External Member Present:
Mr. Timothy Buresh
Proposition BB Blue Ribbon Citizens Oversight Committee Members Present:
Mr. Robert Garcia, Chairman
Mr. Ian Clark
Mr. Scott Folsom
Mr. Cliff Mansfield
Mr. Anastacio Medina
Ms. Lupita Sanchez
Ms. Barbara Sandoval
Mr. Richard Slawson
Staff Present:
Superintendent Roy Romer
#Mr. James A. McConnell, Jr., Chief Facilities Executive
Ms. Kathi Littmann, Deputy Chief Executive, School Building Planning
Mr. Jim Delker, Acting Deputy Chief Executive of Existing Facilities
Mr. Fabian Nunez, Director, Office of Legislation/Implementation
Mr. Tony Arellano, Administrative Specialist, Division of Adult and Career Education
Mr. Secundino Garcia, Program Analyst, Independent Analysis Unit
REMARKS
Mr. McConnell made the following announcements:
€ The State Board of Education approved the District's waiver request to add 24 new Classified
Senior Management positions. These positions will build the core management capacity for the
construction program while saving money through the reduction of consultant fees.
€ A ribbon cutting ceremony at Woodland Elementary School was held on June 14, 2002, for a
new lunch shelter and 12-classroom addition. Ribbon cutting ceremonies for Van Nuys
Elementary School No. 1 (to be known as Columbus Avenue Elementary School) and Belmont/
Hollywood Primary Center No. 3 are planned for August 8, 2002, and August 15, 2002,
respectively.
€ The LAUSD New Schools Traveling Design Exhibit will be traveling around the Los Angeles area through September 4, 2002.
€ Today's meeting will include important discussion regarding the Proposed November 2002 Local Bond Resolution.
APPROVAL OF THE MAY 21, 2002, FACILITIES COMMITTEE MINUTES
The May 21, 2002, minutes were approved as presented.
PROPOSED NOVEMBER 2002 LOCAL BOND RESOLUTION
Superintendent Romer's presentation focused on four points: what is the need, what are the District's accomplishments, how will the bond funds be allocated, and what constitutes appropriate oversight.
The Need
77,000 seats are currently being built and 35,000 seats are proposed to be built under Phase II of the proposed bond. After the completion of Phase II, between 89,000 and 94,000 seats are needed to return all schools to a single track, two-semester calendar.
The District's Accomplishments and How the Bond Funds will be Allocated
Superintendent Romer explained the three objectives of the bond:
1st objective ‹ To complete the construction of 77,000 seats,
2nd objective ‹ To complete grandfathered projects and build 35,000 seats,
3rd objective ‹ To continue the repair of existing facilities.
The realization of these objectives would fulfill the goals of giving all children an opportunity to go to their neighborhood schools while giving them an opportunity to have a full school year of 180 days.
Superintendent Romer described the proposed utilization of funds targeted for this bond which includes repair and modernization, technology projects, library projects, charter schools, early childhood program, and joint use developments.
Oversight
Mr. Garcia recommended the Oversight Committee endorse the November 2002 local school bond and that they approve the Oversight Charter.
Mr. Garcia stated that the most critical information for effective oversight of the school construction
and modernization programs includes: strategic execution plans for school construction and
modernization, monthly progress reports, early warning memos, annual audits, and independent
oversight reports and evaluations by an oversight consultant in consultation with independent
counsel. All of these critical pieces are listed and defined in the LAUSD School Construction and
Modernization Bonds Citizens' Oversight Committee Charter and Memorandum of
Understanding.
Speakers
Mr. Michael Saulenas, a member of the community, spoke on asbestos issues.
Mr. George Buzzetti, a member of the community, spoke on bond accountability issues.
Ms. Ruth Sarnoff, a member of the community, spoke on Belmont Learning Center issues.
Mr. George Krischer, representing Friends of the Children, spoke about the necessity of a contract audit unit and front-end and back-end audits. He also spoke about exorbitant consultant salaries, 333 S. Beaudry Avenue, lobby registration, and the need to clearly define Phase II of the bond resolution.
Ms. Eleanor Vargas Page, Principal of Ninth Street School, and Daniel Sanchez, a parent, requested that Ninth Street School be identified as a new school project for the new November bond measure.
Staff answered the Committee's questions regarding the Early Childhood Program, the inclusion of Special Education design modifications for new schools, community involvement, Master Plan criteria, and specific bond language.
Ms. Canter voiced support for bond funds being appropriated for the purchase of library books at new schools, and encouraged an additional appropriation be made for the replacement of out-of date books at existing libraries.
Mr. Tokofsky said that it was necessary to include the tax implications of the bond in the presentation. Mr. Kevin Reed, outside counsel to the District, stated that the financial advisor to the District was working on the statement of tax consequences that will be part of the resolution being presented to the Board for action on July 9, 2002
Mr. Slawson requested that Exhibit A, the List of Improvements/Full Text of Ballot Measure, include the estimates of the cost for each new construction project and the amounts needed for the repair and upgrade projects.
Ms. Hayes, referring to the Oversight Committee charter, asked what the process of resolving differences between the Oversight Committee and the District would be. Mr. Garcia clarified that under state law, the oversight committee does not have the authority to withhold funds, approve funds, or veto funds even if the committee concluded that it did not have enough information to engage in effective oversight or otherwise. He said that the oversight function would work only through institutionalizing the reforms taking place in the District.
Mr. Lansing asked about the establishment of a contract audit unit and of an annual performance audit being executed. Mr. Garcia stated that there have been discussions on this topic and that there has been support for such audits as long as such audits would not interfere with the execution of projects and is not cost prohibitive.
Mr. Lansing requested a discussion on audits and performance oversight at a future meeting. Mr. Garcia said that a subcommittee of the BBOC was formed about two months ago and has discussed what sort of audits need to be performed and who should perform them. A report is expected from Mr. Rubin on the subject.
The report was approved to go forward to the Board with action anticipated on July 9, 2002.
LAUSD SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION AND MODERNIZATION BONDS CITIZENS' OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE [DRAFT] CHARTER AND MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
Dr. Rasmussen's presentation covered the following points: why a charter is needed, the mission of the Oversight Committee, the shared vision of the District and Oversight Committee, and the District's commitments to the Oversight Committee.
Created through a collaborative effort between the BBOC, the Board President, and the Superintendent, these documents will more closely define how the Committee will work and how the District will support the Committee.
Dr. Rasmussen answered the Committee's questions regarding term limits, audits, and Committee appointees.
The report was approved to go forward to the Board with action anticipated on July 9, 2002.
The BBOC passed Resolution 2002-03: A Resolution of the Independent Citizens' Oversight Committee Regarding: The Proposed November 2002 Local School Bond Measure. (Copy attached)
ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION AND AUTHORIZATION TO APPLY FOR AND UTILIZE CALIFORNIA ENERGY COMMISSION ENERGY EFFICIENT FINANCING AND TO SUBMIT APPLICATIONS AND ACCEPT GRANTS OF PUBLIC BENEFIT FUNDS FROM THE CALIFORNIA PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
Mr. Ken Davis, Principal Energy Analyst, summarized the report for the Committee.
The report was approved to go forward to the Board with action anticipated on June 25, 2002.
APPROVAL OF PROJECT AND APPROVAL OF MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION HOOVER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PLAYGROUND EXPANSION (FRANCIS AVENUE, HOOVER STREET, AND JAMES M. WOOD BOULEVARD)
Mr. Tom Blackman, Office of Environmental Health and Safety, gave a project summary.
The report was approved without discussion by the Committee to go forward to the Board with action anticipated on June 25, 2002.
AUTHORIZATION TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT FOR THE RENEWAL OF LEASE FOR ADULT EDUCATION CLASSROOM USE AT 3407 WEST SIXTH STREET, LOS ANGELES
Mr. Tony Arellano, Adult Education Administrative Specialist for School Facilities Unit, and Mr. Dale McIntyre, Principal of Los Angeles Tech Center, Mid-Wilshire Adult Learning Center, summarized the report for the Committee.
The report was approved without discussion by the Committee to go forward to the Board with action
anticipated on June 25, 2002.
RECEIPT OF WRITTEN REPORTS
The following reports were received without discussion:
€ New Facilities Monthly Program Status Report
€ Legislative Update on Facilities Issues
€ Asbestos Technical Unit Monthly Report on AHERA Compliance
€ E-Rate Status Report
Mr. Lansing announced that the July 16, 2002, Facilities Committee meeting was cancelled.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Ms. Tracy Carness and Mr. Carl Mueller, parents from Community Magnet School, spoke in favor of the relocation of Community Magnet School to the Bellagio Road School site.
Ms. Monette Morgan, second grade teacher at Community Magnet, and Ms. Pam Marton, Principal of Community Magnet School, spoke in favor of the relocation of Community Magnet School to the Bellagio Road School site.
BB Oversight Committee Members
Robert Garcia, Chairman
Michael Lehrer, Vice Chairman
Scott Folsom
John Hakel
Cliff Mansfield
Tyler McCauley
Anastacio Medina
Constance Rice
Lupita Sanchez
Barbara Sandoval
Richard Slawson
3. Proposed November 2002 Local Bond Resolution 60 minutes Fabian Nunez
Jim Delker
Megan Klee
Kathi Littmann
4. LAUSD School Construction and Modernization Bonds 10 minutes Robert Garcia
Citizens' Oversight Committee [Draft] Charter and
Memorandum of Understanding
(Materials Will Be Sent by Separate Cover from
Caprice Young's Office)
Joint Meeting of Augmented Facilities Committee and BBOC
Tuesday, June 18, 2002
Page 2
5. Adoption of a Resolution and Authorization to Apply for 5 minutes Ken Davis
and Utilize California Energy Commission Energy
Efficient Financing and to Submit Applications and
Accept Grants of Public Benefit Funds from the
California Public Utilities Commission
6. Approval of Project and Approval of Mitigated Negative 5 minutes Kathi Littmann
Declaration Hoover Elementary School Playground Dave Jensen
Expansion (Francis Avenue, Hoover Street, and
James M. Wood Boulevard)
7. Authorization to Enter into an Agreement for the Renewal 5 minutes Tony Arellano
of Lease for Adult Education Classroom Use at
3407 West Sixth Street, Los Angeles
8. Receipt of Written Reports