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Extracted from Consolidated Report

This investigation was originally published as part of a larger consolidated report containing multiple investigations. View the consolidated PDF for the complete document.

Yolo County Grand Jury • 2022-2023

We wish to express our sincere gratitude and admiration to all those jurors who applied their

Published: June 26, 2023 32 pages

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⚠️ 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 7 findings

F1 Page 25

Each school district has implemented school hardening measures to some degree in addition to those discussed in the 2019-20 Yolo County Grand Jury report. The measures in place at school sites vary and can be improved. While some schools in each district have their sites enclosed or have security cameras, others do not. Fences may not be high enough to prevent students or intruders from jumping over them. In addition, gates at schools are sometimes not closed, locked or are in disrepair.

F2 Page 25

Each school district conducts California Healthy Kids Surveys, while some use additional methods for assessing student mental health. The response rate of students completing such surveys, however, may not be enough to generate reliable conclusions about student mental health.

F3 Page 25

California Education Code mandates that all school districts require visitors to go to a school’s office upon arrival and wear identification while on site. At some Yolo County schools, however, the location of the school’s office is not clear. Better signage is needed to direct visitors to the office. This is particularly important for schools, such as in the Davis, Winters and Woodland school districts, where sharing open space or parking lots can make clear signage and prevention of intruders from entering school grounds more challenging.

F4 Page 25

Each school district appropriately uses a web-based third-party provider for safety training modules. Annual training related to violent threats, such as active shooter, is not required at this time by the Davis, Esparto, Washington, and Woodland school districts, although Esparto and Woodland will add such trainings at the start of the 2023-24 school year. Ensuring staff are trained in how to respond appropriately to threats of violence would lessen the chances of another tragedy similar to that in Uvalde, Texas.

F5 Page 25

The Esparto and Woodland school districts have assessed the effectiveness of their school safety training through surveys, as recommended by the 2019-20 Yolo County Grand Jury, while Davis, Washington and Winters districts have not. Assessing effectiveness based on quantifiable data can provide more accurate guidance for decisions about training.

F6 Page 25

Each school district has contracted with a web-based third-party provider to notify parents of emergencies. The providers report on how many parents or guardians were reached per technology (e.g., email, text, app, or voice/phone). All school districts’ providers, except Washington, reach 90% or more of their students’ parents or guardians. Ensuring that virtually all parents or guardians can be reached when needed is desirable. 13 2022-2023 Yolo County Grand Jury Are We There Yet? On the Road to School Safety FINAL 6.1.23

F7 Page 26

Some high school students in the Davis, Esparto, Winters and Woodland school districts are allowed to go off campus during lunch break. Should an emergency arise on campus, it is not possible for the schools to know how safe those students are, and the students may not receive timely emergency notifications if their school is on lockdown or evacuated. RECOMMENDATIONS

Recommendations 7

R1
Page 26

The Grand Jury recommends that, prior to the start of the 2024-25 school year, each school district identify additional hardening approaches and develop a plan to further protect areas of its schools that remain vulnerable.
R2
Page 26

Prior to the start of the 2024-25 school year, each school district should develop a SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound) plan to encourage all students to complete the California Healthy Kids Survey and similar surveys to produce meaningful data. Each school district should act on survey findings, especially those related to potentially violent actions.
R3
Page 26

Prior to the start of the 2024-25 school year, each school district should evaluate and improve signage for all of its schools, so that visitors can easily find the school’s office to register upon their arrival.
R4
Page 26

Prior to the start of the 2024-25 school year, each school district should require and document that training related to threats of violence is completed by its teachers (regular and substitute), staff and administrators every year.
R5
Page 26

Prior to the start of the 2024-25 school year and each subsequent school year, Davis, Washington and Winters school districts should identify and document a statistically reliable method or tool for measuring the effectiveness of school safety training, including an annual survey of teachers, staff and administrators.
R6
Page 26

Prior to the start of the 2024-25 school year and each subsequent school year, each district should achieve and maintain an emergency notification contact rate of at least 95% with parents or guardians, as verified by their third-party emergency notification providers.
R7
Page 26

Prior to the start of the 2024-25 school year, Davis, Esparto, Winters, and Woodland school districts should develop, implement and maintain a plan for contacting at least 95% of students who may be off-site if an emergency occurs during regular school hours. 14 2022-2023 Yolo County Grand Jury Are We There Yet? On the Road to School Safety FINAL 6.1.23 REQUIRED RESPONSES Pursuant to Penal Code sections 933 and 933.05, the Grand Jury requests responses to its Findings and Recommendations as follows: From the following governing bodies: ! Board of Education/Trustees, Davis Joint Unified School District – F-1, F-2, F-3, F- 4, F-5, F-6, F-7, R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5, R-6, R-7 ! Board of Education/Trustees, Esparto Unified School District – F-1, F-2, F-3, F-4,

Commendations 11

CM1

The Yolo County Elections Office security procedures for both ballots and machines were well implemented. They are subject to necessary compliance with California state election law and procedures.
CM2

The Yolo County Elections Office informs the public well and invites them to see the election process in action. Those who wish to be election observers are invited to witness key election events, such as ballot removal from envelopes, signature verification, vote tabulation, and recording and transmission of voting counts.
CM3

The Yolo County Elections Office continues to interact and train with a variety of local, state and federal election and security personnel and organizations in order to maintain county election security.
CM4

The Yolo County Elections Office has gone above and beyond in its efforts to increase voter education and turn-out among all of its communities.
CM5

The Yolo County Elections Office poll worker manual is thorough and well-illustrated (see sample page, Appendix B), and its procedures are well conceived and well implemented by trained staff. 2022-2023 Yolo County Grand Jury 21 Safe and Secure? A New Look at the Yolo County Elections Office – FINAL - JUNE 13, 2023
CM6

The Grand Jury commends each school district in Yolo County for continuing to improve school safety. This progress includes having Comprehensive School Safety Plans (CSSPs) that adequately address safety issues as they relate to direct threats, including active shooter and bombs, per California Education Code requirements. Each school district is actively coordinating safety measures and emergency communications with local law enforcement and first responders. To ensure that emergency communications are as effective as possible, each school district also has procedures and staff in place to encourage parents and guardians to provide and maintain their contact information so they can be notified as quickly as possible when an emergency occurs. Although the districts have limited resources, they are striving to provide a range of mental health services and other support when needed by students and their families. 12 2022-2023 Yolo County Grand Jury Are We There Yet? On the Road to School Safety FINAL 6.1.23
CM7

Despite concerns about safety, the YHS teachers and administrators interviewed are committed to serving their students and their communities to the best of their abilities. 2022-23 Yolo County Grand Jury 5 Safety is in the Eye of the Beholder FINAL DRAFT 6.2.23
CM8

The Davis City Council should be commended for its Urban Forestry Program, and in particular, its innovative new Urban Forest Management Plan. Under its memorandum of understanding with the City, Tree Davis has sponsored educational events, in coord- ination with City staff, for multiple audiences. These outreach efforts have resulted in the development of an active volunteer program and a valuable volunteer list.
CM9

All trustees of the various public cemetery districts in Yolo County are volunteers and the Grand Jury would like to commend each trustee for their public service in these important positions. 2022-23 Yolo County Grand Jury 11 Yolo County Cemeteries FINAL, JUNE 1, 2023
CM10

The Grand Jury found that incarcerated persons appreciated the professionalism of staff and the excellence of the food provided by the MDF. The Grand Jury was also pleased to learn that the In-Custody Program Coordinator position has been filled with someone qualified and excited about the position’s opportunities to better support incarcerated persons and help them prepare for successful re-entry into their communities. In addition, the Grand Jury applauds the extensive efforts toward reducing recidivism being made by the Yolo County Community Corrections Partnership.
CM11

Child Welfare Services staff and management are experienced, compassionate and dedicated to the welfare of the children and families they serve. The new leadership team, with a resolute focus on leading Child Welfare Services to a better place, has sound plans to address the workplace environment issues and better serve children and families of all races and ethnicities and particularly those from vulnerable communities. They have earned the respect of employees who are hopeful that the work environment will continue to improve.

No Responses Found 4

Government entities assigned to respond to this report. No response documents have been linked in our database.

Esparto Unified School District School District

Woodland Joint Unified School District School District

Yolo County Office of Education Agency

Yolo County Sheriff Elected County Office