Policy 1.099

Independent Referendum Oversight Committee

1. Purpose. The Independent Referendum Oversight Committee created as the independent citizens' oversight committee to ensure that the proceeds of the School Board's November 2010 referendum are expended for the specific purposes set forth in the ballot measure or referendum as approved by voters in November 2010.

   The citizens of Palm Beach County duly passed a referendum, in November 2010, which specifically provided: “Shall the School Board of Palm Beach County have the authority to continue to levy 0.25 mills of ad valorem millage dedicated for school operational needs to fund teachers, arts, music, physical education, career and academic programs for the fiscal years beginning July 1, 2011 and ending June 30, 2015, with oversight by an independent finance committee of citizens and experts?”

2. Committee Key Areas of Responsibility. The Independent Referendum Oversight Committee (Committee) shall have such responsibilities as outlined below.

1. Provide oversight and review expenditure reports produced by the District to:

1. Ensure that one hundred percent (100%) of proceeds are expended only for the purposes set forth in the ballot measure; and

2. Make reports to the Board and Superintendent, which shall include, but not be limited to a statement indicating whether the District is in compliance with the requirements of the ballot measure, and a summary of the Committee's proceedings and activities.

2. Receive and review any copies of a District audit, if any, regarding the proceeds related to the ballot measure.

3. Composition; Appointment; Term.

1. Composition and Appointment. The membership of the Committee shall consist of thirteen (13) members who are residents of Palm Beach County, including:

1. One (1) representative each from the following Board advisory committees: Audit, Finance, and Budget;

2. One (1) representative appointed by the Education Commission;

3. One (1) representative appointed by the Palm Beach County League of Cities;

4. One (1) representative from the Black community as designated by the Urban League of Palm Beach County;

5. One (1) representative from the Hispanic community as designated by the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; and

6. Two (2) representatives appointed by the Business Forum of Palm Beach County as created under the economic council.

7. One (1) representative from the Glades as recommended by the Glades Area NAACP;

8. One (1) representative from the senior community as recommended by the Coalition of Boynton West Residential Associations;

9. One (1) representative from the condominium residents as recommended by the West Boca Community Council; and

10. One (1) representative as recommended by the West Palm Beach Branch of the NAACP.

No person appointed to the Committee may be an employee of the District.

2. Non-voting Members. There shall be two (2) non-voting members of the Committee. Such members shall be a representative of the Principals' Association and a representative of the Classroom Teachers Association.

3. Term. The terms of the committee members shall be as provided in Board Policy 1.09 (Advisory Committees to the Board) or shall end in accordance with the time limitation imposed by the referendum.

4. Committee Meetings, Operations, Procedures and Administrative Matters

1. Meetings. The Committee will hold its regular meetings on a quarterly basis, or as otherwise needed, and consistent with the provisions of Board Policy 1.09.

2. Operations and Procedures. The Committee shall conduct its meetings and operate consistent the provisions of Board Policy 1.09.

5. Documents to Committee Members. Upon approval of Committee members by the Board, Committee members shall be provided with a copy of this policy, a copy of Board Policy 1.09(Advisory committees to the Board), and a copy of the Board's resolution for the referendum.

6. Duration of Charter. Consistent with the referendum measure, this charter shall remain in effect until all proceeds of the referendum for the fiscal years beginning July 1, 2011 and ending June 30, 2015 have been expended and accounted for consistent with the referendum measure.