MEASURE G GAINS SUPPORTERS SCHOOL BOND NEEDS 55%-PLUS-ONE VOTE.

Byline: Helen Gao Staff Writer

GLENDALE - Although election signs are hard to spot around town, an aggressive campaign by Glendale Community College supporters is under way to pass Measure G - a $98 million bond to improve facilities at the 75-year-old institution.

``Every night, we have 20 to 25 people phone-banking,'' said Ann Ransford, who runs Measure G's campaign headquarters inside an office building on Maryland Avenue. ``We have been pretty successful.

``We also have a direct-mail campaign. We have already sent out two pieces. There are several more to come.''

As the March 5 election day draws closer, ``Yes on G: Citizens for Glendale Community College'' reports having spent about $100,000 on campaigning. The group plans to make a final push with a last round of phone-banking scheduled for the weekend before the election.

So far the measure has encountered no formal community opposition.

In the ballot book, arguments against Measure G are provided by the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, which opposes the bond measure on the principle that it does not require the traditional two-thirds voter approval.

Under voter-approved Prop. 39, which overturned the two-thirds vote requirement, school bonds can pass with 55 percent plus one vote.

``We believe that making them so much easier to pass means bond measures, regardless of the quality of the proposal, will pass,'' said Kris Vosburgh, executive director of the taxpayers association.

The Glendale College bond is expected to increase property taxes by $23 per $100,000 in assessed valuation, or about $50 to $75 annually for the average homeowner.

The bond would finance more than a dozen campus projects, including the expansion of the Adult Community Training Center and construction of a state-of-the-art science center and a new nursing and aviation building. Other renovations and upgrades call for permanent classrooms to replace trailers and additional parking.

``The campus was built in the 1930s,'' said Ty Veden, co-chairman of the Yes on G campaign. ``As a result, there is a tremendous need for upgrading and refurbishing ... out-of-date facilities.''

For example, college officials noted the antiquated math and science building - constructed in an era when men dominated those fields - lacks women's restrooms.

The Adult Community Training Center, which provides citizenship and English as a second language classes and job training, has more than 3,000 people on the waiting list, according to the college.

``We are looking at purchasing some local buildings and meeting the needs of the community,'' said college trustee Armine Hacopian, who is also co-chairing the campaign.

Nearly 30,000 people attend Glendale Community College and its Adult Community Training Center. During the last 75 years, the college has provided education to about 500,000 people.

While some have argued the college should increase its tuition fees to pay for facility upgrades, school officials said they are prohibited from doing so by the state. Tuition at the college is restricted to $11 per unit.

If the bond passes, school officials said they could advance to the head of a list to receive matching funds from the state for construction.