Bond Modernization Program
REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY
On November 12, with five major construction projects nearly completed
and another three slated for bid early in 2003, the Board of Trustees
has accepted an audit of the Measure A Bond Modernization program
for the Fiscal Year 2001-2002. This audit, prepared by the accounting
firm of Vavrinek, Trine, Day & Company, Pleasanton, California,
was reviewed and recommended by a vote of 8 to 1 (2 absent) of the
District’s Fiscal Oversight Committee, which has responsibility
for ensuring that bond funds are expended only on the specific projects
authorized by Measure A.
The Fiscal Oversight Committee was authorized by Board resolution
in November 2000, with members to include a representative each
from the Board of Trustees, a local taxpayers’ group, a senior
citizens’ organization, each school site committee, and the
community at large, as well as the District Superintendent and Director
of Fiscal Services. All members and the committee chair are appointed
by the Board of Trustees.
District committee members are Superintendent Bill Levinson, Board
representative Jill Sampson, and Director of Fiscal Services Lori
Parrish. Area representatives are Barbara McCune (Drake), Bruce
Dorfman (Tamalpais), and Gary Nelson (Redwood). Committee chair
Elizabeth Landers and Dick Johnson represent the community. Loraine
Berry is the senior citizen representative, Paul Waszink represents
the District Oversight Committee for modernization, and Nancy McCarthy
represents Marin taxpayers.
The bond measure itself, approved by voters in March 2001, directed
the District to
- Enhance the quality of education through facility modernization
and technology upgrades
- Ensure safety for students, staff and community users
- Remove asbestos
- Renovate and build classrooms and student facilities
- Replace inadequate electrical, roofing, heating / ventilation
and plumbing
- Improve disabled access and earthquake safety
- Rehabilitate athletic facilities
All five District high schools – Tamalpais, Sir Francis Drake,
Redwood, San Andreas and Tamiscal – will be upgraded in accordance
with this intent. Minor work is also planned for the District Office
and Corporation Yard.
Following completion of the Updated Master Plan in March 2002,
the District launched its first five construction projects, all
of which are scheduled to be substantially done before the end of
November. Fiscal Oversight Committee members toured the sites on
October 19 to gain a better understanding of the projects.
- Tamalpais High School: Major utility upgrades (sewer, storm
drain, domestic water, fire water, gas, electricity and low voltage,
all underground)
- Redwood High School: Major utility upgrades (sewer, storm drain,
electrical) through (and re-paving of) East Parking Lot, installation
of a divider wall in gymnasium
- Drake High School: Complete electrical upgrade, replacement
of exterior doors and lockers, renovation of selected restrooms,
accessibility upgrades
- Tamiscal High School: New modular buildings at 305 Doherty
Drive for relocation of campus from shared space on William Avenue
- Print Shop: New shop and office within Corporation Yard on
Doherty Drive for relocation from shared space at Drake High School
- Carlisle Building: Interior renovation under a joint effort
between modernization and the District (general fund)
The audit report accepted by the Fiscal Oversight Committee included
results of both a financial audit and a performance audit. According
to the first report, “the financial statements … present
fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the
[modernization] fund.” From the inception of the program in
2001 through the end of the last fiscal year, June 30, 2002, approximately
$4.3 million of the first bond sale of $20.8 million has been expended,
with the remaining $16.5 million projected to be expended by the
end of the first quarter of 2003. The second bond sale, completed
in July in the amount of $49.6 million, will cover the next round
of construction projects through the middle of 2004.
The performance audit was conducted to verify that fund expenditures
were properly accounted for, that net funds from the sale of the
bonds were properly deposited, and that expenditures complied with
the purpose specified by the voters in the March 2001 bond. This
audit, according to the report, “did not reveal any items
that were paid from the general obligation bond funds that did not
comply with the purpose of the bonds.”
Anyone interested in additional information about the Modernization
Program can view the District’s website, www.tamdistrict.org.
Click on the “Modernization” button, then “Vanir
Site.” Individuals may also call V-Anne Chernock, Director
of Facilities Modernization, at 415-924-7624, or e-mail her at vchernock@tuhsd.marin.k12.ca.us.
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