Contra Costa Voters to Decide on $450M Community College Bond
A new bond measure aimed at upgrading Contra Costa Community College District facilities — including Diablo Valley College in Pleasant Hill, which serves thousands of Walnut Creek students — will appear on the November 2026 ballot.
The East Bay Times editorial board has endorsed the measure, calling it “well thought out” and noting that the district’s facilities — many dating to the 1960s and 1970s — are in critical need of modernization.
What the Bond Would Fund
The $450 million measure would be distributed across the district’s three colleges: Diablo Valley College (Pleasant Hill and San Ramon campuses), Los Medanos College (Pittsburg), and Contra Costa College (San Pablo). Priorities include:
- STEM lab modernization: DVC’s science buildings were built in 1968 and haven’t seen major renovations since the 1990s
- Workforce training centers: New facilities for nursing, cybersecurity, and advanced manufacturing programs
- Safety upgrades: Seismic retrofitting, fire alarm modernization, and accessibility improvements
- Technology infrastructure: Campus-wide WiFi, smart classrooms, and IT backbone upgrades
Enrollment: ~22,000 students (Pleasant Hill + San Ramon)
Transfer Rate: Among top 5 California community colleges for UC/CSU transfers
Walnut Creek Connection: Primary community college for Acalanes UHSD and MDUSD graduates
Why It Matters for Walnut Creek
DVC is the primary community college pathway for Walnut Creek high school graduates. Las Lomas, Northgate, and Acalanes High School students make up a significant portion of DVC’s incoming class each fall. The college also serves thousands of adult learners and career-changers in the Walnut Creek area through its continuing education and workforce development programs.
A modernized DVC means Walnut Creek residents have access to better-equipped labs, more relevant job training programs, and facilities that match the quality of the education being delivered inside them.
What’s Next
The measure will be formally numbered and named in the coming weeks as it moves through the county ballot designation process. Look for informational sessions hosted by the Contra Costa Community College District this summer, as well as campaign activity from both supporters and opponents.
For more information on the bond proposal and the district’s facilities master plan, visit 4cd.edu.
