The following accountability measures are above and beyond the requirements of current State law:
Performance Audit
An
annual, independent performance audit will be conducted to ensure that
the funds have been expended only on the project list set forth above,
as promised to the voters. The Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee will
make the audit available to the public.
Financial Audit
An
annual, independent financial audit of the proceeds from the sale of
the Bonds will be conducted until all of those proceeds have been
expended for the school facilities projects listed above, as promised to
the voters. The audit will be made available to the public by the
Citizens' Bond Oversight Committee.
Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee
The
Governing Board of the District will appoint an independent Citizens’
Bond Oversight Committee within 60 days of the date that the Governing
Board enters the elections results in its minutes. The purpose of the
Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee shall be to receive and review copies
of annual, public performance and financial audits, and to inform the
public concerning the expenditure of bond revenues. The Citizens’ Bond
Oversight Committee shall actively review and report on the proper
expenditure of taxpayers’ money for school construction. The Citizens’
Bond Oversight Committee shall advise the public as to whether the
District is in compliance with the requirements of paragraph (2) of
Section 1 of Article XIIIA of the California Constitution. The Citizens’
Bond Oversight Committee shall convene to provide oversight for, but
not limited to, both of the following:
- Ensuring
that bond revenues are expended only for the purposes described above,
as promised to the voters (see paragraph (2) of Section 1 of Article
XIIIA of the California Constitution).
- Ensuring that no bond revenues are used for any teacher or administrative salaries or other school operating expenses.
In furtherance of its purpose, the Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee may engage in any of the following activities:
- Receiving and reviewing copies of the annual, independent performance audit;
- Receiving and reviewing copies of the annual, independent financial audit;
- Inspecting
school facilities and grounds to ensure that bond revenues are expended
as promised to the voters (see paragraph (2) of subdivision (b) of
Section 1 of Article XIIIA of the California Constitution).
- Receiving and reviewing copies of any deferred maintenance proposals or plans developed by the District.
- Reviewing
efforts by the District to maximize bond revenues by implementing
cost-saving measures, including, but not limited to, all of the
following:
- Mechanisms designed to reduce the costs of (a) professional fees and (b) site preparation;
- Recommendations
regarding (a) the joint use of core facilities and (b) the use of
cost-effective and efficient reusable facility plans; and
- Mechanisms designed to reduce costs by incorporating efficiencies in school site design.
The
Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee shall review and comment on bond
measure expenditure plans, bond measure-related staffing and
consultants, and General Fund major maintenance plans prior to any
action by the Governing Board on bond-related issues. The Citizens’ Bond
Oversight Committee shall also oversee the implementation of the major
maintenance plan described below.The District shall, without expending
bond funds, provide the Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee with any
necessary technical assistance and shall provide administrative
assistance in furtherance of its purpose and sufficient resources to
publicize the conclusions of the Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee.
All
Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee proceedings shall be open to the
public and notice to the public shall be provided in the same manner as
the proceedings of the Governing Board of the District.
The
Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee shall issue regular reports on the
results of its activities. A report shall be issued at least once a
year. Minutes of the proceedings of the Citizens’ Bond Oversight
Committee and all documents received and reports issued by the Citizens’
Bond Oversight Committee shall be a matter of public record and be made
available on the District’s internet web site.
The
Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee shall consist of at least seven (7)
members to serve for a term of two (2) years without compensation and
for no more than two (2) consecutive terms. It is the intention of the
Governing Board of the District that such committee shall include among
its members construction, finance or other qualified professionals who
shall constitute majority of the membership of such committee. The
Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee shall, however, include the following
members:
- One member shall be active in a business organization representing the business community located within the District;
- One member shall be active in a senior citizen’s organization;
- One member shall be active in a bona fide taxpayers’ organization;
- One member shall be a parent or guardian of a child enrolled in the District;
- One
member shall be both a parent or guardian of a child enrolled in the
District and active in a parent-teacher organization, such as the Parent
Teacher Association or a school site council.
No
employee or official of the District shall be appointed to the
Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee. No vendor, contractor, or consultant
of the District shall be appointed to the Citizens’ Bond Oversight
Committee.