A Report for the Citizens of Yolo County, California Arcade Arroz

Conclusions 7

• CL1
  each District campus setting forth visitor registration 8/28/2017 Esparto Entire School Board lacking at several district campuses. requirements, hours during which registration is required, the registration location, the route to take to that location, and the penalties for violation of registration requirements. Giovanni Linaes, Executive WJUSD agrees with this finding, WJUSD is investing in Director, Educational Services, 8/7/2017 signage to support directing visitors to office areas Woodland Joint Unified School District Jesse Ortiz, ED.D., Yolo No Response 8/2/2017 County Superintendent of Schools Todd Cutler, Ed.D., Winters Agree with the Findings 6/19/2017 Joint Unified School District Agree - Appropriate signage directing visitors to the Linda C. Luna, District 8/14/2017 office areas are at every school site in WUSD. Superintendent and the Board 2017-2018 Yolo County Grand Jury 78 Appendix: Did the 2016-17 Grand Jury Improve Local Government? Findings Responses Date Who's to Respond Pat Blacklock on behalf of No Response 8/1/2017 Yolo County Board of Supervisors The District agrees with this finding as it relates to the operations of the Davis Joint Unified School District. Davis Unified School District, Most District school sites display proper signage to direct telephone call 10-20-17 from visitors to the main office prior to accessing the District, sent response 9-7-17, campuses. However, the District acknowledges that some 9/7/2017 resending 10-20-17. John A sites are missing the proper signage while other campuses Bowes, Ed.D., Superintendent lack signs that are large enough for visitors to easily and Tom Adams, Vice identify. The District is currently rectifying this and President, Board of Education expects to have proper signage implemented on all school sites within 18-24 months from September 1, 2017. No response is called for. To highlight the practices of Esparto Unified School District, the District provides all Utilizing an organized emergency procedures flip chart with its teachers with safety directives in its emergency plan easy to follow directives and an easily modified format, as
• CL2
  on an annual basis. The District is, however, willing to 8/28/2017 Esparto Entire School Board used in Washington School District, is highly recommended consider establishing a District committee to discuss for use as a countywide model. creating and using a similar flip chart system in the 2017- 18 school year. WJUSD agrees with this finding. WJUSD is investing Giovanni Linaes, Executive funds through the Local Control and Accountability Plan Director, Educational Services, 8/7/2017 to develop flip charts for school sites that have easy-to- Woodland Joint Unified School follow safety directives. District Jesse Ortiz, ED.D., Yolo No Response 8/2/2017 County Superintendent of Schools Todd Cutler, Ed.D., Winters Agree with the Findings 6/19/2017 Joint Unified School District Agree - WUSD implemented emergency procedures Linda C. Luna, District through an organized flip chart through the collaboration 8/14/2017 Superintendent and the Board of the District's Safety Committee and training. 2017-2018 Yolo County Grand Jury 79 Appendix: Did the 2016-17 Grand Jury Improve Local Government? Findings Responses Date Who's to Respond Pat Blacklock on behalf of No Response 8/1/2017 Yolo County Board of Supervisors No response is required. To highlight the practices of Davis Joint Unified School District, the District displays a one page 11X17 card on the wall of every classroom and workspace on neon red paper, which is easier to Davis Unified School District, follow in an emergency situation than the flip chart telephone call 10-20-17 from (which the district previously used). An emergency folder District, sent response 9-7-17, is also placed in every classroom of every school site, 9/7/2017 resending 10-20-17. John A which consists of the same information as the card, as Bowes, Ed.D., Superintendent well as the class roster, emergency numbers, school map, and Tom Adams, Vice and first aid procedures. Teachers are well versed in the President, Board of Education use of these folders and know to bring them with them (along with the emergency backpack) in an evacuation situation. The use of the Winters Public Library by students and the
• CL3
  public during school hours without established safety No Response is Required 8/28/2017 Esparto Entire School Board procedures at that facility is of concern to the Grand Jury. Giovanni Linaes, Executive Director, Educational Services, No Response Needed 8/7/2017 Woodland Joint Unified School District It is outside of YCOE's jurisdiction to require Winters Joint Unified School district to implement safety Jesse Ortiz, ED.D., Yolo procedures. However, YCOE will support the school 8/2/2017 County Superintendent of district in addressing any findings, including F11, at the Schools district's request. Todd Cutler, Ed.D., Winters Agree with the Findings 6/19/2017 Joint Unified School District Linda C. Luna, District No Response 8/14/2017 Superintendent and the Board 2017-2018 Yolo County Grand Jury 80 Appendix: Did the 2016-17 Grand Jury Improve Local Government? Findings Responses Date Who's to Respond Pat Blacklock on behalf of No Response 8/1/2017 Yolo County Board of Supervisors Davis Unified School District, telephone call 10-20-17 from District, sent response 9-7-17, No Response resending 10-20-17. John A Bowes, Ed.D., Superintendent and Tom Adams, Vice President, Board of Education The District agrees with this finding as it relates to the operations of the Esparto Unified School District. All Current use of alternate communication devices, for example school principals, office staff, Physical Education walkie-talkies, for selected staff improves the safety of all
• CL4
  Teachers, and Yard Duty Staff are equipped with 8/28/2017 Esparto Entire School Board campuses when other forms of communication such as alternate communication devices, such as walkie-talkies, phones, the internet, and intercoms are not functioning. in the event other forms of communication such as phones, the internet, and intercoms are not functioning. WJUSD agrees that the use of alternative communications devices is useful in communicating Giovanni Linaes, Executive when other forms of communication are not available Director, Educational Services, 8/7/2017 WJUSD has invested and will continue to invest in Woodland Joint Unified School having alternative devices available when needed across District all campuses. Jesse Ortiz, Ed.D, Yolo County No Response 8/2/2017 Superintendent of Schools Todd Cutler, Ed.D., Winters Agree with the Findings 6/19/2017 Joint Unified School District Agree - WUSD uses alternate communication devices, Linda C. Luna, District walkie-talkies for selected staff to improve the safety of 8/14/2017 Superintendent and the Board all campuses. 2017-2018 Yolo County Grand Jury 81 Appendix: Did the 2016-17 Grand Jury Improve Local Government? Findings Responses Date Who's to Respond Pat Blacklock on behalf of No Response 8/1/2017 Yolo County Board of Supervisors The District agrees with this finding as it relates to the Davis Unified School District, operations of the Davis Joint Unified School District. The telephone call 10-20-17 from District deploys walkie-talkies to every campus. The District, sent response 9-7-17, devices allow staff to communicate within the campus as 9/7/2017 resending 10-20-17. John A well as within the entire District. All front office and Bowes, Ed.D., Superintendent administrative staff are trained on the emergency features and Tom Adams, Vice of this system. President, Board of Education The Yolo County Board of Supervisors needs to address and
• CL5
  correct traffic safety issues along Yolo Avenue in Esparto for No Response is Required 8/28/2017 Esparto Entire School Board Esparto District students accessing all campuses. Giovanni Linaes, Executive Director, Educational Services, No Response Needed 8/7/2017 Woodland Joint Unified School District Jesse Ortiz, ED.D., Yolo No Response 8/2/2017 County Superintendent of Schools Todd Cutler, Ed.D., Winters Agree with the Findings 6/19/2017 Joint Unified School District Linda C. Luna, District No Response is Required 8/14/2017 Superintendent and the Board We disagree wholly with the findings, as Yolo Avenue in Esparto is a state highway (California State Route 16) not Pat Blacklock on behalf of under our jurisdiction. However, we will continue to 8/1/2017 Yolo County Board of work collaboratively with the State to address road safety Supervisors issues on state highways in Yolo County. 2017-2018 Yolo County Grand Jury 82 Appendix: Did the 2016-17 Grand Jury Improve Local Government? Findings Responses Date Who's to Respond Davis Unified School District, telephone call 10-20-17 from District, sent response 9-7-17, No Response resending 10-20-17. John A Bowes, Ed.D., Superintendent and Tom Adams, Vice President, Board of Education
• CL6
  This summary of responses to the 2016-17 Grand Jury Final Report reflects comments received and measures taken by the investigated parties and governing bodies. Agency and individual comments were timely and generally cooperative with the Grand Jury. Of the thirty recommendations made in the 2016-17 report, seventeen were already or will be implemented by respondents, and eight were rejected. In addition, four recommendations were implemented by some respondents, rejected by others, and required additional analysis by still others, and one recommendation required no response. Almost all negative responses stated the underlying reason(s) for non- implementation. The potential benefits of the implemented recommendations are evidence that the Yolo County Grand Jury continues to serve as a useful agent for positive change. All findings, recommendations, and responses appear in the Appendix. 2017-2018 Yolo County Grand Jury 66 Did the 2016-17 Grand Jury Improve Local Government? BIBLIOGRAPHY 2016-17 Yolo County Grand Jury Final Report, June 30, 2017, at http://www.yolocounty.org/business/community/grand-jury/yolo-county-grand-jury- reports 2017-2018 Yolo County Grand Jury 67 Did the 2016-17 Grand Jury Improve Local Government? APPENDIX D REPORT TITLE: ARE YOLO COUNTY SCHOOLS IN COMPLIANCE WITH SCHOOL SAFETY PLANS? Findings Responses Date Who's to Respond With the exception of Winters Joint Unified School District F1 are in compliance with the yearly update and reporting per Esparto Unified School District agrees of finding. 8/28/2017 Esparto Entire School Board the Education code Requirements for Comprehensive School Plans The Woodland Joint Unified School District, hereafter Giovanni Linaes, Executive referred to as WJUSD, agrees that WJUSD are in Director, Educational Services, compliance with the yearly update and reporting per the 8/7/2017 Woodland Joint Unified School Education Code Requirements for comprehensive School District Safety Plans. The Yolo County Office of Education (YCOE) engages in partnerships, support and technical assistance with, and on behalf of schools and school districts in Yolo County, including school safety plans. However, each district is Jesse Ortiz, Ed.D., Yolo responsible for developing and implementing its own 8/2/2017 County Superintendent of process for ensuring compliance with California Schools Education Code as it relates to school safety plans. It is outside of YCOE's jurisdiction to require any school district in the county to comply with Education Code requirements for comprehensive school safety plans. Todd Cutler, Ed.D., Winters Agree with the Findings 6/19/2017 Joint Unified School District Agree - Washington Unified School District (WUSD) is in compliance with the yearly update and reporting per Linda C. Luna, District 8/14/2017 the Education Code Requirements for Comprehensive Superintendent and the Board School Safety Plans. 2017-2018 Yolo County Grand Jury 68 Appendix: Did the 2016-17 Grand Jury Improve Local Government? Findings Responses Date Who's to Respond Pat Blacklock on behalf of No Response 8/1/2017 Yolo County Board of Supervisors The County Board and the County Superintendent work hand in hand in co-governance over the Yolo County Office of Education. The County Board of Education concurs with the letter the Grand Jury received from Superintendent Ortiz and is in full support of Dr. Ortiz's response. The Board did, however, want to bring the Grand Jury's attention that the Yolo County Office of Education also functions in some ways like a school district and operates its own schools. These schools were not included in the Grand Jury's review, but serve some of our county's most needy students. We operate: Matt Taylor, President Yolo Greengate - an extraordinary, self-contained educational 9/26/2017 County Board of Education setting for students with special needs; Dan Jacobs School - a WASC accredited school offering educational opportunities to students housed in the Yolo County Juvenile Detention Center; Cesar Chavez Community Schools - accredited, public high schools located in Woodland and West Sacramento that serve students on formal or informal probation or students who have been expelled from other schools in the county. The Yolo County Office of Education is extremely proud of these schools and the services they provide to students - including keeping these students safe and learning. Davis Unified School District, telephone call 10-20-17 from District, sent response 9-7-17, The District agrees with this finding as it relates to the 9/7/2017 resending 10-20-17. John A operations of the Davis Joint Unified School District. Bowes, Ed.D., Superintendent and Tom Adams, Vice President, Board of Education School Districts regularly conduct safety training for all F2 school employees, usually at the beginning of the school Esparto Unified School District agrees of finding. 8/28/2017 Esparto Entire School Board year. Some Districts provide more comprehensive training throughout the school year. 2017-2018 Yolo County Grand Jury 69 Appendix: Did the 2016-17 Grand Jury Improve Local Government? Findings Responses Date Who's to Respond Giovanni Linaes, Executive WJUSD agrees with this finding. WJUSD conducts Director, Educational Services, 8/7/2017 regular safety training for all school employees. Woodland Joint Unified School District Jesse Ortiz, Ed.D., Yolo No Response 8/2/2017 County Superintendent of Schools Todd Cutler, Ed.D., Winters Agree with the Findings 6/19/2017 Joint Unified School District Agree - WUSD regularly conducts safety training for all school employees, usually at the beginning of the school Linda C. Luna, District 8/14/2017 year and will provide additional training throughout the Superintendent and the Board school year. Pat Blacklock on behalf of No Response 8/1/2017 Yolo County Board of Supervisors Davis Unified School District, telephone call 10-20-17 from District, sent response 9-7-17, The District agrees with this finding as it relates to the 9/7/2017 resending 10-20-17. John A operations of the Davis Joint Unified School District. Bowes, Ed.D., Superintendent and Tom Adams, Vice President, Board of Education Washington Joint Unified School District does an exemplary F3 job with its Comprehensive School safety Plan and execution No Response Needed 8/28/2017 Esparto Entire School Board on all campuses. Giovanni Linaes, Executive Director, Educational Services, No Response Needed 8/7/2017 Woodland Joint Unified School District Jesse Ortiz, ED.D., Yolo No Response 8/2/2017 County Superintendent of Schools Todd Cutler, Ed.D., Winters Agree with the Findings 6/19/2017 Joint Unified School District 2017-2018 Yolo County Grand Jury 70 Appendix: Did the 2016-17 Grand Jury Improve Local Government? Findings Responses Date Who's to Respond Agree - WUSD does an exemplary job with its Linda C. Luna, District Comprehensive School Safety Plan and execution on all 8/14/2017 Superintendent and the Board campuses Pat Blacklock on behalf of No Response 8/1/2017 Yolo County Board of Supervisors Davis Unified School District, telephone call 10-20-17 from District, sent response 9-7-17, No Response resending 10-20-17. John A Bowes, Ed.D., Superintendent and Tom Adams, Vice President, Board of Education There is a lack of regular and on-going communications Esparto Unified School District disagrees of finding. among the five Yolo County School Districts regarding Superintendents of Yolo County School districts meet on F4 School Safety Plan issues that would affect all Districts. a monthly basis at the Yolo Co Office of Education, at 8/28/2017 Esparto Entire School Board Meeting regularly and discussing shared concerns would which time safety concerns may be raised and discussed allow ideas and solutions to be presented. collectively to determine effective resolutions. WJUSD agrees with this finding. Communication among the five Yolo County School Districts regarding School Giovanni Linaes, Executive Safety Plans does occur on an individual basis. Ongoing Director, Educational Services, 8/7/2017 and consistent communication regarding issues that Woodland Joint Unified School would affect all Districts would allow for collaborative District idea and solution development. Jesse Ortiz, ED.D., Yolo No Response 8/2/2017 County Superintendent of Schools Todd Cutler, Ed.D., Winters Agree with the Findings 6/19/2017 Joint Unified School District Agree - Meeting regularly among the five (5) Yolo Linda C. Luna, District County School Districts would allow ideas and solutions 8/14/2017 Superintendent and the Board to be presented. 2017-2018 Yolo County Grand Jury 71 Appendix: Did the 2016-17 Grand Jury Improve Local Government? Findings Responses Date Who's to Respond Pat Blacklock on behalf of No Response 8/1/2017 Yolo County Board of Supervisors Davis Unified School District, The District disagrees with this finding. The telephone call 10-20-17 from superintendents of the Yolo County School Districts meet District, sent response 9-7-17, on a monthly basis at the Yolo County Office of resending 10-20-17. John A Education, at which time safety concerns may be raised Bowes, Ed.D., Superintendent and discussed collectively to determine effective and Tom Adams, Vice resolutions. President, Board of Education Esparto Unified School District disagrees partially as it relates to the operations of the Esparto Unified School District. The lack of fencing around some District campuses is consistent with the purposes provided in the Civic Center Act, which requires the District to make school facilities and grounds available to citizens and Access to many campuses within some districts is not community groups. While the District priorities school restricted by fencing. Public walkways/bike paths run F5 safety and takes seriously the rare tragedies of school 8/28/2017 Esparto Entire School Board directly through some of the campuses. Gates at some violence, it must also balance such concerns with valid campuses are not secured during school hours. District's school site council considers that evaluation in drafting its comprehensive safety plan. Notwithstanding, the district is in the process of requesting quotes from local fencing contractors for fencing around the junior high school entrance as well as other fences within the District. The request will be finalized on 9-30-17. Giovanni Linaes, Executive WJUSD agrees with this finding. Some campuses within Director, Educational Services, 8/7/2017 WJUSD are not restricted by fencing. Woodland Joint Unified School District Jesse Ortiz, ED.D., Yolo No Response 8/2/2017 County Superintendent of Schools Todd Cutler, Ed.D., Winters Agree with the Findings 6/19/2017 Joint Unified School District 2017-2018 Yolo County Grand Jury 72 Appendix: Did the 2016-17 Grand Jury Improve Local Government? Findings Responses Date Who's to Respond Agree - Access to some campuses is not restricted by fencing. Gates at some campuses are not secured during Linda C. Luna, District 8/14/2017 school hours because not all gates have panic bars to exit Superintendent and the Board from the inside without a key. Pat Blacklock on behalf of No Response 8/1/2017 Yolo County Board of Supervisors The District disagrees partially with this finding as it relates to the operations of the Davis Joint Unified School District. Although the District acknowledges its campuses' proximity to public bike trails and city parks, it has implemented adequate policies and continues to work closely with local law enforcement agencies to maintain security during school hours. The public bike trails and parks are distinctive of the city of Davis and the District's school site councils considers this characteristic in drafting their comprehensive safety plans. The lack of perimeter fencing around some District campuses is consistent with the purposes provided in the Civic Center Davis Unified School District, Act, which requires the District to make school facilities telephone call 10-20-17 from and grounds available to citizens and community groups District, sent response 9-7-17, after school hours. While the District prioritizes school 9/7/2017 resending 10-20-17. John A safety and takes seriously the rare tragedies of school Bowes, Ed.D., Superintendent violence, it must also balance such concerns with valid and Tom Adams, Vice community interests. The safety policies put in place President, Board of Education reflect that assessment. Additionally, according to the District's 2015 comprehensive safety assessment conducted by expert consultants, the lack of perimeter fencing as found to be reasonable given the city's low crime rate and the District's initiative to implement property line demarcations and additional signage, discussed in more detail below. Lastly, rather than implement perimeter fencing around all campuses, the District has completed strategic fencing projects on several school sites by implementing higher fencing around playground areas occupied by kindergarten and other young children. 2017-2018 Yolo County Grand Jury 73 Appendix: Did the 2016-17 Grand Jury Improve Local Government? Findings Responses Date Who's to Respond The District disagrees wholly with this finding as it relates to the operations of the Esparto Unified School District. District Board Policy/Administrative Regulation 1250 delineates the check-in procedures for visitors at all school sites. A visitor shall, upon request, furnish the principal or designee with his/her name, address, and Visitors to campuses are not properly instructed to safety occupation, his/her age, if less than 21, his/her purpose F6 procedures to be followed. Check-in procedures for visitors 8/28/2017 Esparto Entire School Board for entering school grounds, proof of identity, if are often not adequately clarified at some campuses. necessary, and other information consistent with the provisions of law. Additionally, safety procedures are posted visibly near the entrance of each campus and District office. Visitors are also typically accompanied by school personnel who are well-informed in the use of the emergency card and safety procedures. WJUSD agrees with this finding. Consistency in Giovanni Linaes, Executive instructing safety procedures to visitors in an area of Director, Educational Services, need. WJUSD will be providing training, reminders, and 8/7/2017 Woodland Joint Unified School clear procedures for instruction and clarifying safety District procedures to be followed Jesse Ortiz, ED.D., Yolo No Response 8/2/2017 County Superintendent of Schools Todd Cutler, Ed.D., Winters Agree with the Findings 6/19/2017 Joint Unified School District Disagree - Visitors to campuses are properly instructed to Linda C. Luna, District safety procedures to be followed. Check-in procedures 8/14/2017 Superintendent and the Board for visitors are clarified at all WUSD campuses. Pat Blacklock on behalf of No Response 8/1/2017 Yolo County Board of Supervisors 2017-2018 Yolo County Grand Jury 74 Appendix: Did the 2016-17 Grand Jury Improve Local Government? Findings Responses Date Who's to Respond The District disagrees partially with this finding as it relates to the operations of the Davis Joint Unified School District. The District Board Policy/Administrative Regulation 1250 clearly delineates the check-in procedures for visitors at all school sites. A visitor shall, upon request, furnish the principal or designee with his/her name, his/her purpose for entering school grounds, proof of identity, if necessary, and other Davis Unified School District, information consistent with the provisions of law. telephone call 10-20-17 from Additionally, visitors are made aware of safety District, sent response 9-7-17, procedures. As discussed in F-10 below, the District 9/7/2017 resending 10-20-17. John A displays a one page 11X17 card on the wall of every Bowes, Ed.D., Superintendent classroom and workspace, which details proper safety and Tom Adams, Vice procedures. Visitors are also typically accompanied by President, Board of Education school personnel who are well-informed in the use of the emergency card and safety procedures. Although not all sites currently have visible signage directing visitors to check in at the main office before entering campus, the District is currently rectifying this and expect to have proper signage implemented on all school sites within 18- 24 months from September 1, 2017. The District disagrees wholly with this finding as it relates to the operations of the Esparto Unified School District. District students annually participate in lockdown/shelter and fire evacuations drills. Additionally, the District annually posts the school site Students are not made aware of the importance of safety plan emergency procedures on the District's website. F7 compliance and their role in assuring a safe school Parents/guardians are informed of the procedures in their 8/28/2017 Esparto Entire School Board environment. "Enrollment Packet," and students are informed of the procedures in their Student Handbooks. The foregoing practices inform students of the importance of safety plan compliance and their role in assuring a safe school environment. 2017-2018 Yolo County Grand Jury 75 Appendix: Did the 2016-17 Grand Jury Improve Local Government? Findings Responses Date Who's to Respond WJUSD agrees with this finding. While some students are aware of safety plan compliance and their roles in assuring safe school environments, WJUSD believes that Giovanni Linaes, Executive more can be done in this area to support all students Director, Educational Services, 8/7/2017 knowing safety plans and their roles in assuring a safe Woodland Joint Unified School school environment. WJUSD will be supporting this District effort with assemblies, trainings, and drills throughout the school year. Jesse Ortiz, ED.D., Yolo No Response 8/2/2017 County Superintendent of Schools Todd Cutler, Ed.D., Winters Agree with the Findings 6/19/2017 Joint Unified School District Disagree - Students are made aware of the importance of Linda C. Luna, District safety plan compliance and their role in assuring a safe 8/14/2017 Superintendent and the Board school environment. Pat Blacklock on behalf of No Response 8/1/2017 Yolo County Board of Supervisors The District disagrees wholly with this finding as it relates to the operation of the Davis Joint Unified School Davis Unified School District, District. At least twice a year, District students participate telephone call 10-20-17 from in lockdown/shelter and various evacuation drills. District, sent response 9-7-17, Additionally, the District distributes information about 9/7/2017 resending 10-20-17. John A school site emergency procedures to students and Bowes, Ed.D Superintendent parents/guardians annually. The foregoing practices and Tom Adams, Vice inform students of the importance of safety plan President, Board of Education compliance and their role in assuring a safe school environment. 2017-2018 Yolo County Grand Jury 76 Appendix: Did the 2016-17 Grand Jury Improve Local Government? Findings Responses Date Who's to Respond The District disagrees partially with this finding as it relates to the operations of the Esparto Unified School District. All campus offices are located at the main entrance to each school site. While the District Access allowed only to the office area of campuses with all acknowledges that there may be other potential access other areas secured within fencing is not provided at many F8 points, most campuses are secured by four- or six-feet 8/28/2017 Esparto Entire School Board campuses within the Districts. Campus offices are not always high exterior fences. As noted above, the district is in the located at the main entrance to campuses. process of requesting quotes from local fencing contractors for fencing around the junior high school entrance as well as other fences within the District The request will be finalized on 9-30-17. Giovanni Linaes, Executive WJUSD agrees with this finding. Some campuses are not Director, Educational Services, fenced in and thus Administration offices are not always 8/7/2017 Woodland Joint Unified School located in main entrance to campus. District Jesse Ortiz, ED.D., Yolo No Response 8/2/2017 County Superintendent of Schools Todd Cutler, Ed.D., Winters Agree with the Findings 6/19/2017 Joint Unified School District Disagree Partially - Access is allowed only to the office area of campuses with all other areas secured within fencing at most school sites. Fencing exists at all school Linda C. Luna, District 8/14/2017 sites; however, gates at some campuses are not secured Superintendent and the Board during school hours because not all gates have panic bars to exit from the inside without a key. Pat Blacklock on behalf of No Response 8/1/2017 Yolo County Board of Supervisors 2017-2018 Yolo County Grand Jury 77 Appendix: Did the 2016-17 Grand Jury Improve Local Government? Findings Responses Date Who's to Respond The District disagrees partially with this finding as it relates to the operations of the Davis Joint Unified School district. As previously stated in F-5, the lack of perimeter Davis Unified School District, fencing around some District campuses is not only telephone call 10-20-17 from consistent with the purposes provided in the Civic Center District, sent response 9-7-17, Act, but is also reasonable given the city's low crime rate 9/7/2017 resending 10-20-17. John A and the District's initiative to implement strategic Bowes, Ed.D., Superintendent fencing, property line demarcations and additional and Tom Adams, Vice signage. Although not surrounded by perimeter fencing, President, Board of Education all campus offices are located at the main entrance to the District school sites. The District disagrees wholly with this finding as it relates to the operations of the Esparto Unified School District. Pursuant to District Board Policy/Administrative Regulation 1250, signage is posted at every entrance to Appropriate signage directing visitors to the office areas is F9 each District campus setting forth visitor registration 8/28/2017 Esparto Entire School Board lacking at several district campuses. requirements, hours during which registration is required, the registration location, the route to take to that location, and the penalties for violation of registration requirements. Giovanni Linaes, Executive WJUSD agrees with this finding, WJUSD is investing in Director, Educational Services, 8/7/2017 signage to support directing visitors to office areas Woodland Joint Unified School District Jesse Ortiz, ED.D., Yolo No Response 8/2/2017 County Superintendent of Schools Todd Cutler, Ed.D., Winters Agree with the Findings 6/19/2017 Joint Unified School District Agree - Appropriate signage directing visitors to the Linda C. Luna, District 8/14/2017 office areas are at every school site in WUSD. Superintendent and the Board 2017-2018 Yolo County Grand Jury 78 Appendix: Did the 2016-17 Grand Jury Improve Local Government? Findings Responses Date Who's to Respond Pat Blacklock on behalf of No Response 8/1/2017 Yolo County Board of Supervisors The District agrees with this finding as it relates to the operations of the Davis Joint Unified School District. Davis Unified School District, Most District school sites display proper signage to direct telephone call 10-20-17 from visitors to the main office prior to accessing the District, sent response 9-7-17, campuses. However, the District acknowledges that some 9/7/2017 resending 10-20-17. John A sites are missing the proper signage while other campuses Bowes, Ed.D., Superintendent lack signs that are large enough for visitors to easily and Tom Adams, Vice identify. The District is currently rectifying this and President, Board of Education expects to have proper signage implemented on all school sites within 18-24 months from September 1, 2017. No response is called for. To highlight the practices of Esparto Unified School District, the District provides all Utilizing an organized emergency procedures flip chart with its teachers with safety directives in its emergency plan easy to follow directives and an easily modified format, as F10 on an annual basis. The District is, however, willing to 8/28/2017 Esparto Entire School Board used in Washington School District, is highly recommended consider establishing a District committee to discuss for use as a countywide model. creating and using a similar flip chart system in the 2017- 18 school year. WJUSD agrees with this finding. WJUSD is investing Giovanni Linaes, Executive funds through the Local Control and Accountability Plan Director, Educational Services, 8/7/2017 to develop flip charts for school sites that have easy-to- Woodland Joint Unified School follow safety directives. District Jesse Ortiz, ED.D., Yolo No Response 8/2/2017 County Superintendent of Schools Todd Cutler, Ed.D., Winters Agree with the Findings 6/19/2017 Joint Unified School District Agree - WUSD implemented emergency procedures Linda C. Luna, District through an organized flip chart through the collaboration 8/14/2017 Superintendent and the Board of the District's Safety Committee and training. 2017-2018 Yolo County Grand Jury 79 Appendix: Did the 2016-17 Grand Jury Improve Local Government? Findings Responses Date Who's to Respond Pat Blacklock on behalf of No Response 8/1/2017 Yolo County Board of Supervisors No response is required. To highlight the practices of Davis Joint Unified School District, the District displays a one page 11X17 card on the wall of every classroom and workspace on neon red paper, which is easier to Davis Unified School District, follow in an emergency situation than the flip chart telephone call 10-20-17 from (which the district previously used). An emergency folder District, sent response 9-7-17, is also placed in every classroom of every school site, 9/7/2017 resending 10-20-17. John A which consists of the same information as the card, as Bowes, Ed.D., Superintendent well as the class roster, emergency numbers, school map, and Tom Adams, Vice and first aid procedures. Teachers are well versed in the President, Board of Education use of these folders and know to bring them with them (along with the emergency backpack) in an evacuation situation. The use of the Winters Public Library by students and the F11 public during school hours without established safety No Response is Required 8/28/2017 Esparto Entire School Board procedures at that facility is of concern to the Grand Jury. Giovanni Linaes, Executive Director, Educational Services, No Response Needed 8/7/2017 Woodland Joint Unified School District It is outside of YCOE's jurisdiction to require Winters Joint Unified School district to implement safety Jesse Ortiz, ED.D., Yolo procedures. However, YCOE will support the school 8/2/2017 County Superintendent of district in addressing any findings, including F11, at the Schools district's request. Todd Cutler, Ed.D., Winters Agree with the Findings 6/19/2017 Joint Unified School District Linda C. Luna, District No Response 8/14/2017 Superintendent and the Board 2017-2018 Yolo County Grand Jury 80 Appendix: Did the 2016-17 Grand Jury Improve Local Government? Findings Responses Date Who's to Respond Pat Blacklock on behalf of No Response 8/1/2017 Yolo County Board of Supervisors Davis Unified School District, telephone call 10-20-17 from District, sent response 9-7-17, No Response resending 10-20-17. John A Bowes, Ed.D., Superintendent and Tom Adams, Vice President, Board of Education The District agrees with this finding as it relates to the operations of the Esparto Unified School District. All Current use of alternate communication devices, for example school principals, office staff, Physical Education walkie-talkies, for selected staff improves the safety of all F12 Teachers, and Yard Duty Staff are equipped with 8/28/2017 Esparto Entire School Board campuses when other forms of communication such as alternate communication devices, such as walkie-talkies, phones, the internet, and intercoms are not functioning. in the event other forms of communication such as phones, the internet, and intercoms are not functioning. WJUSD agrees that the use of alternative communications devices is useful in communicating Giovanni Linaes, Executive when other forms of communication are not available Director, Educational Services, 8/7/2017 WJUSD has invested and will continue to invest in Woodland Joint Unified School having alternative devices available when needed across District all campuses. Jesse Ortiz, Ed.D, Yolo County No Response 8/2/2017 Superintendent of Schools Todd Cutler, Ed.D., Winters Agree with the Findings 6/19/2017 Joint Unified School District Agree - WUSD uses alternate communication devices, Linda C. Luna, District walkie-talkies for selected staff to improve the safety of 8/14/2017 Superintendent and the Board all campuses. 2017-2018 Yolo County Grand Jury 81 Appendix: Did the 2016-17 Grand Jury Improve Local Government? Findings Responses Date Who's to Respond Pat Blacklock on behalf of No Response 8/1/2017 Yolo County Board of Supervisors The District agrees with this finding as it relates to the Davis Unified School District, operations of the Davis Joint Unified School District. The telephone call 10-20-17 from District deploys walkie-talkies to every campus. The District, sent response 9-7-17, devices allow staff to communicate within the campus as 9/7/2017 resending 10-20-17. John A well as within the entire District. All front office and Bowes, Ed.D., Superintendent administrative staff are trained on the emergency features and Tom Adams, Vice of this system. President, Board of Education The Yolo County Board of Supervisors needs to address and F13 correct traffic safety issues along Yolo Avenue in Esparto for No Response is Required 8/28/2017 Esparto Entire School Board Esparto District students accessing all campuses. Giovanni Linaes, Executive Director, Educational Services, No Response Needed 8/7/2017 Woodland Joint Unified School District Jesse Ortiz, ED.D., Yolo No Response 8/2/2017 County Superintendent of Schools Todd Cutler, Ed.D., Winters Agree with the Findings 6/19/2017 Joint Unified School District Linda C. Luna, District No Response is Required 8/14/2017 Superintendent and the Board We disagree wholly with the findings, as Yolo Avenue in Esparto is a state highway (California State Route 16) not Pat Blacklock on behalf of under our jurisdiction. However, we will continue to 8/1/2017 Yolo County Board of work collaboratively with the State to address road safety Supervisors issues on state highways in Yolo County. 2017-2018 Yolo County Grand Jury 82 Appendix: Did the 2016-17 Grand Jury Improve Local Government? Findings Responses Date Who's to Respond Davis Unified School District, telephone call 10-20-17 from District, sent response 9-7-17, No Response resending 10-20-17. John A Bowes, Ed.D., Superintendent and Tom Adams, Vice President, Board of Education Recommendations Responses Date Who's to Respond This recommendation will be partially implemented. As noted above, the District is in the process of requesting quotes from local fencing contractors for fencing around the junior high school entrance as well as other fences within the District. The request By December 2018, all schools that do not have will be finalized on 9-30-17. Any plans to install perimeter fencing will complete feasibility studies for fencing will not be determined until after the the installation of appropriate fencing around school District receives the contractors' responses and has R1 property to prevent access to the public. In compliance 8/28/2017 Esparto Entire School Board an opportunity to weigh the feasibility of the with California State Building Codes, gate hardware project. With respect to installation of panic should have locked access from the entry side and hardware, this recommendation will not be unlockable (panic hardware) from the exit side. implemented because it is not warranted and requires unreasonable costs. The District has already implemented adequate safety policies and works closely with local law enforcement agencies to maintain security during school hours. WJUSD agrees with this recommendation and will Giovanni Linaes, Executive be implementing. A memo outlining the expectation Director, Educational and timeline for this recommendation will be 8/7/2017 Services, Woodland Joint provided to schools upon return for the 2017-18 Unified School District school year. Jesse Ortiz, ED.D., Yolo No Response 8/2/2017 County Superintendent of Schools 2017-2018 Yolo County Grand Jury 83 Appendix: Did the 2016-17 Grand Jury Improve Local Government? Recommendations Responses Date Who's to Respond October 2017 - Completed/Planned activities for the District Safety/Emergency Plans: In response to the Yolo County Grand Jury report titled "Are Yolo County Schools in Compliance with School Safety Plans?” the Winters Joint Unified School District has developed the timeline/plan (see below) to address the finding and recommendations provided Todd Cutler, Ed.D., Winters 6/19/2017 in the report. This timeline/plan (which includes Joint Unified School District actions already taken) is intended to address Grand Jury recommendations 1-9, but is not limited to these recommendations. District to conduct a feasibility study for installation of appropriate fencing around school property (Recommendation#1). Implemented - Perimeter fencing at all schools in Linda C. Luna, District the WUSD is in place in compliance with California 8/14/2017 Superintendent and the State Building Codes. Board Pat Blacklock on behalf of No Response 8/1/2017 Yolo County Board of Supervisors This recommendation will not be implemented because it is not warranted and unreasonable. The District hired expert safety consultants in the fall of 2015 to conduct a comprehensive safety assessment. Davis Unified School The report recognized the perimeter fencing around District, telephone call 10- all school property does not fit with the overall 20-17 from District, sent character of the Davis community nor is it response 9-7-17, resending reasonable given the city's low crime rate. Instead, 10-20-17. John A Bowes, the District adopted the experts' alternative Ed.D., Superintendent and recommendations to implement property line Tom Adams, Vice President, demarcations and additional signage - projects that Board of Education are currently in progress. The District has also completed strategic fencing projects on several school sites by implementing higher fencing around 2017-2018 Yolo County Grand Jury 84 Appendix: Did the 2016-17 Grand Jury Improve Local Government? Recommendations Responses Date Who's to Respond playground areas occupied by kindergarten and other young children. Additionally, consistent with the purposes provided in the Civic Center Act, the District balances its safety priorities with valid community interests by implementing industry- standard safety policies and working closely with local law enforcement agencies to maintain security during school hours. Lastly, in addition to its usual check-in procedures (detailed in R-3), the District implemented the RAPTOR visitor management system, which compares a visitor's license information against a database of known sex offenders. Based on the foregoing, feasibility studies and the installation of perimeter fencing and panic hardware would result in unreasonable costs to the District, which has already taken ample measures to ensure school safety. The District will discuss this recommendation with local law enforcement and fire safety officials to determine its reasonableness. The District will By October 1, 2017, all schools will keep existing R2 consider whether implementation of this 8/28/2017 Esparto Entire School Board fencing and gates locked during school hours. recommendation poses an actual or potential risk that students and staff will be unable to evacuate in an emergency. WJUSD agrees with this recommendation and will Giovanni Linaes, Executive be implementing. A memo outlining the expectation Director, Educational and timeline for this recommendation will be 8/7/2017 Services, Woodland Joint provided to schools upon return for the 2017-18 Unified School District school year. Jesse Ortiz, ED.D., Yolo No Response 8/2/2017 County Superintendent of Schools 2017-2018 Yolo County Grand Jury 85 Appendix: Did the 2016-17 Grand Jury Improve Local Government? Recommendations Responses Date Who's to Respond October 2017 - The plans to include mention of the following: the need to secure all existing fencing Todd Cutler, Ed.D., Winters 6/19/2017 and gates locked during school hours Joint Unified School District (Recommendation #2). Implemented with additional time needed - All schools in the WUSD will keep existing fencing and Linda C. Luna, District gates locked during school hours from the outside 8/14/2017 Superintendent and the with exception of the public entrance to the main Board office to sign in Pat Blacklock on behalf of No Response 8/1/2017 Yolo County Board of Supervisors This recommendation will not be implemented Davis Unified School because it is not warranted and unreasonable. In the District, telephone call 10- event of an emergency, keeping existing gates 20-17 from District, sent locked would impede the function of the school and response 9-7-17, resending could put students and staff at risk because they 10-20-17. John A Bowes, cannot exit quickly. As discussed above, converting Ed.D., Superintendent and all existing gates into panic hardware would result Tom Adams, Vice President, in unreasonable costs to the District Board of Education This recommendation has already been implemented. Pursuant to District Board Policy/Administrative Regulation 1250, a visitor shall, upon request, furnish the principle or designee By October 1, 2017, all schools will limit access to the with his/her name, address, and occupation, his/her R3 campus. All visitors will be required to check in at each age, if less than 21, is/her purpose for entering 8/28/2017 Esparto Entire School Board school's main office; all other areas are to be secured. school grounds, proof of identity, if necessary, and other information consistent with the provisions of law. Additionally, visitors are typically accompanied by school personnel while they are on school grounds. 2017-2018 Yolo County Grand Jury 86 Appendix: Did the 2016-17 Grand Jury Improve Local Government? Recommendations Responses Date Who's to Respond WJUSD agrees with this recommendation and will Giovanni Linaes, Executive be implementing. A memo outlining the expectation Director, Educational and timeline for this recommendation will be 8/7/2017 Services, Woodland Joint provided to schools upon return for the 2017-18 Unified School District school year. Jesse Ortiz, ED.D., Yolo No Response 8/2/2017 County Superintendent of Schools All visitors are required to in at the school office Todd Cutler, Ed.D., Winters 6/19/2017 (Recommendation #3). Joint Unified School District Implemented - All schools in the WUSD will limit Linda C. Luna, District access to the campus. All visitors will be required to 8/14/2017 Superintendent and the check in at each school's main office; all other areas Board will be secured. Pat Blacklock on behalf of No Response 8/1/2017 Yolo County Board of Supervisors This recommendation has already been implemented. Pursuant to the District's Board Davis Unified School Policy/Administrative Regulation 1250, a visitor District, telephone call 10- shall, upon request, furnish the principal or designee 20-17 from District, sent with his/her name, his/her purpose for entering response 9-7-17, resending school grounds, proof of identity, if necessary, and 10-20-17. John A Bowes, other information consistent with the provisions of Ed.D., Superintendent and law. Additionally, the District implemented the Tom Adams, Vice President, RAPTOR visitor management system, which Board of Education compares a visitor's license information against a database of known sex offenders. 2017-2018 Yolo County Grand Jury 87 Appendix: Did the 2016-17 Grand Jury Improve Local Government? Recommendations Responses Date Who's to Respond This recommendation has already been implemented. Pursuant to District Board Policy/Administrative Regulation 1250, notice is By October 1, 2017, all schools will display permanent posted at each entrance to each school describing signage and entry instructions at all schools that registration requirements, school hours or hours R4 provides instruction to all visitors directing them to 8/28/2017 Esparto Entire School Board which registration is required, the registration report to the main office to obtain a Visitor’s Badge or location, the route to take to that location, and the ID prior to entry of the campus. penalties for violation of registration requirements. Visitors are required to wear a Visitor's badge while they remain on campus. WJUSD agrees with this recommendation and will Giovanni Linaes, Executive be implementing. A memo outlining the expectation Director, Educational and timeline for this recommendation will be 8/7/2017 Services, Woodland Joint provided to schools upon return for the 2017-18 Unified School District school year. Jesse Ortiz, ED.D., Yolo No Response 8/2/2017 County Superintendent of Schools October 2017 - Display of signage and entry instruction that provides direction to visitors to sign Todd Cutler, Ed.D., Winters 6/19/2017 in at the office and the requirement for a visitor Joint Unified School District badge or ID (Recommendation #4). Implemented - Schools will display permanent signage and entry instruction at all schools that provides instruction to all visitors directing them to Linda C. Luna, District report to the main office to obtain a visitor's badge 8/14/2017 Superintendent and the or ID prior to entry of the campus. In addition, all Board employees of the WUSD will be required to wear employee badges during the work hours and while on any campus of the WUSD. Pat Blacklock on behalf of No Response 8/1/2017 Yolo County Board of Supervisors 2017-2018 Yolo County Grand Jury 88 Appendix: Did the 2016-17 Grand Jury Improve Local Government? Recommendations Responses Date Who's to Respond This recommendation has already been partially implemented. Pursuant to the District's Board Policy/Administrative Regulation 1250, the Superintendent or designee shall post at every Davis Unified School entrance to each school and school grounds a notice District, telephone call 10- describing registration requirements, school hours or 20-17 from District, sent hours which registration is required, the registration response 9-7-17, resending location, the route to take to that location, and the 10-20-17. John A Bowes, penalties for violation of registration requirements. Ed.D., Superintendent and Additionally, a visitor shall wear a visitor's badge Tom Adams, Vice President, after checking in at each school's main office. With Board of Education respect to signage, the District is currently in the process of implementing proper signage on all school sites and expects completion within 18-24 months from September 1, 2017. This recommendation has already been implemented. An extensive number of campus By October 1, 2017, when school is in session and supervisors, known as "Yard Duty Staff," are children are present, all sites will use identifiable adult already present at District elementary and middle R5 8/28/2017 Esparto Entire School Board monitors where fencing and gates are open and school sites during school hours. At the high school unsecured. site, the school administrator regularly monitors the hallways while teachers provide rotating campus supervision during the morning break. WJUSD will implement this recommendation after further analysis. WJUSD will investigate and review Giovanni Linaes, Executive current adult monitor practices at sites where Director, Educational fencing is unavailable or gates are open and 8/7/2017 Services, Woodland Joint unsecured to identify how best to implement Unified School District recommendations. WJUSD will report back to the Grand Jury no later than December 31, 2017. Jesse Ortiz, ED.D., Yolo No Response 8/2/2017 County Superintendent of Schools 2017-2018 Yolo County Grand Jury 89 Appendix: Did the 2016-17 Grand Jury Improve Local Government? Recommendations Responses Date Who's to Respond October 2017 - Winters High School and Winters Middle School to include in their plan how areas Todd Cutler, Ed.D., Winters 6/19/2017 that are not secured with fencing will be monitored Joint Unified School District (Recommendation #5). Require further analysis - By October 1, 2017, when school is in session and children are present all sites will use identifiable adult monitors where fencing Linda C. Luna, District and gates are open and unsecured. Further analysis 8/14/2017 Superintendent and the is needed to determine financial and staffing impact Board to each school site. Further analysis will also include assessment of current employees assigned for supervision and campus security. Pat Blacklock on behalf of No Response 8/1/2017 Yolo County Board of Supervisors This recommendation has already been implemented. An extensive number of adult monitors are already present at all District school Davis Unified School sites before, during and immediately after school District, telephone call 10- hours. Campus supervisors at the secondary sites are 20-17 from District, sent identifiable by wearing polo shirts of the school response 9-7-17, resending colors and jackets during the winter season that 10-20-17. John A Bowes, display the name of the school. Additionally, Ed.D., Superintendent and pursuant to Board Policy/Administrative Regulation Tom Adams, Vice President, 5142, supervision zones are clearly identified on Board of Education playgrounds with adult supervisors placed in locations from which they can observe their entire zone of supervision. 2017-2018 Yolo County Grand Jury 90 Appendix: Did the 2016-17 Grand Jury Improve Local Government? Recommendations Responses Date Who's to Respond This recommendation has already been implemented. All District personnel are provided training on safety and emergency procedures annually. The District intends to implement training By October 1, 2017, provide training and increase surveys to receive feedback on the effectiveness of R6 safety awareness among District personnel and 8/28/2017 Esparto Entire School Board the training in order to continually improve its students. safety measures. The District will also continue to work with its administrators in providing comprehensive messages to its student to ensure safety awareness. WJUSD agrees with this recommendation and will Giovanni Linaes, Executive be implementing. A memo outlining the expectation Director, Educational and timeline for this recommendation will be 8/7/2017 Services, Woodland Joint provided to schools upon return for the 2017-18 Unified School District school year. Jesse Ortiz, ED.D., Yolo No Response 8/2/2017 County Superintendent of Schools September 2017 - All Departments/Sites will take employees through a review of District Safety Plan and plan for implementation of plan Todd Cutler, Ed.D., Winters 6/19/2017 (Recommendation #6). District will provide training Joint Unified School District to staff and students to increase safety awareness (Recommendation #6). Linda C. Luna, District Implemented - Provide training and increase safety 8/14/2017 Superintendent and the awareness among District personnel and students. Board Pat Blacklock on behalf of No Response 8/1/2017 Yolo County Board of Supervisors 2017-2018 Yolo County Grand Jury 91 Appendix: Did the 2016-17 Grand Jury Improve Local Government? Recommendations Responses Date Who's to Respond Davis Unified School This recommendation has already been District, telephone call 10- implemented. All District personnel are provided 20-17 from District, sent training on safety and emergency procedures response 9-7-17, resending annually. The District will continue to work with its 10-20-17. John A Bowes, administrators in providing clear messages to its Ed.D., Superintendent and students to ensure safety awareness. Tom Adams, Vice President, Board of Education This recommendation has already been By October 1, 2017, all Districts will comply with the implemented. The District updates its R7 8/28/2017 Esparto Entire School Board California Education code concerning school safety. comprehensive safety plan yearly and complies with all parts of the plan. WJUSD agrees with this recommendation and will Giovanni Linaes, Executive be implementing. A memo outlining the expectation Director, Educational and timeline for this recommendation will be 8/7/2017 Services, Woodland Joint provided to schools upon return for the 2017-18 Unified School District school year. Jesse Ortiz, ED.D., Yolo No Response 8/2/2017 County Superintendent of Schools September 2017 - Draft as information item to the Board. September 2017-Final District Emergency Todd Cutler, Ed.D., Winters Plan to the Board for Approval. Plan to comply with 6/19/2017 Joint Unified School District the California Education Code concerning safety (Recommendation #7). Linda C. Luna, District Implemented - WUSD complies with the California 8/14/2017 Superintendent and the Education Code concerning school safety. Board Pat Blacklock on behalf of No Response 8/1/2017 Yolo County Board of Supervisors 2017-2018 Yolo County Grand Jury 92 Appendix: Did the 2016-17 Grand Jury Improve Local Government? Recommendations Responses Date Who's to Respond Davis Unified School District, telephone call 10- 20-17 from District, sent This recommendation has already been response 9-7-17, resending implemented. The District updates its safety plan 10-20-17. John A Bowes, yearly and complies with all parts of the plan. Ed.D., Superintendent and Tom Adams, Vice President, Board of Education This recommendation has already been implemented. As described above, monthly meetings are held among all Yolo County District Superintendents. These meetings serve as the By October 1, 2017, Yolo County Districts should appropriate time and place to discuss various consider networking with each other on a regular basis R8 concerns, including safety-related issues, which 8/28/2017 Esparto Entire School Board to discuss and share ideas on the most effective ways to affect all districts in the county. However, Esparto construct, initiate and utilize school safety plans. Unified School District is willing to participate in additional networking measures to discuss safety plans in conjunction with the Yolo County Office of Education. WJUSD agrees with this recommendation and will Giovanni Linaes, Executive be implementing. A memo outlining the expectation Director, Educational and timeline for this recommendation will be 8/7/2017 Services, Woodland Joint provided to schools upon return for the 2017-18 Unified School District school year. 2017-2018 Yolo County Grand Jury 93 Appendix: Did the 2016-17 Grand Jury Improve Local Government? Recommendations Responses Date Who's to Respond YCOE's staff meets five times per year with Directors of Student Services or their designee from each district. The person filling the role of Director of Students Services is responsible for school safety planning in most districts. The first meeting with Directors of Student Services for the 2017-18 school year is scheduled on Wednesday, September 20, 2017. The Grand Jury report, "Are Yolo County Jesse Ortiz, ED.D., Yolo schools in Compliance with School Safety Plans?", 8/2/2017 County Superintendent of will be an agenda item at the meeting and will Schools include a request that each school district report on its progress implementing any recommendations identified in the Grand Jury report and sharing ideas on the most effective ways to construct initiate and utilize school safety plans. Going forward, school safety plans will be an annual agenda item at these meetings. August 2017 - The plan will be shared with the Yolo County Office of Education and all District Todd Cutler, Ed.D., Winters 6/19/2017 superintendents to share and receive ideas/feedback Joint Unified School District (Recommendation #8). Linda C. Luna, District N/A - Determined by our Yolo County 8/14/2017 Superintendent and the Superintendents' Council Board Pat Blacklock on behalf of No Response 8/1/2017 Yolo County Board of Supervisors 2017-2018 Yolo County Grand Jury 94 Appendix: Did the 2016-17 Grand Jury Improve Local Government? Recommendations Responses Date Who's to Respond This recommendation has already been implemented. As described above, monthly meeting Davis Unified School is held among all Yolo County District District, telephone call 10- Superintendents. These meetings serve as the 20-17 from District, sent appropriate time and place to discuss various response 9-7-17, resending concerns, including safety-related issues, which 9/7/2017 10-20-17. John A Bowes, affect all districts in the county. However, Davis Ed.D., Superintendent and Joint Unified School District is willing to participate Tom Adams, Vice President, in additional networking measures to discuss safety Board of Education plans in conjunction with the Yolo County Office of Education. By October 1, 2017, modify, as necessary, the 2007 Memorandum of Understanding for Joint Use with R9 Winters Joint Unified School District and the Yolo No Response 8/28/2017 Esparto Entire School Board County Public Library to address the safety of students using the Winters Public Library during school hours. Giovanni Linaes, Executive Director, Educational No Response Needed 8/7/2017 Services, Woodland Joint Unified School District It is outside of YCOE's jurisdiction to require any school district in the county to comply with Education Code requirements for comprehensive Jesse Ortiz, ED.D., Yolo school safety plans or to execute Memorandums of 8/2/2017 County Superintendent of Understand with other agencies. However, YCOE Schools will assist Winters Joint Unified School District in Implementing all recommendations, including R9, at the district's request. August 2017 - The plan is to include a memorandum of understanding with the Yolo Todd Cutler, Ed.D., Winters County Public Library to address the safety of 6/19/2017 Joint Unified School District students using the Winters Public Library during school hours (Recommendation #9) 2017-2018 Yolo County Grand Jury 95 Appendix: Did the 2016-17 Grand Jury Improve Local Government? Recommendations Responses Date Who's to Respond Linda C. Luna, District N/A 8/14/2017 Superintendent and the Board Pat Blacklock on behalf of No Response 8/1/2017 Yolo County Board of Supervisors Davis Unified School District, telephone call 10- 20-17 from District, sent response 9-7-17, resending No Response 10-20-17. John A Bowes, Ed.D., Superintendent and Tom Adams, Vice President, Board of Education By January 1, 2018, the Yolo County Board of Supervisors will establish procedures to address the R10 No Response 8/28/2017 Esparto Entire School Board Yolo Avenue safety issues confronting Esparto Joint Unified District students. Giovanni Linaes, Executive Director, Educational No Response Needed 8/7/2017 Services, Woodland Joint Unified School District Jesse Ortiz, Ed.D., Yolo No Response 8/2/2017 County Superintendent of Schools Todd Cutler, Ed.D., Winters See below 6/19/2017 Joint Unified School District Linda C. Luna, District N/A 8/14/2017 Superintendent and the Board 2017-2018 Yolo County Grand Jury 96 Appendix: Did the 2016-17 Grand Jury Improve Local Government? Recommendations Responses Date Who's to Respond This recommendation will not be implemented as Yolo Avenue in Esparto is a state highway Pat Blacklock on behalf of (California State Route 16) no under our 8/1/2017 Yolo County Board of jurisdiction. However, we will continue to work Supervisors collaboratively with the State to address road safety issues on state highways in Yolo County. Davis Unified School District, telephone call 10- 20-17 from District, sent response 9-7-17, resending No Response 10-20-17. John A Bowes, Ed.D., Superintendent and Tom Adams, Vice President, Board of Education Winters Joint Unified School District Calendar: Fall 2016 -Superintendent met with Director of Facilities to discuss updating of District Safety Plan. March 2017-Yolo County Grand Jury met with District Principals and Director of Facilities to go over the districts emergency plans: Although the most current District wide emergency plan was dated 2002 all sites had current site plans that included annual drills. April 2017-The 2002 district Emergency plan was updated to reflect current staff and current year. May 2017-All Assistant Principals, Director of Facilities, CBO, and a representative from Keenan and Associates met as the new WJUSD Safety Committee to review the updated Emergency Plan and IIPP. Keenan and Associates asked that the current version of the district Emergency Plan be sent to them for review. June 2017-The Districts Emergency Plan was sent to Keenan and Associates and is currently in review. We expect to receive recommended updates and/or modifications before the District Safety Committee convenes in August of 2017. July 2017-Met with Keenan and Associates representatives to discuss safety assessments and continued assistance with our District Safety Plan. Keenan will continue to participate on our Safety Committee and provide assessments of facilities. Met with representative of the Winters Police Department. Winters PD will have a representative serve on our District Safety Committee. August 2017-The District Safety Committee to meet to review recommendations from Keenan and Associates and determine changes/modifications/additions. The newly updated District Emergency Plan will be completed for final review by August 18th. Align Site Emergency Plans with the Districts Emergency Plan. October 2017-All Site Emergency Plans to the Board for information then approval. 2017-2018 Yolo County Grand Jury 97 Appendix: Did the 2016-17 Grand Jury Improve Local Government? REPORT TITLE: CA CONNECTIONS TO SUCCESS ACT: A BETTER BRIDGE TO ADULTHOOD FOR YOLO COUNTY'S FOSTER YOUTH Findings Responses Date Who's to Respond P Pat Blacklock on behalf of the By providing an additional three-year transition period to Yolo County Board of adulthood and support for independent living, the Extended F1 The respondents agree with the finding. 8/1/2017 Supervisors, Director of Health Foster Care program has improved the lives of foster youth in & Human Services, Chief Yolo County. Probation Officer Pat Blacklock on behalf of the Almost all eligible young people who turn age 18 in Yolo Yolo County Board of County's child welfare system or in out-of-home placement in F4 The respondents agree with the finding. 8/1/2017 Supervisors, Director of Health Juvenile Probation opt to participate in the Extended Foster & Human Services, Chief Care program. Probation Officer Pat Blacklock on behalf of the Yolo County's Child Welfare Service's social workers and Yolo County Board of Juvenile Probation Officers who oversee and work with young F5 The respondents agree with the finding. 8/1/2017 Supervisors, Director of Health people in the Extended Foster Care program are highly & Human Services, Chief dedicated and committed. Probation Officer P Pat Blacklock on behalf of the Yolo County Transition Age Youth Unit's social workers reach Yolo County Board of F6 out to and involve foster care youth at age 14, an earlier age The respondents agree with the finding. 8/1/2017 Supervisors, Director of Health than many other California counties. & Human Services, Chief Probation Officer Pat Blacklock on behalf of the The Extended Foster Care program has increased the rates of Yolo County Board of F7 high school graduation and college enrollment among foster The respondents agree with the finding. 8/1/2017 Supervisors, Director of Health youth. & Human Services, Chief Probation Officer Pat Blacklock on behalf of the The Child Welfare Services Division and the Juvenile Yolo County Board of Probation Unit have insufficient resources to track analyze, F8 The respondents agree with the finding. 8/1/2017 Supervisors, Director of Health aggregate and report data on these youths. Inadequate data & Human Services, Chief hinders data-based program and funding decision-making. Probation Officer 2017-2018 Yolo County Grand Jury 98 Appendix: Did the 2016-17 Grand Jury Improve Local Government? Findings Responses Date Who's to Respond The respondents partially agree with the finding as we have Pat Blacklock on behalf of the Many Extended Foster Care youth are unable to secure limited information about the barriers to participating in the Yolo County Board of appropriate, safe, and affordable housing in Yolo County, F9 Independent Living Skills classes. Health & Human 8/1/2017 Supervisors, Director of Health limiting their ability to participate in Yolo County's Services will be seeking additional information through & Human Services, Chief Independent Living Skills Program classes. surveys with the youth to identify barriers. Probation Officer Pat Blacklock on behalf of the Yolo County Board of Current public transportation options make it difficult for foster F10 The respondents agree with the finding. 8/1/2017 Supervisors, Director of Health youth to pursue education and gain employment. & Human Services, Chief Probation Officer Pat Blacklock on behalf of the Although Independent Living Skills classes are described as Yolo County Board of valuable and relevant by both Child Welfare staff and extended F11 The respondents agree with the finding. 8/1/2017 Supervisors, Director of Health foster youth interviewed for this report, few youths over 18 & Human Services, Chief actually attend the classes. Probation Officer Pat Blacklock on behalf of the Extended foster care youth gain valuable real-world experience Yolo County Board of F12 in making and sticking to a budget when they are given the The respondents agree with the finding. 8/1/2017 Supervisors, Director of Health responsibility for managing their monthly foster care payment. & Human Services, Chief Probation Officer Recommendations Responses Date Who's to Respond Pat Blacklock on behalf of the The Yolo County Health and Human Services Agency and the Yolo County Board of Juvenile Probation Unit should continue to proactively promote R1 This recommendation has been implemented. 8/1/2017 Supervisors, Director of Health the Extended Foster Care program and advocate for the & Human Services, Chief participation of all eligible foster youth. Probation Officer 2017-2018 Yolo County Grand Jury 99 Appendix: Did the 2016-17 Grand Jury Improve Local Government? Recommendations Responses Date Who's to Respond Pat Blacklock on behalf of the The County should increase the budget for the Independent This recommendation will not be implemented because it is Yolo County Board of R2 Living Skills Program to cover needed financial assistance to not reasonable as it is beyond the purview of Yolo County 8/1/2017 Supervisors, Director of Health youth renting apartments. Child Welfare Services. & Human Services, Chief Probation Officer P Pat Blacklock on behalf of the Within two years, the Yolo County Health and Human Services This recommendation will not be implemented because it is Yolo County Board of R3 Agency should initiate local low-cost housing options for the not reasonable as it is beyond the purview of Yolo County 8/1/2017 Supervisors, Director of Health youth in the Extended Foster Care program. Child Welfare Services. & Human Services, Chief Probation Officer This recommendation is in the process of being implemented but may not be completed within a year. The Within one year, the County should establish sufficient systems Pat Blacklock on behalf of the Child, Youth & Family Branch will identify key measures to analyze, track, aggregate and report data to monitor progress Yolo County Board of to include in the Child Welfare Services Dashboard for R4 and outcomes for Yolo County Extended Foster Care Program's 8/1/2017 Supervisors, Director of Health extended foster care youth. The Probation Department has youth, including those in the Child Welfare Services and in & Human Services, Chief recently completed the first phase of converting to a new Juvenile Probation programs. Probation Officer case management system and has just began the second phase of implementation. This recommendation will not be implemented because it is not warranted and not reasonable. Existing services (local transport options), as well as assistance with monthly bus Within one year, the Health and Human Services Agency Pat Blacklock on behalf of the passes, Amtrak, airfare and gas cards are already utilized should collaborate with local transportation agencies and non- Yolo County Board of by the County to assist youth in the aforementioned R5 profit organizations to improve and fund transportation for 8/1/2017 Supervisors, Director of Health categories While the Child, Youth & Family Branch foster youth attending Independent Living Skills classes, & Human Services, Chief Independent Living Program will increase informal seeking employment, and pursuing higher education. Probation Officer connections for youth to increase support services, such as transportation to education and employment, the County does not have purview over transport funding. With 18 months, the Health and Human Services Agency Pat Blacklock on behalf of the should evaluate the new mental health services established Yolo County Board of R6 within the Child Welfare Services Division to determine if This recommendation will be implemented. 8/1/2017 Supervisors, Director of Health utilization of mental health services has increased among the & Human Services, Chief foster youth. Probation Officer 2017-2018 Yolo County Grand Jury 100 Appendix: Did the 2016-17 Grand Jury Improve Local Government? REPORT TITLE: YOLO COUNTY ELECTION OFFICE INDISCRETIONS & CULPABILITY Findings Responses Date Who's to Respond The respondents disagree wholly with this finding. Patrick Blacklock on behalf of Favoritism, nepotism and preferential treatment of employees Employee morale was not mentioned in the County's Yolo County Board of have adversely affected employee morale of the Elections Special Review document released on April 28, 2016 nor Supervisors, Chief Financial F1 Office, as cited in the County's Special Review and from 8/1/2017 the summary of the Grand Jury's investigation. To the Officer, Human Resources interviews with Election Office staff. These practices by the EO County's knowledge, there is no evidence or examples Director, County Administrative involved hiring and promotion. cited to support this finding. Officer, & General Services The Human Resources Director disagrees wholly with this Patrick Blacklock on behalf of During the period reviewed, the EO created provisional or extra finding. Elected officials do not have the authority to create Yolo County Board of help positions to employ friends and relatives as cited in the positions and the Human Resources Director is not aware Supervisors, Chief Financial F2 8/1/2017 County's Special Review and by interviews with Election of any instance in which the former elected official for this Officer, Human Resources Office staff. department hired a friend or relative into a provisional or Director, County Administrative extra help position. Officer, & General Services The respondents disagree wholly with this finding. County Code Section 2-6.44 (Nepotism Policy) does not prohibit the hiring of a relative. Rather, the Section articulates the Patrick Blacklock on behalf of County's policy not to discriminate in its employment Yolo County Board of The EO failed to observe County Code Section 2-6.44 against relatives of County employees and to ensure Supervisors, Chief Financial F3 (Nepotism Policy) by hiring immediate family members and appropriate separation of supervisory responsibilities 8/1/2017 Officer, Human Resources determining salaries, promotions and assignments. between the appointing authority or department head and Director, County Administrative related employee. Moreover, the term "relative", as defined Officer, & General Services in Section 2.6.44, does not include the "close relative" hired "to a senior management position in the election Office" as referenced in the Grand Jury's Report. Patrick Blacklock on behalf of During the interview with the Manager of Internal Audit, it was The respondents disagree wholly with this finding. While Yolo County Board of noted that the County Board of Supervisors had failed to there is no requirement under State or local law or policy Supervisors, Chief Financial F4 monitor and audit the Elections division compliance with that the Board of Supervisors audit the Election Division, 8/1/2017 Officer, Human Resources Federal and State Laws and County Codes and Policies and the Board did initiate an audit, which results informed the Director, County Administrative Procedures. Grand Jury's investigation. Officer, & General Services 2017-2018 Yolo County Grand Jury 101 Appendix: Did the 2016-17 Grand Jury Improve Local Government? Findings Responses Date Who's to Respond The respondents disagree partially with this finding. The online Ethics training utilized by the County complies fully Patrick Blacklock on behalf of with the requirements of the laws and is the same training Yolo County HR manages harassment and ethics online Yolo County Board of used by the State of California Office of the Attorney training courses for all employees to comply with Federal and Supervisors, Chief Financial F5 General and the Fair Political Practices Commission. 8/1/2017 State Laws. These outdated and repetitious trainings are found Officer, Human Resources Human Resources agrees the online Harassment Prevention to be inadequate and ineffective. Director, County Administrative training should be supplemented with an in-person Officer, & General Services classroom option which will be available starting in September 2017. Patrick Blacklock on behalf of Yolo County Board of The CAO conducts a 360-degree evaluation for all appointed Supervisors, Chief Financial F6 Department heads. This evaluation process currently excludes No Response. 8/1/2017 Officer, Human Resources elected officials. Director, County Administrative Officer, & General Services The respondents disagree wholly with this finding. The Board of Supervisors has adopted countywide policies and procedures including the County of Yolo Administrative Patrick Blacklock on behalf of Policies & Procedures Manual, that apply to all county Yolo County Board of The Yolo County Board of Supervisors has not provided officials and which are responsive to California State Supervisors, Chief Financial F7 supervision or monitoring of elected county officials as directed 8/1/2017 Government Code Section 25303. Additionally, the Board Officer, Human Resources by the California State Government Code Section 25303. of Supervisors directed completion of the County's Special Director, County Administrative Review (released on April 28, 2016) that is the basis of the Officer, & General Services Grand Jury's subsequent investigation and many of its findings and recommendations. The Assessor/Clerk-Recorder/Registrar of Voters office has Although the Election office now makes every effort to taken steps to implement a Corrective Action Plan in 2016 as follow County policies and procedures in the execution of Assessor, County Administrative F8 directed by the County Auditor to the interim "appointed" its duties and responsibilities, in the course of running an 8/1/2017 Officer, Chief Financial Officer Assessor/Clerk-Recorder/Registrar of Voters as of April 29, election it reserves the authority and purchasing flexibility 2016. given to it by Election Code sections 13001 and 14100. The Assessor/Clerk-Recorder/Registrar of Voters agrees Jesse Salinas, Assessor/Clerk- 6/30/2017 with this finding. Recorder/Registrar of Voters 2017-2018 Yolo County Grand Jury 102 Appendix: Did the 2016-17 Grand Jury Improve Local Government? Findings Responses Date Who's to Respond Patrick Blacklock on behalf of The Election office staff made purchases outside the County Yolo County Board of policies and procedures according to the Finance Procurement Supervisors, Chief Financial F9 We agree with the finding. 8/1/2017 staff. It was noted that the purchases were made at the direction Officer, Human Resources of the EO under a general rule of "if you need it, get it." Director, County Administrative Officer, & General Services The Assessor/Clerk-Recorder/Registrar of Voters agrees with the finding that prior to my appointment on May 2, 2016 there were purchases made outside of the County's Jesse Salinas, Assessor/Clerk- 6/30/2017 policies and procedures. However, since I was not present Recorder/Registrar of Voters at the time, I am unable to confirm if the statement "if you need it, get it" was ever used by my predecessor. Electronic equipment, purchased by the Election staff, was not included in the General Service Department's inventory. Assessor, General Services F10 The County agrees with the findings. Tracking would have facilitated accountability, program Director updates, replacements and recyclability. The Assessor/Clerk-Recorder/Registrar of Voters agrees with the finding. Although some equipment tracking did Jesse Salinas, Assessor/Clerk- 6/30/2017 take place internally within the department, it was not to Recorder/Registrar of Voters the same standard as the rest of the County. Recommendations Responses Date Who's to Respond Patrick Blacklock on behalf of Yolo County Board of The respondents agree with the finding, subject to the Elected officials must follow County policies, procedures and Supervisors, Chief Financial R1 authority conferred by Election Code sections 13001 and 8/1/2017 practices in the execution of their duties and responsibilities. Officer, Human Resources 14100. Director, County Administrative Officer, & General Services 2017-2018 Yolo County Grand Jury 103 Appendix: Did the 2016-17 Grand Jury Improve Local Government? Recommendations Responses Date Who's to Respond Although the Election office now makes every effort to follow County policies and procedures in the execution of its duties and responsibilities, in the course of running an election it reserves the authority and purchasing flexibility Jesse Salinas, Assessor/Clerk- given to it by Election Code ("EC") sections 13001 and 6/30/2017 Recorder/Registrar of Voters 14100. Section 13001 and 14100 provide the county elections official with the authority to purchase supplies that are necessary for election-day activities without going through the County's purchasing processes. This recommendation will be implemented. Financial Patrick Blacklock on behalf of Services staff have already trained employees in the Yolo County Board of Elected officials and all employees shall be trained in Assessor/Clerk-Recorder/Elections Department on the Supervisors, Chief Financial R2 appropriate use of County property and equipment, not limited 8/1/2017 proper methods of procurement and use of purchase cards. Officer, Human Resources to purchase cards, cell phones, computers, etc. Other county employees will be trained by September Director, County Administrative 2017. Officer, & General Services Parts of this recommendation require further analysis while other parts will not be implemented as they are not reasonable. The General Services Department currently tracks all computers on the County network. The Department agrees that the purchase of large electronic Patrick Blacklock on behalf of All authorized County purchased equipment shall be issued equipment (PCs, laptops, tablets) attached to the network Yolo County Board of with an inventory tag. All electronic equipment shall be should come through General Services to assure Supervisors, Chief Financial R3 8/1/2017 purchased through the General Services department and standardization, supportability and connectivity. The Officer, Human Resources inventoried annually. Department also supports exploring the use of the Director, County Administrative inventory management system. The recommendation that Officer, & General Services all electronic equipment be purchased through General Services Department and inventoried annually, however, will not be implemented because it would create a workload backlog and significantly delay procurement. 2017-2018 Yolo County Grand Jury 104 Appendix: Did the 2016-17 Grand Jury Improve Local Government? Recommendations Responses Date Who's to Respond Patrick Blacklock on behalf of The CAO and HR Director shall review and revise the County's Yolo County Board of mandated training requirements and compliance with the State This recommendation was implemented prior to AB1234 Supervisors, Chief Financial R4 8/1/2017 of California Public Services Entities as directed by the AB becoming effective on January 1, 2006. Officer, Human Resources 1234 timeline. Director, County Administrative Officer, & General Services The Departments of Administration and Financial Services along with the Department of Human Resources shall create This recommendation is in the process of being Patrick Blacklock on behalf of and standardized training for County Policies and Procedures to implemented. Financial Services staff have been providing Yolo County Board of ensure all administrators, supervisors, directors, and department focused training to departmental finance staff on various Supervisors, Chief Financial R5 heads, elected or appointed, are familiarized with current 8/1/2017 aspects of accounts payable, accounts receivable and Officer, Human Resources Federal and State laws and County government policies and contracts. This effort will continue and will be Director, County Administrative procedures. An annual review of all new policies and standardized. Officer, & General Services procedures shall be conducted for elected officials and all employees, and records ensuring compliance shall be kept. The Assessor/Clerk-Recorder/Elections office will not Jesse Salinas, Assessor/Clerk- implement this recommendation since it is directed toward 6/30/2017 Recorder/Registrar of Voters other departments to execute. This recommendation is in the process of being Patrick Blacklock on behalf of implemented. Financial Service staff have been providing Yolo County Board of The Department of Financial Services shall provide training to focused training to departmental finance staff on various Supervisors, Chief Financial R6 all accounting personnel in policies and procedures related to 8/1/2017 aspects of accounts payable, accounts receivable and Officer, Human Resources accounts payable and receivable and all department contracts. contracts. This effort will continue and will be Director, County Administrative standardized. Officer, & General Services Patrick Blacklock on behalf of This recommendation will be implemented. Financial Yolo County Board of The Department of Financial Services shall create records to Services will work with Human Resources to define the Supervisors, Chief Financial R7 ensure compliance of the employees who are required to attend necessary finance competencies and a system to track 8/1/2017 Officer, Human Resources training in financial practices. training for all relevant County employees. We anticipate Director, County Administrative completion by June 2018. Officer, & General Services 2017-2018 Yolo County Grand Jury 105 Appendix: Did the 2016-17 Grand Jury Improve Local Government? Recommendations Responses Date Who's to Respond The Department of Human Resources shall ensure that all job titles within the County Assessor/Clerk-Recorder/Registrar of This recommendation was already implemented. All Patrick Blacklock on behalf of Voters office have job descriptions and that all current and positions within the Assessor/Clerk-Recorder/Elections Yolo County Board of future employees have titles complete with job descriptions and office have written class specifications. There was only one Supervisors, Chief Financial R8 8/1/2017 responsibilities. The Elections Office, in collaboration with HR, position that did not have a finalized class specification, Officer, Human Resources shall review and revise the evaluation standards used for all Clerk-Recorder-Assessor Program manager, however, that Director, County Administrative current and future job classifications to establish a fair and class specification was finalized in September 2016. Officer, & General Services objective set of guidelines. This recommendation has been implemented The Assessor/Clerk-Recorder/Elections department recently worked, collaboratively, with Human Resources (HR) to update the job classes for all support positions. The job Jesse Salinas, Assessor/Clerk- 6/30/2017 classes now more accurately reflect the consolidated Recorder/Registrar of Voters operations model of the Assessor/Clerk-Recorder/Election office and the office is committed to working with HR as it updates and creates new classes in the future. The Department of Human Resources shall annually review Patrick Blacklock on behalf of hiring practices to eliminate instances of nepotism within all This recommendation will not be implemented because it is Yolo County Board of departments to ensure that ethical standards are maintained and not warranted. Human Resources reviews all new hires for Supervisors, Chief Financial R9 that a procedural firewall exists between familial related 8/1/2017 compliance with County policy at the time it receives the Officer, Human Resources employees. This annual review shall be presented to the Board request to hire from the department. Director, County Administrative of Supervisors with findings and recommendations no later than Officer, & General Services December 1, 2018, and each following year. This recommendation has partially been implemented already and will be fully implemented this fall. The Patrick Blacklock on behalf of existing online Ethics training for Elected Officials is in Yolo County Board of By December 1, 2018, HR shall review and update the full compliance with AB1234. In addition, Human Supervisors, Chief Financial R10 Harassment and Ethics online training programs and implement 8/1/2017 Resources began offering in-person Ethics and Workplace Officer, Human Resources a training program that includes classroom (in-person) training. Civility training in February 2017. To supplement the Director, County Administrative online training, Human Resources will begin offering in- Officer, & General Services person Harassment Prevention training in September 2017. 2017-2018 Yolo County Grand Jury 106 Appendix: Did the 2016-17 Grand Jury Improve Local Government? Recommendations Responses Date Who's to Respond Patrick Blacklock on behalf of Yolo County Board of Prior to the 2017 evaluations, the CAO shall revise and extend Supervisors, Chief Financial R11 the current 360-degree evaluation process to include all elected No Response. 8/1/2017 Officer, Human Resources officials and department heads. Director, County Administrative Officer, & General Services REPORT TITLE: YOLO HABITAT CONSERVANCY PERSEVERANCE, PRESERVATION AND POSSIBILITIES Findings Responses Date Who's to Respond Pat Blacklock on behalf of Yolo Generally, the YHCP has adopted and uses acceptable F1 We agree with the findings 8/1/2017 County Board of Supervisors & accounting practices as cited in the audit. CFO Conservancy Joint Powers The respondents agree with this finding. Authority Board No Response. NCCP Executive Director We agree partially with the finding. The Yolo Habitat Conservancy cash account within the County treasury on 6- Pat Blacklock on behalf of Yolo The loan to the YHC from the Yolo County Treasury has an F2 30-15 had a negative balance of $1767. This account, 8/1/2017 County Board of Supervisors & outstanding balance of $1,767.00. however, has maintained a positive balance since fiscal CFO year 2015-16. 2017-2018 Yolo County Grand Jury 107 Appendix: Did the 2016-17 Grand Jury Improve Local Government? Findings Responses Date Who's to Respond The respondents disagree with this finding. The Conservancy's cash account within the County Treasury had a negative balance of $1767 on June 30, 2015. The Yolo Habitat Conservancy has a formal agreement with the Yolo County Department of Financial Services to borrow Conservancy Joint Powers money on a short-term basis from the County Treasury 8/2017 Authority Board because of cash flow issues associated with reimbursements of expenditures under grants. Such reimbursements take 2-4 months to receive from the state and federal government. The Conservancy always repays these short-term loans as soon as the Conservancy receives grant reimbursements and repaid this loan within 2 months of the end of the 2015-16 fiscal year. Since that time, the Conservancy has not borrowed any funds, even on a short- term basis, from the County Treasury. No Response. NCCP Executive Director At the printing of this report, the Yolo Habitat Conservation Pat Blacklock on behalf of Yolo F3 Plan/Natural Community Conservation Plan has been released We agree with the finding 8/1/2017 County Board of Supervisors & for public comment. CFO The respondents agree with this finding. We appreciate the Conservancy Joint Powers Grand Jury's recognition of the public release of the Authority Board HCP/NCCP in its report. No Response. NCCP Executive Director Recommendations Responses Date This recommendation has been implemented. This account Pat Blacklock on behalf of Yolo By September 1, 2017, the remaining balance of the loan from has maintained a positive balance since fiscal year 2015- R1 8/1/2017 County Board of Supervisors & the Yolo County Treasury is to be repaid to Yolo County. 16. There is no balance due to Yolo County and the current CFO cash balance is positive. 2017-2018 Yolo County Grand Jury 108 Appendix: Did the 2016-17 Grand Jury Improve Local Government? As noted in response to Finding 2, above, the Conservancy's cash account in the County Treasury has Conservancy Joint Powers maintained a positive balance since fiscal year 2015-16. Authority Board There is no balance due to Yolo County. No Response. NCCP Executive Director REPORT TITLE: YOLO COUNTY ADULT AND YOUTH DETENTION FACILITY INSPECTION Findings Responses Date Who's to Respond The respondents disagree wholly with the finding. The Yolo County Sheriff's Office regularly and consistently The Yolo County Sheriff's Office is ultimately responsible for follow up with the Yolo County Health & Human Services the health and safety of all inmates in its custody; but does not Agency contract manager to ensure corrections to Pat Blacklock on behalf of Dir of follow up with the medical provider's contract manager at the documented violations in the jail's medical facility and Health & Human Services, Chief F1 8/1/2017 Yolo County Department of Health and Human Services to services are made. The contract manager and Sheriff's Probation Officer and Yolo ensure corrections to documented violations in the jail's Office staff meet every two weeks at the Inmate of Interest County Board of Supervisors medical facility and services are made. meeting, quarterly at the Jail Medical Quality Assurance meeting, and they communicate regularly via email and phone between scheduled meetings. E.G Prieto, Sheriff-Coroner- I disagree wholly or partially with the findings. 6/14/2017 Public Administrator 2017-2018 Yolo County Grand Jury 109 Appendix: Did the 2016-17 Grand Jury Improve Local Government? Recommendations Responses Date Who's to Respond By January 1, 2018, the Sheriff's Office will put policies and procedures in place and in practice to ensure accountability for the remediation of violations as noticed in any letters or inspection reports retaining to all contractors providing services within the Yolo County jail facilities, including those Pat Blacklock on behalf of Dir of contractors managed by other departments within the county. This recommendation will not be implemented because Health & Human Services, Chief R1 The YCGJ recommends that (1) the Sheriff's Office follow up, 8/1/2017 they are not warranted and/or are not reasonable. of Probation Officer and Yolo in writing, with external departments that administer contracts County Board of Supervisors executed for Sheriff's Office facilities when these departments are notified of existing violations pertaining to with the report/notice of file. This will demonstrate a good faith effort to ensure accountability for all issues concerning inmate health and safety. The current practice between the Sheriff's Office, our Health Care Provider (CFMG) and Yolo County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) contract manager is that we conduct bi-weekly meetings to discuss any concerns or violations. During the meeting, we discuss any medical grievances that have been submitted by any inmate, any inspections that have been conducted, to include the results of those inspections and any corrections that are needed. Additionally, the Sheriff's Office, HHSA, Juvenile Hall and CFMG meet quarterly to discuss any contractual issues that need to be addressed between all the E.G Prieto, Sheriff-Coroner- involved parties and to discuss any inmate(s) with 6/14/2017 Public Administrator significant medical or mental health issues. The Sheriff's Office maintains copies of all inspection reports and grievances that are submitted to us. We also maintain copies of all corrective actions that have been taken. The Sheriff's Office does not believe that a new policy and procedure is necessary as the present level of communication with HHSA and the Health Care provider, CFMG, is outstanding. These recommendations will not be implemented as they are no warranted. New policies and procedures are not necessary as the present level of communication is more than sufficient. 2017-2018 Yolo County Grand Jury 110 Appendix: Did the 2016-17 Grand Jury Improve Local Government? REPORT TITLE: BICYCLE SAFETY Findings Responses Date Who's to Respond We agree with the finding. Our committee has reviewed the County's Bicycle Transportation Plan multiple times over the years and we have provided input on Plan to County staff to make adjustments to the Plan. As part of our function we also regularly discuss bicycle safety issues at our committee meetings-whether brought up by our committee members, County staff or by the public who have attended our meetings. We too have been concerned about bicycle-car accidents within the County, and we agree that the surge in recent accidents seems to be more The 2013 Yolo County Bicycle Transportation Plan is well related to driver/bicyclist errors, than due to thought out, addresses adequate safety needs, follows statewide implementation or non-implementation of the Bicycle Plan. Hans Strandguard, P.Ed, Chair of F1 8/25/2017 standards, and provides a reasonable and systematic approach We have also been frustrated by the lack of funding Yolo County TAC to upgrading and repairing existing streets and roads. available for bicycle related improvements within the County, though we believe the County has been very creative in using the limited funding it has to make bicycle related improvements, for example, by adding wider shoulders to roads when they are rehabilitated. A good example of this is the recently completed widening of CR 98 from Woodland to CR 29. We have been encouraged by the coordination that has been demonstrated between County staff and the Cities of Woodland and Davis to plan for a Woodland-Davis bike route, particularly as it relates to funding necessary studies therefor. Neither I nor any other City of Woodland staff member Brent Meyer, City Engineer on were involved in the review of the 2013 County plan and 7/14/2017 behalf of Public Works Director do not have a comment on Finding F1. Greg Meyer, Woodland 2017-2018 Yolo County Grand Jury 111 Appendix: Did the 2016-17 Grand Jury Improve Local Government? Findings Responses Date Who's to Respond While I agree with the finding that the Yolo County Bicycle Transportation Plan (Plan) is well thought out and a follows statewide standards, I am unable to agree with the findings stating it addresses adequate safety needs and provides a reasonable and systematic approach to upgrading and repairing existing streets and roads. The plan mentions safety as a value to consider in its stated Goal and some Policies, it also states that the County recognizes the importance of bicycle safety education (page 15), but nowhere in the Plan does it discuss specifics about how the Plan adequately addresses the issue of safety in relation to the specific improvements proposed, or how Robert A. Clarke, Davis Public education programs provided by other entities will be 6/30/2017 Works Director supported. The Plan even specifically states that the promotion of bicycle safety is not addressed in the Plan (page 27). Similarly, while the Plan states that it is essential to the Bikeway System that continued maintenance and repair for bike facilities occur (largely the road system), it specifically states that this issue is not shown in the Plan (page 7). Without specifics on these two topics clearly expressed and documented in the Plan, I feel the language used in Finding F1 is unsupportable as the Plan appears to resume adequate safety and a systematic approach to road upgrades and repairs will be addressed without clearly explaining how it will be accomplished. 2017-2018 Yolo County Grand Jury 112 Appendix: Did the 2016-17 Grand Jury Improve Local Government? Findings Responses Date Who's to Respond I concur with this finding. However, I disagree with the statement on the report that says, "Yolo County and the incorporated cities are to fund the designated projects identified in the Plan." City of West Sacramento did not agree to fund projects in the County's Plan. I am not aware of any other cities agreeing to fund projects in the County's Plan either. It should be noted that the County's Plan does not include any projects within the city limits of the City of West Sacramento. Active transportation Plans have proven to be successful tools to implement the goals listed above. In 2013, West Sacramento adopted its own Bicycle Denix Anbiah, Director of Public 7/26/2017 Pedestrian Trails Master Plan (BPTMP), which Works, City of West Sacramento complements the County's Plan. Since the adoption of the 2013 BPTMP the City has built or funded 4 miles of new bicycle/walking trails (Class 1), 10.4 miles of new bike lanes (Class 2), and 2.25 miles of new bike routes (Class 3). This increase in bicycle facilities constitutes a 115% increase in Class 1 trails, a 35% increase in Class 2 bike lanes, and a 125% increase in Class 3 bike routes. The increase in bicycle facilities has earned the City of West Sacramento its first Bicycle Friendly Community designation of Bronze. No Response. City of Winters Public Works 2017-2018 Yolo County Grand Jury 113
• CL7
  2017 – 2018 Yolo County Grand Jury Final Report

No Responses Found 2

Government entities assigned to respond to this report. No response documents have been linked in our database.