Enrollment has risen 5 percent – there are 3,300 more students – at the state’s seven community colleges this year. It has jumped 44 percent over the last three years.

Like the University of Maine System, the Community College System has a bond issue on the November ballot. If it passes, the system would get $5 million to add staff and update and expand facilities in order to deal with the sudden growth. In all, more than 12,500 students are enrolled in community colleges this fall.