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District explains citizens oversight committee and solicits volunteers ahead of bond measure
Summary
Assistant Superintendent Rick Champion outlined statutory duties and membership rules for a Citizens Oversight Committee tied to a possible bond, including residency and conflict‑of‑interest restrictions; staff posted an interest form and the board asked for transparent outreach and selection criteria.
Assistant Superintendent Rick Champion told the Brea Olinda Unified School District Board on Oct. 10 that a Citizens Oversight Committee (COC) would be required if voters approve a future bond and explained how the district intends to recruit and support that panel.
"The governing board must establish an oversight committee within 60 days after certifying the election results," Champion said, summarizing state education code requirements and board policy. He said the committee’s role is monitoring bond proceeds, reviewing audits, inspecting sites and reporting annually to the board and public.
Champion described statutory constraints: COC members must live inside district boundaries, cannot be district employees, vendors, contractors or consultants, and must file a Form 700 economic disclosure. Statutorily there are seven required seats (including at‑large members, a senior‑citizen organization representative, and a member of a bona fide taxpayer organization); the district may expand membership beyond the minimum.
Champion said the district has adopted resolution 24‑12 to ensure annual, independent financial audits and that staff will provide clerical and web‑page support for the committee. He also posted a QR code and a Google form to build an interest list and said staff will follow up by phone to confirm applicants after election certification.
Board members pressed staff on outreach and selection. Trustee (identified in the meeting as) Ruiz emphasized the need to publicize the opportunity widely, and another trustee requested that advertising also reach groups that might oppose the bond so the committee would include critical voices. Champion said the board would rate applicants and make final appointments under the statutory composition rules.
The board did not appoint members at the meeting. Champion said the statutory 60‑day clock starts after the county certifies election results, and staff expects committee formation to follow that schedule if a bond measure passes.
