A report during Tuesday’s Turlock Unified School District Board of Trustees meeting was critical of its interactions with the Measures N and O Bond Oversight Committee.
Allie Jeffrey, one of the newest members of the committee, said that she and other members were not given proper training regarding their specific duties, which led to misunderstandings with the board.
“Those of us who were new were never given any training, any binders, any pre-advance meetings,” said Jeffrey. “It’s a little like asking someone to grade DMV tests but never showing them a car.
“Since 2018, the committee has consistently lacked the required number of attendees to pass some of the measures that they have and has not met its requirement to give an annual report. This is the first annual report in several years that you’ll be getting.”
Jeffery opted to steer clear of past conflicts during her report, but the squabbling dates back more than two years, when BOC chair Lacy Elliott claimed that staff negligence – pointing the finger at Barney Gordon, who was assistant superintendent of business services before his retirement last year – cost TUSD more than $8 million in state matching funds.
“The bonds were used correctly,” Elliot said in 2024. “The bonds are a good thing, and I would vote for one again. But we could’ve gotten so much more.”
TUSD superintendent David Lattig, who initially took over the post on an interim basis in the midst of the controversy, said he was thankful that Jeffery spoke frankly.
“We are committed to refining our processes and strengthening communication to better highlight the positive impact of this work and the strong partnerships that make it possible,” said Lattig. “I am grateful for the time, work, and commitment the Bond Oversight Committee has given to our TUSD community,” said Lattig. “We are always open to feedback that helps us improve upon our current practices and increase transparency, trust, and partnerships within and across our school district. Two bond measures were passed in 2016 and TUSD increased safety and built or modernized some fantastic facilities that benefit our students through these financial commitments.”
Voters went to the polls in 2016 and overwhelmingly passed Measures N and O, providing the district with nearly $90 million to address education and facility needs.
Measure N (elementary and middle-school funds) authorized TUSD to issue up to $40.8 million in bonds, with an estimated total debt service costs (principal and interest) of nearly $84 million. Measure O (high school and district funds) authorized the issuance of up to $48 million in bonds, with an estimated total debt service cost of almost $99 million.
“What we’d like to talk about tonight is what would’ve made it better for us to report out this year,” said Jeffery. “Did we get a great audit at the end? Absolutely. All of the expenses were allowable. But what we had was a missed opportunity for a lot of match funds, applications, and other opportunities. That’s a real thing.”
Jeffery also warned the board about what she called “staff co-mingling.”
“When we’re looking at the requirements for things that you’re required to do, we’re supposed to be independent, and there’s a lot of staff co-mingling here,” said Jeffery. “The thing that you should be most aware of about your own leadership is your own staff probably needs some training over the role it has interacting with the Bond Oversight Committee.
“I think we did a disservice to our kids, overall, because there were funds that could’ve been had. And we hear the district say things like, ‘Well, we didn’t lose them because we never applied for them.’ But that’s a loss in a community this small.”
Trustees Patti Eighmey (Area 1) and Mary Jackson (Area 4) thanked Jeffery and the BOC for the work they delivered.
