A vacancy on the SLUSD Board of Education was created in Trustee Area 6 when Ron Carey resigned from the board, effective December 31, 2015. The Board advertised for a replacement by placing ads in the San Leandro Times and the Daily Review. Interested candidates were encouraged to apply and the packet of information was made available at the following locations: the SLUSD District Office, San Leandro Library, Wilson Elementary, Monroe Elementary, John Muir Middle School and Lincoln High School.  Candidates were required to submit their applications to the district office no later than 4:00 p.m. on Friday, February 5, 2016. One candidate submitted an application. This candidate will be interviewed and considered for a provisional appointment to this vacant seat by the SLUSD Board of Education.

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If the SLUSD Board of Education selects a candidate, the Oath of Office will be administered to the newly appointed provisional Board Trustee. 

The district will require the services of a financial adviser as we complete planning for a possible November 2016 bond election.  California Financial Services will provide those services as follows:

1.        Assessed valuation projections;

2.        Bond capacity assumptions, analysis and appeals analysis (if applicable);

3.        Provide Assistance Retaining Bond Counsel and Underwriters, if needed;

4.        Bond structuring, sizing and timing;

5.        Integration of Master Plan into Financing Plan;

6.        Review of Bond Resolution and Project Description Exhibit;

7.        Basic Review of Bond and Facility Plans for SFP Program Integration; and       

8.        Review of Community Opinion Survey Questions and Bond and Tax Related Input.

R. Mark Epstein, who will work with our district, co-founded California Financial Services after spending almost a decade as Vice President of Public Finance in charge of California K-12 Education for Smith Barney. Mr. Epstein served for 7 years on the Rincon Valley School District Board of Trustees.

He will be assisted by Patricia Paulsen, a past school district CBO and licensed CPA.

CFS has aided districts in 65 bond elections since 1996.  All but one was successful.

They have managed the sale of over $5 billion in school bonds.

CFS also provides accounting and continuing disclosure services.  We will be utilizing these services over the course of the next several months.  While the advisory services will not cost anything until after we have a successful bond, the other services will cost in the range of $7-10,000. 

The Superintendent and the Board Bond Advisory Committee recommend the appointment.

Appoint California Financial Services as the Board's financial advisor and direct the superintendent to execute an agreement the the company.

There will be no cost for the advisory services until after a successful election.  We will incur costs of up to $10,000 for continuing disclosure services and bond accounting,

The Board Bond advisory Committee interviewed three firms.  The committee chose Tramutola because of his long history of working successfully with districts on facility issues.  Over the next several months he will work with staff and the Board in determining support for our facility needs as well as developing a plan to provide the public with information about those needs.  We will not be advocating during this time, just determining need and support for that need as well as informing the public of the needs.  He will also undertake a community survey.

Approve attached contract with Tramatola.

The cost of the contract will be $39,000.  There will be a community survey cost of about $25,000 in April in addition to this contract.  Other expenses for mailing, printing, etc will also be incurred.