The Citizen Oversight Committee oversees the spending on school improvement projects funded by the Education Referendum.
The committee, an impressive group with a longstanding commitment to the children and families of Hillsborough County, reviews the spending, progress and completion of all spending related to the $121-131 million a year generated by the half-penny sales tax over the next decade to address essential district needs including air conditioning, aging roofs, classroom technology and safety and security improvements.
The committee consists of six independent citizens who are not affiliated with the district and cannot work on projects funded by the referendum, and an additional member who is a Hillsborough County Public Schools principal and serves as a district representative to oversee spending and review referendum projects.
Committee Members:
Betty Castor, MEd - Chair - Former University of South Florida President and Florida Commissioner of Education
Sheriff Chad Chronister - Vice Chair
Hillsborough County Sheriff and Longtime Child Protection Advocate
Robert Bhoolai
Bonnie Carr - Retired Certified Public Accountant and Former Controller, Former Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Hillsborough Community College
Rick Lott - Formerly Mayor of Plant City
Ed Narain, MBA, JD - Former State Representative and Active Civic Leader
Jose Valiente, CPA - Certified Public Accountant and Past Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce Chair