Audit sought over RUSD STEM center funding and process; committee leaves item on call

Senator Susan Cervantes asked the Joint Legislative Audit Committee to authorize a review of the Riverside Unified School District—s STEM center project — a proposed high-school STEM center that would be sited near an existing district high school and on land to be leased from the University of California, Riverside.

The request seeks to determine whether the district complied with state law when selecting and funding the project with Measure O bond money, whether the district properly updated and disclosed the list of projects that Measure O could fund, the total Measure O funds allocated to the STEM center and any spending to date, and whether lease terms with UC Riverside protect the district—s interests.

Why it matters: Senator Cervantes said voters approved Measure O in 2016 to refurbish and modernize existing district facilities and that the STEM center was not on the original project list. She said community groups and homeowners alleged a lack of transparency and possible conflicts of interest by board members and urged an independent review.

Testimony and agency responses

Rich Davis, a retired RUSD administrator and a member of local neighborhood groups, told the committee that community members oppose the project and that the project was not specifically identified in voter materials. RUSD Superintendent Dr. Renee Hill said the district and UC Riverside began exploring a STEM center in 2015, entered a nonbinding term sheet in 2018, and that the existing STEM program is housed in a repurposed elementary school. Hill told the committee that less than $2 million has been spent so far on project planning and that the district—s citizens bond oversight committee reviews expenditures.

State auditor—s scope and timing

State Auditor Grama Parks described objectives to determine whether the district complied with applicable board meeting notice and public meeting laws when approving the project, whether the district followed laws in changing its Measure O project list, the amount of Measure O funds allocated and spent on the STEM center, and the status and public disclosure of any lease with UC Riverside. Parks noted a January 2024 judge—s ruling allowed the district to use bond funding for new construction but that the ruling is under appeal, which may limit audit scope in areas subject to ongoing litigation. He estimated about 2,300 audit hours.

Committee action

A motion to approve the audit was made and seconded; the roll call resulted in the chair announcing the audit would stay on call pending further action. Committee members noted the litigation and said some questions may be limited by the court process.

Ending note

Supporters said an independent audit is needed to rebuild public trust and confirm compliance with bond terms and public meeting requirements. The district said the project has been discussed publicly and is subject to ongoing legal proceedings; the committee left the matter on call for later determination.