Senator Cervantes Secures State Audit to Ensure Transparent Stewardship of Taxpayer Funds for Proposed RUSD STEM Education Center
On Wednesday, the Joint Legislative Audit Committee (JLAC) approved by a bipartisan vote an audit request by Senator Sabrina Cervantes (D-Riverside) of the Riverside Unified School District (RUSD) STEM Education Center (STEM Center). The California State Auditor will now proceed with the months-long audit.
“I believe in STEM education and I support the mission statement of RUSD to provide equity in education to our students. However, I requested this audit to ensure that RUSD is complying with state transparency laws and upholding the public trust regarding the STEM Center,” Senator Cervantes said.
In her April 22, 2025 audit request to JLAC regarding the lack of transparency that RUSD has manifested in its handling of the proposed STEM Center, Senator Cervantes asked several questions and raised community concerns. These included assessing whether the RUSD Board of Education complied with state transparency laws when making decisions related to the STEM Center; evaluating whether RUSD complied with state law in using Measure O funds; and determining whether the most recent draft or executed property lease between the RUSD and the University of California, Riverside (UCR) – where the proposed STEM Center would be located as a joint venture – provides transparency and protects the school district.
Senator Cervantes believes that the State Auditor’s review will contribute to equitable consideration by RUSD and the UC Board of Regents about whether the STEM Center should move forward.
“It is important also to acknowledge the community groups who have been asking questions of RUSD about the STEM Center for nearly 10 years,” the Senator noted. “I look forward to continuing to work with the community and ensuring that public funds and projects are managed with equity, transparency, and accountability.” Measure O, which was approved by RUSD voters in 2016, was intended primarily to provide funding to refurbish existing educational facilities in the district. As required by state law, RUSD provided voters with a proposed list of projects that Measure O would fund. The STEM Center was not on that initial list.
“One of my duties as a member of the Legislature is to provide oversight, and if necessary, seek changes to state law regarding the placement of school bonds like Measure O on the ballot and the process of disbursing those funds once approved by the voters,” Senator Cervantes explained.