Facility improvement construction projects, representing millions of dollars, are spread all over campus and more are planned.

The projects are paid for by our community citizens through bonds they voted to support.

Joining the group that makes sure you get the most benefit from that money by ensuring it is used properly, are Lola Rizkallah and Justin McIntyre; two new members of the Cerritos College Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee.

Rizkallah and McIntyre were appointed to the committee by the Cerritos College Board of Trustees in December.

Each committee member serves a two year term.

Both new appointees bring a economics and finance background to their new positions.

New student member McIntyre, is the ASCC Student Government President Pro Tempore and President of the Cerritos College Economics Club.

Rizkallah is the former director of fiscal services on campus.

She directed budget operations, accounting, and payroll.

She recently retired after serving the students, staff and employees here for more than 20 years.

She supported the bond measure that provides the renovation funds and helped get it on the ballot.

The voters in the Cerritos Community College District approved Measure CC in 2004.

It is a $210 million General Obligation Bond for the renovation and improvement of Cerritos College.

An important part of that measure was the establishment of the oversight committee.

The committee serves as watchdog over the bonds’ funds so they are used properly.

They ensure that the money is only spent for projects in the bond measures’ project lists and nothing else.

“Many of the buildings on campus are 50 years old or more.

We needed the funds so we can serve the next 50 years and five generations of students,” said Cerritos College Board of Trustees President Bob Arthur.

The oversight committee was formed to ensure the public trust.

We want the community to feel confident that we are using the bond measure money they trusted us with for exactly what we said we would use it for.”

These projects create not only better facilities on campus but also jobs for dozens of businesses and hundreds of workers in the community.

The seven member committee is made up of district residents including local business and civic leaders, retirees, tax payers association members, and students.