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Residents and oversight members warn board after mass removals from Measure J bond oversight committee
Summary
Speakers, including a Measure J committee chair, told the board that multiple long‑serving members were removed from the Measure J Citizens Bond Oversight Committee without sufficient notice and raised Prop 39 and Education Code concerns; the board voted to thank outgoing members and open the recruitment process.
Members and supporters of the Measure J Citizens Bond Oversight Committee told the board June 11 they were alarmed after six of eight long‑serving oversight members were dismissed from the committee and that the district had not ensured the committee’s ability to perform legally required oversight under Proposition 39 and the Education Code.
“We are left with a defunct oversight committee and no plan or ability for it to carry out its legally mandated responsibilities under Prop 39 and the Ed Code,” said Gina Haynes, speaking on behalf of current and former committee members. Haynes said the committee’s term began at its meeting on Aug. 22, 2019, and that the dismissals left the committee short of leadership and several outstanding tasks.
Local citizen Sean Schneider told trustees the committee had been asking for documents and data, and that the committee’s work “is exactly what an independent oversight committee should be doing.” Schneider and Haynes both cited a recent civil grand‑jury report and said the mass dismissal undercut public trust in bond oversight.
Trustee Mason said the district’s intent was to open the committee’s membership process to new applicants and to comply with the term limits and appointment rules in law. Mason moved that the board recognize and thank the named members for up to six years of service and set their terms to conclude Aug. 21, 2025, while allowing any members without successors to continue until replacements are appointed. Trustee Nzewi seconded the motion. The board adopted the motion on a 5‑0 vote.
Trustees and staff said the action is intended to publicly thank the departing committee members while restarting recruitment for a fully constituted oversight committee. Trustee comments during discussion acknowledged the committee’s long hours and unpaid service and included a call to pursue greater committee independence.
The board’s action did not appoint replacements at the June 11 meeting; staff said the district will solicit new applicants and consider procedures for maintaining continuity while bringing the committee into compliance with statutory requirements.
