July 31, 2012 
ISSUE 17
Greetings! 
Less Transparent Government Not an Option for School Boards                                       

EXCERPT:  
... It's been widely reported, both at Patch and other mainstream media outlets, that a last-minute addition to the state's 2012-13 budget allows cities and counties to skip Brown Act requirements that they post meeting agendas 72 hours in advance. In addition, the new rules allow local boards and councils to forgo publicly disclosing actions taken during closed-session meetings.

     However, school boards and governing bodies for community college districts do not have that option.  

      "Obligations under the Brown Act remain fully in effect for school districts and colleges," according to School Services of California, a consultant hired by school districts throughout the state, including Capo Unified. "Open meeting and 'sunshine' requirements come not only from the Brown Act but also from the education code, the California constitution, board policy and other sources." ...

Bold reform, better planning needed for constructing schools of the future
July 26 | by Kimberly Beltran | www.siacabinetreport.com

EXCERPT: ... California needs to reform its K-12 school construction program and spend about $117 billion over the next decade to modernize school facilities, according to a report released Wednesday by State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson.

     After reviewing the state's school facilities regulations, policies and funding patterns, researchers from the University of California, Berkeley Center for Cities & Schools said the traditional pattern of building new facilities must shift to one focused on upgrading existing infrastructure using modern technology and sustainable practices.

     The report calls on the Legislature to adopt a vision and master plan for the state's K-12 infrastructure investment. The report's authors said state officials need to seek out more reliable funding sources and improve operations in the State Facilities Program, the primary funding source for new school construction. ...

      The report goes so far as to say that "California lacks the information to guide strategic K-12 infrastructure decisions" and that "concerns of distrust and inefficiency plague the School Facilities Program." ...

 

To read the complete article visit: 

http://siacabinetreport.com/articles/viewarticle.aspx?article=2473

Legislative Update - Assembly Bill No. 1199
An act to amend Section 15282 of the Education Code, relating to school bonds.

 

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST 

AB 1199, Brownley. School bonds: citizens' oversight committee. 

     Existing law requires, if a bond measure that provides financing for certain types of school facilities is approved by voters, the governing board of a school district or community college to establish and appoint members to an independent citizens' oversight committee. Existing law also requires members of a citizens' oversight committee to serve for a term of 2 years without compensation and for no more than 2 consecutive terms. 

      This bill would instead provide that members of a citizens' oversight committee serve for a minimum term of 2 years without compensation and for no more than 3 consecutive terms. 

 

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:  

     SECTION 1. Section 15282 of the Education Code is amended to read: 

     15282. (a) The citizens' oversight committee shall consist of at least seven members who shall serve for a minimum term of two years without compensation and for no more than three consecutive terms. While consisting of a minimum of at least seven members, the citizens' oversight committee shall be comprised, as follows:  

     (1) One member shall be active in a business organization representing the business community located within the district. 

     (2) One member shall be active in a senior citizens' organization. 

     (3) One member shall be active in a bona fide taxpayers' organization. 

     (4) For a school district, one member shall be the parent or guardian of a child enrolled in the school district. For a community college district, one member shall be a student who is both currently enrolled in the community college district and active in a community college group, such as student government. The community college student member may, at the discretion of the board, serve up to six months after his or her graduation. 

     (5) For a school district, one member shall be both a parent or guardian of a child enrolled in the school district and active in a parent-teacher organization, such as the Parent Teacher Association or schoolsite council. For a community college district, one member shall be active in the support and organization of a community college or the community colleges of the district, such as a member of an advisory council or foundation. 

      (b) No employee or official of the district shall be appointed to the citizens' oversight committee. No vendor, contractor, or consultant of the district shall be appointed to the citizens' oversight committee. Members of the citizens' oversight committee shall, pursuant to Sections 35233 and 72533, abide by the prohibitions contained in Article 4 (commencing with Section 1090) and Article 4.7 (commencing with Section 1125) of Chapter 1 of Division 4 of Title 1 of the Government Code. 

In This Issue
Brown Act Update - School boards must still comply
Better planning for school construction
Legislative Update
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