Tulare County Grand Jury
• 2011-2012
Standing: Louise Whittle, Mario Torres, Janson Reeves, Sally Williams, Kema Paterson, Lino Moran, Edward Bergtholdt,
⚠️ 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 13 findings
F1
Page 5
Reviewed all returned responses to the 2010-2011 Grand Jury Report.
F2
Page 5
Reviewed relevant Penal and Government Codes.
F3
Page 5
Compiled statistics regarding the responses. FINDINGS 1. There was a total of 20 Grand Jury reports in the 2010-2011 final report, 16 of which required 78 responses from 70 entities.
F4
Page 7
The measure provides that the Oversight Committee members be appointed by the City Council.
F5
Page 7
A new Fire Station was the only capital expense outlined in the ballot measure.
F6
Page 7
The City has reimbursed Measure “H” for items that were determined not to be in the scope of the expenditures authorized.
F7
Page 7
The City Council should have provided a better description of the goals of the measure to allow voters better understanding. CONCLUSION 1. Based on these findings, the Grand Jury feels that the ballot measure did not provide the public with an accurate description of the provisions in Measure “H.” RECOMMENDATIONS 1. “Literacy Programs” needs a more specific definition.
F8
Page 12
Public comment time was either verbally encouraged or noted on the agenda, though few boards had much of a community presence.
F9
Page 12
There did not seem to be obvious or formal bilingual services available to those community members in attendance who might require them.
F10
Page 12
In general, School Board members seemed to be aware of their responsibilities under the Brown Act which reflects appropriate training and attention to the necessities of their positions. CONCLUSIONS Rural and small school districts face unique challenges. Often the area the district covers is large, and transportation of students is an expensive challenge with which school boards must struggle. The communities these school districts serve are, for the most part, composed of socially and economically disadvantaged populations with a high proportion of second language learners. Community members, from whom trustees are recruited, may or may not be conversant in the English language. All Boards visited are proud of their schools and value their independence. Many members of the Boards are also former students and wish to make their communities better. They are dealing the best they can with the dwindling monetary support the districts are receiving from federal and state sources. They are researching the possibilities of moving to trustee districts or staying with at-large elections. Generally, the Boards appeared glad to see the attendance of the 2011-2012 Grand Jury and had friendly interactions with them. In spite of the above challenges, it generally appears that the rural and small school districts are appropriately meeting, mastering legal requirements such as the Brown Act, and serving their communities efficiently.
F11
Page 18
Seville has an antiquated water system that continues to have issues.
F12
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Future plans for water conservation/use: a. In 2013, Visalia will use a capillary cleaning system (membrane bioreactor) to reduce the cost by eliminating chlorine and minimizing the use of UVL. b. Utilize waste water on City property.
F13
Page 23
On May 31, 2011, Tulare County Fire Department inspected the detention facilities. Only minor deficiencies were noted. All but one of these issues has been corrected; this deficiency is the ceiling area of the security garage at BWDF which must be reinsulated. Repairs have commenced, and it is anticipated that they will be completed within this fiscal year. CONCLUSION 1. The detention facilities are in good condition and are being properly operated. The TCSD has addressed the anticipated problems with the AB 109 Realignment and is addressing the need for increased detention facility capacity.
Recommendations 5
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R1“Literacy Programs” needs a more specific definition.
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R2Page 1The “Public Safety Expenditure Plan” should be approved by the Oversight Committee.
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R3Page 1Large expenditures should have prior review by the Oversight Committee.
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R4Page 1The City Council justify the funding of a “Public Safety Station” instead of the Fire Station authorized by Measure “H.”
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R5Page 2The City Council should provide a ballot measure description for future measures that accurately describes the intent especially regarding capital expense.
Conclusions 13
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CL1 Page 8Based on these findings, the Grand Jury feels that the ballot measure did not provide the public with an accurate description of the provisions in Measure “H.”
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CL2 Page 23The detention facilities are in good condition and are being properly operated. The TCSD has addressed the anticipated problems with the AB 109 Realignment and is addressing the need for increased detention facility capacity.
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CL3 Page 26The Board of Supervisors has very limited oversight of special districts. It does have the responsibility to appoint directors to the boards of special districts under certain circumstances. It does not have a procedure for the solicitation of individuals who would be willing to be appointed as a director of a special district which would provide the residents of special districts with more input in the selection of the directors of their special district.
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CL4 Page 26The Board of Supervisors receives a report each year from the Auditor-Controller/Treasurer-Tax Collector regarding the shortcomings of special district audits, but the 2011-2012 Grand Jury was unable to determine if any action was taken regarding this important report. The Board of Supervisors can bring this important issue to the attention of the public by putting the issue of these shortcomings on its agenda. 24
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CL5 Page 25Government Code §56375 gives Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) the authority to initiate proposals for the consolidation, dissolution, merger, or reorganization. With the statutory authority to make changes, LAFCO can correct the shortcomings of special districts. Unfortunately, it lacks the staff to use this authority.
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CL6 Page 27The Auditor-Controller/Treasurer-Tax Collector collects information demonstrating the shortcomings of the finances of special districts but has no authority except to monitor the audits of specials districts.
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CL7 Page 27Because of the number and complexity of the problems in special districts, grand juries have neither the time (one year term) nor experience to fully look into these problems.
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CL8 Page 6Instructions are provided to all entities from which responses are required. Not all entities responded by the response date, however, with subsequent requests to do so, all entities responded. A number of responses were not in proper form. Entities need to respo1n1d in a timely and proper manner. 39 REQUIRED 1R1 ESPONSES 111 39 Implemented Not Implemented None 111 Requires Study Implemented Not Applicable Not Implemented _____________ Requires Study 1Not Applicable: This term applies to responses such as those that do not have information to be able to agree or disagree and those not in 110 Not Applicable our purview. 110 4
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CL9 Page 7PORTERVILLE MEASURE “H” LETTER FROM THE JUDGES
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CL10 Page 10The Alpaugh Unified School Board meetings are very well-run and organized. The board meeting agenda and board packet are presented in a well-done spiral-bound binder for all in attendance. This increases the ability of the audience to easily follow items as presented. The Trustees are highly informed and well-prepared, with discussion and voting on items as needed. The board members may disagree at times, but they work well together in a very professional manner. The Superintendent provides detailed explanation whenever it is required and performs his board duties at the highest level of competence. He demonstrates a professional as well as collegial relationship with the board. He also translates minutes and talks to Spanish-speaking parents and public as needed. The Board of Trustees and the Superintendent conduct exemplary School Board meetings.
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CL11 Page 12Rural and small school districts face unique challenges. Often the area the district covers is large, and transportation of students is an expensive challenge with which school boards must struggle. The communities these school districts serve are, for the most part, composed of socially and economically disadvantaged populations with a high proportion of second language learners. Community members, from whom trustees are recruited, may or may not be conversant in the English language. All Boards visited are proud of their schools and value their independence. Many members of the Boards are also former students and wish to make their communities better. They are dealing the best they can with the dwindling monetary support the districts are receiving from federal and state sources. They are researching the possibilities of moving to trustee districts or staying with at-large elections. Generally, the Boards appeared glad to see the attendance of the 2011-2012 Grand Jury and had friendly interactions with them. In spite of the above challenges, it generally appears that the rural and small school districts are appropriately meeting, mastering legal requirements such as the Brown Act, and serving their communities efficiently.
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CL12 Page 16Small and rural school districts face challenges that urban schools do not. These challenges include obtaining school board member participation from a broad range of the community which they serve. In addition, obtaining the training necessary for those who do volunteer to serve so that they are fully aware and compliant with the Brown Act and other relevant laws is difficult. While difficult, this training is necessary since they and the administrators they hire are responsible for following the law. Though the Grand Jury received complaints of potential conflicts of interest violations, a careful review of the relevant facts revealed no such violation occurred. It is clear that this school district is working to do the best that it can. Violations of the Brown Act can be easily rectified but the manner in which payroll practices impact the fiscal resources of this district must be firmly addressed.
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CL13 Page 19Due to the depletion of above ground water sources and contamination of underground water, one of the avenues available is water reclamation. Waste water treatment plants in Tulare County have adequate capacity for the near future. Use of new technologies for waste water treatment will provide more potable and agricultural water for Tulare County. The City of Tulare technology for industrial and residential waste water treatment plants now, and in the future, will benefit the people and environment of Tulare County.
Commendations 3
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CM1 Page 13LLEETTTTEERR FFRROOMM TTHHEE JJUUDDGGEESS The following section includes personal observations by the 2011-2012 Grand Jury members of the School Boards which they were assigned to observe and fell outside of the parameter of the intended report but were worthy of note. Buena Vista – Seventy percent of the student population is from outside of the school district. This may indicate that parents and/or students recognize a different and/or higher quality of opportunities that Buena Vista can offer to them. Pleasant View – The Board is proud of their Superintendent/Principal. He will be sharing his knowledge of the Instructional Rounds program with other school districts. This program was developed at Harvard University, focusing on observing students in order to address systemic-education and student-learning issues. Traver – The Board is interested in giving their students activities to enhance their school experience. They discussed ways to keep their community Girl Scout troop, which meets at the school, operating. The Board is also proud of the 70% of the student population participating in band programs. 11
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CM2 Page 14LETTER FROM THE JUDGES 12 GNITEEM DRAOB EETSURT STCIRTSID LLAMS Available Packets Agenda CommentTime Public Knowledgeable Members Board Agenda Followed Microphones Used Board Demeanorof Attendance Membersin Board # Members Board #of Compliance ADA Compliance Act Brown Posted Agendas Meeting Dateof seY dedivorP seY seY oN yldneirF 5 5 adnegA nO seY seY 2102/11/4 atsiV altA seY dedivorP seY seY oN yldneirF 2 3 adnegA nO seY seY 2102/11/1 atsiV aneuB seY dedivorP yltsoM oN 1 yldneirF 3 3 seY seY seY 2102/8/2 epoH seY dedivorP yltsoM yltsoM oN yldneirF 5 5 seY seY seY 2102/01/1 ytrebiL seY dedivorP yltsoM seY oN yldneirF 5 5 seY seY seY 2102/71/1 yellaV kaO seY dedivorP seY seY oN yldneirF 4 5 seY seY seY 2102/21/4 keerC edistuO seY oN seY seY oN suB,orP 4 5 adnegA nO yltsoM seY 2102/11/4 edreV olaP seY dedivorP seY seY oN suB,orP 3 5 adnegA nO seY seY 2102/7/2 weiV tnasaelP seY dedivorP seY seY oN suB,orP 5 5 oN seY seY 2102/01/1 yelxiP 3 stpmetta owt delecnaC drofkcoR seY dedivorP seY yltsoM oN suB,orP 3 3 seY seY seY 2102/12/2 otilecuaS seY dedivorP oN yltsoM oN suB toN 5 5 seY adnegA nO seY 2102/91/1 noinU aiouqeS seY dedivorP seY seY oN yldneirF 5 5 seY seY seY 2102/01/4 eladnuS seY dedivorP seY seY oN suB,orP 5 5 adnegA nO seY seY 2102/9/1 edisynnuS seY dedivorP yltsoM seY oN yldneirF 5 5 oN yltsoM seY 2102/11/1 sreviR eerhT seY dedivorP seY seY oN suB,orP 5 5 seY seY seY 2102/7/1 notpiT seY dedivorP seY seY oN yldneirF 3 3 oN yltsoM seY 2102/41/2 revarT ekil-ssenisuB dna lanoisseforP = suB,orP
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CM3 Page 15WOODVILLE UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT LETTER FROM THE JUDGES (WUSD)
No Responses Found 1
Government entities assigned to respond to this report. No response documents have been linked in our database.
Porterville
City