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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.

Nevada County Grand Jury • 1999-2000

Earle Jamieson High School Reason for the Investigation The Nevada County Grand Jury received a citizen's complaint

12 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 10 findings

jurisdiction of NJUHSD. The return rate for students returning to EJHS and Juvenile Hall for the 2 1998/1999 school year was 16% (6 of 36). Of the 6 returning, 2 of those returning to EJHS were by the students' own request, 3 were transferred back to EJHS as a result of contract violations, and 1 was returned to Juvenile Hall. Because of two unfilled vacancies, EJHS has a staff of only three, including

apparent lack of follow up on the part of NJUHSD, the County Mental Health Department and the Probation Department. The early dismissal time (1:15PM) releases the students into the 3., community unsupervised, providing added exposure to drug and other behavioral problems. As a result of the current staffing level at EJHS, student activities are either under

the administrator, with an average daily attendance of 36 students. Physical Education classes are combined male/female. The truancy rate at EJHS for the 1998/1999 school year was 40%. The 1998/1999

Grand Jury recommended that the district implement a contract with the County Probation Department to enforce attendance at EJHS. The district agreed with the Grand jury and said a full time probation officer would be in place at the beginning of the 1999/2000 school year. The probation officer was not hired until March 2000. This position is funded by

the Nevada County Mental Health Department and is located at EJHS. The 1998/1999 Grand Jury recommended a later dismissal time at EJHS than the

current 1:15 PM, in order to provide additional classes such as vocational and life skills training. No change has been made to date. A screening committee decides on placement of students failing at

NUHS or Bear River High School (BRHS). Students expelled or placed on probation are automatically sent to EJHS. A second screening committee, comprised of education and probation authorities

exists for placement of students leaving Juvenile Hall. Few students return to their original school because they have fallen too

far behind their class academically. These students are most often placed at alternative schools. In December 1999, EJHS was temporarily moved from the Bennett Street location

F10

to a new location on the SFHS campus in former Adult Education Buildings. Staff size and dismissal times are unchanged. Current student population is 37, 70% boys, 30% girls. CONCLUSIONS Locating the newly hired probation officer at EJHS, the smallest school with the

Recommendations 4

R1

High School campus location should become permanent. Supervision for all campus activities should be increased. • 2. Physical Education classes for boys and girls should be separate.
R3

This Grand Jury agrees with the 1998/1999 Grand Jury that the school day
R4

should be lengthened. Adding vocational education and life skills classes will reduce the amount of time the students spend unsupervised in the community. The dedication of EJHS Administrator Fred Metz should be commended.
R5

He and other administrators in the Alternative Education Program, as well as the program itself, should continue to receive the full support of the NJUHSD, the Nevada County Superintendent of Schools, and the community. REQUIRED RESPONSES Nevada County Joint Union High School Board, Due September 30, 2000 Nevada County Joint Union High School Superintendent, Due August 30, 2000 Nevada County Board of Education, Due September 30, 2000 Nevada County Superintendent of Schools, Due August 30, 2000 Nevada County Mental Health Department, Due September 30, 2000 Nevada County Probation Department, Due September 30, 2000 34

Conclusions 5

CL1 Page 2

Locating the newly hired probation officer at EJHS, the smallest school with the highest truancy rate, should give EJHS maximum benefit.
CL2 Page 2

The delay in hiring the new probation officer resulted from an apparent lack of follow up on the part of NJUHSD, the County Mental Health Department and the Probation Department.
CL3 Page 2

The early dismissal time (1:15PM) releases the students into the community unsupervised, providing added exposure to drug and other behavioral problems.
CL4 Page 2

As a result of the current staffing level at EJHS, student activities are either under supervised or out of view of the staff resulting in allegations of male/female misconduct.
CL5 Page 2

The high rate of truancy at EJHS hampers the ability of students to "catch up" academically with their original school class. 33

No Responses Found 1

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

Nevada County Office of Education Agency