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Citizens' Oversight Committee (COC)

Citizens’ Oversight Committee (Measures T & W)

The next COC meeting will be held:

Tuesday, August 25, 2026
5:00 - 6:00 pm
District Office

Perris Union High School District Saves nearly $10 Million Through Strategic Bond Refinancing

On April 7, 2026, the District priced its 2026 Special Tax Revenue Refunding Bonds in the aggregate principal amount of $29,865,000, refinancing outstanding bonds within Community Facilities District No. 91-1 and No. 92-1. By securing significantly lower interest rates, the District has reduced future debt service obligations while maintaining a disciplined repayment structure.

“This is a major win for our district, community, and our students,” said Dr. Jose Luis Araux, Superintendent. “By acting decisively during a unique market opportunity, we were able to capture substantial savings that can now be reinvested directly into our school facilities. This reflects our ongoing commitment to strong fiscal stewardship and maximizing every dollar in support of student success.”

The District’s ‘A’ rated bonds were met with exceptional investor demand, receiving more than $180 million in orders for approximately $30 million in bonds offered—an oversubscription that allowed the District to reduce borrowing costs across all maturities further.

“The level of investor interest speaks volumes about the District’s financial strength and credibility in the market,” said Dr. Marguerite Williams, Assistant Superintendent of Business Services. “Because of this strong demand, we were able to lower yields across the board and. lock in meaningful savings without extending the life of the debt.”

Importantly, the refinancing does not extend the bonds' final maturity. The District successfully shortened the repayment term for CFD 91-1 bonds by three years, aligning both CFD 91-1 and CFD 92-1 to a final maturity date of September 1, 2038.

The savings generated from this transaction will be available for pay-as-you-go capital improvements, supporting critical infrastructure and facility needs across the District—without impacting its future general obligation bonding capacity.

“This refinancing presents a rare opportunity to demonstrate our commitment to providing modern facilities and the highest-quality educational environment. Achieving this level of excellence is only possible with the continued support of our community,” said Board President Edward Garcia, Jr.

Purpose:

To ensure that Measure T & W funds are used in accordance with the intention of the voters and with the highest possible level of efficiency so that every project funded promotes a safe and welcoming environment to better serve the educational needs of the children in our communities.

Goals:

To validate to the community and Board of Trustees that all funds received through Measures T & W are expended only for the purposes set forth in each respective Measure as stated in the bond proposal and as approved by the voters on November 6, 2012 and November 6, 2018.

  • To review financial plans ensuring that the optimum combination of local and state funds are applied to plans and projects.
  • To inform and provide annual reports to parents, members of the community, and to the Board of Trustees of the Perris Union High School District.
  • Supports District administration with the assistance of administrative functions to the committee’s needs.

Current Members:

  • Sheila Curtis
  • Anthony Fielding
  • William Hulstrom
  • Marilee Menez
  • George Mills
  • Joshua D. Naggar, Esq.
  • Samantha Robles

Meetings:

Meetings of the COC are called, noticed, held and conducted subject to the Ralph M. Brown Act, and are open to the public (Full details of the Ralph M. Brown Act can be found on the State of California Office of the Attorney General). Meetings shall be conducted according to such additional procedural rules as the Committee may adopt. A majority of the number of committee members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of any business of the committee.

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