<h2><b><i>Independent group will monitor, report on<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span></i></b><b><i>how $344 million in school bond money is handled</i></b></h2>
Superintendent Frank Rodriguez has announced the formation of a citizen-led committee that will monitor all building projects, schedules, budgets and expenditures from the $344 million school bond referendum approved by Beaufort County voters last month.

“Our community gave the school district an overwhelming demonstration of support, and now we have to keep taxpayers’ confidence by completing the projects they approved on time and on budget,” Rodriguez said in a release. “The new Citizen-Led Oversight Committee will serve as an independent watchdog by monitoring projects and spending and then reporting directly to the public and the Board of Education.”

Rodriguez said CLOC members will bring a wide variety of professional experiences to their tasks. Members include CPAs, urban planners, civil engineers and project managers.

“The committee’s independence will be an important asset,” the superintendent said. “Taxpayers need to be able to trust them as watchful and effective monitors.”

The CLOC’s first meeting will be in January, and it will meet thereafter on a schedule it develops. It will make public quarterly reports that will be presented to the Board of Education and posted on a dedicated section of the school district’s website.

<b>The committee</b>

<b>David Ames</b> – City and regional planning expert who has consulted on public- and private-sector projects throughout the Southeast, Mexico and the Caribbean. Projects ranged from single use to major resort developments and town, county and regional plans. Chaired a $4.5 million capital campaign for The Children’s Center and co-chaired a $6 million capital campaign for the Boys and Girls Club.

<b>Ted Barber</b> – Retired Director of Operations for the Coca-Cola Co. with experience in multiple divisions, including project management, audit and internal controls, supply chain operations and enterprise risk management. Certifications in Quality Engineering, Quality Auditing, Quality Management and Project Management.

<b>Derrick Coaxum</b> – Public Works Manager for the Town of Bluffton, where he is in charge of maintaining the town’s roads and facilities, including all buildings and parks and recreation areas. Prior to taking his current position, Coaxum was Assistant Facilities Manager and Maintenance Administrator for the Town of Hilton Head Island.

<b>Carlton Dallas</b> – Owner of Dallas International Trading and Solutions LLC, which advises public and private organizations in strategic operations and financial growth. International business experience as a former executive with Chevron Corp. with assignments in Cape Town, South Africa and Bridgetown, Barbados.

<b>Kim Fleming </b>– Government and External Relations Director and Community Plans and Liaison Officer for Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort. Previous work as a civilian contractor supporting the military and the Office of the Secretary of Defense as a project manager or subject matter expert on sustainment, encroachment and environmental compliance issues.

<b>Ron Groteluschen</b> – Chief Financial Officer for Hilton Head Regional Healthcare and former Chief Financial Officer for Coastal Carolina Hospital. Licensed as a CPA, he has more than 30 years of financial management experience.

<b>Michael McNally</b> – Retired civil engineer, land surveyor and urban planner licensed in seven states, including South Carolina. Owned McNally Engineering, a consulting firm specializing in land-use planning and construction management.

<b>Richard Tritschler</b> – Responsible for maintenance, equipment replacement and special projects for 303 Associates, LLC, a Beaufort-based property development and management firm. Retired U.S. Navy hospital corpsman and former residential and commercial Realtor.

<b>Ray Warco </b>– Retired CPA with nearly 50 years of professional experience in local, regional and international accounting firms. He has worked with trusts, estates, resorts and nonprofit organizations, and his experience includes both tax compliance and financial reporting.