Bond Oversight Committee, or BOC, Chair Rashid Khokhar, who previously said the committee raised inflation concerns before the district revealed a $132.6 million shortfall from the $1.26 billion 2023 bond, is now urging updates to the committee’s charter to reflect its expanded role and ensure projects meet community expectations and long-term district goals.
“[BOC review of the charter] is a rather critical thing, because without the BOC input, the charter may [lack something] that we will be debating about again,” he said at the Sept. 18 board meeting.
The background
The committee advises the district on bond proposals and meets quarterly to review the progress, expenditures and financial status of voter-approved capital projects from the 2014, 2018 and 2023 bonds, per the district website. The committee provides regular reports to the board of trustees, and its meetings are open to the public with information available on the FBISD website.
Khokhar said while the original 2014 charter was focused on oversight following bond approvals, the BOC’s involvement has grown to include collaboration on public communications and strategic planning since the 2023 bond.
He said the committee members anticipate the transition from the BOC to a newly named Bond Advisory Committee, or BAC, as a revised charter is being developed to reflect an expanded role for the committee.
“This is my third time that I am addressing you all, and I have always tried to tell you all that the BOC charter needs to be adjusted,” he said. “The charter must be changed. There is no question about it.”
What they’re saying
Khokhar said several BOC members responded to his Aug. 30 email, highlighting key concerns, including:
- Ongoing issues at Madden Elementary School, though details were not specified
- A call for greater transparency in vendor selection for bond-funded projects
- Frustration over the lack of visible outcomes or actions resulting from the committee’s feedback
Amid the $163.2 million 2023 budget shortfalls announced in February 2024, Community Impact reported that the BOC had access to updated project cost estimates and raised concerns about inflation prior to the announcement.
A third-party investigation found the shortfall was caused by administration leaders not adjusting major project costs for inflation when the bond was delayed from November 2022 to May 2023.
This led to the cutting of several projects last October, including Elementary School No. 55 in the rapidly growing Harvest Green community and a southeast transportation center, though bond contingency funds were approved to fund a special education transportation center and Madden Elementary slab repairs in July.
Khokhar said in June 2024 that the committee would seek more frequent meetings and clearer follow-ups on their inquiries.
Moving forward
Community Impact reached out to district administrators to learn when the charter would be released for board approval, but a response was not returned by press time.
Looking ahead, Khokhar said committee members requested the charter include:
- Appointing one or two board liaisons to the committee
- Integrating the committee’s work with district-wide strategic planning
- Granting access to data dashboards for improved transparency and monitoring
