Latest Updates

Dear San Marino Unified School District Community,

I am pleased to provide you with an update on the progress of our Measure M Bond initiatives following the successful passage of Prop 39 Facilities Bond. Our goal is to manage these important funds responsibly and transparently while ensuring that our facilities meet the highest standards for our students and staff.

Key Updates

1. Appointment of the Measure M Bond Oversight Committee
   The Board of Education has taken a significant step by appointing a seven-member Measure M Bond Oversight Committee. This committee is designed to ensure accountability, provide valuable community insight, and maintain transparency in every phase of our bond fund expenditures. The Board of Education appointed the following individuals to serve a two-year term:

Mr. Richard Brunette, a Senior Member is a long-time resident of San Marino with decades of experience as a real estate, banking, and finance attorney. His professional expertise is complemented by his deep commitment to community service—evidenced by his long-standing volunteer work with numerous San Marino organizations and his past role on the Board of Trustees for the San Marino Schools Foundation. As a 30-year community member, he brings a personal connection to our schools as a parent of five grown children and a grandparent to two young children.

Jeanie Caldwell, an At Large Member, brings extensive expertise in managing large portfolios of commercial construction loans and has proven herself as a leader in financial oversight. A long-time San Marino resident and parent to two children who have attended our schools, she has a rich history of service on the Board of Education during major construction initiatives. During that period, she collaborated closely with the Board, District Staff, and Oversight Committee, and even led the Facilities Advisory Committee, ensuring that projects were executed to their fullest potential.

Paul Callahan, a Business Community Member, is a proud graduate of San Marino High School and the owner and operator of Casa Bonita Development, Inc. With 35 years of experience in local construction, business, and development, he has also contributed significantly to our community by serving 18 months on the San Marino Unified School District Facilities Advisory Committee, where he played an integral role in shaping the District’s Facilities Master Plan.

Kevin Cheng, an Active Parent Member, holds a JD in tax law and a BS in business administration, and he is a licensed real estate broker. Currently serving as the Director of Construction for the City of Hope, he oversees a capital program exceeding $1.58B. His professional credentials are matched by his dedication to community service, having volunteered for 18 months on the District’s Facilities Advisory Committee, where he assisted in developing our Facilities Master Plan, all while actively supporting numerous local organizations.

Stephanie Duncan, A taxpayer Group Member, is a dedicated member of the Howard Jarvis Tax Payer Association with a wealth of experience in designing and constructing medical office suites and working with contractors. For over four decades, she has been an active volunteer in San Marino—serving as PTA President at both Huntington Middle School and San Marino High School, as well as holding roles as PTA Council President and PTAffiliates President. Her professional background includes managing her husband’s spine surgery practice, and her previous service on the SMUSD bond oversight and parcel tax committees further deepens her connection to our schools, both as a volunteer and as a parent and grandparent.

Erik Luk, an At Large Member, is a licensed architect with over 33 years of expertise and brings a robust background in construction management, bidding, negotiations, contracts, building finance, and the supervision of builders and subcontractors. Beyond his impressive professional qualifications, he is an active volunteer at Carver Elementary, Huntington Middle School, and the high school. With 30 years of experience in development and property management, he also manages properties across three continents, offering both local and global perspectives, all while being a parent to three children currently enrolled in our schools.

Lisa Wang, a Current Parent and Active PTA Member, is the current San Marino High School PTA President, holds a BS in Accounting and an MS in Taxation, and is a certified public accountant with extensive experience in managing budgets and financial operations. As a dedicated parent with four children who have attended San Marino schools—her youngest having recently graduated—she has also devoted the past 15 years to volunteering in various capacities within our school community, demonstrating her steadfast commitment to education.

Each member brings a unique blend of qualifications, volunteer service, and professional experience, ensuring that the Measure M Bond Oversight Committee is well-equipped to serve our community with transparency, accountability, and dedication.

2. Bond Management Consultant Service
   We have already issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for Bond Management Consultant Services and are pleased to announce that we have received six strong responses. We plan to begin interviewing these firms in March, aiming to select a highly qualified consultant who will support District leadership in effectively managing our bond projects.

Our Strategic Plan Moving Forward

Our comprehensive plan includes several critical components:

• Citizen Oversight: Along with the new Oversight Committee, we will continue to engage qualified community members when and where appropriate. 
• Professional Expertise: In addition to the Bond Management Consultant, we will soon engage a Construction Manager and an Architectural Firm to ensure that project implementation is efficient, cost-effective, and aligned with our Facilities Master Plan and modern educational needs.
• Facilities Planning: We are actively developing a phased facilities plan that prioritizes urgent infrastructure needs, ensures Board input, and supports a clear project roadmap.
• Financial Management and Reporting: Dedicated accounts have been set up for bond funds, and we are committed to regular quarterly updates and annual audits to maintain public trust and compliance with Prop 39 requirements.
• Ongoing Community Engagement: We will continue to share project updates through our website, newsletters, community meetings, and social media. Our objective is to keep you well-informed about key achievements and upcoming milestones.

This structured approach reflects our commitment to using bond funds effectively, ensuring the safety and modernization of our school facilities, and keeping our community engaged in every step of the process.

Thank you for your continued support as we work together to enhance our District’s educational environment for current and future students.

Sincerely,

Linda de la Torre, Ed.D.
Superintendent
San Marino Unified School District

 

SMUSD Board of Education formed the SMUSD Measure M Bond Oversight Committee at its January 28, 2025, Board of Education Meeting. After an extensive application process, the Board of Education appointed seven members who will serve a two-year term on the Bond Oversight Committee: