonds that occupy my inflated tax bill are paid; I'll vote yes for another bond measure. But not until then... "

" Take the money they have left and finish the projects that can be finished. Maybe the bathrooms don't need to be new just renovatedm I don't think they need a new theater. Not all of the projects have anything to do with learning. If I don't have the money in my account I don't spend it. People who have credit cards get into trouble sometimes so pay as you have the money. Where does the money go when they charge the students for health insurance even if you prove you have private insurance? "

" Pat: I mean't illegals. Sorry.

When the classrooms are filled and others have to be turned away? Well, a mind is a terrible thing to waste. "

" musikluvr:

We did not even send the tax deductions forms in... it was all free because I KNOW WHAT THE PROGRAM NEEDS...

Maybe you should have a look at the wonderful Job that Gary Vann did for 30+ years and see the fantastic job that Steve Goeze is doing in continuing Mr. Vann's legacy. Become educated about that. "

" musikluvr

I was there when someguy's gear from his job was delivered. There was no paperwork exchanged. He did it because the program was in need of support and never had a good router to learn from. Now they have one. It is as good as many local TV stations that are still trying to make upgrades for the Feb 09 deadline for NO MORE ANALOG TV.

So, maybe you should come to the classroom and ask about it. One of our illustrious SMPTE Chapter 11 student/board members could give you a tour to show how we make an impact on technology right here in the Bay Area. "

" I can bury you with facts that you don't like from now till next Friday but it is out of context with the Register's question. The question is "what should the College do now that it has lost the bond election"? I repeat my suggestion that they start by telling us the truth about why $133,800,000 was spent and college staff and students still have dilapidated classrooms, filthy bathrooms and leaking roofs. "

" Concerned Citizen

NVC has no control over tuition
Only the state does
You should know this

musikluvr

If by facts you mean misinformation then please continue
"