The California Community Colleges Board of Governors approved the proposed transfer of territory from Redwoods Community College District to the Mendocino-Lake Community College District (MLCCD) at their meeting on Monday, July 18th.  As a result of this action, the coastal communities of Fort Bragg and the town of Mendocino along with the surrounding areas will be incorporated into the Mendocino-Lake Community College District on July 1, 2017.
 
The transfer of territory will allow MLCCD to formally take charge of the programs and facilities in the service area and assure local residents the opportunity to attain a first rate education with exceptional support services close to their home. MLCCD Superintendent/President Arturo Reyes states, “this is an incredibly exciting time for our district and the entire County. Our trustees had the vision and courage to believe in this idea and the strong support of our staff and faculty brought it to fruition. Now, we must partner with the coastal communities to ensure the Mendocino Coast Center becomes a thriving educational hub for the region!”
 
Mendocino College began offering courses at the instructional center on Del Mar Drive in Fort Bragg in the fall of 2014 under an agreement with the Redwood Community College District. Since then many new course offerings have been added and the class schedule continues to grow.  With this transfer, Mendocino College will extend its high-quality and innovative instruction with individual attention to student needs in an inclusive and accessible learning environment to the coast. As stated in its mission statement, Mendocino College truly “embraces its role as an intellectual, economic and cultural anchor” for the entire region. 
 
Such a significant community college district transfer of territory has not taken place in California for over a quarter of a century.  This multifaceted and lengthy process required the complete support, attention, and collaboration of Mendocino College administrators, trustees, staff, and faculty; the Mendocino County Office of Education; the Mendocino County Board of Education; the California Department of Education; the California Community College Chancellor’s Office staff; legal counsel; bond counsel; the Mendocino County Committee on School District Organization; Tom Henry and the College of the Redwoods team; and the Community College Board of Governors. The MLCCD can’t thank these individuals enough for their participation, thoughtfulness, and excitement in this endeavor.