Stanislaus County Grand Jury
• 2001-2002
Reason for Investigation The Civil Grand Jury received complaints from five (5) individuals against Turlock Joint Union
⚠️ 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 23 findings
F1
THS and TJUHSD staff cooperated fully during the Grand Jury investigation of the allegations.
No recommendations for this finding
F2
THS conduct of interscholastic athletic activities, including coaching, is based upon the Education Code (Sections 35179-35179.7) and Title V, CCR, Sections 5590-
No recommendations for this finding
F3
TJUHSD Board of Education has established and published policies and procedures regarding its philosophy, goals, and safety standards affecting curricular and extracurricular activities within the district.
No recommendations for this finding
F4
THS coaching certification requirements include knowledge in basic first aid, CPR, and coaching theory and techniques.
No recommendations for this finding
F5
THS coaches annually sign CIF certifications stipulating to their knowledge and understanding of policies and regulations governing their responsibilities.
No recommendations for this finding
F6
In compliance with Title 5, CCR, Section 5593, the THS principal must submit verification annually that active coaches have successfully completed certification requirements.
No recommendations for this finding
F7
In compliance with Title 5, CCR, Section 5593, the TJUHSD Board President annually reviews and signs THS certification verifications. The certification 4 verifications are then mailed to the State Board of Education in Sacramento and a copy is mailed to the Superintendent of the Stanislaus County Office of Education.
No recommendations for this finding
F8
THS employs a full-time athletic trainer to work with the school=s teams. This individual is certified by the National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA) and has served as THS trainer for nearly four years.
No recommendations for this finding
F9
THS is a participant in the CIF program APursuing Victory With Honor.@ The program specifies standards that coaches, athletic directors, and administrators of participating schools agree to support. The program=s sixteen (16) principles are designed to promote sportsmanship and character building in interscholastic athletics.
No recommendations for this finding
F10
All participants are required to sign an agreement indicating their understanding of this program=s principles and objectives, however, the APursuing Victory With Honor@ agreement was only signed by the THS principal.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
All TJUHSD coaches and student athletes sign and support the APursuing Victory With Honor@ agreement.
F11
In 2001, all THS coaching staff attended the APositive Coaching Alliance@ workshop. a. The workshop was conducted by a nonprofit organization based at Stanford University. b. The program focuses on developing life skills for athletes that will serve them beyond the playing field. c. One of its goals is to assist sports organization leaders, coaches, and parents to provide a positive and favorable athletic environment.
No recommendations for this finding
F12
District policy provides that, prior to taking part in interscholastic activities, all participants must be examined by a physician and medically approved for such participation.
No recommendations for this finding
F13
Student athletes who are under eighteen (18) years of age require the permission of a parent to participate in THS sports.
No recommendations for this finding
F14
Student athletes participate in preconditioning sessions prior to engaging in scheduled THS sports.
No recommendations for this finding
F15
THS coaches are responsible for the conditioning, well being, and safety of student athletes under their supervision.
No recommendations for this finding
F16
To recognize and prevent injuries or illness to student athletes, coaches are required to attend continuing education training conducted by the athletic trainer or district-approved organizations. Such training includes issues relating to athlete conditioning and health. 5
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
TJUHSD and THS administrators maintain their emphasis of providing continuing education in student athlete conditioning, as well as the tenets of good sportsmanship.
F17
In July 2001, allegations of inappropriate behavior by some coaches were presented to TJUHSD Board of Trustees at a regularly scheduled meeting. These allegations purported that student athletes were being placed at risk for physical injuries and emotional trauma.
No recommendations for this finding
F18
TJUHSD investigated allegations presented to the Board of Trustees at its July 2001 meeting with no conclusive action made known to the Civil Grand Jury.
No recommendations for this finding
F19
Student athletes in water polo use the term AHell Week@ to refer to the week of intensive conditioning and practice prior to the opening of the school term.
No recommendations for this finding
F20
The term AGauntlet,@ as defined by THS, is a team-imposed disciplinary action taken against a student athlete making a mistake in a swim meet resulting in a penalty. This practice has been discontinued and is no longer allowed.
No recommendations for this finding
F21
One (1) student athlete sustained a medical condition that resulted in hospitalization after preconditioning sessions which were held over a two and one- half (2-1/2) day period.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4
TJUHSD and THS educate students and coaches to recognize athletes= physical limitations and encourage athletes to notify the proper authority of any health problems. COMPLAINT #4: 7 THS allowed ineligible players to participate in interscholastic sports.
F22
This student athlete did not communicate with coaching staff that he was feeling ill and could not continue practice.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2
TJUHSD and THS continue to encourage communications among teachers, coaching staff, student athletes, administration, and parents.
F23
THS teachers, counselors, coaches, and administrative personnel communicated and worked together to fulfill this student=s request for transfer from one high school to another. CONCLUSIONS The Civil Grand Jury concluded that:
No recommendations for this finding
Conclusions 10
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CL1 Page 6The coaching personnel interviewed appeared to be experienced, knowledgeable, professional and fully cognizant of their responsibilities.
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CL2 Page 6THS conducts a program of interscholastic athletics requiring rigorous physical preparation of student athletes for effective competition.
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CL3 Page 6Intensive training for optimal athletic performance has caused stress on some student athletes to the extent that incidents of vomiting, dehydration, and overheating have been reported.
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CL4 Page 6The school=s employment of a full-time, credentialed athletic trainer for the interscholastic athletic program has been effective in the prevention, treatment, and 6 minimizing of athletic injuries.
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CL5 Page 7AHell Week@ is not used in any official capacity, and there is no evidence it is sanctioned by THS staff or administration.
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CL6 Page 7No credible evidence was presented that coaches knowingly utilized coaching or conditioning methods which they believed would endanger a student=s health and/or safety.
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CL7 Page 7No credible evidence was presented that coaches failed to respond to athletes= complaints of undue stress or illness during practices.
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CL8 Page 7The allegations made against THS coaches and TJUHSD administration could not be substantiated.
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CL9 Page 7Based on this investigation, coaches, high school personnel, and school district administration are adhering to laws, regulations, policies, procedures, and bylaws governing the supervision of student athletes.
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CL10 Page 8The Civil Grand Jury concluded that: TJUHSD took appropriate steps to prevent a recurrence of eligibility infractions.
No Responses Found 2
Government entities assigned to respond to this report. No response documents have been linked in our database.
Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors
Elected County Office
Turlock Unified School District
School District