For 25 years I have been extremely fortunate to sell homes in Santa Clarita … a lot of homes. I am convinced the main reason why so many people have bought the listings I represent are the schools. They want their children to attend high-performing schools that are well-maintained, equipped with advanced technology, and staffed by dedicated teachers. And that’s exactly what we have in every local school district in our valley.

Because so many people move here for the schools, we see consistent appreciation in property values. People are willing to pay for the privilege of attending Santa Clarita’s award-winning schools. For this reason, I have always supported every school in our valley, both financially and otherwise.

Ironically, the school I never really thought about was College of the Canyons. In the past three years, however, I have been a member of the Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corp., which is headquartered at the college and is tasked with bringing quality companies and jobs to our community. I have truly been blown away by all that our local community college does.

In job training alone, in partnership with many local business, COC is a huge economic engine for our valley. Over the past five years, the college’s Economic Development Division has generated $13.2 million in grants and revenue to offer state-of-the-art training to nearly 19,000 local employees. The Small Business Development Center has counseled more 4,100 entrepreneurs, helping create or retain more than 3,000 jobs and contributing to a $97.4-million increase in sales and the raising of $63.8 million in new capital.

At the same time, more than 20,000 young people use College of the Canyons as a gateway to four-year universities. Every year, friends of the family tell us they are off to UCLA, USC, San Diego State, Cal State Northridge and other schools after spending their first two years at COC.

In short, College of the Canyons is as valuable a school as any in our valley.

June 7 is election day, and Measure E is on the ballot. It is a bond that will allow COC to modernize buildings, add parking and complete the Canyon Country campus. Did you know there is a Canyon Country campus? Right now there are more than 4,000 people waitlisted for COC. Many are likely children of people you and I know.

This measure is very important to keeping one the highest-rated community colleges in California at the top … now and in the future. The cost is $15 for every $100,000 of your home’s assessed – not market – value. The median assessed value in Santa Clarita is just under $400,000, so the average homeowner will pay $60 per year.

I would suggest, even argue, that the cost per year will be more than be made up, both by added jobs in the community, and by increased property values. Excellent schools attract home buyers, and here in Santa Clarita, that excellence extends from kindergarten through the first two years of college.

I hope you will join me in voting “yes” for Measure E on June 7. Schools are the one investment that always pays off.

Neal Weichel began his real estate career in 1991 and has been the top-producing agent in Santa Clarita since 1999.