CITIZENS’ OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE
OF THE MORONGO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
(Measure O - Approved by District Voters on November 8, 2005)
Regular Meeting – November 29, 2012
Friendly Hills Elementary School
Minutes
1. Member Price called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
2. Member Price led the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. Members present: Doug Lawson, Maria Sander, Don Knehr, Rick Beatty
Members absent: Chris Frasier, 2 Vacancies
Staff present: Dave Price, Assistant Superintendent, Business Services
Barb Stewart, Secretary, Ron Smith, Director of Facilities/Risk Management
4. No public comments
5. It was moved by Member Beatty and second by Member Knehr on an unanimous vote of those present to approve the minutes from October 25, 2012 meeting. 3-0-0 vote.
6. Staff member Smith gave a report on the JTES facility. He stated the sidewalks and drywall were finished. There are 3 sections called the West wing that are almost finished. The lights and ceilings are being put in. All the roofs are on, the electrical piping is done and the AC is in. Any delays that happened were due to weather or the street work that needed to be done. March 3, 2012 is the estimated completion date. The plan is for the new school site to be occupied after state testing. There will be a sidewalk done after completion of the project through DO funding.
Member Smith also reported on the TPHS Modernization project being done by Young Contractors. The start date was 11/1/12. They have started the surveying and earthwork. They are moving a lot of soil. They are building a pad up for where the office will be. The grading for the track and office are in the process. They will work on the tract during testing because it is far away from the classrooms and less disruptive to the students. They have had some difficulties from fire alarms going off and water leaks causing power outages but they have worked that out. The contract is until November. They will start modernization in the summer. The gym restroom upgrade may take a while. The restroom may be closed when school starts.
7. Staff member Price said that all Measure O bond money has been expended from the Series B & C series bonds. We have spent about $500,000 out of the General Fund money for the JTES project. We will be receiving $6.3 million from the state for JTES. We will need to discuss what projects we want to do with the $6.3 million dollars.
Member Price stated that the Rebonding of the Series A bonds had closed. It was a two month endeavor. There were $8.1 million of bonds sold at the lowest interest rate 1.7%. The bond refunding will save the taxpayer about $520,000. We may do the Series B bonds in the future. They come up for 1st call in about 3 years. He also told us that we would need about $800,000 to bring all schools and classrooms up to state standards in our school district.
8. Member Lawson brought up discussion on how the dividing of the funds would be presented to the BOE. He did not want to see the money scattered out. He would like to see us use the funds on projects that can be completed at sites. It was discussed that we would complete projects that would benefit kids for long periods of time.
9. Two vacancies pending – Two applications were sent out to interested East end parents but we have not had any response. The COC committee accepted Ria Sanders resignation. She is moving to New Zealand with her family. The committee thanked her for her commitment to the COC and wished her well on her new adventure. Ria thanked the committee for letting her serve.
10. We will be planning a tour of the new Joshua Tree Elementary School site.
11. Future agenda items:
Proposals for 6.3 million projects
12. The Next COC meeting is scheduled for Thursday, January 24, 2013, 6:30 p.m. at Friendly Hills Elementary School.
13. It was moved by Member Price, seconded by Member Knehr, on a unanimous vote of those present; the Committee adjourned at 7:03 p.m. 3-0-0 vote.
Barbara Stewart
Barbara Stewart
Recording Secretary