BOND PANEL FACES LOSS OF 3 MEMBERS DISSATISFACTION CITED WITH SCHOOL OFFICIALS.

Byline: Angie Valencia-Martinez Staff Writer

SIMI VALLEY - The chairman, vice chairman and a third member of the school district's bond oversight committee are stepping down from the panel that monitors $145 million in construction and repairs at local campuses.

After months of bumping heads with Simi Valley Unified officials, Chris Hamilton, who chairs the 13-member committee, notified the district that he would not seek reappointment when his term expires Dec. 31. Also leaving are Mayor Paul Miller, vice chairman, and George Estrella, a retired Rocketdyne engineer.

``I just can't justify wasting any more time,'' Hamilton said. ``The district and the school board have made it impossible for the oversight committee to do the job we're required to do under state law.''

In the past, members of the committee have accused district staffers of not relaying information in a timely manner.

The committee also became upset when the school board hired a new management company to oversee the bond program.

The district was forced to make the change changes because it didn't have enough money to complete all projects and the switch cut years off the schedule to head off costs. The oversight committee, however, said shortening the construction time could eliminate a number of planned projects.

Another point of contention was the transfer of $1.5 million from bond funds to the general fund, which district officials called an accounting error.

School board members said they tried working with the group.

``There was a lot of frustration in the committee and I wanted to figure out where it came from,'' said school board member Rob Collins. ``We tried to give them all the information they asked for. We answered all their questions and addressed their concerns. We've done a great job.''

Estrella said his decision to leave was partly based on his dissatisfaction with the district. Working with the staff ``was very difficult,'' he said.

Miller said he is stepping down because of his other commitments.

``I'm very busy,'' he said. ``That's one less meeting that I have to be involved in. I was ready when my term was over. Other people should get involved.''

Two-year terms expire Dec. 31 for six members of the committee. Hamilton, Miller and Estrella said they would not be returning. Two other members, Eric Cohen and Mike McCaffrey, want to be considered for another term, and Ron Buccieri has yet to notify the district staff of his plans.

The school board will appoint replacements for the three committee members at its Dec. 13 meeting.

Angie Valencia-Martinez, [phone]

angie.valencia(at)dailynews.com