At the Oct. 16 district board meeting, the plan finally got the official green light, even though a portion of the $429 million had already been applied to several San Jose schools. But many citizens in the community contested the plan's long-term schedule for school-improvement projects, asking school officials and the bond oversight committee to rethink its timetable at prior meetings.

Acknowledging that the implementation plan needed further review at its Sept. 8 meeting, the district again went back over the proposal, which included additional feedback from the community and school principals. As a result of these meetings, the timetable for some of the anticipated projects was also revisited. These actions enabled the plan to finally get the nod of approval from the district's governing board.

With the implementation plan now in place, needed Willow Glen campus renovations will begin in the elementary, middle and high schools. At the board meeting, members from the appointed Measure F Citizens Bond Oversight Committee and district officials acknowledged that by working together, both sides came up with a plan they can comfortably adhere to.

"We changed from a one-size-fits-all mentality," San Jose Unified School District director of school construction Ty Williams told board members at the meeting. "Now, we will be bringing improvements to many sites earlier and quicker."

Board member Carol Myers, who represents Willow Glen area schools, told district officials that she appreciated all the hard work and effort everyone put into dissecting and developing the plan. She was especially pleased with the congruent outcome from the last bond committee meeting.

"Everybody was really on the same page toward the end of all of this," she said.