District seeks bond oversight panelists

Danette Goulet

NEWPORT-MESA -- While the school board was approving the final plan for a

citizens oversight committee Tuesday night, letters seeking candidates

for the group were already in the mail.

The letters, headed to nearly 3,500 homes in Newport Beach and Costa

Mesa, briefly explain Measure A, the proposed $110-million school bond,

and the purpose of the committee that will oversee the spending of the

funds.

If voters pass Measure A on June 6, the district plans to have the

committee ready to go.

The Newport-Mesa Unified School District’s Board of Education established

the purpose, criteria, composition and operations of a two-tiered

oversight system. There will be a districtwide oversight committee, with

29 members, and additional committees of seven to 11 members at each

school.

These groups will be responsible for ensuring that the funds from the

pending school bond are spent according to the district’s facility plan

released in January. The committees will also make sure the money is used

in a timely fashion and appropriate order.

District officials said they are certain it will be no problem to fill

the positions.

“I expect a lot of people will show an interest just based on the

community groups that have talked to us,” said Supt. Robert Barbot.

The fact that the formation of this oversight group was recommended by

the existing facilities committee -- made up of 35 citizens -- served as

further encouragement to Barbot.

“My experience is when you follow the lead of your community, you get a

good response,” Barbot said.

Tucked in with the letter was a response card for interested residents to

return to the district requesting an application packet.

Because many of the committee positions must be filled by members of

designated groups, such as the Orange County Taxpayers Assn., specific

school zones or a senior citizens group, residents will be able to check

off all possible appointment areas that apply to them.

Board member Wendy Leece said the size and diversity of the committee

will be a positive opportunity for the community to have a say in how the

district will manage the bond money.

“I think people are very interested in public education and this is a

time window -- whether they have kids in school or are retired and have

expertise -- to get involved,” she said. “I’m hopeful and I’m optimistic.

I hope that those who have given up on public education may give their

time to improve public education.”