Committee outlines Measure S bond spending

The committee overseeing Glendale Unified’s $270-million Measure S bond presented its first report this week and it concludes that the district’s bond spending is in compliance with state regulations.

The report, presented during a school board meeting, shows how Measure S funds were allocated during the last fiscal year, which ended in June 2012.

As of December 2012, the district had spent 9% — or $27,987,708 — of about $300 million, which includes the bond, state funds and other monies set aside for Measure S projects, according to Alan Reising, the district’s director of facility operations.

Since the seven-member oversight committee formed in August 2011, it has held monthly public meetings at the district’s headquarters to review bond expenditures.

The committee has challenged the district’s attorney and CPA firm with a multitude of questions, said Eva Lueck, chief business and financial officer for the district.

“The members are very involved,” said Mia Lee, an oversight committee member. “I think we drive the staff crazy sometimes with all the questions.”

In the past year, the district approved spending $7.2 million to install solar panels at seven Glendale schools to save millions in energy costs over the next 30 years.

The board also approved spending $14.7 million for districtwide technology upgrades.

About $25 million was allocated to demolish and replace College View School with a building better suited for special education students.

Upcoming projects include adding centralized heating and air conditioning systems at various schools and doing away with bungalows on 11 campuses, replacing them with newly built classrooms.

Future projects include wireless Internet throughout the district, a science lab for Crescenta Valley High School and technology that will let teachers amplify their voices using small microphones during class.

“Thus far, it’s been a wonderful experience to see the fruits of the Measure S happening,” said John Sadd, chair of the oversight committee. “It’s interesting, and we’re enjoying it.”

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Follow Kelly Corrigan on Twitter: @kellymcorrigan.