Delta College $62.5 million over bond budget

Future of Lodi campus remains uncertain; 2 trustees optimistic

By Amanda Dyer
News-Sentinel Staff Writer

Updated: Friday, June 27, 2008 6:02 AM PDT

San Joaquin Delta College's Measure L bond projects are $62.5 million over budget, but at least two trustees say they're still committed to a Lodi campus.

"I want to see one (in Lodi)," said Trustee Dan Parises.

"So do I," said Maria Elena Serna, also a board member.

Both Parises and Serna represent the Lodi area.

However, how the board is going to build a satellite campus at the Victor Road site east of Lodi and juggle its other planned projects, most of which are over budget, remains undecided.

And Trustee Ted Simas said the idea of building the Lodi site in partnership with private developers could lead to more trouble.

The college's new bond team, a mixture of consultants and Delta College employees updated the board on the cost, scope and completion date of all of its purposed projects Thursday afternoon.

College officials called the meeting a new effort at transparency.

The team delivered the grim news to the board in an all-day, on-campus meeting, where they barred any discussion of past mistakes and looked to the future.
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San Joaquin Delta College President Dr. Raul Rodriguez looks on as Delta's financial situation is reviewed during a meeting Thursday. (Dan Evans/News-Sentinel)