Centennial School Board endorses Mount Hood Community College $136 million bond

The Centennial School District Board on March 12 voted to endorse Mount Hood Community College’s proposed $136,000,000 bond, which the college placed on the May 2025 ballot to fund facility upgrades, safety improvements and career-technical education spaces. The board also agreed to complete a group endorsement form and to provide K–12 partner endorsements if requested.

The endorsement followed a presentation by Jennifer Dement, vice president of finance and administration at Mount Hood Community College, and board member Shetoya (Shatolia) Bentley. Dement told the Centennial board that the college had not passed a bond in 50 years and that the measure is intended to preserve and modernize existing facilities rather than build new campuses. “A bond is the only way we can raise money ... to preserve our facilities into the future,” Dement said during the presentation.

District and college officials emphasized priorities included updating career-technical education facilities (healthcare, cybersecurity, automotive and childcare programs), improving campus safety and seismic resilience, upgrading accessibility and technology, and enclosing the swimming pool so it can be used year-round. Dement said the bond development process included a five-year facilities plan, a bond development work group and community polling. The college estimates the average homeowner in the district would pay about $5 per month for the bond.

Board members voiced support during the meeting. Multiple directors said Mount Hood serves as a regional hub for workforce and community activities and described the timing as appropriate given enrollment growth and aging buildings. The board’s motion to endorse the bond passed by voice vote; board leadership said their office would complete the endorsement paperwork and deliver it to the college.

The presenters noted a local campaign committee, Friends of Mount Hood Community College, had formed to support the measure and asked K–12 partners for endorsements. The college asked the district to submit a formal endorsement form and indicated it is seeking endorsements from partner school districts and community organizations.

Mount Hood officials also described economic impacts: construction work associated with the projects would bring dollars to the region and the college said it contributes substantially to the local economy through its students and graduates. The college listed recent program outputs, including 236 healthcare graduates last year and 27 cybersecurity specialists from a newly launched bachelor’s program.

The board’s endorsement is an expression of support only; it does not commit district funds to the bond campaign. The college’s bond will proceed to the May ballot subject to voter approval.

Ending: Mount Hood Community College’s bond measure will appear on the May 2025 ballot. Centennial School District staff said the district will return any required endorsement forms to the college and may provide additional materials or public statements at the college’s request.