Financial Watchdogs Wanted

The Santa Barbara Unified School District is looking for seven financial watchdogs to join oversight committees for the parcel tax and facilities bond passed a number of years ago. The term lasts two years, and members meet three times a year to review spending and create an annual report. The committees are made up of representatives from business or taxpayers’ organizations, the Santa Barbara Education Foundation, senior citizens’ groups, parents or guardians of an enrolled student, or the community at large. Measures Q and R were passed by area voters in 2010 and paid for much of the construction that occurred on campuses this summer, allowing for renovations at 15 sites, including new libraries at Washington and Adams elementary schools. Measures A and B were parcel taxes passed by area voters in 2012 and provide “soft money” for the district to spend, for instance, on temporary teachers.