Oversight is key to the success of Measure F plans

Unless the final trickle of ballots takes an unexpected turn, the $282-million school bond Measure F received just enough votes Tuesday to pass. That means that over the next years and even decades, Newport-Mesa Unified School District campuses will get a much-needed boost that will put them at the upper echelon of public schools.

Among the work planned is the reconstruction of Robins-Loats Hall at Newport Harbor High School; the addition of performing arts facilities at the high schools; the construction of an Olympic-sized pool at Costa Mesa High School and a stadium at Estancia High School; and the construction of science classrooms at elementary schools.

Those plans, and others in the works, will dramatically improve the learning environment for our students. Voters were right, and as we have suggested before, generous in approving the bond. It was the only feasible way for our schools to get enough money, and enough control over the money, to get these major projects completed.

Now comes the difficult part, though -- getting the projects completed. (It may come as a surprise to those who worked so diligently on the Measure F campaign, but, yes, the work is only just beginning.) This also is the far more important part.

As those who have read through the Measure F details know, there are fewer set-in-stone details than there were in its predecessor, the $110-million Measure A that voters passed in 2000.

Costs for the projects, for instance, are to “be determined as plans are finalized, construction bids are awarded, and projects are completed.” It is understandable wording, given the length of time all the work will likely take. The cost of a new science classroom in 2009 almost undoubtedly will be higher than it is today.

But the wording also does not cap spending, and as we all know, spending can easily get out of control. The government certainly overspends, but so do we when we redo houses or add a few features to a new car.

The district cannot afford to be profligate with Measure F funds, however. Careful, thorough and public oversight will be paramount to this project sustaining community support.

So far, the district has done well in ensuring the public knows what work is being done through Measure A. But given the size of Measure F, district officials must plan on being three times as diligent in the coming years.

Residents, both those who voted for the bond and those who did not, should also be three times as demanding that the work be done right and efficiently.