Advisors to investigate school proposals

Jessica Garrison

NEWPORT-MESA--The school district’s Facilities Advisory Committee is not

just a rubber stamp for the school board, Supt. Robert Barbot told

committee members Thursday.

In June, district officials estimated that it would cost at least $127

million to repair and modernize schools, money the district does not

have.

The committee has until Sept. 28 to tell the school board what should be

done. Options include selling property, applying for state funds and

asking voters to approve a school bond.

In the last three weeks, committee members have heard testimony from

district officials and consultants who have spent the last year studying

the schools.

But at the third meeting, held Thursday evening, committee member Joe

Erickson said he wanted to make sure the committee performed its own

investigation, rather than accepting the reports and rubber stamping the

work that has already been done.

Barbot promised that committee members could perform their own

investigations, which they plan to do in coming weeks.

Board member Wendy Leece said she approved of committee members going

back out to schools to see things for themselves. “Everyone has to decide

for themselves,” she said.

Committee members also heard testimony from Dawn Vincent of Stone &

Youngberg LLC, an investment bank that helps local governments finance

bonds.

She gave the board a detailed presentation of financing options,

including bonds, parcel taxes, and creating Mello-Roos investment

districts.

“It hasn’t quite sunk in yet,” committee chairman Manfredo Lespier said.

“You’re talking about numbers. It’s just a lot of information.”