Woodville School District

A teacher, after accusations of verbal registered voter and not legally and physical abuse of students, was disqualified from holding civil office. placed on paid administrative leave (Education Code 35107)” which lasted over two years.

The Board decided that placing the the District since 2007 and has teacher on paid administrative leave continued to serve on the Board. was less costly than the anticipated legal action if the teacher was

Board Members read all agenda An apparent typographical error in the packets prior to the start of Board Parent/Student Handbook would not meetings. seem to be important, except when 200 or more parents want to file a complaint. 6. Board independently review and This could lead to complaint forms not evaluate all legitimate complaints being completed and serious problems submitted to the Board. not being reported.

One Board Member has lived outside

The above Board Member’s vote was dismissed. the deciding vote necessary to hire 47 × TULARE COUNTY GRAND JURY REPORT 2009-2010 the current Superintendent on paid leave for the remainder of the February 16, 2010 for the 2010- school year. 2011 school year.

Board Members, employees and on April 13, 2010 containing 253 consultants who participate in the signatures requesting the removal of government decision-making the Superintendent/Principal for process are prohibited from making a harassing, bullying and threatening contract in which they are members of the community and financially interested, pursuant to teachers who are afraid to come Government Code Section 1090. forward for fear of reprisal.

Several Board Members had not read 16. This petition was delivered to the the contracts between the School Board on April 13, 2010 and was not District and Superintendent/Principal read by any Board Member. before or after approving them. None of the Board Members were aware of 17. On February 16, 2010 the the terms and conditions of these Superintendent recommended the contracts including salary, leave and Vice-Principal be hired as the new retirement benefits. Superintendent/Principal for the 2010-2011 school year. The Board

The Woodville Union School District took immediate action that evening Parent Handbook contains a Parent on this recommendation and voted to Complaint Form with completion hire the Vice-Principal without any instructions to be found on a knowledge of the terms and particular page. These instructions conditions of the employment are not found on the page number agreement. indicated in the Parent/Student Handbook; however they are on a 18. Some Board Members have never different page. attended school board training. Others have not attended training for

In 2004, a Superintendent was hired over 20 years. and his wife was hired as Principal.

In 2008, the Superintendent retired altered was not found. and recommended to the Board that his wife assume his Superintendent 20. California Education Code Sections duties as well as her duties as 52852, 52852.5 and 62002.5 Principal in 2009. The Board require schools to have an elected complied with the recommendation School Site Council. There is no data and hired her without posting a job to support the existence of a School opening. Site Council.

On April 9, 2010, the CONCLUSIONS Superintendent/Principal submitted her resignation papers, requesting Although the School Board of Trustees are elected by the registered voters within Ø 48 TULARE COUNTY GRAND JURY REPORT 2009-2010 Woodville School District and given the 3. Board Members read and adhere to responsibility for ensuring accountability the Board By-Laws and operating to the local community, the evidence procedures. shows otherwise. The Board Members have not fulfilled their required 4. Establish a School Site Council as responsibilities. They appear to be a required by California Education rubber stamp used by the two prior school Code. Superintendents.

A petition was submitted to the Board

Evidence of STAR test scores being