FAQ: Should Bond Oversight Committees only be involved in the review of expenditures after they are made?
The short answer is “yes.”
Every approved Proposition 39 school bond measure (California Constitution November 2020 amendments to paragraph (3) of subdivision (b) of Article XIIIA and subdivision (b) of Section 18 of Article XVI) requires the governing board to establish and appoint members to an independent Citizens’ oversight committee pursuant to Education Code Section 15282 within 60 days of the date that the governing enters the election results on its minutes.
Education Code Section 15278 (b) provides, “The purpose of the citizens’ oversight committee shall be to inform the public concerning the expenditures of bond revenue. The citizens’ oversight committee shall actively review and report on the proper expenditure of taxpayers’ money for school construction.”
Education Code Section 15278 (b) also provides that the citizens’ oversight committee shall convene to provide oversight for:
- Ensuring that bond revenues are expended only for the purposes described in the California Constitution.
- Ensuring that no funds are used for any teacher or administrative salaries or other school operating expenses.
Education Code Section 15278 (b) contains an often-overlooked phase “But not limited to”. This phase offers the possibility that a CBOC should look at accountability more broadly.
