DISTRICT'S SPENDING OF BOND FUNDS OK'D.

Byline: Daily News

SANTA CLARITA - The Hart High School District has spent the funds from its $138 million bond issue appropriately and tried to stretch the proceeds through cost-saving measures, a public oversight committee reported.

The Citizens Oversight Committee's annual audit completed last month found the William S. Hart Union High School District complied with all legal requirements of the Measure V bond revenues through the 2002-03 audit period.

Funds from the 2001 voter-approved bond issue are being tapped for the $99 million renovation of Canyon and Saugus high schools and Arroyo Seco Junior High. The money also funded $13.6 million in athletic facility upgrades - including synthetic turf, all-weather tracks and stadium bleachers - at the four comprehensive high schools.

The committee charged with monitoring Hart's bond revenue expenditures and informing the public of its activities also lauded the district for slashing professional fees and seeking facility joint-use agreements.

These moves ``maximized the Measure V bond revenues,'' helped lower debt and bond issue costs and held down the bond's property tax assessment in its first year, the report said.

The committee recommended that the district increase management oversight of its construction projects and update its building plans to reflect any changes in schedule or funding. Hart district officials said additional staff have been hired to help oversee the projects.

Other ongoing building projects, including Golden Valley and West Ranch high schools and Rancho Pico Junior High, are using state funds not funded by the bond. But officials plan to use bond revenues for future structures once the campuses are completed.