Citizens watch over local school spending practices
By Sylvie Belmond belmond@theacorn.com

To see firsthand how Measure R bond funds are being spent, members of the Moorpark Unified School District Citizen's Bond Oversight Committee took a school bus trip last week.

"The goal of the trip is to get new oversight committee members up to speed," said Larry Brown, assistant superintendent of business services.

The eight-member group, which is appointed by the board of education, stopped at all campuses in the district, including Arroyo West Elementary and Mountain Meadows Middle schools, where the next Measure R projects are slated.

The $33 million Measure R bond passed in March 2002. About $9 million is still available for upcoming work.

Many of the bond developments were not affected by inflation because the district was ready to "hit the ground running." Projects were preplanned and ready to go when the bond measure passed, said Brown.

The district is now seeking bids for new Arroyo West and Mountain Meadows classroom wings, which are the last two major projects on list.

If all goes according to plan, the work at these two campuses will start in June to minimize the impact on students and staff. Much of the grading, foundation and framing would be completed before they return to school in the fall.

The new classrooms will replace existing portable buildings, which will be moved to three different school districts.

"By selling them to other school districts, MUSD is saving approximately $8,000 per unit that would have been spent in removing them from their current locations," Brown said.

Several other smaller projects remain to be done, Brown said, adding that one of them, a shade structure to be constructed at Chaparral Middle School, will make a big difference for the students.

Anne Tubarello, a nurse practitioner and member of the oversight committee, was particularly pleased to see that sinks were installed in all the new classrooms at Campus Canyon. She said it would help to prevent the transmission of diseases.

The district is adding practical features- from long-lasting roofing materials to sturdy, easy-to-clean Epoxy flooring- at all school facilities where work is performed.

Campus modernization projects throughout the district are being paid for with a combination of bond money and state funds, Brown said.

If bond money is left over after all the projects are completed, Brown said, he would like to give the funds back to taxpayers as a good faith gesture.