Minutes - William S. Hart Union High School District
Minutes - William S. Hart Union High School District
Minutes - William S. Hart Union High School District
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
CITIZENS’ OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE<br />
May 19, 2008<br />
MINUTES<br />
(Unapproved)<br />
I - PRELIMINARY<br />
A. Call to Order<br />
The Regular Meeting of the Citizens’ Oversight Committee was called to order by<br />
Chairperson Phil Ellis at the <strong>William</strong> S. <strong>Hart</strong> <strong>Union</strong> <strong>High</strong> <strong>School</strong> <strong>District</strong> Administrative<br />
Center, 21515 Centre Pointe Parkway, Santa Clarita, California, at 7:08 p.m.<br />
B. Establishment of Quorum<br />
Mr. Ellis declared a quorum present.<br />
Committee Members Present:<br />
Ms. Jacqueline Bick<br />
Mr. Julian Bond (arrived 7:10 p.m.)<br />
Mr. Philip Ellis, Jr.<br />
Mr. Michael Hogan<br />
Mr. Jim Irwin<br />
Ms. Carol Malcolm (arrived 7:14 p.m.)<br />
Mr. Joe Messina<br />
Ms. Renee Sabol<br />
Ms. Jo Ann Smith Curtis<br />
Mr. Thomas Troesch (arrived 7:09 p.m.)<br />
Ms. Wendy Zinn<br />
Committee Members Absent:<br />
Mr. Chris Ball<br />
Ms. Linda Johnson<br />
Mr. Wayne Lee<br />
Mr. Brian Springer<br />
<strong>District</strong> Staff Present:<br />
Mr. Rob Gapper<br />
Mr. Mike Otavka<br />
<strong>District</strong> Staff Absent:<br />
Mr. Paul Rivas<br />
C. Approval of Agenda<br />
Ms. Sabol moved to approve the agenda as presented. Mr. Hogan seconded. The motion<br />
carried.
Citizens’ Oversight Committee Page 2<br />
May 19, 2008<br />
D. Approval of <strong>Minutes</strong> of Regular Meeting – April 28, 2008<br />
Mr. Hogan moved to approve the minutes from the April 28, 2008, meeting with the<br />
following correction:<br />
Page 2, Item II B - Add Jo Ann Smith Curtis to Report subcommittee<br />
Ms. Zinn seconded. The motion carried.<br />
A. Old Business<br />
No items were discussed.<br />
B. New Business<br />
• 2005/2006 Audit<br />
II – SPECIAL ITEMS<br />
Mr. Gapper stated that the Finance and Audit Committee has hired a new audit firm.<br />
A recommendation will be taken to the Board this coming Wednesday to authorize<br />
the new firm to audit a 6.6 million dollar transfer of funds which occurred during<br />
2005/2006. The auditors will do the following:<br />
1. Verify the amount of Measure V funds which were transferred into the Capital<br />
Facilities Fund.<br />
2. Verify that the <strong>District</strong> has identified an appropriate amount of Measure V<br />
expenditures, which resulted from the transfer.<br />
3. Perform a sampling of expenditures to make sure they were spent on authorized<br />
bond projects.<br />
The purpose for doing this review is to tie up loose ends from the 2005/2006 audit, as<br />
Moss Adams was not willing to render an opinion as to whether or not the $6.6<br />
million dollar expenditures met the parameters of Proposition 39. The cost of the<br />
audit will be approximately $2,500. Work will commence in May and be completed<br />
in June.<br />
The 2006/2007 performance audit will be presented to the Governing Board<br />
Wednesday evening and then presented to the Oversight Committee at their next<br />
regular meeting.<br />
The 2007/2008 performance audit is expected to be presented to the Governing<br />
Board in December.<br />
Discussion was held regarding performance and financial audits, and the possibility<br />
of segregating Measure V funds from the financial audit.
Citizens’ Oversight Committee Page 3<br />
May 19, 2008<br />
“Exhibit A” (list of school facilities projects to be funded with bond proceeds) will<br />
be provided to new members. Questions can be presented to the attorneys and<br />
auditors at the next meeting.<br />
C. Subcommittee Reports<br />
• Governing Board<br />
No report was given.<br />
• Report<br />
Mr. Ellis reported that a draft report has been prepared based on the 2005/2006 audit.<br />
Subcommittee members are waiting for feedback from Mr. Gapper as to whether or<br />
not a follow-up report will be required.<br />
• Web Site<br />
Pat Willett is no longer involved with the communications link and will not be<br />
attending Committee meetings in the future.<br />
Discussion was held regarding posting of the entire meeting packet materials on the<br />
website (per auditor’s request). The Technology department will be contacted so a<br />
procedure can be worked out by the next meeting. Members preferred that personal<br />
information be withheld and submitted separately.<br />
• Facility Visits<br />
No report was given.<br />
Mr. Hogan announced that he is the new chairperson for the Facility Visits<br />
subcommittee.<br />
Brief discussion was held regarding the membership matrix. Clarification was given regarding<br />
the “senior citizen” designation. Term limits for new members need correction to 2010 (end of<br />
first term) and 2012 (end of second term).<br />
D. Project Updates<br />
• Modernization Projects<br />
Canyon <strong>High</strong> <strong>School</strong><br />
Mr. Gapper stated that this project is essentially complete, and a rededication<br />
ceremony would be held tomorrow at 9:00.
Citizens’ Oversight Committee Page 4<br />
May 19, 2008<br />
<strong>Hart</strong> <strong>High</strong> <strong>School</strong><br />
We have applied for Proposition 1D funds to help subsidize this project for career/<br />
technical (vocational/educational) facilities upgrades. We will be able to put<br />
approximately $600,000 back into the project if the application is approved.<br />
Asbestos abatement and infrastructure work is beginning this summer; major<br />
construction will commence in November. This is a 26-month project.<br />
Placerita Junior <strong>High</strong><br />
Placerita Junior <strong>High</strong> <strong>School</strong> modernization will begin mid July and is a 12-month<br />
project.<br />
We have applied for a grant through the Dept. of Justice which would match<br />
$250,000 in funds for a security camera project for all the schools.<br />
Sierra Vista Junior <strong>High</strong><br />
Sierra Vista Junior <strong>High</strong> <strong>School</strong> modernization is a 12-month project.<br />
Sierra Vista Junior <strong>High</strong>, Placerita Junior <strong>High</strong>, and <strong>Hart</strong> <strong>High</strong> <strong>School</strong>s will receive<br />
new fire/life/safety equipment and ADA accessibility.<br />
We have also applied for a grant through the Department of Justice which would<br />
match $250,000 in funds for a security camera project for all the schools.<br />
• New Construction Projects<br />
Mr. Otavka reported that Golden Valley and West Ranch <strong>High</strong> <strong>School</strong>s were built<br />
with financial hardship funds because two previous bond measures failed. The<br />
auditorium build-outs were not done at the time the schools were constructed, and we<br />
are now working on getting these projects completed. We have DSA approvals and<br />
will be placing the first ad requesting bidders on Friday. We hope to have the<br />
auditoriums completed by the middle of January.<br />
• Castaic <strong>High</strong> <strong>School</strong><br />
An analysis of four sites has been completed as well as assessments of obstacles that<br />
need to be overcome. Mr. Gapper was unable to share any further details due to<br />
confidentiality issues with developers. Meetings have been scheduled with Board<br />
members to present data.<br />
E. General Discussion<br />
Questions were raised regarding the possibility of a new bond measure. Mr. Gapper<br />
stated that TBWB was hired as a consultant to do a bond feasibility study. Results will<br />
be announced at the June 11 Board meeting.
Citizens’ Oversight Committee Page 5<br />
May 19, 2008<br />
F. Communications<br />
Mr. Ellis expressed apologies on behalf of Mr. Lee that he will be unable to attend<br />
Committee meetings through July due to conflicts with his work schedule.<br />
G. Agenda Items for Next Meeting<br />
No items were suggested.<br />
III - PUBLIC COMMENTS<br />
There were none.<br />
IV – ADJOURNMENT<br />
At 8:16 p.m., there being no further business, Mr. Ellis adjourned the meeting.