The Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) Board of Education announced that it has initiated the selection process for the Citizens’ Oversight Committee, responsible for monitoring project management and expenditures for the $350 million local school facilities bond passed by voters in November.

"The Citizens’ Oversight Committee members will play a critical role in ensuring fiscal accountability and transparency to the public about progress on construction projects undertaken with Measure TT funds. Accordingly, we will appoint only the most highly-qualified individuals to fulfill this important role,” said Superintendent Edwin Diaz. “The Board of Education and I will work closely with the Committee to ensure that projects are completed as planned, within budget, and in accordance with the law."

This week, a screening committee composed of representatives of the three communities served by PUSD will perform an initial screening of the 51 applications received by last month’s deadline. The representatives include: Lisa Fowler, representing the City of Pasadena, John Buchanan, Sierra Madre City Councilmember, Gino Sund, Altadena Town Council president, Patrick Kennedy, a consultant who helped develop the Facilities Master Plan, and Steve Brinkman, Chief of Facilities, Planning, Construction and Operations.

The screening committee will forward their recommendations to the Board of Education Facilities Subcommittee by March 3, and the full Board will designate the Citizens’ Oversight Committee appointees on March 11.

State law requires that the members of the Citizens’ Oversight Committee include parents, representatives from the business community, senior citizen groups, taxpayer organizations and individuals experienced in finance and construction. The Board of Education will evaluate the applicants based on the following criteria: balanced representation of each PUSD community, satisfaction of basic eligibility requirements, prior outstanding service, broad understanding of Facilities Master Plan goals, and special skills.