Azusa Unified Set to Launch First Measure K Construction Projects This Summer

Azusa Unified this summer will construct four new classrooms at Ellington Elementary to complete the campus’ transition to a K-8 campus in 2015-16 - part of the launch of the District’s $92 million Measure K facilities bond program, which was approved by local voters in November.
The Board of Education has also selected seven members to serve on its Citizens Oversight Committee, which convened its first meeting on May 6.
The District is using a Facilities Master Plan created before the passage of its 2002 Measure I bond measure to determine the needs and projects for Azusa Unified schools.
“We are taking a strategic approach to how we renovate our schools by addressing our most critical needs first,” said AUSD Superintendent Dr. Linda Kaminski. “Our goal is to maximize bond dollars and ensure our campuses are safe, comfortable and engaging learning environments for students to thrive.”
Upcoming Projects
The District is in the planning stages for two projects that are set to break ground this summer – a roofing project at Center Middle School and the expansion of Ellington, which began transitioning from an elementary to K-8 school three years ago. Construction this summer will result in four new classrooms on-site to accommodate the campus’ first eighth-grade class in the fall, in addition to rooms for special education classes and a band program.
“We are so thankful to our community for their generosity and support of Azusa Unified schools,” said Board of Education President Yolanda Rodriguez-Peña. “The passage of Measure K is critical to helping us ensure that our students have access to the high-quality learning environments they deserve.”

Citizens Oversight Committee
The newly formed Citizens Oversight Committee convened its first meeting on May 6, when it was provided an overview of some of the needs within the District and a draft schedule of school construction projects, including the roofing and K-8 expansion projects set to begin this summer.
The committee was formed as an added layer of accountability for the bond. Members are charged with the important task of reviewing financial reports and audits and touring school facilities to ensure that bond funding is being spent according to the Facilities Master Plan.
The Citizens Oversight Committee is composed of seven members reflecting the different interest groups required by state law. The members are:
• Mark Dickerson (business organization)
• Robert Donnelson (at-large community member)
• Daysi Hernandez (AUSD parent)
• Cheryl Kohorst (taxpayer organization)
• Susan Kouragian (AUSD parent/parent-teacher organization)
• Shawn Millner (at-large community member)
• Charles Ramirez (senior citizen organization)
The Board of Education appointed the members for a two-year term, with a limit of three terms of service. The committee is required to meet at least once a year, but members will likely meet more often in the initial stages of the bond program.
PHOTO CAPTION: The Azusa Unified Measure K Citizens Oversight Committee, bottom row from left to right: Cheryl Kohorst, Daysi Hernandez and Susan Kouragian; top row left to right: Mark Dickerson, Shawn Millner, Charles Ramirez and Robert Donnelson.