By Bill Beecher
Much of the grand jury report about Measure L was true, two years ago. It fails to recognize the many changes that have taken place since.
Two years ago both the Board of Trustees and the Citizens’ Oversight Committee (COC) were asking for more transparency, an issue throughout the grand jury report. This is recorded in their respective minutes. A new chief business officer (CBO) and director of facilities were brought in and starting about one and a half years ago, they proceeded to make changes in how the Measure L projects were being reported and tracked. In June of last year, they presented a project list to the board and the COC, and subsequently posted it on the district website for parents and voters to review.
At the September COC meeting, my first as chair, they presented the extensive progress made on projects during the summer. Part of this included fixing many roofs across the district. Thank heaven they did this ahead of the heavy rains incurred last winter. They then reported this progress to the board. Financial and project tracking were instituted and is also on the district website.
Spearheaded by the new superintendent, CBO and director of facilities, most of the issues in the report have already been addressed without any direction from the grand jury.
The report suggests that we have been asleep at the wheel. Nothing is further from the truth. Have we made mistakes? Yes. We have also been learning and improving as we have moved forward. There is no recognition of this in the report.
The grand jury process needs improving. We were summoned to appear with no identification of the subject matter. This should be changed to where we sign a non-disclosure before appearing about the subject so we can be informed of what we are to be questioned about. In this way we can come prepared to discuss in detail the concerns of the grand jury. During my testimony, I pointed this out to the grand jury. They wanted details and expected us to respond from the top of our heads. This is difficult when there are so many projects being done.
We invite the grand jury to return and encourage them to amend their report to recognize the significant progress made by the district.
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Bill Beecher, a resident of Aptos, is the chair of the Measure L Citizens Oversight Committee. His opinions are his own and not necessarily those of the Pajaronian.
