articleSmall School Districts*

R1

The Tulare County Grand Jury recommends that all gates be locked during the day in order to further insure the safety of students and faculty. Response: This recommendation will not be implemented at this time. Due to the location of the school office; in the interior of the campus, the front gate must remain unlocked to allow parent and visitor access to the office. In our master planning we are looking at options that will allow us to have a "closed" campus.

R2

The Tulare County Grand Jury recommends Buena Vista School District apply for funding under Prop 84, Safe Drinking Water Bond Act, for a new well as well as other school districts have done. Response: This recommendation has been implemented. We began the application process for a new well in 2008. The application for the feasibility study was submitted in 2010. The test well and feasibility study were completed in 2012. We just entered into a funding agreement with California Department of Public Health for the construction of a new well. This process will probably take the better part of a year. My hope is to have the new well in by the summer of 2015. Respectfully submitted, となって変きない。 Carole Mederos, Superintendent Buena Vista School District Citrus South Tule School District Excellence in Education 31374 Success Valley Drive Porterville, CA 93257 Phone: Fax: (559) 784-6333 (559) 784-0413 "Gem of the foothills" July 2, 2014 S. Mooney Blvd Visalia, California 93291 RE: RESPONSE TO THE 2013-2014 TULARE COUNTY GRAND JURY FINAL REPORT Tulare County Grand Jury: The Respondent, Citrus South Tule Elementary School District, agrees with the finding. The district is currently taking steps to improve the availability of technology available to our students and to increase parent and community volunteerism, involvement, and participation in our school. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or need further information in this regard. Sincerely, uugu ( David Huchingson Superintendent 17-8-214D Citrus South Tule School District Excellence in Education 31374 Success Valley Drive Phone: Porterville, CA 93257 Fax: (559) 784-6333 (559) 784-0413 "Gem of the foothills" September 8, 2014 S Mooney Blvd Visalia, California 93291 RESPONSE TO THE 2013-2014 TULARE COUNTY GRAND JURY FINAL RE: REPORT Tulare County Grand Jury: In Regard to Finding #1 The Respondent, Citrus South Tule Elementary School District and the Citrus South Tule Elementary School District Board of Trustees, agree with Finding #1. The Citrus South Tule Elementary School District is in need of new technology equipment, but lacks the necessary financial resources for computers and materials. While this has been recognized for some time, the lack of necessary funding has prohibited progress. This need really hit home last spring when the Citrus South Tule Elementary School was faced with administering the Smarter- Balanced Field Test and did not have sufficient computer hardware and technology for students to participate in this program. An arrangement was made with the Towanits Indian Education Center on the Tule River Indian Reservation to use one of their computer labs for Smarter- Balanced Testing. The district recently received a $10,000 grant to use for technology and materials related to implementation of the Common Core State Standards. While this is not a great deal of money, it will get our district started in increasing technology available for student use and provide for Smarter-Balanced testing on campus in the spring of 2015. In August 2014, we terminated our agreement for a T-1 line for internet service and added a DSL connection, subsequently speeding up our capacity for internet services and preparing the way for us to add the wireless network and increased usage of computers by students and staff. The next step is to add modems in all classrooms so that a wireless connection is available in all locations on the campus. The Porterville Unified School District has offered to provide technological advisement for the efficient and economical purchase of complementary equipment and services; serve our current technology needs; and, provide opportunity for 1.22 ED expansion. , the district will have installed and implement a wireless network throughout the campus and begin adding computer hardware (likely to be Chromebooks) for student use. An application is in process at the present time for additional funding for technology and to improve the broadband capability at Citrus South Tule School. The district will be diligent in seeking additional funds. The Citrus South Tule Elementary School District looks forward to providing increasing technology for student and staff use. In regard to Finding #2: The Respondent, Citrus South Tule Elementary School District and the Citrus South Tule Elementary School District Board of Trustees, agree with Finding# 2. This is a complicated issue for the Citrus South Tule Elementary School District and one with which we have wrestled for some time. From 1998 to 2010. the Citrus South Tule Elementary School provided an after- school program for all students. This program was discontinued in 2010, due to low student attendance. At present, only two students who attend Citrus South Tule Elementary School live within the Citrus South Tule Elementary School District. In excess of 90% of our students reside on the Tule River Indian Reservation. The Tule River Indian Reservation houses the Towanits Indian Education Center which provides a quality after school and holiday tutoring for all students attending our school. Students are bused directly to the Towanits Indian Education Center upon dismissal from school. Our students take advantage of this service on a regular basis, making the offering of an on-site after-school program inefficient at this time. Over the past six months, the district has worked closely with the Towanits Indian Education Center to improve communication and coordination of effort in support of our students learning needs. The Towanits Indian Education Center sends staff into the Citrus South Tule Elementary School at least two days per week to support students in the classroom. Homework packets are provided by Citrus South Tule teachers to the Towanits Indian Education Center on a weekly basis. The school receives wonderful support from the Towanits Indian Education Center staff by their attendance at many our school events and activities. The parents of students attending our school are supportive and appreciative of the services provided by the Towanits Indian Education Center. The Citrus South Tule Elementary School District will continue to monitor this situation and should the need, support, and practicality for such a service arrive, will immediately take action to implement. Should you need additional information in this regard, please contact Citrus South Tule Elementary School District Superintendent, David Huchingson or the Melinda Beer, President, Citrus South Tule Elementary School District Board of Trustees at 559-784-6333. Sincerely, i alvett David Huchingson Sue Qualseth Superintendent Clerk, Citrus South Tule ESD Board of Trustees (in the absence of the Citrus South Tule ESD Board President) Grand Jury

R2

The Tulare County Grand Jury recommends Buena Vista School District apply for funding under Prop 84, Safe Drinking Water Bond Act, for a new well as well as other school districts have done. Response: This recommendation has been implemented. We began the application process for a new well in 2008. The application for the feasibility study was submitted in 2010. The test well and feasibility study were completed in 2012. We just entered into a funding agreement with California Department of Public Health for the construction of a new well. This process will probably take the better part of a year. My hope is to have the new well in by the summer of 2015. Respectfully submitted, となって変きない。 Carole Mederos, Superintendent Buena Vista School District Citrus South Tule School District Excellence in Education 31374 Success Valley Drive Porterville, CA 93257 Phone: Fax: (559) 784-6333 (559) 784-0413 "Gem of the foothills" July 2, 2014 S. Mooney Blvd Visalia, California 93291 RE: RESPONSE TO THE 2013-2014 TULARE COUNTY GRAND JURY FINAL REPORT Tulare County Grand Jury: The Respondent, Citrus South Tule Elementary School District, agrees with the finding. The district is currently taking steps to improve the availability of technology available to our students and to increase parent and community volunteerism, involvement, and participation in our school. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or need further information in this regard. Sincerely, uugu ( David Huchingson Superintendent 17-8-214D Citrus South Tule School District Excellence in Education 31374 Success Valley Drive Phone: Porterville, CA 93257 Fax: (559) 784-6333 (559) 784-0413 "Gem of the foothills" September 8, 2014 S Mooney Blvd Visalia, California 93291 RESPONSE TO THE 2013-2014 TULARE COUNTY GRAND JURY FINAL RE: REPORT Tulare County Grand Jury: In Regard to Finding #1 The Respondent, Citrus South Tule Elementary School District and the Citrus South Tule Elementary School District Board of Trustees, agree with Finding #1. The Citrus South Tule Elementary School District is in need of new technology equipment, but lacks the necessary financial resources for computers and materials. While this has been recognized for some time, the lack of necessary funding has prohibited progress. This need really hit home last spring when the Citrus South Tule Elementary School was faced with administering the Smarter- Balanced Field Test and did not have sufficient computer hardware and technology for students to participate in this program. An arrangement was made with the Towanits Indian Education Center on the Tule River Indian Reservation to use one of their computer labs for Smarter- Balanced Testing. The district recently received a $10,000 grant to use for technology and materials related to implementation of the Common Core State Standards. While this is not a great deal of money, it will get our district started in increasing technology available for student use and provide for Smarter-Balanced testing on campus in the spring of 2015. In August 2014, we terminated our agreement for a T-1 line for internet service and added a DSL connection, subsequently speeding up our capacity for internet services and preparing the way for us to add the wireless network and increased usage of computers by students and staff. The next step is to add modems in all classrooms so that a wireless connection is available in all locations on the campus. The Porterville Unified School District has offered to provide technological advisement for the efficient and economical purchase of complementary equipment and services; serve our current technology needs; and, provide opportunity for 1.22 ED expansion. , the district will have installed and implement a wireless network throughout the campus and begin adding computer hardware (likely to be Chromebooks) for student use. An application is in process at the present time for additional funding for technology and to improve the broadband capability at Citrus South Tule School. The district will be diligent in seeking additional funds. The Citrus South Tule Elementary School District looks forward to providing increasing technology for student and staff use. In regard to Finding #2: The Respondent, Citrus South Tule Elementary School District and the Citrus South Tule Elementary School District Board of Trustees, agree with Finding# 2. This is a complicated issue for the Citrus South Tule Elementary School District and one with which we have wrestled for some time. From 1998 to 2010. the Citrus South Tule Elementary School provided an after- school program for all students. This program was discontinued in 2010, due to low student attendance. At present, only two students who attend Citrus South Tule Elementary School live within the Citrus South Tule Elementary School District. In excess of 90% of our students reside on the Tule River Indian Reservation. The Tule River Indian Reservation houses the Towanits Indian Education Center which provides a quality after school and holiday tutoring for all students attending our school. Students are bused directly to the Towanits Indian Education Center upon dismissal from school. Our students take advantage of this service on a regular basis, making the offering of an on-site after-school program inefficient at this time. Over the past six months, the district has worked closely with the Towanits Indian Education Center to improve communication and coordination of effort in support of our students learning needs. The Towanits Indian Education Center sends staff into the Citrus South Tule Elementary School at least two days per week to support students in the classroom. Homework packets are provided by Citrus South Tule teachers to the Towanits Indian Education Center on a weekly basis. The school receives wonderful support from the Towanits Indian Education Center staff by their attendance at many our school events and activities. The parents of students attending our school are supportive and appreciative of the services provided by the Towanits Indian Education Center. The Citrus South Tule Elementary School District will continue to monitor this situation and should the need, support, and practicality for such a service arrive, will immediately take action to implement. Should you need additional information in this regard, please contact Citrus South Tule Elementary School District Superintendent, David Huchingson or the Melinda Beer, President, Citrus South Tule Elementary School District Board of Trustees at 559-784-6333. Sincerely, i alvett David Huchingson Sue Qualseth Superintendent Clerk, Citrus South Tule ESD Board of Trustees (in the absence of the Citrus South Tule ESD Board President) Grand Jury

R3

The Tulare County Grand Jury recommends Waukena Joint Union Elementary School District negotiate with Tulare County Office of Education for a full time Resource Specialist to meet the need of the students. Response: The recommendation was implemented in the past years of 2010- 2014 as part of adoption of the "Transformational Model" of NCLB. A current request for continuation of a full time resource specialist has been implemented (approved) by the Tulare County Office of Education. 2013-14 Tulare Grand Jury Response from Waukena Joint Union Elementary Board of Trustees "Small School Districts"

R4

The Tulare County Grand Jury recommends Columbine School District solicit for volunteers to create an after school program that is designed to not only help students with homework but to help students with club activities or provide an after school activity in general for the students. Response: This recommendation will not be implemented because it isn't warranted. The board doesn't want an after school program run by volunteers. In addition, Columbine has lots of after school activities already. Math Field Day practice: two to three months, several times a week in grades 4-6. Odyssey of the Mind team planning; two teams, four to six months. • Remediation for math and language arts in grades 4-8, six ten- week sessions, twice a week.

R5

The Tulare County Grand Jury recommends Columbine School District provide their Student Handbook in both English and Spanish. Response: This recommendation has been implemented. The 2014-15 Handbook has been translated into Spanish. Copies have been provided to the appropriate families. . the second second second second second second second second second second second second second second second second second second second second second second second second second second second second second second second s Liberty Elementary School 1771 E. Pacific Ave., Tulare, CA 93274 Superintendent /Principal Keri Montoya 559.686.1675, 559.686.2879 (FAX) August 15, 2014 Honorable Judge Gary Paden County Civic Center, Room 303 221 S. Mooney Blvd. Visalia, CA 93291 Dear Honorable Judge Gary Paden: We are writing in regards to the Grand Jury recommendations for Liberty Elementary. We, as a board, agree with both of the findings. The first recommendation given by the Grand-Jury is for Liberty Elementary to contract with the Tulare City School District lunch services when the Visalia Unified School District contract is complete. This recommendation cannot be implemented because it is not warranted. Liberty Elementary had previously contacted Tulare City School District (TCSD) regarding this matter. TCSD is not interested in providing Liberty Elementary with lunch services. The second recommendation given by the Grand Jury is for Liberty Elementary to continue to pursue linking their water supply to the City of Tulare and discontinue the use of well water. This recommendation will not be implemented because it is not warranted. The City of Tulare is unable to provide Liberty Elementary with city water. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us. Sincerely, Verweley Dr. James Guadagni Roard President Palo Verde Union Elementary School District's Response to the Tulare Grand Jury Findings and Recommendations on: Small School of Tulare County Date Board Approved: September 10, 2014 Board President Bill Benson Fill JuneSignature Palo Verde Union Elementary School District's Response to the Tulare Grand Jury Findings and Recommendations "Small School Districts" 9-16 2014

R6

Student Handbooks are available in English and Spanish. The Palo Verde Union Elementary School District Board of Trustees agrees with this finding. However, the state has changed the funding formula for school revenues and the Revenue Limit no longer exists as the Local Control Funding Formula has replaced the Revenue Limit.

R7

School Technology is increasing with the addition of two new computer labs with 25 computers in each lab. The Palo Verde Union Elementary School District Board of Trustees agrees with this finding. However, since the report was taken, the district has added another computer lab and all three labs have 34 computers.

R8

The Palo Verde School District is committed to spending $106,000 on technology in the next two years. The Palo Verde Union Elementary School District Board of Trustees agrees with this finding. 9-16 2014

R9

The school has a new building entitled the "East Wing", which houses the computer lab and a science lab. The Palo Verde Union Elementary School District Board of Trustees agrees with this finding. However, the new wing is called the 800 wing and houses a computer lab, science lab and four classrooms.

R10

The Palo Verde School District purchased 9.55 adjacent acres of land for new athletic facilities. The Palo Verde Union Elementary School District Board of Trustees agrees with this finding.

R11

A new 13,000 square foot gymnasium/multipurpose room is being built with a completion date of May 2014. The Palo Verde Union Elementary School District Board of Trustees agrees with this finding.

R12

The school has an asbestos and lead problem in the office and in some older classrooms. The Palo Verde Union Elementary School District Board of Trustees does not agree with this

R13

The School Accountability Report Card is available on the Palo Verde School District website. The Palo Verde Union Elementary School District Board of Trustees agrees with this finding. Recommendations: