Since
1997, the Citizens’ Construction Oversight and Value Engineering
Committee, commonly known as COVE, has been overseeing all school
construction projects within Orange County Public Schools. The committee
is made up of volunteers with expertise in construction, engineering,
finance and auditing. None of them do business with the district, and
the committee is independent of the district.
Working with COVE,
the district has developed prototypes for elementary, middle and high
schools. As a result, the district has already won millions of dollars
from the state’s SMART Schools Clearinghouse, which recognizes school
districts that build high-quality new schools cost-effectively.
As
part of the half-cent sales tax package approved by voters in September
of 2002, COVE will continue to oversee all construction and renovation
projects for as long as the sales tax is in effect. The committee’s
involvement will ensure that tax dollars are spent wisely.
Questions or comments for the COVE Committee may be sent by e-mail by accessing the COVE email selection to the right.
Members of the COVE Committee are:
Ksenia Merck (Chair)
President
K Merck & Associates
Pat Knipe (Vice-Chairman)
Partner (Retired)
Pricewaterhouse Coopers
Mario Cuello
C.E.O/President
Epygi Technologies Ltd.
Ernesto Gonzalez-Chavez
AIP Design, Inc.
Douglas A. Kelly
Vice President/Senior Counsel
Litigation and Compliance
Marriott Vacations Worldwide Corporations
James Knapp
President
James B. Knapp Construction
Stuart Kramer
Undergraduate/J.D Degree
Over 30 years experience in the Real Estate Industry