Citizen group to ensure bond projects are on-time, within budget, and meeting expectations

Your role is to serve as key communicators who can talk with others in the community about whether or not the school district is keeping its promises made to voters when the bond was passed.

That's what the 20 members of the district's Citizen Bond Oversight Committee heard as they were welcomed and thanked by Superintendent Sandy Husk at their first work session Monday, May 18.

Dr. Husk said that the group is important for a clean implementation of the bond process, making sure that all of the facts are taken out to the general public. In addition, she anticipates that oversight committee members will share what the community is saying about the district's bond projects.

Steve Chambers, Salem-Keizer School Board chairperson, told the group that its work would be taken very seriously by the Board. He explained that citizen groups like the oversight committee save the District thousands of dollars.

At its first meeting, the group reviewed its work plan, heard reports on activity since the November 2008 bond passage – including bond sales, architect and project manager selection, school site selection process, and web site communications – and received a preview of summer repair and renovation plans.

The group also heard a report on how educational specifications will be developed for the new elementary and middle schools to be constructed. Five members volunteered to be involved in that design process.

The oversight committee is planning to meet monthly initially, probably throughout the summer months, and then begin quarterly meetings this fall. The meetings are open public meetings. Thom Kaffun and Kim Morrison, both of whom are community volunteers, have been designated as co-chairs of the group.

The full committee roster, as well as meeting agendas, minutes, and support materials, can be found on the Oversight Committee page of the school district Web site.

Construction bond information is kept updated on the district Bond Updates Web site.

For more information, contact Mike Bednarek, project facilitator, at bednarek_mike@salkeiz.k12.or.us or 503-399-3290.