The Lone Star College System board of trustees called for a $485 million bond election at its Aug. 7 meeting to be placed on the ballot this November.



The money would be used to address a number of issues, including technology upgrades, building renovations and the further development of workforce programs, Chancellor Steve Head said.



"It's about access for students," he said. "We want to be up to date so when students use facilities for educational purposes, they are getting the best we can give them."



LSCS asked voters to approve a $497.7 million bond referendum in May 2013, but the measure failed, only garnering 44.4 percent of the vote. This time around, college officials are going to do a better job of explaining to voters what the bond is and why it is needed, trustee Linda Good said.



Specific projects officials hope to fund with the bond money include three different advanced workforce technology centers—one each for the North Harris and Cy-Fair campuses and one catering to students in the Humble/Atascocita area. The money would also fund expansions in the health care programs at the system's Kingwood and Tomball campuses.



Head also stressed the need for classroom expansion and two new buildings for student services to keep up with enrollment growth. Enrollment has increased by more than 50 percent since 2008 and is now pushing 90,000.



Officials project it to surpass 96,000 by 2018. The bond is not expected to require an increase in property taxes.



Meetings



Lone Star College



5000 Research Forest Drive, The Woodlands832-813-6521 www.lonestar.edu



Sept. 4



Meetings are typically the first Thursday of the month at 5 p.m.