Taxpayers approved Measure J, and by serving on the Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee, you can continue to support Natomas Unified’s $129 million facilities bond by reviewing expenditures and participating in annual reports to the residents of Natomas.
The District is accepting applications through Feb. 28 to serve on the Measure J Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee, charged with checking that bond funds are spent on projects approved by voters in the Nov. 4 election.
Required by law, the oversight committee will provide direct taxpayer review of spending decisions made by NUSD’s Board of Trustees.
To assist potential applicants, the following are answers to common questions about the panel’s makeup and function:
Who appoints the Measure J Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee? The NUSD Board of Trustees will appoint the oversight committee at its March 11 public meeting.
What is taken into consideration for committee membership? The panel must include at least two citizens at large, one member of a taxpayers organization, one member of a senior citizens organization, one member representing the business community within NUSD, one member who is the parent or guardian of an NUSD student, and one member who is both the parent or guardian of an NUSD student and is active in the PTA/PTSA or school site council. The oversight committee is required to have at least seven members. District employees, officials, vendors, contractors or consultants may not serve on the committee.
Are members paid? No, service on the oversight committee is voluntary.
What are the committee terms and frequency of meeting? Members serve two-year terms and may remain on the committee no longer than three consecutive terms. Meetings are typically held in the evening; each meeting typically lasts 60 to 90 minutes, and are scheduled a minimum of four times a year. They are held in the NUSD Board Room and are open to the public.
What are the committee’s duties and tasks? The panel’s legal charge is to inform the public about the expenditure of bond proceeds. NUSD’s Board of Trustees determines how Measure J bond funds are allocated on specific projects and the committee will advise the public of its findings after reviewing Measure J bond project and expenditure reports.
Is Measure J spending restricted? In approving Measure J, Natomas voters supported a Bond Project List tied to it. The $129 million can be used by NUSD for new schools, acquisition of future school sites, classroom improvements to enhance 21st century learning, accessibility improvements for students with disabilities, safety or security projects, classroom and laboratory construction, basic infrastructure, utilities, landscaping, and for various other purposes, including a joint aquatics facility in partnership with the city of Sacramento. The Board of Trustees determines which projects are funded, their scope, and their timing. The oversight committee cannot amend the project list approved by voters.
