Score: +22
(22/12/0)
Sacramento County Grand Jury
• 2023-2024
S C G J Acramento Ounty Rand URY
Published: June 28, 2024
73 pages
Consolidated Report
⚠️ 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 9 findings
F1
Page 12
The misperception that special education is separate from general education denies the student a chance to participate in a general education classroom. (R1)
No recommendations for this finding
F2
Page 12
The District has ignored repeated warnings and failed to implement
No recommendations for this finding
F3
Page 13
The District administration and the SCUSD Board of Education have failed to adopt a working plan with specific steps and measurable outcomes to guide special education, resulting in a lack of focus and effectiveness in the Special Education Department. (R2, R3)
No recommendations for this finding
F4
Page 13
The District unnecessarily places a significant number of students of color in special education. (R4)
No recommendations for this finding
F5
Page 13
SCUSD fails all its students and their parents and guardians by not consistently performing early assessment of students to determine their learning needs and appropriate support. (R5, R6, R7)
No recommendations for this finding
F6
Page 13
Students' achievements and goals are not measured consistently because the District does not hold individual school personnel accountable for updating IEPs as mandated by state and federal laws. (R5, R6, R7)
No recommendations for this finding
F7
Page 13
By not fully utilizing the district’s tracking system (SEIS), services to special needs students are not accurately recorded and centrally documented. (R5, R6,
No recommendations for this finding
F8
Page 13
SCUSD fails to provide free and appropriate education due to its overreliance on placing special education students in 162 self-contained classrooms as opposed to placing them in the least restrictive environment. (R6, R7)
No recommendations for this finding
F9
Page 13
The District’s failure to provide ongoing communication and outreach leaves parents/guardians uniformed and unengaged about the special education process and their student’s progress. (R12, R13)
No recommendations for this finding
Conclusions 2
-
CL1 Page 34This Grand Jury investigation and report focused solely on foster teenagers that are awaiting placement in a home. For them, the foster system in Sacramento County is woefully broken. DCFAS fails to lead and CPS fails to serve. The BOS and their advisory group, the Coalition’s Oversight Committee, do not recognize these failures. The appalling conditions under which these teenagers have suffered have been widely publicized by media for years. Still the conditions continue. Now that these teenagers are no longer invisible, the County must act.
-
CL2 Page 45The Board and management of FCWD face immense challenges of governance, operations, and long-term planning. Customers and ratepayers are generally unaware of the District’s dysfunction and its problems. While the water continues to flow for now, FCWD is not prepared for the future.
Agency Responses 3
Government agencies' official responses to this report's findings and recommendations. Click on a response to see the structured breakdown.
▶
Sacramento City Unified School District
September 05, 2024
•
12 pages
• 20 responses
•
Score: +11
(+11, 0, 0)
View Details ▾
20 responses to findings and recommendations
F1
The misperception that special education is separate from general education denies the student a chance to participate in a general education classroom. (R1)
Response: Agree
Score: +1
The District agrees with the Grand Jury's Finding F1 to the extent that federal and state laws require special education students to participate in a general education classroom with nondisabled peers to the maximum extent appropriate based on the student's 3 SCUSD 6/17/2024 Press Release: https://www.
R1
The SCUSD Board should direct administrators, teachers, and staff to formally collaborate to develop a plan to ensure special education is included as an equal component of the general education program rather than being treated as a segregated entity by January 3, 2025 and a formal adoption by February 3, 2025. (F1)
Response: Unknown
Score: 0
R1 This recommendation is in the process of being implemented.
F2
The District has ignored repeated warnings and failed to implement
Response: Agree
Score: +1
The District agrees with the Grand Jury's Finding F2 to the extent that the District needs to continue implementing recommendations to improve its special education programs.
R2
The SCUSD Board and the District Administration should independently review the numerous reports with recommendations to improve special education and implement a comprehensive special education plan by January 3, 2025. (F2, F3)
Response: Unknown
Score: 0
R2
This recommendation is in the process of being implemented.
F3
The District administration and the SCUSD Board of Education have failed to adopt a working plan with specific steps and measurable outcomes to guide special education, resulting in a lack of focus and effectiveness in the Special Education Department. (R2, R3)
Response: Agree
Score: +1
The District agrees with the Grand Jury's Finding F3 to the extent that adopting a working plan with specific steps and measurable outcomes to guide special education will provide SCUSD's Special Education Department with better focus and effectiveness.
R3
SCUSD administration should provide quarterly updates to the SCUSD Board on the comprehensive special education implementation plan’s progress by January 3, 2025. (F2, F3)
Response: Will Implement
Score: +1
R3 This recommendation will be implemented by January 3, 2025.
F4
The District unnecessarily places a significant number of students of color in special education. (R4)
Response: Agree
Score: +1
The District agrees with the Grand Jury's Finding F4 to the extent that the District is identified by CDE as Significantly Disproportionate.
R4
SCUSD should take corrective action as recommended by CDE to reduce the number of students of color in special education by January 3, 2025. (F4) 011 SCUSD Fails Its Most Vulnerable Students
Response: Unknown
Score: 0
R4 This recommendation is being implemented.
F5
SCUSD fails all its students and their parents and guardians by not consistently performing early assessment of students to determine their learning needs and appropriate support. (R5, R6, R7)
Response: Agree
Score: +1
The District agrees with the Grand Jury's Finding F5 to the extent that despite the District's efforts, consistent completion of timely initial assessments is still an area that needs improvement.
R5
SCUSD should create and implement district-wide policies that identify and assess the learning needs of all students for early intervention services by January 3, 2025. (F5)
Response: Unknown
Score: 0
R5 This recommendation is being implemented.
F6
Students' achievements and goals are not measured consistently because the District does not hold individual school personnel accountable for updating IEPs as mandated by state and federal laws. (R5, R6, R7)
Response: Agree
Score: +1
The District agrees with the Grand Jury's Finding F6 to the extent that the District needs to improve its consistent measurement of student progress on IEP goals.
R6
SCUSD should complete the implementation of MTSS at all elementary schools as the underlying structure for all work designed to improve student outcomes by August 1, 2025. (F5)
Response: Unknown
Score: 0
R6 This recommendation is being implemented through the development and implementation of the BPSB Action Plan and MTSS frameworks.
F7
By not fully utilizing the district’s tracking system (SEIS), services to special needs students are not accurately recorded and centrally documented. (R5, R6,
Response: Agree
Score: +1
The District agrees with the Grand Jury's Finding F7 that it is not utilizing SEIS to track service delivery to special education students.
R7
SCUSD should mandate educators and administrators to attend professional development on early intervention models that will lead to evidence-based universal screening, benchmark assessments, and progress monitoring for all students by January 3, 2025. (F5)
Response: Unknown
Score: 0
R7 This recommendation is being implemented.
F8
SCUSD fails to provide free and appropriate education due to its overreliance on placing special education students in 162 self-contained classrooms as opposed to placing them in the least restrictive environment. (R6, R7)
Response: Agree
Score: +1
The District agrees with the Grand Jury Finding F8 to the extent that CDE has determined that the District is not meeting the State targets for ensuring special education students are placed in the least restrictive environment ("LRE").
R8
SCUSD should improve accuracy of IEP data by providing professional training on SEIS to special education teachers and providers (e.g., speech therapist, Occupational Therapist, Behavior Therapist, etc.) by January 3, 2025. (F6, F7)
Response: Unknown
Score: 0
R8
This recommendation is being implemented.
F9
The District’s failure to provide ongoing communication and outreach leaves parents/guardians uniformed and unengaged about the special education process and their student’s progress. (R12, R13)
Response: Agree
Score: +1
The District agrees with the Grand Jury's Finding F9 to the extent that the District is continuously working to improve its communication and outreach to parents/guardians to ensure that they are informed and engaged in the special education process and their student's progress.
R11
SCUSD should provide necessary support and resource services to keep students in general education classrooms, when possible, rather than placed in self-contained special education classrooms to ensure all students are placed in the least restrictive environment by January 3, 2025. (F8)
Response: Unknown
Score: 0
R11 This recommendation is being implemented and monitored by the Independent Monitor through the BPSB Action Plan.
R12
SCUSD should bolster its communications plan and outreach efforts to parents/guardians of special education students to recognize differences in culture, language, and internet access by January 3, 2025. (F9)
Response: Unknown
Score: 0
R12 This recommendation is being implemented.
R13
SCUSD should identify a point of contact at each school for parents/guardians of special education students by January 3, 2025. (F9)
Response: Will Implement
Score: +1
R13 The recommendation will be implemented.
▶
Sacramento City Unified School District
September 05, 2024
•
12 pages
• 20 responses
•
Score: +11
(+11, 0, 0)
View Details ▾
20 responses to findings and recommendations
F1
The misperception that special education is separate from general education denies the student a chance to participate in a general education classroom. (R1)
Response: Agree
Score: +1
The District agrees with the Grand Jury's Finding F1 to the extent that federal and state laws require special education students to participate in a general education classroom with nondisabled peers to the maximum extent appropriate based on the student's 3 SCUSD 6/17/2024 Press Release: https://www.
R1
The SCUSD Board should direct administrators, teachers, and staff to formally collaborate to develop a plan to ensure special education is included as an equal component of the general education program rather than being treated as a segregated entity by January 3, 2025 and a formal adoption by February 3, 2025. (F1)
Response: Unknown
Score: 0
R1 This recommendation is in the process of being implemented.
F2
The District has ignored repeated warnings and failed to implement
Response: Agree
Score: +1
The District agrees with the Grand Jury's Finding F2 to the extent that the District needs to continue implementing recommendations to improve its special education programs.
R2
The SCUSD Board and the District Administration should independently review the numerous reports with recommendations to improve special education and implement a comprehensive special education plan by January 3, 2025. (F2, F3)
Response: Unknown
Score: 0
R2
This recommendation is in the process of being implemented.
F3
The District administration and the SCUSD Board of Education have failed to adopt a working plan with specific steps and measurable outcomes to guide special education, resulting in a lack of focus and effectiveness in the Special Education Department. (R2, R3)
Response: Agree
Score: +1
The District agrees with the Grand Jury's Finding F3 to the extent that adopting a working plan with specific steps and measurable outcomes to guide special education will provide SCUSD's Special Education Department with better focus and effectiveness.
R3
SCUSD administration should provide quarterly updates to the SCUSD Board on the comprehensive special education implementation plan’s progress by January 3, 2025. (F2, F3)
Response: Will Implement
Score: +1
R3 This recommendation will be implemented by January 3, 2025.
F4
The District unnecessarily places a significant number of students of color in special education. (R4)
Response: Agree
Score: +1
The District agrees with the Grand Jury's Finding F4 to the extent that the District is identified by CDE as Significantly Disproportionate.
R4
SCUSD should take corrective action as recommended by CDE to reduce the number of students of color in special education by January 3, 2025. (F4) 011 SCUSD Fails Its Most Vulnerable Students
Response: Unknown
Score: 0
R4 This recommendation is being implemented.
F5
SCUSD fails all its students and their parents and guardians by not consistently performing early assessment of students to determine their learning needs and appropriate support. (R5, R6, R7)
Response: Agree
Score: +1
The District agrees with the Grand Jury's Finding F5 to the extent that despite the District's efforts, consistent completion of timely initial assessments is still an area that needs improvement.
R5
SCUSD should create and implement district-wide policies that identify and assess the learning needs of all students for early intervention services by January 3, 2025. (F5)
Response: Unknown
Score: 0
R5 This recommendation is being implemented.
F6
Students' achievements and goals are not measured consistently because the District does not hold individual school personnel accountable for updating IEPs as mandated by state and federal laws. (R5, R6, R7)
Response: Agree
Score: +1
The District agrees with the Grand Jury's Finding F6 to the extent that the District needs to improve its consistent measurement of student progress on IEP goals.
R6
SCUSD should complete the implementation of MTSS at all elementary schools as the underlying structure for all work designed to improve student outcomes by August 1, 2025. (F5)
Response: Unknown
Score: 0
R6 This recommendation is being implemented through the development and implementation of the BPSB Action Plan and MTSS frameworks.
F7
By not fully utilizing the district’s tracking system (SEIS), services to special needs students are not accurately recorded and centrally documented. (R5, R6,
Response: Agree
Score: +1
The District agrees with the Grand Jury's Finding F7 that it is not utilizing SEIS to track service delivery to special education students.
R7
SCUSD should mandate educators and administrators to attend professional development on early intervention models that will lead to evidence-based universal screening, benchmark assessments, and progress monitoring for all students by January 3, 2025. (F5)
Response: Unknown
Score: 0
R7 This recommendation is being implemented.
F8
SCUSD fails to provide free and appropriate education due to its overreliance on placing special education students in 162 self-contained classrooms as opposed to placing them in the least restrictive environment. (R6, R7)
Response: Agree
Score: +1
The District agrees with the Grand Jury Finding F8 to the extent that CDE has determined that the District is not meeting the State targets for ensuring special education students are placed in the least restrictive environment ("LRE").
R8
SCUSD should improve accuracy of IEP data by providing professional training on SEIS to special education teachers and providers (e.g., speech therapist, Occupational Therapist, Behavior Therapist, etc.) by January 3, 2025. (F6, F7)
Response: Unknown
Score: 0
R8
This recommendation is being implemented.
F9
The District’s failure to provide ongoing communication and outreach leaves parents/guardians uniformed and unengaged about the special education process and their student’s progress. (R12, R13)
Response: Agree
Score: +1
The District agrees with the Grand Jury's Finding F9 to the extent that the District is continuously working to improve its communication and outreach to parents/guardians to ensure that they are informed and engaged in the special education process and their student's progress.
R11
SCUSD should provide necessary support and resource services to keep students in general education classrooms, when possible, rather than placed in self-contained special education classrooms to ensure all students are placed in the least restrictive environment by January 3, 2025. (F8)
Response: Unknown
Score: 0
R11 This recommendation is being implemented and monitored by the Independent Monitor through the BPSB Action Plan.
R12
SCUSD should bolster its communications plan and outreach efforts to parents/guardians of special education students to recognize differences in culture, language, and internet access by January 3, 2025. (F9)
Response: Unknown
Score: 0
R12 This recommendation is being implemented.
R13
SCUSD should identify a point of contact at each school for parents/guardians of special education students by January 3, 2025. (F9)
Response: Will Implement
Score: +1
R13 The recommendation will be implemented.
▶
Sacramento County Board of Supervisors
August 20, 2024
•
23 pages
• 12 responses
•
Score: 0
(+0, 12, 0)
View Details ▾
12 responses to findings and recommendations
F1
The misperception that special education is separate from general education denies the student a chance to participate in a general education classroom. (R1)
Response: Disagree Partially
Score: 0
The financial mistakes contained in the Board Letter of April 18, 2023, were discovered after-the-fact by County staff and were not reported to the BOS directly, thereby leaving both the Board and the public misinformed. [R1] [R2] Because the BOS are voted into office by the people to serve the people,
F2
decisions relating to compensation for the BOS should be decided with public participation and input. [R3] Although the BOS's use of the consent calendar was not unlawful, the consent
F3
calendar process lacked the level of procedural transparency essential to maintain the public's trust ...
R1
The SCUSD Board should direct administrators, teachers, and staff to formally collaborate to develop a plan to ensure special education is included as an equal component of the general education program rather than being treated as a segregated entity by January 3, 2025 and a formal adoption by February 3, 2025. (F1)
Response: Implemented
Due: January 3, 2025
Scheduled: FY 2023-24
Score: 0
below, the understated cost estimate included in the Board letter was discovered as a result of preparing the County's Revised Recommended Budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2023-24, which included the estimated cost increase of $333,069 (total for five Board members) based on the actual salary implemented and described this increase as resulting from "salary equity and car allowance adjustments approved by the Board of Supervisors on April 18, 2023." The budget document including this information was published as part of the public Board agenda for September 6, 2023.
F2
Because the BOS are voted i...
F2
The District has ignored repeated warnings and failed to implement
Response: Disagree Partially
Score: 0
decisions relating to compensation for the BOS should be decided with public participation and input. [R3] Although the BOS's use of the consent calendar was not unlawful, the consent
F3
calendar process lacked the level of procedural transparency essential to maintain the public's trust when voting on controversial matters of significant public interest. [R4] Ordinance No. 1598 conflicts, on its face, with California Government Code
F4
Section 25123.5 and thereby places the validity of the ordinance in question. [R5] [R6] Ordinance No. 1598 violated California Election Code Section 9144 b...
R2
The SCUSD Board and the District Administration should independently review the numerous reports with recommendations to improve special education and implement a comprehensive special education plan by January 3, 2025. (F2, F3)
Response: Implemented
Due: January 3, 2025
Scheduled: within 90 days
Score: 0
The County Executive, in collaboration with the Clerk of the Board, should establish a formal procedure, by no later than December 31, 2024, to ensure material flaws concerning information presented to the BOS are brought to the attention of the Clerk of the Board or the BOS directly. [F1]
R3
The County Executive should establish a citizen-based compensation commission such as those procedures established by other local and state governmental jurisdictions by no later than April 1, 2025. [F2]
R4
The County Executive, in collaboration with the Clerk of the Board, should establish a formal p...
F3
The District administration and the SCUSD Board of Education have failed to adopt a working plan with specific steps and measurable outcomes to guide special education, resulting in a lack of focus and effectiveness in the Special Education Department. (R2, R3)
Response: Disagree Partially
Score: 0
calendar process lacked the level of procedural transparency essential to maintain the public's trust when voting on controversial matters of significant public interest. [R4] Ordinance No. 1598 conflicts, on its face, with California Government Code
F4
Section 25123.5 and thereby places the validity of the ordinance in question. [R5] [R6] Ordinance No. 1598 violated California Election Code Section 9144 by depriving
F5
Sacramento County residents of their right to protest the ordinance and initiate the referendum process. [R7] RECOMMENDATIONS
R1
The Office of Budget and Debt Management ...
R3
SCUSD administration should provide quarterly updates to the SCUSD Board on the comprehensive special education implementation plan’s progress by January 3, 2025. (F2, F3)
Response: Implemented
Due: January
3, 2025
Scheduled: within 90 days
Score: 0
The County Executive should establish a citizen-based compensation commission such as those procedures established by other local and state governmental jurisdictions by no later than April 1, 2025. [F2]
R4
The County Executive, in collaboration with the Clerk of the Board, should establish a formal procedure to limit the use of the consent calendar to only noncontroversial matters that are reasonably expected to elicit little or no discussion by no later than November 1, 2024. [F3]
R5
The Board of Supervisors should direct the County Executive, in collaboration with County Counsel, to det...
F4
The District unnecessarily places a significant number of students of color in special education. (R4)
Response: Disagree Partially
Score: 0
Section 25123.5 and thereby places the validity of the ordinance in question. [R5] [R6] Ordinance No. 1598 violated California Election Code Section 9144 by depriving
F5
Sacramento County residents of their right to protest the ordinance and initiate the referendum process. [R7] RECOMMENDATIONS
R1
The Office of Budget and Debt Management should explain the financial mistakes described in F1. The explanation should include how it was discovered and provide the correct financial information to the BOS in open session by no later than November 1, 2024. [F1]
R2
The County Executive, in colla...
R4
SCUSD should take corrective action as recommended by CDE to reduce the number of students of color in special education by January 3, 2025. (F4) 011 SCUSD Fails Its Most Vulnerable Students
Response: Implemented
Due: January 3, 2025
Scheduled: within 90 days
Score: 0
The County Executive, in collaboration with the Clerk of the Board, should establish a formal procedure to limit the use of the consent calendar to only noncontroversial matters that are reasonably expected to elicit little or no discussion by no later than November 1, 2024. [F3]
R5
The Board of Supervisors should direct the County Executive, in collaboration with County Counsel, to determine the validity or invalidity of Ordinance No. 1598
2023-2024 Grand Jury Investigative Report Board of Supervisors' Pay Raise Mistakes Have Consequences Page 9 and upon doing so, present recommendations t...
F5
SCUSD fails all its students and their parents and guardians by not consistently performing early assessment of students to determine their learning needs and appropriate support. (R5, R6, R7)
Response: Disagree Partially
Score: 0
Sacramento County residents of their right to protest the ordinance and initiate the referendum process. [R7] RECOMMENDATIONS
R1
The Office of Budget and Debt Management should explain the financial mistakes described in F1. The explanation should include how it was discovered and provide the correct financial information to the BOS in open session by no later than November 1, 2024. [F1]
R2
The County Executive, in collaboration with the Clerk of the Board, should establish a formal procedure, by no later than December 31, 2024, to ensure material flaws concerning information presented to ...
R5
SCUSD should create and implement district-wide policies that identify and assess the learning needs of all students for early intervention services by January 3, 2025. (F5)
Response: Implemented
Due: January 3, 2025
Scheduled: within 90 days
Score: 0
The Board of Supervisors should direct the County Executive, in collaboration with County Counsel, to determine the validity or invalidity of Ordinance No. 1598
2023-2024 Grand Jury Investigative Report Board of Supervisors' Pay Raise Mistakes Have Consequences Page 9 and upon doing so, present recommendations to the Board of Supervisors in open session by no later than November 1, 2024. [F4]
R6
The Board of Supervisors should direct the County Executive, in collaboration with County Counsel, to determine if any monies paid pursuant to Ordinance No. 1598 are owed to the County and upon doin...
R6
SCUSD should complete the implementation of MTSS at all elementary schools as the underlying structure for all work designed to improve student outcomes by August 1, 2025. (F5)
Response: Implemented
Due: August 1, 2025
Scheduled: within 90 days
Score: 0
The Board of Supervisors should direct the County Executive, in collaboration with County Counsel, to determine if any monies paid pursuant to Ordinance No. 1598 are owed to the County and upon doing so, present recommendations to the Board of Supervisors in open session by no later than November 1, 2024. [F4]
R7
The Board of Supervisors should direct the County Executive, in collaboration with County Counsel, to determine the nature and extent of the violation of voter rights afforded by California Election Code Section 9144 and upon doing so, present recommendations to the Board of Supervi...
R7
SCUSD should mandate educators and administrators to attend professional development on early intervention models that will lead to evidence-based universal screening, benchmark assessments, and progress monitoring for all students by January 3, 2025. (F5)
Response: Implemented
Due: January 3, 2025
Scheduled: within 90 days
Score: 0
The Board of Supervisors should direct the County Executive, in collaboration with County Counsel, to determine the nature and extent of the violation of voter rights afforded by California Election Code Section 9144 and upon doing so, present recommendations to the Board of Supervisors in open session by no later than November 1, 2024. [F5] REQUIRED RESPONSES All responses are required pursuant to Penal Code Sections 933 and 933.05. From the following governing body, as to all findings and recommendations, the response is required within 90 days: Sacramento County Board of Supervisors 700 H S...
No Responses Found 2
Government entities assigned to respond to this report. No response documents have been linked in our database.