Glenn County is one of the one of the most important agricultural

There is need for a computer up-grade for the hot/cold water dispenser for the restroom facilities in the jail block.

The safety cell is in need of refurbishment to comply with current standards.

The surveillance camera system hard-drive needs an up-grade and additional cameras would enhance the safety of inmates and staff.

Staffing continues to be a concern, especially within the cell-observation room. IV. CONCLUSIONS: Improvements are being implemented as the budget allows. Considering current budgetary concerns addressed by the Lieutenant, and the general conditions of confinement of all inmates, the Grand Jury believes the jail staff is doing an exceptional job. V. RECOMMENDATIONS: Provide adequate protection to inmates and staff by installing additional cameras in areas not adequately covered, as well as up-grading camera hard-drive as funding is available. Refurbish safety cell to comply with current safety standards. Up-grade the water system computer to ensure adequate restroom facilities are available in the jail block. Provide further staffing for the observation tower for maximum safety of officers and inmates. VI. RESPONSES REQUIRED: Glenn County Board of Supervisors Glenn County Sheriff Glenn County Planning and Public Works-Facilities 11 2010-2011 Glenn County Grand Jury Final Report Jane Hahn Juvenile Hall I. PURPOSE: To review, inspect, and asses conditions and staffing at the Jane Hahn Juvenile Hall Facility as required by California Penal Code 919(b). II. BACKGROUND: Members of the Grand Jury visited the facility in September 2010. III. FINDINGS: The facility and staff have made great progress over the last few years. The staff was well prepared and organized. The facility is clean and orderly. Special attention is given to the juveniles for their care and educational support. IV. CONCLUSIONS: The facility is functioning as required. The staff is recommended for their work and progress in serving the juveniles housed there. V. RECOMMENDATIONS: None VI. RESPONSES REQUIRED: None 12 2010-2011 Glenn County Grand Jury Final Report Willows City Library I. PURPOSE: To check the effectiveness of one Library Director maintaining library sites in Willows and Orland. II. BACKGROUND: In 2008-2009, the Grand Jury recommended that the city of Willows contact the city of Orland and inquire into the feasibility of sharing their Library Director as a means of being fiscally prudent. After long discussions, a Memorandum of Understanding was written, reviewed and approved by the City Managers and City Councils of Orland and Willows, and the Orland Library Director. This shared Library Director concept began on September 15, 2010. The Library Director spends equal time in each library. Her schedule is to spend Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoons in Orland. Tuesday, Thursday and Friday mornings are spent in Willows. This may vary from time to time, due to meetings. The Library Director is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the facility in all aspects including: personnel, materials selection, public relations, budget preparation, and allocation of budget funds, staff time and operational details. III. FINDINGS: Space- The Willows Library has a great deal of space. The organization of the collection will be changed, placing similar books in one section, i.e. E Books and big print books. Kids now enter the Children’s Section through a colorful castle façade, built by a 2010 Willows High graduate as part of an Eagle Scout project. An added bonus to the children’s section is a new person, hired to coordinate the efforts of improving the collection and services for kids. “Door counts”- How many people visit the Library. The use of the library and the hours of service are being monitored on a daily basis. Technology –There are computers for use during open hours for the general public. Computers are reasonably new, and loaded with appropriate software. The computers are constantly being used. No new computers are needed at this time. Outreach – The Librarian is researching ways of improving the visibility of library services in the community. Advertisements, open houses, and possibly a brochure are being considered. Training and Development of the Library – Professional library services training is important to keep the library staff functioning in a positive manner. Volunteers that are committed to serve on a consistent basis are needed. Of utmost importance is the training of volunteers. All training will be an on-going process for all employees and volunteers. The development and maintenance of the collection is being addressed. Out of date materials are being culled from the collection. Categorical organization of books is being discussed. Funding – The library is funded with city and county support. Budget constraints are always a concern. Grants and other funding sources are being investigated. IV. CONCLUSIONS: The Library Director is articulate, knowledgeable and understands what needs to be done to improve the Willows City Library. She also is aware of the concerns that face the library because of budget cuts. Management of the libraries under one director appears to be effective. V. RECOMMENDATIONS:  Continue to develop, organize, and maintain the library collection.  Investigate the feasibility of increasing the number and skills of volunteers in the library.  Create more opportunities for the library to interact with the community to foster library use.  Research potential grant funding or other local funding opportunities for the library. VI. RESPONSE REQUIRED: None 14 2010-2011 Glenn County Grand Jury Final Report A Review of Education Cost per Student in Glenn County I. Purpose The purpose of this review is to examine consistency of school budgets within Glenn County as they relate to cost per student. II. Background The school districts, as well as all educational facilities in Glenn County have experienced cutbacks in funding. The decrease in funding has caused teachers and staff to do with less. Data used for this report was provided to the Grand Jury by the Glenn County Office of Education (GCOE) and Ed Data (website) http://www.ed-data.k12.ca.us/welcome.asp The 2004 Marin County Grand Jury undertook a similar comparison for the 2003-2004 school year, and we are grateful for their efforts and hard work utilized in the preparation of this report and methodology. III. Methodology The Grand Jury Education Sub Committee:  Reviewed and compiled data from the FY 2009-2010 and FY 2010-2011 budgets of the eight (8) school districts in the County.  Compared district to district within the County and compared districts in the County to similar districts within the state based on Average Daily Attendance (ADA) or budget similarities.  Reviewed the “California School Accounting Manual” for data related to budgeting.  Interviewed County Office of Education personnel.  Interviewed administrators of individual districts. The Grand Jury’s objective in reviewing the eight (8) individual school district budgets was two-fold:  To identify the percentage of an individual school district’s budget for instruction and instructional support versus general administration.  To compare those percentages from district-to-district and look for similarities and or differences. Every public school district in California is required to follow the accounting rules, code structures, and reports as detailed in the California School Accounting Manual published by the California Department of Education. This provides a high degree of uniformity and allows for direct comparisons between school districts. Expenditures are required to be coded by Object, Fund, and Function. For purposes of this report the focus was on Object Codes 1100-1900 and 2100-2900 which were used for analysis and comparison. (See object codes below) Certificated Teacher Salaries 1100 Certificated Pupil Support Salaries 1200 Certificated Supervisors and Administrator Salaries 1300 Other Certificated Salaries 1900 Classified Instructional Salaries 2100 Classified Support Salaries 2200 Classified Supervisors and Administrators Salaries 2300 Clerical, Technical, and Office Salaries 2400 Other Classified Salaries 2900 It could be misleading to compare one district to another based solely on the data in school district budget tables. Various physical and structural differences occur from district-to-district, which can account for differences. Each of the school districts budgets for the FY of 2009-2010 and 2010-2011 were evaluated for:  Total Revenue  Total Expenditures  Total Certificated Salaries  Total Classified Salaries  Percent of Budget Spent on Salaries for FY 2009-2010 and FY 2010-2011 There are eight (8) school districts in Glenn County. They are presented here as to the type: Elementary K – 12  Capay Joint Union Elementary  Princeton Joint Unified  Lake Elementary  Stony Creek Joint Unified  Plaza Elementary  Orland Joint Unified  Hamilton Unified  Willows Unified When the evaluations were completed, comparisons of district type within Glenn County were evaluated according to Average Daily Attendance (ADA) for:  Cost per Student from Total Revenue  Cost per Student from Certificated Salaries  Cost per Student from Classified Salaries One district of each type within Glenn County was compared to a district outside of Glenn County with similar ADA, using the latest data for comparison of fiscal year 2008- 2009. IV. FINDINGS A. ADA Findings The following tables for the eight (8) districts in Glenn County provide:  Object Codes 1100-2900 Expenditures for Certificated and Classified Salaries for FY 2009-2010 and Budget for Object Codes 1100-2900 for FY 2010-2011 and Percent of Expenditures Dedicated to Salaries (Table A)  Cost per Student by ADA of Total District Expenditures for Object Code 1100- 2900 for FY 2009-2010 and Cost per Student by ADA of Budget for FY 2010- 2011 and Percent Difference Between FY (Table B)  Cost per Student Comparisons by ADA of Total District Revenue and Object Codes 1100-2900 for FY 2008- 2009 for Districts in and out of Glenn County with Similar ADA (Table C)  Cost per Student Comparisons by Total District Revenue and Object Codes 1100- 2900 for FY 2008-2009 for Stony Creek Joint Unified and Death Valley Unified (Table D) The Grand Jury Committee looked at the funding procedures for all the district’s funding. All school funding is determined by the State, using the California School Accounting Manual. Neither the County, nor the districts themselves have any control over funding levels. Each district’s data is processed by the State through a series of formulas to determine its funds. In Glenn County all the districts, with the exception of Stony Creek Joint Unified, are funded on an ADA basis. Stony Creek Joint Unified however is funded through a separate Education Code. It is through the Necessary Small School (NSS) Education Code: 42280. The Purpose of the NSS is to help offset the additional costs that districts in rural areas incur as well as the smaller revenues provided by sparse residency in those areas. To qualify as a NSS a district must meet specific criteria according to EC 42280. Districts must also have fewer than 2,501 ADA; have an elementary school with fewer than 96 ADA and/or a high school with fewer than 286 ADA. As listed in the NSS Adjustment: The revenue limit entitlement for students in necessary small schools is calculated using a hybrid formula based on current year staffing or the lesser of prior year staffing and ADA. A deficit factor is then applied to this entitlement to yield the revenue limit entitlement of students in necessary small schools. The NSS adjustment is defined in the following way. First, compute the difference between the revenue limit entitlement of students in necessary small schools and the entitlement those students would have generated with the deficit base revenue limit of their district. Then, divide that difference by the district’s ADA. Funds augment a district’s revenue limit entitlement to offset the additional costs of operating small schools. For districts with eligible schools, a separate revenue limit entitlement is calculated for the students in those schools. TABLE A Object Code (1100-2900) Expenditures for Certificated and Classified Salaries Capay Stony Joint Orland Creek Princeton School District Hamilton Lake Union Willows Joint Joint Plaza Joint Unified Elementary Elementary Unified Unified Unified Elementary Unified FY 2009-2010 Certificated Salaries $3,225,901 $373,902 $489,296 $6,345,022 $8,263,863 $851,842 $390,935 $1,005,240 Certified Salaries $855,660 $184,189 $138,450 $1,780,770 $2,390,018 $347,384 $172,325 $328,120 Total Revenue $6,419,621 $968,303 $1,161,484 $12,071,810 $16,247,990 $1,837,648 $1,043,130 $2,332,790 Total Expenditures $7,072,930 $1,057,626 $1,177,178 $13,332,981 $17,786,030 $2,055,654 $1,162,705 $2,540,704 Certificated Salaries as % of Expenditure 46% 35% 42% 48% 46% 41% 34% 40% Classified Salaries as % of Expenditure 12% 17% 12% 13% 13% 17% 15% 13% FY 2010-2011 Certificated Salaries $2,921,621 $317,902 $536,927 $6,365,234 $7,128,544 $619,509 $394,932 $942,735 Certified Salaries $811,833 $137,928 $137,961 $1,413,346 $2,223,757 $344,527 $163,459 $314,648 Total Revenue $6,094,733 $950,670 $1,156,674 $11,180,781 $15,882,062 $1,797,958 $946,639 $2,106,695 Total Expenditures $6,401,965 $922,697 $1,161,967 $12,142,955 $15,546,372 $1,733,093 $969,091 $2,222,629 Certificated Salaries as % of Expenditure 46% 34% 46% 52% 46% 36% 41% 42% Classified Salaries as % of Expenditures 13% 15% 12% 12% 14% 20% 17% 14% The following table provides a comparison of similar types of districts and their total expenditures, ADA, and the cost per student using ADA as the factor for Object Codes 1100-2900 (Certificated and Classified Salaries). Table B ADA Findings and Comparisons (Glenn County Districts) 2009/2010 2010/2011 Cost Total Exp. Cost per Budget. per 1100-1900 Student 1100-1900 student % District 2100-2900 ADA by ADA 2100-2900 ADA by ADA Difference Lake Elementary $1,057,626 143 $ 7,383 $922,697 143 $6,441 -12.8% Plaza Elementary $1,162,705 138 $ 8,418 $969,091 138 $7,016 -16.7% Capay Joint Union Elementary $1,177,178 161 $ 7,299 $1,161,967 181 $6,438 -11.8% Hamilton Unified $7,072,930 815 $ 8,680 $6,401,965 804 $7,966 -8.2% Willows Unified $13,332,981 1636 $ 8,149 $12,142,955 1616 $7,516 -7.8% Orland Joint Unified $17,786,030 2201 $ 8,081 $15,546,372 2159 $7,202 -10.9% Princeton Joint Unified $2,540,704 215 $11,836 $2,222,629 215 $10,354 -12.5% Stony Creek Joint Unified $2,055,654 93 $22,123 $1,733,093 93 $18,652 -15.7% In an effort to compare district information, the most recent and readily available data for similarities between districts within California is from 2008-2009. Below is a comparison based on ADA, comparing Total Revenue and spending per student for Certificated and Classified Salaries. Table C ADA Findings and Comparisons (Districts in and out of Glenn County) Per Student Per Student Per Student Total Certificated Classified County District ADA Revenue Salaries Salaries Tehama Reeds Creek Elementary 141 $9,225 $2,884 $1,331 Glenn Capay Joint Unified 142 $5,648 $3,158 $947 Alameda Sunol Glen Unified 266 $10,155 $4,166 $2,283 Glenn Princeton Joint Unified 224 $11,904 $4,427 $1,419 Lake Middletown Unified 1615 $8,693 $4,099 $1,366 Glenn Willows Unified 1616 $8,888 $4,860 $1,311 19 Based upon the findings, and using the table below, one district in Glenn County, Stony Creek Joint Unified stood out and further analysis of their budget was reviewed. The cost per student as part of their total revenue was twice as high as the next highest cost per student in Glenn County which is in Princeton Joint Unified, a district with more than twice the ADA of Stony Creek (224 vs. 93). A search of other districts in the state similar to Stony Creek Joint Unified, utilizing ADA as the common factor, revealed Death Valley Unified in Inyo County, was the only other district similar in “Per Student Total Revenue”. Table D Per Student Per Student Per Student Certificated Classified County District ADA Total Revenue Salaries Salaries Glenn Stony Creek Joint Unified 93 $24,390 $8,982 $4,150 Inyo Death Valley Unified 68 $25,383 $7,326 $5,730 B. Stony Creek Joint Unified It was necessary for the Grand Jury to probe further into Stony Creek Joint Unified funding to understand how such a large discrepancy in ADA revenue and expenses existed. Interviews conducted by Grand Jury members revealed the following information. Stony Creek Joint Unified has 12 certificated and 14 classified employees serving two campuses. The main campus has the junior and senior high school and the district offices. The other campus is in Stonyford, Colusa County. Operating the district over that distance requires twice the effort and based on the district revenue and how the revenue is generated provides for just such an operation of that magnitude. There are other small variations in Stony Creek Joint Unified funding from other Districts in the County. One is a small grant in Indian Education Funds of approximately $7,000.00-$10,000.00. These are restricted funds to be used as the per the Grant application. The second is the difference in the Federal Impact Aid. These are Federal monies that are allotted to school districts whose residents live on either an Indian Reservation or on a Military Base. There are no property taxes in these areas, and this Funding is to offset the loss of those revenues. These are non-restricted funds. The last variation the Jury found was in the amount of Forest Reserve funds available to Stony Creek Joint Unified. These are Federal funds given under CEC section 2300. Due to the location of Stony Creek Joint Unified covering a larger area of Federal Forest Lands explains why this funding would be greater than other Districts in the County. Costs of Stony Creek Joint Unified There are many reasons why there are higher costs for a NSS. Stony Creek Joint Unified District Superintendent and District Business Manager were able to explain some of the difficulties faced by NSS during our interview. The cost associated to provide the mandated facilities and supervision is the same for all schools regardless of ADA. So a small district such as Stony Creek Joint Unified will have close to the same number of classified salary positions as larger ADA schools. Stony Creek Joint Unified tries to have many of its staff working in more than one position. This helps to reduce staffing costs. This provides the ability for employees to have full time employment as opposed to many more part time positions. In General, NSS also provide a slightly higher salary base to its teaching staff to draw and keep excellent teachers who are willing to live in such rural locations. This also applies to all support staff. Stony Creek Joint Unified is very much in line with the rest of the county on their salaries. The largest expense for a NSS district is explained in providing a high school. There are many mandates on classes required to be offered in both mandatory and elective courses. Many classes have specific guidelines on the teacher qualifications that must be maintained. These are State and Federal standards. So, regardless of having 30 pupils or 4 pupils, the expectations are the same. V. CONCLUSIONS Based on the data available to the Grand Jury, education cost per student in Glenn County school districts appears to be comparable with similar districts. VI. RESPONSE REQUIRED: None 21 2010-2011 Glenn County Grand Jury Final Report Glenn County School Inter-district Transfer Policies I. PURPOSE: To review each Glenn County School District’s Inter-district transfer policy to ensure that each district has a current and complete policy in place. II. BACKGROUND: An interview was conducted in September 2010 with the Glenn County Office of Education Superintendent. He stated the Glenn County Office of Education did not have any written policies on file from any of the county’s school districts. An interview was also held with a Superintendent from one of the county’s school districts. The Superintendent stated transfers between districts can sometimes be difficult or confusing. A copy of each district’s transfer policy was requested by the Grand Jury. It is the responsibility of each district to develop its own transfer policy using the State Education Code guidelines. The Grand Jury used a policy from El Rancho Unified School District as an outside comparison. http://www.erusd.k12.ca.us/ERUSDPolicies/5116.1.pdf III. FINDINGS: The policy must follow all the state guidelines, as well as address local policies to provide for seamless transfers between all districts. Responses were received from all but one school district. Orland Joint Unified School District and Willows Unified School District both had currently certified inter-district transfer policies. Stony Creek Joint Unified School District did not have a policy as transfers in that district are rare. The other districts had policies but they are not current. Lake School District and Plaza School District are currently reviewing and updating their policies. IV. CONCLUSION: Several of the school districts are working together to develop their inter-district transfer policies. The County Board of Education is responsible for hearing any appeals for Inter-district transfers. We believe it is important that each district have a clearly defined inter-district transfer policy. V. RECOMMENDATIONS:  All School districts should yearly develop, update, review and have a board certified interdistrict transfer policy.  Policies should be clear and comprehensive.  All districts should review all of the other districts interdistrict transfer policies.  Glenn County Office of Education should review and have a copy of each school districts interdistrict transfer policy. VI. RESPONSES REQUIRED: Willows Unified School District Superintendent Orland Unified School District Superintendent Hamilton Unified School District Superintendent Princeton Joint Unified School District Superintendent Stony Creek Joint Unified School District Superintendent Lake School District Superintendent Plaza School District Superintendent Capay Joint Union School District Superintendent Glenn County office of Education Superintendent Willows Unified School District Board Orland Unified School District Board Hamilton Unified School District Board Princeton Joint Unified School District Board Stony Creek Joint Unified School District Board Lake School District Board Plaza School District Board Capay Joint Union School District Board 23 2010-2011 Glenn County Grand Jury Final Report Criminal Indictment I. PURPOSE: Glenn County District Attorney, Robert Maloney, called for a convening of the Glenn County Grand Jury for possible criminal indictments. This was held on March 18th, 2011 in the Glenn County Courthouse. II. BACKGROUND: Testimony was presented to the Grand Jury by the District Attorney and witnesses. III. CONCLUSION: Justin Lee Bentley was indicted on two criminal indictments. One, Assault with a Deadly Weapon, 245(a)(1) Penal Code; Two, Special Allegation of Great Bodily Injury, 12022.7(a) Penal Code. These indictments were in reference to People v. Justin Lee Bentley, Glenn County Court Case Number: 11NCR08661. IV. RECOMMENDATION: The indictments were given to the District Attorney for possible filing with the Glenn County Court. V. RESPONSE REQUIRED: None 24 2010-2011 Glenn County Grand Jury Evaluation of the Responses To The 2009-2010 Glenn County Grand Jury Final Report June 28, 2011 25 Response to the 2009-2010 Glenn County Grand Jury Final Report I. Department or Agency: Human Resource Agency -9 II. Recommendations: 1. Continue with the employee programs on communications that have been put in place this last year.