The Measure M Citizens’ Oversight Committee has three new members.

Denise Mathews, Robin Meglan, and Mary Mueller were all approved unanimously by the Manteca Unified Board of Trustees Tuesday night to serve the committee for two years.

Two more qualified applicants are needed to fill the original five vacancies on the committee. District staff informed the board that it is continuing the search for people who are qualified for the positions. The group’s next meeting is set for Wednesday, Oct. 24.

The committee was established as part of the legal mandate to the passage of Measure M, a general obligation fund approved by the voters in the school district during the general election in March 2004. An oversight committee was required “to inform the public at least annually in a written report, concerning the expenditure of the Measure M Bond proceeds.”

The committee was also formed “to ensure that the expenditures of bond measures are in strict conformity with the law; that taxpayers directly participate in the oversight of bond expenditures, and that members of the committee alert the public to any waste or improper expenditure of school construction bond money.”

Those approved by the Board of Trustees serve a two-year term.

To qualify for a seat on the committee, applicants have to be registered voters and reside within the geographical boundaries of the school district which include Manteca, Lathrop, French Camp, and Weston Ranch which is actually a part of Stockton’s jurisdiction, as well as some unincorporated outlying areas of San Joaquin County.

One of the projects that have been benefited by Measure M funds include the 18,383-square-foot French Camp Joint-use Multi-purpose gym completed in January 2011.

Anyone interested in filing an application for one of the two remaining vacant seats on the oversight committee, or to find out more about the Measure M Oversight group can call the Business Service Department of the school district at (209) 8858-0728.