CITIZENS' OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE

Establishment of a Citizens' Oversight Committee

After a bond authorized under Proposition 39 is passed, state law requires that the Anaheim Union High School District Board of Trustees appoint a Citizens' Oversight Committee to work with the District. The District has 60 days from the date the Board certifies the election results to establish a Citizens' Oversight Committee.

Anaheim Union High School District is doing something unique. We established the Citizens’ Oversight Committee before the measure was brought before voters. The aim is to show the public that AUHSD is motivated from the start to watch each and every dollar committed to facility upgrades.

We don’t know of any public agency in California that has had the foresight to establish an oversight committee before a bond measure is even put on the ballot.

It provides us with an unprecedented additional layer of accountability and transparency as we ask the community to invest in our facilities.

The Board of Trustees has already appointed three members to the committee. They are:

Patricia Rich of Anaheim, an attorney; AUHSD graduate Alan Walker of Buena Park, a retired firefighter and a businessman; and Larry Larsen of Anaheim, a retired business executive who is active in the Anaheim High School Alumni Association.

The committee, expected to grow to as many as 11 members, has reviewed the Facilities Master Plan to find if what is being promised to the community can be delivered. The group examined the proposed bond project list and confirmed on June 26, 2014, that construction could be completed with the anticipated bond funding. This action was taken prior to the July 17, 2014, Board meeting where the Board of Trustees adopted a resolution to place a bond measure on the November ballot.

Per Education Code Section 15282(a), the committee shall consist of at least seven (7) members to serve two-year terms, without compensation. The committee must include:

  • One member who is active in a business organization representing the business community

  • A member active in a senior citizens’ organization

  • One member from a bonafide taxpayer association

  • One member shall be a parent or guardian of a student enrolled in the District

  • One parent or guardian of a student in the District who is also active in a parent-teacher organization

Committee Responsibilities: In accordance with Education Code Section 15278(b), the Citizens' Oversight Committee shall:

  • Inform the public concerning the District's expenditure of bond proceeds.

  • Review expenditure reports produced by the District to ensure that bond proceeds were expended only for the purposes set forth in the bond.

  • Present to the Board of Trustees in public session an annual written report outlining their activities and conclusions regarding the expenditure of bond proceeds.

Appointment of Committee Members: All appointments are made by the Board of Trustees from applications submitted to the District as follows:

Time Commitment and Term: Initial appointments will be staggered, such that some of the initial appointees will be appointed to serve one full two-year term. The other initial appointments will serve a one-year term, but will be eligible for reappointment by the Board of Trustees for a second two-year term.

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