Bond oversight committee gives district an A+ for bond transparency; Sims revitalization and construction updates presented

The San Ysidro School District’s bond oversight committee presented its annual report at the June 11 board meeting and said the district earned a perfect score and an A+ grade on the San Diego County Taxpayers Association’s bond program transparency assessment.

Committee chair Miguel Marcel (introduced himself as board chair of the oversight committee) told trustees the SDCTA review evaluates districts across 25 criteria; only five districts earned perfect scores this cycle and San Ysidro was one of them. The committee’s independent audit, performed by Wilkinson, Habben & King, returned an audit “with no findings,” committee members said.

Trustees and staff used the presentation to highlight recent project activity and next steps. The bond oversight chair and district staff reported site visits to construction locations, installation of security cameras and curb work at some sites, and that modulars (portables) for the Sims revitalization project had arrived and construction was imminent.

Why it matters: Bond oversight and transparent reporting help maintain public trust ahead of future bond measures. The committee’s A+ indicates the district met reporting and expenditure transparency criteria; independent audit results reduce legal and financial risk for bond proceeds.

Board action and next steps: The board received the annual bond oversight report (agenda item 12) and thanked oversight committee volunteers. Staff said they will continue regular oversight meetings and post audit and project information to the district website. Trustees also acknowledged project teams and volunteers who work on bond oversight.

Ending: With the oversight committee’s A+ and auditors’ clean reports, the district signaled continued compliance and readiness to move into the next phase of capital projects; the Sims campus revitalization was identified as the near-term construction priority.