By Houston ISD’s Board of Managers has selected 13 members, along with two alternates, to serve on the Bond Oversight Committee, should voters approve the district’s $4.4 billion school bond next month.
The board appointed individuals with expertise in diverse fields, all of whom live within the district. Six of the appointees are current, past, or future HISD parents.
What is a BOC?
The Bond Oversight Committee (BOC) is an independent citizens committee established to monitor the progress of the district’s bond programs.
Their primary mission is to monitor the progress of all bond-funded construction projects. It will review financial and status reports, provide regular updates to district leaders, and communicate any allegations of fraud, waste, or misuse. According to its charter, “The committee’s charge is to monitor the progress of all applicable Bond-funded construction projects and help interested Houstonians to stay informed about new construction and renovation projects in the District. The committee’s focus should be oversight rather than limited to hindsight.”
The 13 members and two alternates represent diverse expertise in fields such as construction, engineering, finance, and education, and they are required to remain independent and objective, with no conflicts of interest tied to the district.
Additionally, the committee’s duties include reviewing reports to verify that bond proceeds are being used efficiently, coordinating site visits to facilities undergoing bond-funded construction, and providing periodic status and annual reports on its findings. Meetings will be open to the public, further promoting transparency in how the bond projects are managed.
Bond Oversight Committee Members:
- Andy Canales: Principal at Broadtree Partners, with a background in children’s advocacy and Latino education leadership.
- Andy Chan: Former Southside Place Mayor and active HISD parent with experience on numerous district committees.
- Bob Eury: Retired president of Central Houston and former member of the 2012 Bond Oversight Committee.
- Chris Brown: Former Houston City Controller, current senior advisor for financial integrity, and HISD parent.
- Christopher Cola: CPA, former CFO, and HISD parent involved in several district committees.
- Daria Wenas: Managing director at Ernst & Young and HISD parent.
- Felix Chevalier: Houston attorney with expertise in government representation and strategic partnerships.
- Lauren Haller Fontaine: Senior legal counsel at Pattern Energy and active in local community boards.
- Marcos Rosales: Partner at Beck Redden LLP and member of the 2024 Community Advisory Committee.
- Mark Mallette: Former COO at Freeport LNG with extensive energy sector experience.
- Michael Davis: HISD parent, real estate broker, and member of the 2012 Bond Oversight Committee.
- Taylor Chapman: Investment principal at New Climate Ventures, specializing in decarbonization technologies.
- Wendell Robbins III: President of a commercial construction company and contractor on previous HISD bond projects.
Alternates:
- Jarred Morgan: Principal consultant at AG Consulting Partners.
- Karen Duffy: HISD parent and PTA leader with nonprofit and volunteer experience.
What the Bond Proposal Covers
Houston voters will have the opportunity to vote on Houston ISD’s 2024 bond proposal in the general election on November 5.
The bond proposal outlines a substantial investment in the future of Houston’s schools:
- $1.35 billion toward creating safe and healthy campuses
- $1.07 billion to make campuses “future-ready”
- $2.05 billion for the restoration of HISD schools
If approved, the bond would not increase taxes.
Key Dates
- Voter Registration Deadline: October 7, 2024
- Early Voting: October 21 – November 1, 2024
- Election Day: November 5, 2024
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