Capistrano June 8, 2004 Frederick P. Horn Presiding Judge of the Superior Court Orange County Grand Jury*

- The Web Sites of the Capistrano Unified School District and the Orange Unified School District are outstanding in providing clear and explicit statements of attendance expectations. JOHN J. CASABIANCA SHELIA J. HENNESS The CUSD is very proud of its Web Site and our efforts to keep our community informed. We are very pleased that the Grand Jury found our Web Site easy to read and informative in regards to providing clear CRYSTAL KOCHENDORFER and implicit statements of attendance expectations. It would be our pleasure to share our approach with other school districts in Orange County. DR. DUANE E. STIFF

- In 2002-03, only 10 of the 27 school districts were represented on the County (Department of Education) School Attendance Review Board. In 2003-04, that number has increased by one to 11. SUPERINTENDENT Membership on the County SAR Board is open to all County school districts, and all school districts - DR. JAMES A. FLEMING even those without SAR Boards - would benefit by their participation. CUSD staff will make an effort to become more involved with the Orange County Department of Education SAR Board. However, the difficulty lies in the distance between CUSD and the County and the fact that the county already hosts several meetings each month that the same staff person must attend. It would be helpful and make it easier for CUSD to participate in the OCDE SAR Board if the SAR Board meetings were all held on one day.

- School districts that limit or curtail their participation on the County SAR Board because of budgetary constraints may not be aware of the opportunity for reimbursement, through State or federal funding, afforded by Education Code §48323. CUSD staff is aware of the provisions of Education Code §48323 and has explored this avenue. Unfortunately resources are not available to permit a full-time person to attend OCDE SAR Board meetings.

- Periodic training of school administrators in preparing SARB-referral documentation packages would be beneficial. CUSD is very proud of the work that the Child Welfare and Attendance office does on an annual basis to train school administrators in preparing SARB-referral documentation packages. Additionally an Executive Director oversees this very important process in our district. Sincerely, DRUG USE Dr. James A. Fleming Superintendent 1 1 1 1 1 JAF:vaw cc: Orange County Grand Jury Serving the Southern California communities of Aliso Viejo • Coto de Caza • Dona Point - Ladera Flancti • Laguna Niguei • Las Flores • Mission Viejo • Rancho Santa Marganta • San Clemente • San Juan Capistrano www.capousd.org . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .