Bond Oversight Done Right – – -- - - - Issue 49 • February 6, 2023
Editor: Linda Ruiz-Lozito • info.caboc@gmail.com
Independent Citizens Bond Committees  

Citizens Bond Oversight Committees (CBOCs) have one goal – report the status of Bond Projects to the public; the taxpayer. Independence is critical – the creation of bylaws, scheduling of activities and reporting. Bond projects should be straightforward – design, bid, build and occupy. Bylaws are the committee’s operating guidelines and the scheduling of activities include review of documents, site visits and reporting.
-  CBOC members should understand all costs and any variances. Investigating what happened to change the project scope, increase the cost or impact the schedule is the responsibility of the CBOC. What may be discovered is the overcharging of labor and supplies, paying for work not performed, changing of scope to accommodate unknown construction problems. The CBOC's role is to inform the public of these changes. Unforeseen project costs can mean students do not get their promised facilities.
Independent and Transparent CBOC Checklist
To pass the test, all answers must be “yes.”
❑ Can you Google (your district name) CBOC and find the CBOC website?
❑ Can the CBOC approve its bylaws?
❑ Is the Board prohibited from removing CBOC members?
❑ Is the June 30, 2021, financial audit on the CBOC website?
❑ Is the June 30, 2021, performance audit on the CBOC website?
❑ Is the CBOC annual report on the CBOC website?
❑ Are all of the CBOC agenda packets and minutes on the CBOC website?
❑ Does the CBOC have a minimum of seven (7) members?
❑ Does the CBOC have the five (5) legally required categories of members?
Possible Steps for CBOC's Independence Concerns
• Document any conflicts or concerns
• Discuss with your CBOC members and have an agenda item
• Draft a CBOC resolution with supporting documentation
• Request an agenda item on the school board agenda. Speak during Public Comment. This also creates a public record of these concerns.
• Write a press release, write a letter to the editor, call for a press conference
Request assistance from CABOC: info.caboc@gmail.com
CABOC | California Association of Bond Oversight Committees | E-mail | BondOversight.org