GILROY
– The group responsible for overseeing the school district’s
bond-related spending did not break any laws, according to a report
issued by the Santa Clara County Grand Jury.
GILROY – The group responsible for overseeing the school district’s bond-related spending did not break any laws, according to a report issued by the Santa Clara County Grand Jury.
Based on a citizen’s complaint, the grand jury investigated the Citizens Bond Oversight Committee, a nine-member group that monitors all projects funded by the district’s school facilities bond.
Passage of the $69-million Measure I initiative in 2002 triggered the establishment of the independent oversight committee. State law requires that the committee follow certain procedures to keep issues transparent and the public informed.
According to the grand jury’s report on the inquiry, released last week, the complaint against Gilroy Unified School District was based on four issues: That proper notice of the meetings was not given; the committee did not establish a Web site; meeting attendance was not listed; and an annual report had not been published.
After attending a committee meeting and interviewing Chairwoman Jane Howard, GUSD Director of Facilities and Maintenance Operations Charlie Van Meter and Assistant Superintendent Steve Brinkman, the grand jury found that the district is complying with state law.
Committee meetings have been posted following the guidelines of the Brown Act, which governs access to public meetings.
Attendance for the committee’s first two meetings was not recorded but has since been corrected and attendance at subsequent meetings is listed.
The grand jury found that, although a Web site could have been established sooner, one was up and running as of January 23. Also, the committee did publish an annual report.
Since the grand jury found no violations, it issued no recommendations or disciplines.
Howard, who is also member of the grand jury, said there was no conflict of interest.
“Anytime this particular case was discussed I was … not present – I left the room – and I didn’t participate in any vote,” she said.
Since early this year, the district has gradually added more information relating to the Citizens Oversight Committee and the Facilities Master Plan to its Web site.
A monthly construction update, minutes from past committee meetings, Measure I information and the group’s quarterly and annual report are all available on the Web.
Minutes from the Surplus Land Committee are posted as well.
For more information, visit www.gusd.k12.ca.us
