EL Dorado County*

Recommendations 10

• R1
  The County needs to have a funded plan to address all tree hazards at the Georgetown Airport by the end of March 2024, completing removal of the tree and pole hazards by September 2024, to the satisfaction of Caltrans and meeting FAA regulations. Response by El Dorado County Board of Supervisors: The recommendation has not been implemented but will be implemented in the future. The County has executed a contract with a licensed timber operator to remove the three acres of trees that pose the most imminent threat. This work is estimated to be completed by June 30, 2024. Relocation of the obstruction pole is estimated to take place in early 2025. Case #25-10 Continuity and Compliance Report
• R3
  EDCOE should work with the employee unions to revise their bargaining agreements to permit schools to automate tracking on all buses and monitor bus drivers' locations during transportation of students. This should be completed by March 31, 2025. Response by El Dorado County Office of Education: This recommendation is already underway. EDCOE buses are equipped with radios with GPS tracking for EDCOE employees. EDCOE will further address this issue with the applicable bargaining units during the 2024-2025 school year.
• R4
  By December 31, 2024, the County District Attorney's office should complete the investigation of any potential ethics or conflicts of interest violations, including required FPPC Form 700 disclosures, raised by the former GM's consulting arrangement with DTA. Response by El Dorado County District Attorney: Agree. This investigation is ongoing. As of May 2025, the investigation is still ongoing, and no public action has been taken by the District Attorney's Office. Further tracking of this item is warranted until closure.
• R5
  EDCOE should develop and implement policies and procedures that require supervisors and managers to closely monitor classified staff while working around students. If necessary, they should hire additional staff to achieve this goal. This should be done by March 31, 2025. Response by El Dorado County Office of Education: We require further analysis of this recommendation. EDCOE will further address this issue with the applicable bargaining units during the 2024-2025 school year.
• R6
  EDCOE should implement sexual harassment prevention training for all students, including how to recognize and report it. This training should begin in kindergarten. EDCOE should offer parents the option to opt out. This should begin by March 31, 2025. Response by El Dorado County Office of Education: We require further analysis of this recommendation. Generally, a student in grades K-3 cannot be suspended or expelled for sexual harassment. (See Cal. Educ. Code § 48900.2). Students in grades 7-12 receive instruction regarding "sexual harassment, sexual assault, sexual abuse, and human trafficking." (See Cal. Educ. Code 51934.) EDCOE Superintendent Policy 5145.7 provides that all EDCOE students receive age-appropriate information on sexual harassment. Case 24-09: Election Integrity: Separating Fact from Fiction
• R7
  By January 1, 2025, the Registrar of Voters should establish a volunteer public advisory board to help monitor election processes, make improvements, and coordinate public outreach/communication. Response by El Dorado County Board of Supervisors: The recommendation requires further analysis. The Elections Department tried to establish a Voter Advisory Committee in 2022 and reached out to the Republican and Democratic Central Committees as well as members of the public. None of the groups or the public responded with any interest. In accordance with the Grand Jury's recommendation, the Elections Department will try again to establish a Voter Advisory Committee by December 31, 2025. Case #25-10 Continuity and Compliance Report
• R8
  - EDCOE and County school districts should bring their Title IX website requirements up to date by December 31, 2024. Response by Gold Trail Union School District (GTUSD) GTUSD did not respond by the required due date of August 13, 2024. A follow-up letter was sent to the school district August 20, 2024. Their response was received September 10, 2024. Response by Pioneer Unified School District (PUSD) PUSD did not respond by their required due date of August 13, 2024. A follow-up letter was sent to the school district on August 20, 2024. As of the writing of this report their response has not been received. Refer to the Grand Jury website, Reports and Responses for all reports and responses. CONTINUITY: REPORT RESPONSES REQUIRING FOLLOW-UP Case 24-01: Georgetown Airport: A Disaster Waiting to Happen The 2023/2024 Grand Jury became aware of a serious safety issue at the Georgetown Airport. Grave concern was expressed regarding tall pine trees surrounding the airport. The issue was serious enough that Caltrans shut the airport down for night operations.
• R9
  By September 30, 2024, CSD should review, revise, and publicize its Master Plan from 2021 with realistic timelines for all new park development, as well as accurate and realistic cost estimates that can be funded and executed within a 10-year planning period. Response by El Dorado Hills CSD: This Recommendation has not been implemented but will be implemented in the future: The District has planned and budgeted for a complete review and revision of the 2021 Master Plan beginning in FY25, which starts on July 01, 2024, in accordance to our policy for a five (5) year review. The outcome of the EDHCSD Response El Dorado County Grand Jury Report #24-05 revised Master Plan will have an influence on the District's ten-year Capital Improvement Plan. This is a very comprehensive review process and plan revision that includes community input on several occasions, which cannot be completed in the timeframe recommended. As of May 2025, El Dorado Hills CSD ("CSD" or "the District") has not updated its Master Plan. They have received bids from contractors to develop the plan for significantly higher costs than they budgeted for in the 2025 Fiscal Year, but neither bid was accepted, and no work has begun. Additional follow-up will be required to track this commitment by the 2025-2026 Grand Case #25-10
• R10
  , CSD should employ or retain a full-time licensed CPA professional to be Treasurer/CFO-equivalent. Response by El Dorado Hills CSD: This Recommendation has not been implemented but will be implemented in the future: As stated in the Findings, the concerns of the Grand Jury are a function of District Policy and not due to the lack of having a CPA on staff or retainer. However, the District recognizes that government accounting is unique and complicated; and reporting is always changing with Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) regulations having new requirements that the District must adhere to each year. District staff understand that education is a priority and will work towards having at least one member of the finance department receive a certification in government accounting through a reputable government entity, including GFOA and/or California Society of Municipal Officers (CSFMO). The goal will be to have this completed by December 2025. Additionally, the District will look at incorporating an appropriate accounting certification requirement for future recruitments. As of May 2025, El Dorado Hills CSD has not retained a CPA.
• R12
  , CSD should document its plans for Bass Lake Park and justify why CSD took on the obligation to build a turnkey park in Village J7, and how development of Bass Lake Park will now proceed up through park completion proposed by CSD in FY 31. Response by El Dorado Hills CSD: This Recommendation requires further analysis: With the District's acquisition of 55 acres of the old executive golf course and the option to acquire the remaining 41.5 acres, the Bass Lake Park design may be subject to change depending on the community input for the Central EDH Park and what amenities that park will have. The community outreach project for Central EDH Park will run through summer at which time the District will be in a better position to define and document its plans for Bass Lake park. With regard to the turnkey park in Village J, the District participated in a settlement which was negotiated between Parker Development, the District, and El Dorado County that provided the 12.5 acres and $3.5M in funding identified from the County's Serrano CFD 1992-1 that had been Case #25-10 Continuity and Compliance Report