Members

Phillip Cameron	Perry Herst	Samantha Shearer
Lynda Clerke	Cindy McBurnett	George Shortley
Lisa Gillespie	Becky Mezzino
Doug Harwood	Todd Parnell

Prop K COC By-laws

 

INDEPENDENT CITIZENS’ OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE BYLAWS

 

Section 1: COMMITTEE ESTABLISHED

The Board of Education (the “Board”) of the Ranch Santa Fe School District (the “District”) hereby establishes the Independent Citizens’ Oversight Committee (the “Committee”) which shall have the purposes and duties set forth in these Bylaws.

Section2: PURPOSE

The purpose of the Committee is to inform the public, at least annually, concerning the expenditure of bond proceeds approved by the voters March 2, 2004, (the “Bond Proceeds”) by issuing a written report.

Section3: DUTIES

To carry out its stated purpose, the Committee shall perform the following duties:

3.1 Review Expenditures.

The Committee shall review quarterly expenditure reports produced by the District to (a) ensure the Bond Proceeds are expended only for the purposes set forth in the ballot measure; and (b) ensure that no Bond Proceeds are used for any teacher or administrative salaries or other operating expenses.

3.2 Annual Report. The Committee shall present to the Board an annual written report (the “Annual Report”) which shall include the following:

(a) A statement indicating whether the District is in compliance with the requirements of Article XIIIA, Section 1
(b) (3) of the California Constitution; and (b) A summary of the Committee’s proceedings and activities for the preceding year.

Section 4: AUTHORIZED ACTIVITIES

4.1 In order to perform the duties set forth in Section 3.0, the Committee may engage in the following authorized activities:

(a) Receive and review copies of the District’s annual independent performance audit and annual independent financial audit required by Article XIIIA of the California Constitution.
(b) Inspect site facility and grounds for which Bond Proceeds have been or will be expended, in accordance with any access procedure established by the Superintendent or designee.
(c) Review the District’s efforts to maximize Bond Proceeds in ways designed to: (1) reduce costs of professional fees (2) incorporate efficiencies in school site design; (3) encourage joint use of core facilities; or (4) involve cost-effective and efficient reusable facility plans.
(d) Receive and review copies of any deferred maintenance plans or proposals developed by the District. 4.2 Any Committee requests for copies or inspection of District records shall be made in writing to the superintendent or designee.

Section 5: MEMBERSHIP

5.1 Number. The Committee shall consist of eleven members, as follows:

(a) After interviewing potential members, the Board shall appoint members of the Committee.
(b) The Committee shall include at least:

(1) one member who is active in a business organization representing the business community located within the District;
(2) one member active in a senior citizens’ organization;
3) one member who is the parent or guardian of a child enrolled in the District;
(4) one member who is both a parent or guardian of a child enrolled in the District and active in a parent-teacher organization; and
(5) one member who is active in a bona fide taxpayer’s organization

5.2 Qualification Standards.

(a) To be a qualified member of the Committee, a person must:

(1) be at least 18 years of age and a citizen of the state in accordance with Government Code section 1020;
(2) not be an employee or official of the District; and
(3) not be a vendor, contractor, or consultant of the District.

(b) If a member fails to meet the qualification standards set forth above at any time during the term of service, such member shall be disqualified and the position shall be declared vacant. The Board shall appoint a new person to serve the remainder of the term, in accordance with the appointment process set forth in Section 5.3 below.

5.3 Appointment. The Board shall appoint members to the Committee. Prior to appointment, the District Superintendent shall conduct a nomination process to ensure that each person nominated meets the qualification standards set forth in Section 5.2. The Superintendent shall establish a process that provides reasonable notice to Board members and specified nominating organizations. When an appointment is necessary to fill a vacancy, the Superintendent shall ensure that a nomination is received from a like organization or category as the Committee member whose position is vacant.

5.4 Ethics; Conflict of Interest. By accepting appointment to the Committee, each member agrees to comply with Article 4 (commencing with Section 1090) and 4.7 (commencing with Section 1125) of division 4 of Title 1 of the Government Code and the Political Reform Act (Gov. Code 81000, et seq.), and to complete the Form 700 as required by certain designated employees of the District. Additionally, each member shall comply with the Committee Ethics Policy attached as Attachment A to these Bylaws.

5.5 Term. Each member of the Committee shall serve for a term of two years and for no more than two consecutive terms.

5.6 Removal; Vacancy. The Board may remove any Committee member for cause, including failure to attend three consecutive committee meetings. Upon the removal of a member, his or her seat shall be declared vacant. The Board shall fill any vacancies on the Committee in accordance with the appointment process set forth in Section 5.3.

5.7 Compensation. The committee members shall not be compensated for their services.

Section 6: MEETINGS OF THE COMMITTEE

6.1 Regular Meetings. The Committee shall establish a schedule for the date and time of regular meetings to be held at least quarterly to include an annual organizational meeting to be held in June.

6.2 Location. All meetings shall be held at the R. Roger Rowe School located at 5927 La Granada, Rancho Santa Fe.

6.3 Procedures. All meetings shall be open and public in accordance with the Ralph M. Brown Act, Government Code Sections 54950, et seq. (the “Brown Act”). Meetings shall be conducted according to such procedural rules as the Committee may adopt. A majority of the number of Committee members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of any business except adjournment.

Section 7: DISTRICT SUPPORT

7.1 The District shall provide to the Committee necessary technical and administrative assistance as follows:

(a) preparation of and posting of public notices as required by the Brown Act ensuring that all notices to the public are provided in the same manner as notices regarding meetings of the Board;
(b) provision of a meeting room, including any necessary audio/visual equipment;
(c) preparation and copies of any documentary meeting materials, such as agendas and reports; and
(d) retention of all Committee records and provide public access to such records, including the posting of committee records on the Internet website maintained by the District.

7.2 District staff shall maintain all Committee records and provide public access to such records.

7.3 The District shall not use any Bond Proceeds to provide the support set forth in this Section 7.0.

Section 8: OFFICERS

The Committee shall elect a Chair and a Vice-Chair who shall act as Chair only when the Chair is absent; such positions shall continue for two-year terms. No person shall serve as Chair for more than two consecutive terms.

Section 9: AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS

Any amendment to these Bylaws shall approved by the Board prior to becoming effective.

Section 10: TERMINATION

The Committee shall automatically terminate and disband at the earlier of the date when (a) all Bond Proceeds are spent, or (b) all projects funded by Bond Proceeds are completed.

Section 11. APPLICABILITY OF THE CALIFORNIA

LAW The Committee was established by the District in order to comply with Sections 15278 et seq. Of the California Education Code (the “Code”). Nothing in these Bylaws shall be interpreted in a manner that is inconsistent with the provisions of the Code.