Series of Reports Suggests Promising Practices for Citizen Oversight of School Construction

Poor maintenance, the increasing age of schools, and a rapidly increasing student population have all contributed to increased funding for education facilities. The management and effective use of this increased funding, according to a recent report by the 21st Century School Fund, provides a unique challenge to all school districts. Citing the trend towards increased public school accountability and the need to establish a "fiscally responsible, timely, and educationally appropriate building program," the report presents a Citizen Oversight Committee as an effective model for maintaining control and ensuring responsible spending during facilities construction and renovation.

The 21st Century School Fund was established in 1994 to involve the public in the construction and improvement of school facilities and "healthy, safe, and educationally appropriate learning environments." "Citizen Oversight of Public School Construction Programs: In Search of Promising Practice" uses information gathered from interviews conducted with those involved in ten district oversight committees across the nation. The practices of these local committees were analyzed to determine successful practices and necessary improvements.

The report describes the role of the Citizen Oversight Committee as a "feedback loop." The committee oversees "external" and "internal" controls of facilities spending and informs local school boards or the public of successes and failures. The creation of a Citizen Oversight Committee also provides political, social, and managerial advantages. While improving public confidence in facilities management, the committee also allows local leaders to actively participate in the process. The committee encourages a broad participation of diverse representatives of the local community. The added professional expertise of some members also aids the decision-making process of the committee and school district.

Detail on the need for leadership support and resources for the Citizen Oversight Committee are also provided. The report also suggests guidelines for the successful creation and key logistical elements of a charter establishing the oversight committee.

"Citizen Oversight of Public School Construction Programs: In Search of Promising Practice" is the first in a series of reports on the elements of a successful school construction program. Future reports, including the next report due to be released in December, will be available on the organization's website.

Prepared November 25, 2003