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These anticipated matching funds would be grant awards and as such, there would be no additional repayment obligation for San Leandro taxpayers. However, the current state budget crisis has resulted in a freeze of many already -awarded grants, and the prospect for receipt of additional grants is unclear. The District will continue to monitor the state's situation for opportunities to obtain additional funds. Administrative Expenses The administration and oversight of a $109 million infrastructure improvement program is a time consuming endeavor. Toward that end, school districts can adopt various approaches such as hiring consultants to manage project costs, or hiring permanent district employees to undertake these responsibilities. In the case of Measure B, the District has adopted a balanced strategy, both hiring consultants who bring specialized knowledge, and hiring a limited number of district personnel who bring specific experience dealing with the needs of our San Leandro community. Performance Audit School Boards are obligated by law to conduct annual, independent performance audits to ensure that general obligation bond funds (in this case, Measure B) are spent only on appropriate projects and for no other purposes. The Board retained accounting firm Perry -Smith LLP, which examined 100 transactions, valued at $4,657,762 completed between July 1, 2007 and June 30, 2008 (out of 3,030 transactions involving $11,273,490 in Measure B funds). At the request of the Committee and with the approval of the School Board, the transactions examined were stratified by dollar size to ensure that large dollar transactions were included in the performance audit. On January 22, Perry -Smith's David Becker reported to the Committee the results of the performance audit, confirming that all examined transactions were: 1) valid Bond expenditures, 2) properly assigned and coded, and 3) spent for purposes allowed under the relevant California law. Summary The Committee has observed the District's remarkable progress in all phases and facets of the Measure B For more detailed information on Measure B, please visit www.san leand ro.kl 2.ca.us and click on Measure B. project. Nearly all projects to date have been completed on the approved accelerated timetable, allowing the District to potentially leverage certain state sponsored grants. San Leandro students are already enjoying the benefits of modernized bathrooms, updated heat and air conditioning systems, repaired roofs, and fresh paint. Two major projects, the 91h Grade Campus and the Parking Lot at SLHS, enjoyed groundbreakings WAR Cell; loll.;SA L�N� HIGH SCHOOL -ARTS E�CATION CENTER and began construction this fall. Design and approval of the SLHS Library Expansion is completed and the project will be going to bid in early 2009, with completion anticipated in early 2010. The Committee is pleased to report that most projects have been and are being completed within budget. The exception is the 9t" Grade Campus, where the cost of purchasing the land and other site related expenses have exceeded district projections. However, the District received a record number of bids for construction, resulting in significant savings in the construction budget. Furthermore, the District expects receipt of state matching funds which should help offset the cost of land. As stated earlier, the receipt of these funds from the state may be delayed due to the current fiscal crisis. Independent audits of the District's management and disbursement of bond funds have been entirely positive, with all examined transactions deemed compliantwith state law. The District has been diligent in seeking matching grants, enjoying a substantial degree of success with the prospect of even greater support. Still, the Committee is cognizant of the severe budget problems in Sacramento, and the uncertainty cast upon the plans and aspirations of all school districts in the state. The coming year will present San Leandro residents with "concrete" benefits of Measure B. San Leandrans will be able to see the completion of the District Parking Lot at SLHS, progress on the SLHS Library Expansion and substantial construction of the 9"' Grade Campus, as well as the completion of many modernization projects. While some projects are in the construction phase, the District will move forward with the plans for the SLHS Arts Education Center and the renovation of the Career Technical Education building. It appears that the accelerated schedule adopted by the District is working and will provide San Leandro students with the benefits of Measure B at the earliest possible date.