MENDOCINO Co., 7/8/20 — A seven-member “Citizens’ Oversight Committee” will supervise spending in the repair and modernization of Ukiah Unified School District schools.
The funds were approved as part of Measure A back in the March election, and consist of a $75 million bond measure that will go towards projects such as replacing old utilities, upgrading classrooms, and enhancing security systems. The full text of the measure can be viewed here, and a summary by the UUSD here.
According to the stipulations in the Measure, the Committee will make sure that the funds are spent as voters intended, and that the public stays informed of the expenses.
Here’s a press release from the UUSD with more details:
Press Release
Superintendent’s Office
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – June 29, 2020
Contact: Debra Kubin, Superintendent
(707) 472-5002 | [email protected]
Ukiah Unified Measure A Citizens’ Oversight Committee Formed by Trustees
Ukiah, CA – Ukiah Unified School District (UUSD) is excited to announce the establishment of a Citizens’ Oversight Committee to oversee the expenditure of Measure A funds for the repair and modernization of UUSD schools. An oversight committee is a state requirement when a local bond like Measure A is passed. This committee is responsible for ensuring that bond revenues are used only as voters intended and for informing the public of bond expenditures.
The Citizens’ Oversight Committee will consist of at least seven local volunteer members who serve a term of two years each, with a maximum of three consecutive two-year terms. The committee’s composition must include at least two community-at-large representatives and a representative from the business community, a senior organization, a taxpayer organization, and parents with children in the District. Also, no employee or vendor of the District can be a member of the committee.
“I want to thank the community members who have volunteered to be on this important committee. The Trustees are looking forward to working closely with them,” commented UUSD Board of Trustees President Anne Molgaard. “We are thrilled to be starting on projects to benefit our schools. Without the public voting in support of Measure A, we couldn’t make the repairs needed, especially given our additional expenses during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Committee meetings will happen approximately 2-3 times every year, and all proceedings will be open to the public and subject to the Brown Act. All documents and reports received or published by the Citizens’ Oversight Committee are public records and will be available on the District’s website.
The committee members now include Heath Dolan, Mark Hilliker, Scott Hodges, Carolyn Johnson, David Johnston, Claudia Pedersen, and Cheri Watt. Committee members completed an application for consideration and were appointed by the UUSD Trustees at their regular meeting on June 18, 2020.
UUSD will also appoint a community member who is an active member of a bonafide taxpayer’s organization to join the committee. Anyone interested may obtain an application online at www.uusd.net, or contact Debbie Ornelas, Office of the Superintendent and Board of Trustees, at 707.472.5002 or [email protected]
For more information, please contact Doug Shald, UUSD Communications and Community Engagement Officer, at [email protected] or 707.472.5005.
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