School district taking applications for citizens’ oversight committee

Press release from Alachua County Public Schools

Alachua County Public Schools is now taking applications for a vacant at-large seat on the committee that reviews all expenditures from revenues raised through the Half-Cent for Schools sales tax.

Ballot language approved by Alachua County voters in November of 2018 requires the establishment of a citizens’ oversight committee for the Half-Cent sales tax.

The Half-Cent Oversight Committee is made up of 12 members. Each of the five School Board members have selected one member, as has the Superintendent of Schools. Four members on the committee were chosen to represent parents, employees, and other groups that were active in the Half-Cent for Schools ballot initiative, including the Alachua County Council of PTAs, the Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce, the Alachua County Education Association, and Citizens for Strong Schools.

Under the committee bylaws, two additional members are to be chosen from among local citizens who apply for the at-large seats. It is one of those seats that is currently vacant. The terms for those seats are two years, and those serving will be expected to attend two to four meetings each year.

Financial management, construction, or other relevant experience is preferred. Neither school board employees nor those with any financial dealings with the district would be eligible for membership on the committee.

The deadline to apply is February 23. The School Board will vote on the new at-large member at the March 16 business meeting.

The application for the at-large seat is available on the district’s website at: http://bit.ly/3anDs6z