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Extracted from Consolidated Report

This investigation was originally published as part of a larger consolidated report containing multiple investigations. View the consolidated PDF for the complete document.

Tulare County Grand Jury • 2009-2010

Education Committee Reports

13 pages
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Findings 20 findings

F1
Of the 48 District meetings visited: h. Not all Board Members were a. Thirty-seven started on time. prepared for their meeting. Ø 42 TULARE COUNTY GRAND JURY REPORT 2009-2010 i. Thirty-one districts provide benefits Counsel and other local attorneys for all for their Board Members and governing board members.) fourteen pay their Board Members. j. The length of meetings varied 2. School Districts: between ten minutes and four a. Add to the agenda Senate Bill 343 hours. Chapter 298 language and a place k. In five districts Board Members for public comment. were late to the meeting. b. Post meeting agendas 72 hours l. Meeting rooms were a problem for before the Board meeting in a five districts, they did not have a location where it is available for the room for the meeting or the room public to review per the Ralph M. was too small. Brown Act. m. Two districts moved the meeting to c. When the agenda is full of another room without notification business save extra presentations or leaving a notice at the original for another meeting. site where the meeting had relocated. 3. School Board Members: n. On at least two occasions, Board a. Read agenda packets before Members appeared to fall asleep. meetings. b. Be on time.
F2 Page 49
Eight of the 48 districts have complied c. Be professional and business-like, with Senate Bill 343 Chapter 298 do not veer off the agenda or fall (Government Code section 54957.5). asleep. This Senate Bill, which is an amendment d. Keep meetings under 2 hours in to the Ralph M. Brown Act, became order to increase meeting effective July 1, 2008 and requires that participation. Board meeting agendas include a e. Ensure all speakers can be heard notice, that any agenda packet provided by each and every person in to Board Members is available for public attendance. inspection at the district office and/or the district’s web site. 4. If a large group of parents, teachers, and visitors are expected to attend a CONCLUSIONS meeting, find a room large enough to accommodate them before the meeting The majority of Tulare County School Board time. meetings are well run by organized, knowledgeable and supportive people. 5. If the scheduled meeting room is moved However, there are issues that need to another site, post a notice of the new addressing in the preparation and execution location at the original site. of the School Board meetings.
F3
The School Board answered all written and oral questions that were presented by the community.
F4
The Alpaugh School Administration b. Standing water, green with algae in placed on their website (hosted by the several places. Tulare County Office of Education) the c. Newly painted outside walls following: cracking and peeling. “Our school is in good repair, according d. Restrooms with cracks in the cement floors. 1The Williams Settlement Compliance Findings are generated by the Office of Public School Construction. 45 × TULARE COUNTY GRAND JURY REPORT 2009-2010 to the criteria established by the Office 5. Provide the public with accurate of Public School Construction. Our information relative to the existing deficiencies are minor ones resulting conditions of school buildings, from common wear and tear, and there playgrounds, classrooms and overall are few of them. We scored between facilities ratings. 90 and 99 percent on the 15 categories of our evaluation.” 6. Post Uniform Complaint Procedures in every classroom and areas accessible to
F5 Page 52
The Uniform Complaint Form was not the public as required by law. posted in all classrooms and public areas as required by California REQUIRED RESPONSES Education Code Section 35186. Alpaugh Unified School District CONCLUSIONS Tulare County Board o f Education The appalling conditions at the Alpaugh School are detrimental to the learning environment of students and the working environment of staff. The hazardous conditions at the School did not occur over night. The with-holding of designated maintenance funds, by the Administrative staff, to correct known unsafe and unhealthy conditions has exposed students and staff needlessly.
F6
The return address on the complaint was Wilson Elementary School. CONCLUSIONS The Dinuba Unified School District Board of Trustees completed the Wilson Elementary School Principal selection process in a transparent and professional manner with ample opportunity for public comment.
F7 Page 53
One Board Member has lived outside
F8
The above Board Member’s vote was dismissed. the deciding vote necessary to hire 47 × TULARE COUNTY GRAND JURY REPORT 2009-2010 the current Superintendent on paid leave for the remainder of the February 16, 2010 for the 2010- school year. 2011 school year.
F9 Page 54
Board Members, employees and on April 13, 2010 containing 253 consultants who participate in the signatures requesting the removal of government decision-making the Superintendent/Principal for process are prohibited from making a harassing, bullying and threatening contract in which they are members of the community and financially interested, pursuant to teachers who are afraid to come Government Code Section 1090. forward for fear of reprisal.
F10 Page 54
Several Board Members had not read 16. This petition was delivered to the the contracts between the School Board on April 13, 2010 and was not District and Superintendent/Principal read by any Board Member. before or after approving them. None of the Board Members were aware of 17. On February 16, 2010 the the terms and conditions of these Superintendent recommended the contracts including salary, leave and Vice-Principal be hired as the new retirement benefits. Superintendent/Principal for the 2010-2011 school year. The Board
F11 Page 54
The Woodville Union School District took immediate action that evening Parent Handbook contains a Parent on this recommendation and voted to Complaint Form with completion hire the Vice-Principal without any instructions to be found on a knowledge of the terms and particular page. These instructions conditions of the employment are not found on the page number agreement. indicated in the Parent/Student Handbook; however they are on a 18. Some Board Members have never different page. attended school board training. Others have not attended training for
F12 Page 54
In 2004, a Superintendent was hired over 20 years. and his wife was hired as Principal.
F13 Page 54
In 2008, the Superintendent retired altered was not found. and recommended to the Board that his wife assume his Superintendent 20. California Education Code Sections duties as well as her duties as 52852, 52852.5 and 62002.5 Principal in 2009. The Board require schools to have an elected complied with the recommendation School Site Council. There is no data and hired her without posting a job to support the existence of a School opening. Site Council.
F14
On April 9, 2010, the CONCLUSIONS Superintendent/Principal submitted her resignation papers, requesting Although the School Board of Trustees are elected by the registered voters within Ø 48 TULARE COUNTY GRAND JURY REPORT 2009-2010 Woodville School District and given the 3. Board Members read and adhere to responsibility for ensuring accountability the Board By-Laws and operating to the local community, the evidence procedures. shows otherwise. The Board Members have not fulfilled their required 4. Establish a School Site Council as responsibilities. They appear to be a required by California Education rubber stamp used by the two prior school Code. Superintendents.
F15 Page 54
A petition was submitted to the Board
F16
This petition was delivered to the Board on April 13, 2010 and was not read by any Board Member.
F17
On February 16, 2010 the Superintendent recommended the Vice-Principal be hired as the new Superintendent/Principal for the 2010-2011 school year. The Board took immediate action that evening on this recommendation and voted to hire the Vice-Principal without any knowledge of the terms and conditions of the employment agreement.
F18
Some Board Members have never attended school board training. Others have not attended training for over 20 years.
F19 Page 54
Evidence of STAR test scores being
F20
California Education Code Sections 52852, 52852.5 and 62002.5 require schools to have an elected School Site Council. There is no data to support the existence of a School Site Council.

Recommendations 17

Conclusions 12

Comments 1