On June 7, Santa Clarita Valley voters will have the opportunity to vote for Measure E to improve College of the Canyons.

We have carefully studied Measure E and recommend a “yes” vote.

Time and again, College of the Canyons has demonstrated its wise stewardship of local dollars and continues to provide excellent career training and education to Santa Clarita Valley students.

We have confidence that Measure E funds will be spent prudently and efficiently. Over the years, local voters have overwhelmingly supported College of the Canyons, and our college has fulfilled its promise each and every time.

All past COC bond projects have been completed on time and on budget, allowing the college to continue serving the growing number of local students.

The college has proven itself to be responsible. While other institutions were forced to halt construction during the recession, College of the Canyons was able to deliver on all projects as promised. We can rely on College of the Canyons to do its part.

The college was also able to leverage local dollars to secure state matching funds — funds that would otherwise be diverted to other communities or to other colleges. This allowed the college to build additional classrooms and facilities they otherwise could not — at no additional cost to local taxpayers.

College of the Canyons has grown to become one of our best known and most highly utilized local institutions. Over the years, we have supported the college, and in return, it has trained thousands of nurses, firefighters and sheriff’s deputies who care for us, and thousands more highly skilled workers who nurture and sustain our growing local economy.

Measure E is a continuation of the great work we expect from College of the Canyons. Measure E will update outdated 1970s classrooms, labs and equipment to prepare Santa Clarita Valley students for four-year universities and promising careers.

It will address growing student enrollment by adding classrooms and science labs for career training for local professionals.

Furthermore, Measure E upgrades student centers to add improvements in career and academic counseling for veterans and all students.

Additionally, Measure E includes strict fiscal accountability protections that ensure local control. Every penny from Measure E will be used exclusively for improving classrooms and facilities at College of the Canyons. The state cannot take away any Measure E funds, and no funds can be used for salaries.

Independent citizens’ oversight and annual audits will ensure all funds are spent exactly as promised.

This measure, like past measures, will also qualify COC for millions of dollars in state construction matching funds.

College of the Canyons has taken care of our families, businesses and local economy through career training and excellent academics. Now it is our turn to take care of our local college by voting “yes” on Measure E.

We urge you to vote “yes” on Measure E. It is a wise investment in our local businesses, our growing economy and our children’s futures.

Richard Sandnes, Cameron Smyth, Jill Mellady, Brian Koegle, Don and Cheri Fleming, Richard Patterson and Anna Frutos-Sanchez are the co-chairs of the Measure E campaign.