Gavilan College has three openings on its volunteer Citizen’s Oversight Committee, which looks to see if Measure E bond revenues are being spent as specified in the original ballot language.
“This is the community’s chance to get involved and make sure they’re taking a look at all of the Measure E expenditures,” said Jan Bernstein Chargin, the public information director for Gavilan College.
The committee must have at least seven members and each representative can serve a maximum of two consecutive two-year terms.
This year, the second terms of current members Jack Bachofer and Gene Sakahara expired this month. A third position for a member of a taxpayer organization has been open as well.
There are specifications for at least five of the seven members. The committee must be comprised of at least one active member of a business organization, a senior citizens’ organization and a bona fide taxpayers organization. There must also be at least one member “active in the support and organization of the district” – and a student currently enrolled in the college and active in the campus group.
Members of the committee will review copies of the annual independent performance audit, inspect school grounds to ensure bond revenues are expended properly and review the district’s efforts to maximize bond revenues by implementing cost-saving measures.
Measure E – a $108 million general obligation facilities bond passed by voters in 2004 – was meant to improve existing facilities while securing land for permanent facilities in Coyote Valley and San Benito County.
The college is required to form a Citizens’ Oversight Committee by Proposition 39, which amended portions of the California Constitution and requires school districts issuing bonds to create volunteer oversight committees that ensure those revenues are spent as promised in ballot language.
Employees, contractors and consultants of Gavilan College cannot serve on the committee. For more information about Measure E or to get an application for the Citizen’s Oversight Committee, go to gavilan.edu/bond/index.html or call (408) 848-4711. Applications must be filed by Aug. 29 in order to be approved by the board at the September meeting.
