Tate is a founding member of the 13-member bond-oversight committee—established in accordance with Proposition 39 to closely monitor the use of $429 million of voter-approved Measure F bond funds. Mulvany, however, was applying to be a committee member for the first time.

Both men candidly acknowledge having a thorny history when dealing with San Jose Unified School District administrators, but their histories have not dissuaded them from staying involved.

During the monthly bond-oversight sessions, Tate has been arguably the most vocal of all committee members, showing dogged persistence with district officials and fellow committee members over every word choice, whether it be in the committee's implementation plan or a construction contract, to ensure that every single dollar is spent properly. And Mulvany, a Willow Glen resident, has never been afraid to voice his opposition toward governing board members or other district administrators when he spots a problem.

So when they were left off the new bond-oversight committee's list of 11, they weren't completely shocked. Yet Mulvany couldn't help but speculate whether the new committee was cut by two to prevent Tate or himself from sitting on the new committee set to take over in July.

SJUSD Associate Superintendent Jerry Matranga said this is not the case. He said 15 people applied for the committee and all were granted interviews. Matranga said Mulvany and Tate simply scored lower than the 11 who were chosen.

Tate said he received an official phone call from district Superintendent Linda Murray after his April interview. Murray politely thanked him for his prior service, but told him he wasn't selected for the new committee.

During each interview, applicants were given scores by six interviewers, who based their results on geographic representation, professional background, how they answered the questions and whether they meet the bond-oversight committee bylaw requirements for diversity. The bylaws, for example, require one member be active in a senior citizen organization, one active in a taxpayer organization and one have a child enrolled in the district.

At a May 20 district board meeting, governing board members decided to reopen the application process to increase the size of the committee from 11 to at least 13 members. Board members said that through another round of interviews, they hoped more people would be added to achieve a more equitable geographic distribution.

Board trustee Carol Myers, who represents Willow Glen, questioned why the district is taking this approach since geography didn't play a significant role in the first selection process.

"I would like to see us get back to 15 members. But I hate to see us totally restricted by geography," said Myers, concerned that qualified candidates would be turned away based on where they live.

Tate and Mulvany plan to reapply now that the oversight committee is expanding, although Tate said, "I assume they will reject me again."

The culture around the district has never been open, Tate said. And he adds, "I take my role very seriously. I bring a lot of scrutiny to the role overall. I have a heavy level of skepticism. I am here to improve the process. I want to bring the experience I've had in business to the district."

Oversight board committee chairman Dave Fadness said the committee's function is to keep an eye on what the district does with the bond money and make sure it is spent within the guidelines of the measure. He also said it is no secret that Tate "is not widely loved by the school board."

"Charles is extremely persistent and takes his job seriously," Fadness said. "But the bottom line is, the whole committee has dramatically improved the district's approach to contracting."

Mulvany also takes his role as parent and district watchdog seriously. He applied for a committee position in April and says he was careful not to be critical of the district during his interview. He received notice that he was not selected for the bond-oversight committee from San Jose Unified School District director of external programs Bill Erlendson shortly after the interview.

Mulvany was upset but was even more disappointed that Tate was left off the committee.

"Charles was the former president of the bond-oversight committee and now suddenly his services are no longer needed," Mulvany said. "I think the whole process is petty and vindictive."