Score: +7
(10/2/3)
Orange County Grand Jury
• 2023-2024
• Agency Response
Dr. Sue Johnson Superintendent Savanna School District 1330 South Knott Avenue*
Published: August 13, 2024
4 pages
⚠️ Translation Notice: This content has been automatically translated. The original English text is the official version. Translation may contain errors.
⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
Findings and Recommendations 3 findings
F1
Orange County's K-12 public schools have implemented policies and/or guidelines around the use of different Al platforms in varying and inconsistent ways. Some prohibit Al's use; others allow it: and some don't have policies or guidelines governing AI at all. The District agrees with the finding. The District cannot comment on other districts' policies and/or guidelines around the use of Al platforms. As it pertains to Savanna School District, we have updated Board Policy, our Administrative Regulations, Student Internet Policy and our Annual Notification to all staff.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
By June 30, 2025, Orange County's K-12 schools should implement policies and guidelines regarding the appropriate use of Al. These may be provided at the district level or within individual schools through the adoption of an Acceptable Use Policy, Code of Ethics, or other written directives addressing the use of Al. The recommendation has been implemented. The District has implemented this recommendation as follows: Savanna School District has updated our Board Policy, Administrative Regulations, our Student Internet Use Policy as well as our Annual Notifications to all staff.
F2
Superintendents provide varying levels of support in implementing Al policies and/or guidelines in their respective school districts. The Honorable Maria D. Hernandez Presiding Judge, Orange County Superior Court Date The District partially disagrees with the finding. The District partially disagrees in that it cannot comment on the superintendent's level of support in implementing Al policies and/or guidelines in other districts. As it pertains to Savanna School District, the Superintendent has overseen the implementation of our updated policies, regulations and notifications. In addition, she has kept up to date on emerging programs and concerns.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2
The Honorable Maria D. Hernandez Presiding Judge, Orange County Superior Court Date Superintendents should ensure that their schools have policies that cover, at a minimum: the scope, guiding principles, and training regarding the responsible use of Al tools by students and teachers; any prohibited uses of special considerations regarding AI tools; and related security, privacy, and safety considerations. The recommendation has been partially implemented, with full implementation planned for the 2025-26 school year. The District has partially implemented this recommendation as follows: Savanna School District has implemented a strict policy prohibiting the use of AI for students and also has implemented a policy that prohibits staff from inputting sensitive information into any AI platform. District staff will have an added AI training added to their yearly training starting in the 2025- 2026 school year.
F3
There are many resources to guide educators in using Al. Several are available at the local level through the Orange County Department of Education, Orange County Board of Education, CEO Leadership Alliance Orange County, and Orange Unified School District Technology Department, to name a few. However, utilization and even awareness of the availability of such resources is highly variable across school districts. The District partially disagrees with the finding. The District does not have firsthand information regarding the utilization and awareness of the availability of the AI resources across school districts. As it pertains to Savanna School District, we remain focused on making sure any offered resources are age appropriate for our young students. In our elementary school district, we do not allow the use of the broad range of AI tools and systems that other districts might use.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
K-12 students should be trained on the appropriate use of Al. The recommendation will be implemented in the 2024-2025 school year. The District will implement this recommendation by January 2025, with the following action plan: the Savanna School District updated the student internet safety training to include information on the safe use of Al.
Agency Responses 5
Government agencies' official responses to this report's findings and recommendations. Click on a response to see the structured breakdown.
▶
Savanna School District
July 10, 2018
•
4 pages
• 8 responses
•
Score: +3
(+3, 1, 0)
View Details ▾
8 responses to findings and recommendations
F1
Orange County's K-12 public schools have implemented policies and/or guidelines around the use of different Al platforms in varying and inconsistent ways. Some prohibit Al's use; others allow it: and some don't have policies or guidelines governing AI at all. The District agrees with the finding. The District cannot comment on other districts' policies and/or guidelines around the use of Al platforms. As it pertains to Savanna School District, we have updated Board Policy, our Administrative Reg...
Response: Agree
Score: +1
: The Savanna School District agrees with this finding. School safety and security are a priority in Savanna School District. The implementation of security measures for schools, in many cases, is limited by funding.
F.2.
R1
By June 30, 2025, Orange County's K-12 schools should implement policies and guidelines regarding the appropriate use of Al. These may be provided at the district level or within individual schools through the adoption of an Acceptable Use Policy, Code of Ethics, or other written directives addressing the use of Al. The recommendation has been implemented. The District has implemented this recommendation as follows: Savanna School District has updated our Board Policy, Administrative Regulations...
Response: Implemented
Score: 0
: The recommendation has been implemented, with a copy of a letter to staff, dated October 4, 2017 outlining many safety features, attached. This document was provided to the Grand Jury during the interview process. R.2.: School districts should re-evaluate the lack of secure fencing on all school campuses and present a report to their respective boards by December 31, 2018, outlining their plans to make campuses more secure. (F.2, F.3)
F2
Superintendents provide varying levels of support in implementing Al policies and/or guidelines in their respective school districts. The Honorable Maria D. Hernandez Presiding Judge, Orange County Superior Court Date The District partially disagrees with the finding. The District partially disagrees in that it cannot comment on the superintendent's level of support in implementing Al policies and/or guidelines in other districts. As it pertains to Savanna School District, the Superintendent has...
Response: Agree
Score: +1
: The Savanna School District agrees with this finding. The extent to which our school can implement the type and extent of security measures is often dependent on funding. Many Orange County school campuses were constructed to reflect an "open and inviting" atmosphere but are now
F.3.
faced with physical and philosophical security issues that challenge this thinking.
R2
The Honorable Maria D. Hernandez Presiding Judge, Orange County Superior Court Date Superintendents should ensure that their schools have policies that cover, at a minimum: the scope, guiding principles, and training regarding the responsible use of Al tools by students and teachers; any prohibited uses of special considerations regarding AI tools; and related security, privacy, and safety considerations. The recommendation has been partially implemented, with full implementation planned for the...
Response: Unknown
Score: 0
: All of our schools have perimeter fencing with one entry point. Information on our school safety features are presented to our Board on a regular basis, provided to parents through letters home, and identified on our website. School districts should implement procedures to ensure that all campuses maintain a complete, daily log (electronic R.3.: or manual) of every visitor and volunteer entering and exiting the campus, excluding program events such as awards ceremonies or stage or musical productions. (F.4.)
F3
There are many resources to guide educators in using Al. Several are available at the local level through the Orange County Department of Education, Orange County Board of Education, CEO Leadership Alliance Orange County, and Orange Unified School District Technology Department, to name a few. However, utilization and even awareness of the availability of such resources is highly variable across school districts. The District partially disagrees with the finding. The District does not have first...
Response: Agree
Score: +1
: The Savanna School District agrees with this finding. However, while we want our schools to reflect an "open and inviting" atmosphere, we have an obligation to keep our students safe. All of our schools have perimeter fencing with one entry point. While every Orange County school district reported the use of a campus visitor sign-in process, there is a lack of
F.4.
procedural consistency among school campuses.
R3
K-12 students should be trained on the appropriate use of Al. The recommendation will be implemented in the 2024-2025 school year. The District will implement this recommendation by January 2025, with the following action plan: the Savanna School District updated the student internet safety training to include information on the safe use of Al.
Response: Unknown
Score: 0
: All of our sites utilize a visitor sign-in system that requires all adults enter through the school office. Those visitors or volunteers who wish to go on campus are required to produce a valid government-issued ID (driver's license or ID card) and are screened against the registered sex offender databases in all fifty states and provided with a visitor ID badge prior to entering the campus. Electronic logs of all visits, with name, date, time in and time out, are maintained. School districts should implement procedures to ensure that photo identification is required of all campus visitors R...
R4
K-12 teachers should be trained on the appropriate use of Al. The recommendation has not yet been implemented, but will be implemented in the future. The District has not yet implemented this recommendation but will implement this recommendation by the 2025-2026 school year, with the following action plan: teachers will have an additional informational training on the safe uses of AI in the classroom.
Response: Unknown
Score: 0
: All of our sites utilize a visitor sign-in system that requires all adults enter through the school office. Those nonstaff members who wish to go on campus are required to produce a valid government-issued ID (driver's license or
ID card) and are screened against the registered sex offender databases in all fifty states and provided with a visitor ID badge prior to entering the campus. School districts should implement procedures to ensure that all faculty and staff are required to wear visible photo R.5.: ID badges while on campus. (F.5.)
R5
Schools and educators should be encouraged to collaborate with the various available AI consortiums and think tanks, such as OCDE and CLAOC, to effectively implement AI and establish basic tenets for its use. The Honorable Maria D. Hernandez Presiding Judge, Orange County Superior Court Date The recommendation has not yet been implemented, but will be implemented in the future. The District has not yet implemented this recommendation but will implement this recommendation by the 2025-2026 school...
Response: Unknown
Score: 0
: All of our sites require teachers, staff, substitute staff members, student teachers, visitors, and volunteers to wear District-issued ID badges. All school districts with middle or high school campuses should consider using student ID cards in a format to be R.6.: worn as student ID badges while on campus. (F.6.)
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Savanna School District
June 07, 2017
•
2 pages
• 5 responses
•
Score: +3
(+3, 0, 0)
View Details ▾
5 responses to findings and recommendations
F1
Orange County's K-12 public schools have implemented policies and/or guidelines around the use of different Al platforms in varying and inconsistent ways. Some prohibit Al's use; others allow it: and some don't have policies or guidelines governing AI at all. The District agrees with the finding. The District cannot comment on other districts' policies and/or guidelines around the use of Al platforms. As it pertains to Savanna School District, we have updated Board Policy, our Administrative Reg...
Response: Agree
Score: +1
The Savanna School District agrees with this finding. The Savanna School District was aware of the impact of SB 277 before it took effect and trained its staff in preparation for the implementation of SB 277. Finding 2: There were very few problems that arose with medical exemptions for vaccinations.
R1
By June 30, 2025, Orange County's K-12 schools should implement policies and guidelines regarding the appropriate use of Al. These may be provided at the district level or within individual schools through the adoption of an Acceptable Use Policy, Code of Ethics, or other written directives addressing the use of Al. The recommendation has been implemented. The District has implemented this recommendation as follows: Savanna School District has updated our Board Policy, Administrative Regulations...
Response: Unknown
Score: 0
The Savanna School District has implemented this recommendation. The Savanna School District will continue to track students with grandfathered personal belief exemptions to ensure these students have the required vaccinations before they reach the next reporting levels. The Savanna School District has systems in place to track these students. Recommendation 2: Districts should continue to monitor student vaccination percentages to maintain the threshold defined by the California Department of Public Health.
F2
Superintendents provide varying levels of support in implementing Al policies and/or guidelines in their respective school districts. The Honorable Maria D. Hernandez Presiding Judge, Orange County Superior Court Date The District partially disagrees with the finding. The District partially disagrees in that it cannot comment on the superintendent's level of support in implementing Al policies and/or guidelines in other districts. As it pertains to Savanna School District, the Superintendent has...
Response: Agree
Score: +1
The Savanna School District agrees with this finding. Health clerks and school nurses were able to handle any discrepancies. Our school nurses reported very few problems with medical exemptions for vaccinations. Finding 3: Personal belief exemptions that were grandfathered in are professionally tracked with timely notifications to parents as to when vaccinations are due to be completed.
R2
The Honorable Maria D. Hernandez Presiding Judge, Orange County Superior Court Date Superintendents should ensure that their schools have policies that cover, at a minimum: the scope, guiding principles, and training regarding the responsible use of Al tools by students and teachers; any prohibited uses of special considerations regarding AI tools; and related security, privacy, and safety considerations. The recommendation has been partially implemented, with full implementation planned for the...
Response: Unknown
Score: 0
The Savanna School District has implemented this The Savanna School District will continue to monitor student vaccination recommendation. percentages to maintain the threshold defined by the California Department of Public Health. Sincerely, Mrs. Chris Brown, President of the Board of Trustees The Johnson Sue Johnson, Ed.D., District Superintendent
F3
There are many resources to guide educators in using Al. Several are available at the local level through the Orange County Department of Education, Orange County Board of Education, CEO Leadership Alliance Orange County, and Orange Unified School District Technology Department, to name a few. However, utilization and even awareness of the availability of such resources is highly variable across school districts. The District partially disagrees with the finding. The District does not have first...
Response: Agree
Score: +1
The Savanna School District agrees with this finding. Our staff is tracking personal belief exemptions and will notify parents in a timely manner as to when vaccinations are due to be completed. Finding 4: Orange County school districts made every effort to make vaccination information available using social media, direct mailings, and links on school websites to clinics in the area.
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Savanna School District
August 20, 2014
•
3 pages
• 4 responses
•
Score: +3
(+3, 0, 0)
View Details ▾
4 responses to findings and recommendations
F1
Orange County's K-12 public schools have implemented policies and/or guidelines around the use of different Al platforms in varying and inconsistent ways. Some prohibit Al's use; others allow it: and some don't have policies or guidelines governing AI at all. The District agrees with the finding. The District cannot comment on other districts' policies and/or guidelines around the use of Al platforms. As it pertains to Savanna School District, we have updated Board Policy, our Administrative Reg...
Response: Agree
Score: +1
This finding is very speculative. The District is unable to determine whether there is a factual basis for this finding. Based on historical data, no school districts in Orange County have exceeded their general obligation bond tax rates for the past 40 years. Based on the Grand Jury's own data, the use of the term "significantly higher" with respect to tax rates is misleading. Even using the Grand Jury's data and projections, the projected and speculative tax increases are, on an annual basis, very small ranging from $15.70 in the Westminster School District to $50.63 in the Savanna School Di...
R1
By June 30, 2025, Orange County's K-12 schools should implement policies and guidelines regarding the appropriate use of Al. These may be provided at the district level or within individual schools through the adoption of an Acceptable Use Policy, Code of Ethics, or other written directives addressing the use of Al. The recommendation has been implemented. The District has implemented this recommendation as follows: Savanna School District has updated our Board Policy, Administrative Regulations...
Response: Unknown
Score: 0
The District agrees that a clear explanation of the assumed future growth rate of assessed values in general obligation bond election
Honorable Glenda Sanders, Presiding Judge, Orange County Superior Court Response to 2013-14 Orange County Grand Jury Report August 20, 2014 Page 3 materials made available to voters is a good recommendation for school districts. The District also agrees that the explanation should reference relevant historical assessed value data for the individual district. However, the District cannot determine if there is a factual basis for the remainder of the recommendati...
F2
Superintendents provide varying levels of support in implementing Al policies and/or guidelines in their respective school districts. The Honorable Maria D. Hernandez Presiding Judge, Orange County Superior Court Date The District partially disagrees with the finding. The District partially disagrees in that it cannot comment on the superintendent's level of support in implementing Al policies and/or guidelines in other districts. As it pertains to Savanna School District, the Superintendent has...
Response: Agree
Score: +1
The District agrees with this finding. Finding 3: Savanna Elementary School District received a waiver from the State Board of Education in July 2012 to exceed the bonded indebtedness limit of 1.25% of assessed values (AVs). Savanna applied for the waiver before exceeding the bonded indebtedness limit. District
F3
There are many resources to guide educators in using Al. Several are available at the local level through the Orange County Department of Education, Orange County Board of Education, CEO Leadership Alliance Orange County, and Orange Unified School District Technology Department, to name a few. However, utilization and even awareness of the availability of such resources is highly variable across school districts. The District partially disagrees with the finding. The District does not have first...
Response: Agree
Score: +1
The District agrees with this finding. Finding 5: The 20 year average for growth in AVs for the Savanna, Cypress and Westminster Elementary School Districts are approximately 4% per year.
Honorable Glenda Sanders, Presiding Judge, Orange County Superior Court Response to 2013-14 Orange County Grand Jury Report August 20, 2014 Page 2 District
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Savanna School District
September 26, 2012
•
4 pages
• 6 responses
•
Score: -2
(+1, 1, -3)
View Details ▾
6 responses to findings and recommendations
F1
Orange County's K-12 public schools have implemented policies and/or guidelines around the use of different Al platforms in varying and inconsistent ways. Some prohibit Al's use; others allow it: and some don't have policies or guidelines governing AI at all. The District agrees with the finding. The District cannot comment on other districts' policies and/or guidelines around the use of Al platforms. As it pertains to Savanna School District, we have updated Board Policy, our Administrative Reg...
Response: Disagree Partially
Score: 0
Savanna School District partially agrees with this finding. The District agrees that not all Orange County schools use the same technology and procedures to record bullying or harassment incidents. We understand that different districts use different databases and internal procedures to track bullying complaints. With regard to the codes used to record bullying or harassment incidents, prior to July 1, 2012, Education Code section 48900(r) defined bullying by reference to sexual harassment (Education Code section 48900.2), hate violence (Education Code section 48900.3), and harassment, threats...
R1
By June 30, 2025, Orange County's K-12 schools should implement policies and guidelines regarding the appropriate use of Al. These may be provided at the district level or within individual schools through the adoption of an Acceptable Use Policy, Code of Ethics, or other written directives addressing the use of Al. The recommendation has been implemented. The District has implemented this recommendation as follows: Savanna School District has updated our Board Policy, Administrative Regulations...
Response: Will Not Implement
Score: -1
The District is unable to implement this recommendation because it is not warranted and is not reasonable. The District tracks incidents of bullying as follows: Principals enter all student discipline issues in the student information system including suspension information; reports of suspensions are submitted to the Superintendent's Office with data tracked both through hard copy as well as electronically. All suspensions are entered electronically as part of a student's permanent record through the California Longitudinal Pupil Achievement Data System (CALPADS). While complying with State l...
F2
Superintendents provide varying levels of support in implementing Al policies and/or guidelines in their respective school districts. The Honorable Maria D. Hernandez Presiding Judge, Orange County Superior Court Date The District partially disagrees with the finding. The District partially disagrees in that it cannot comment on the superintendent's level of support in implementing Al policies and/or guidelines in other districts. As it pertains to Savanna School District, the Superintendent has...
Response: Agree
Score: +1
Savanna School District agrees that AB 1156 provides a broader definition of "bullying" than was contained in prior law. Finding 3: Education Code section 234.1 requiring posting of anti-bullying/antiharassment policies in prescribed areas was not evident in all schools visited. <sup>1</sup> The Orange County Superintendent of Schools has been directed to respond to Recommendations 4 and 5.
R2
The Honorable Maria D. Hernandez Presiding Judge, Orange County Superior Court Date Superintendents should ensure that their schools have policies that cover, at a minimum: the scope, guiding principles, and training regarding the responsible use of Al tools by students and teachers; any prohibited uses of special considerations regarding AI tools; and related security, privacy, and safety considerations. The recommendation has been partially implemented, with full implementation planned for the...
Response: Will Not Implement
Score: -1
The District will not implement this policy because it is not warranted and is not reasonable. The District has no legal authority to obligate other school districts. However, it should be noted that the District is required by law to apply the definition of <sup>2</sup> Education Code § 234.1(d).
"bullying" contained in Education Code section 48900(r) in suspending and expelling students. The District also intends to use this definition of "bullying" in tracking complaints of bullying that are sustained. Recommendation 3: Each district review standardized procedures to protect a bully victim...
F3
There are many resources to guide educators in using Al. Several are available at the local level through the Orange County Department of Education, Orange County Board of Education, CEO Leadership Alliance Orange County, and Orange Unified School District Technology Department, to name a few. However, utilization and even awareness of the availability of such resources is highly variable across school districts. The District partially disagrees with the finding. The District does not have first...
Response: Disagree
Score: -1
While we cannot comment on what policies are posted in all schools throughout Orange County, we can respond to the Savanna School District's policies and procedures. Finding 3 combines the requirement to post anti-discrimination/anti-harassment policies in prescribed areas with the requirement to post anti-bullying policies. The requirement for school districts to post their anti-bullying policy in all schools and offices, including staff lounges and pupil government meeting rooms, is new as of July 1, 2012.2 Thus, the District disagrees with Finding 3 to the extent it reflects on the District...
R3
K-12 students should be trained on the appropriate use of Al. The recommendation will be implemented in the 2024-2025 school year. The District will implement this recommendation by January 2025, with the following action plan: the Savanna School District updated the student internet safety training to include information on the safe use of Al.
Response: Unknown
Score: 0
The Savanna School District takes victims' and witnesses' confidentiality very seriously and has a history of not divulging sources during or after investigations; we have adopted policies in regard to retaliation and confidentiality. Those policies state: "The Board prohibits any form of retaliation against any complainant in the complaint process. In investigating complaints, the confidentiality of the parties involved and the integrity of the process shall be protected. As appropriate, the Superintendent or designee may keep the identity of a complainant confidential to the extent that the ...
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Savanna School District
November 28, 2007
•
1 pages
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