Second Annual Virtual CABOC Statewide Conference • 2022

CABOC Annual Awards for the performance of
exemplary bond oversight in five categories:

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CABOC Member of the Year
An active member committed to ensuring the
independence of the bond oversight committee

Rex Ridgeway, Interim Chair,
San Francisco USD, CBOC

The District’s CBOC members reached their term limits in August 2018.  As a result of the efforts of a group of citizens, including Rex Ridgeway, a new CBOC was appointed by the District in May 2021.  Rex Ridgeway was appointed to the new CBOC and served as Vice Chair and Interim Chair.  Mr. Ridgeway provided leadership to challenge illegal bond expenditures successfully, changed the process for appointing CBOC members, drafted bylaws to make the CBOC independent, submitted to the public the first annual report since 2019, reviewed prior audits for fiscal years 2020 and 2021, and supported revitalizing the CBOC as an effective bond oversight committee.

• • • • •

CBOC of the Year
A committee that advances bond oversight

San Francisco Unified School District, CBOC

SFUSD did not appoint a CBOC for about three years, from August 2018 to May 2021.  A group of citizens successfully organized a recall of three Board Trustees.  A re-formed CBOC was appointed in May 2021.  Subsequently, the Chair of the CBOC was appointed by the Mayor as a Trustee on the Board of Education.

• • • • •

CABOC Person of the Year
A person that has contributed to independent bond oversight

Robert Berry,  Executive Director of the California Debt and Investment Advisory Commission (CDIAC)

CDIAC provides information, education, and technical assistance on public debt, investments, and economic development financing tools to local public agencies and public finance professionals.  It is the state’s clearinghouse for debt issuance information and compiles data from all municipal debt issuers in California.  CDIAC also organizes educational seminars on public finance matters, the debt issuance process, and the investment of public funds. During the past year, Mr. Berry has supported the California Association of Bond Oversight Committees by providing technical advice on the production of online training videos, grant sources, and statistical data on Proposition 39 bond elections and the sale of Proposition 39 bonds.

• • • • •

CABOC Media Reporter
A reporter who has written articles focused on school bond oversight

Jill Tucker, K-12 Education Reporter, San Francisco Chronicle Newspaper

Jill Tucker has covered education in California for 22 years, writing stories that range from issues facing Bay Area school districts to broader national policy debates.  Her work generated changes to state law and spurred political and community action to address local needs.  Her articles spurred the recall of three District Board of Education Trustees and the re-formed Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee.

• • • • •

District of the Year
An open, transparent district that provides support and documentation for its CBOC to carry out its
duties in an exemplary fashion

Del Norte Unified School District (DNUSD)

DNUSD Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee was created in 2009 as a requirement of the November 4, 2008 approval by the voters of $25 million Measure A. CABOC got involved with DNUSD due to a call from an investigative reporter concerned about CBOC’s lack of transparency, responses to California Public Records Act requests, and regularly scheduled meetings. CABOC Executive Director and several Board Directors started working with a group of concerned citizens and CBOC members, as well as Jeff Napier, with the support of the Superintendent and Board of Trustees President.
       The CBOC website was updated with the prior years’ agenda and minutes, California Public Records Act requests were answered, last year’s annual report was issued, regular monthly financial statements were presented, arranging for site inspections, and a meeting schedule was established.
      This award is presented to Del Norte Unified School District and Association Superintendent Jeff Napier for their support in making the CBOC transparent and responsive to community concerns.