Monterey County Grand Jury • 2021-2022 • Agency Response
Response to: (Spanish) - Excelencia en Accion: Respuesta Educative Del Condado de Monterey al Covid-19/Excellence In Action: Mo. Co. Educational Response to Covid-19

Greenfield Union School District

Published: February 09, 2023 9 pages
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Note: Missing finding numbers detected: F8, F10, F11

Findings and Recommendations 9 findings

F2
The Monterey County Superintendent of Schools is to be commended for proactive leadership in a time of crisis. Without such leadership, Monterey County's educational response to Covid-19 would have been inadequate. X AGREE PARTIALLY AGREE DISAGREE Response: The County Superintendent is honored and thankful for the acknowledgement of the Grand Jury and wishes to acknowledge her great team that stepped up and did what needed to be done to respond rapidly to the challenges before us.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2
School districts maintain learning loss mitigation programs and extended learning opportunities until the end of the 2025-2026 school year. X HAS BEENIMPLEMENTED HAS NOT BEEN IMPLEMENTED BUT WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN THE FUTURE REQUIRES FURTHER ANALYSIS WILL NOT BE IMPLEMENTED Response: Leaming loss mitigation is occurring through the implementation of comprehensive MTSS models and a focus on universal supports for all students. This support will include dia ostic and formative assessments to address disparities in performance outcomes and allow gn schools to create a plan for learning acceleration. Leaming acceleration will be embedded in all instructional decisions for students and will be ali ed to school and district goals formalized in gn the LCAP. Schools will continue to prioritize high-priority academic standards and provide strategic interventions to support acceleration and vertical ali ent. These supports will be gnm integrated as part of Tier 1 and Tier 2 MTSS efforts and reinforced through continued professional development for educators. Additionally, tutoring, afterschool programs, and other academic support, including offering expanded learning opportunities during out-of-school sessions, will be enhanced. Local districts are currently assessing and planning for increased resources and implementation of the Expanded Leaming Opportunities Program. The California Department of Education (COE) defines expanded learning as, "learning programs that occur before school, after school, summer, or intersession that focus on developing the academic, social, emotional, and physical needs and interests of pupils through hands-on, engaging learning experiences and activities." This augmented support will increase access to expanded learning resources for students in grades TK-6 and will help to accelerate learning for students across the county. These opportunities will continue through the 2025-2026 school year and beyond, contingent upon funding and staffing availability. Our students will benefit from the expanded learning opportunities these programs provide.
F3
MCOE is to be commended for maintaining continuity of operations while increasing support services for school districts under the most challenging of circumstances. X AGREE PARTIALLY AGREE DISAGREE • Response: The County Board and the County Superintendent agree with this finding and would like to commend and thank the Monterey County Office of Education team members for their outstanding work to keep operations moving forward during the most challenging of times.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
MCOE should continue to closely monitor district LCAPs and budgets for the impacts of ADA loss and the end of emergency federal funding. _x_ HAS BEENIMPLEMENTED HAS NOT BEEN IMPLEMENTED BUT WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN THE FUTURE REQUIRES FURTHER ANALYSIS WILL NOT BE IMPLEMENTED Response: The Monterey County Office of Education will continue to closely monitor district LCAPs and budgets for the impacts of ADA loss and the end of emergency federal funding.
F4
All the donors who contributed to the Digital Equity Fund are to be commended for their generosity. ____x_ AGREE PARTIALLY AGREE DISAGREE Response: The County Board and the County Superintendent agree with this finding and would like to thank and commend all of the generous donors who so graciously and generously donated the needed funds to ensure schools that needed technology devices or internet access for their students had what was needed so that Monterey County students could fully participate in distance learning. The very generous donors rose to the challenge of meeting this dire need and their contributions made a very positive impact on thousands of students.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4
MCOE will be forward thinking about its emergency plans. HAS BEEN IMPLEMENTED • X HAS NOT BEEN IMPLEMENTED BUT WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN THE FUTURE REQUIRES FURTHER ANALYSIS WILL NOT BE IMPLEMENTED Response: The Monterey County Office of Education is forward thinking not only in regard to its emergency plans but also regarding the communication and collaboration that must take place in emergency situations. Thus, MCOE is launching the Monterey County Safe and Healthy Schools and Communities Coalition in the Fall of 2022. This Coalition will include all stakeholders that are responsible for health and safety in schools and communities and will meet regularly to share best practices, improve communication and planning efforts, access training opportunities, and share common language and clear understandings of emergency response for our schools and communities. The MCOE Safe Schools Coordinator has already engaged school district leaders and is now in the process of reaching out to county organizations and community based partners to encourage their participation in the Coalition when it launches this fall. RS. MCOE should establish partnerships and internships with CSU Monterey Bay, MCBH, and industry partners to increase the number of mental health workers, teachers, substitutes, and bus drivers. _x_ HAS BEEN IMPLEMENTED HAS NOT BEEN IMPLEMENTED BUT WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN THE FUTURE REQUIRES FURTHER ANALYSIS WILL NOT BE IMPLEMENTED Response: The Monterey County Office of Education has a well-established partnership with CSU Monterey Bay, Monterey County Behavioral Health, and industry partners. Together we work to increase the number of mental health workers, teachers, and substitute teachers. Our partner agencies do not prepare bus drivers, however MCOE has launched a Bus Driver Cadette Program which is a grow your own program that trains interested individuals that meet minimum qualifications to be school bus drivers. MCOE Bus Driver Cadettes receive a minimum of 20 hours of classroom instruction and a minimum of 20 hours of behind the wheel training, CPR and First Aid certification. These individuals will leave the cadet program with their commercial drivers license and school bus passenger endorsement to fill immediate needs in Monterey County Schools. Agenda Item Details Meeting Feb 09, 2023 - Regular Board Meeting Category H. Action Subject 1. Approval of Response to the 2021-2022 Monterey County Civil Grand Jury Final Report - "Excellence in Action: Monterey County's Educational Response to COVID-19" Access Public Type Action Recommended Action That the Greenfield Union School District Board of Trustees approves the Response to the 2021-2022 Monterey County Civil Grand Jury Final Report. Public Content Staff Analysis: The primary mission of a Civil Grand Jury in the State of California is to examine county and city governments, as well as districts and other offices, in order to ensure that the responsibilities of these entities are conducted lawfully and efficiently. The Civil Grand Jury is also responsible for recommending measures for improving the functioning and accountability of these organizations, which are intended to serve the public interest. As required by statute, agencies investigated and named in the final report must respond to the findings and recommendations
F5
Administrators, teachers, and information technology staff in Monterey County are to be commended for making great strides in providing remote learning devices and solving internet access problems during the COVID-19 pandemic. ____x_ AGREE PARTIALLY AGREE DISAGREE Response: The County Board and the County Superintendent agree that administrators, teachers, and information technology staff in Monterey County are to be commended for making great strides in providing remote learning devices and solving internet access problems during the COVID-19 pandemic. Schools utilized innovative solutions to solve the digital divide problems and are continuing to work toward long-term solutions that hopefully in the future will close the digital divide.
No recommendations for this finding
F6
MCOE is working with all school districts to assure fiscal accountability and stewardship of the public's education dollars. X AGREE PARTIALLY AGREE DISAGREE Response: The County Board and the County Superintendent agree with this finding. MCOE's Chief Business Official Dr. Colleen Stanley and her entire Business Services team work diligently to ■ provide the oversight needed to assure fiscal accountability and good stewardship of the public's education dollars by promoting sound financial management practices through fiscal monitoring, analysis, and consultation to fulfill our state-mandated oversight responsibilities. MCOE staff reviews budgets, interim reports and unaudited actuals, Local Control Accountability Plans, collective bargaining agreements, annual audits, and other financial documents to ensure fiscal solvency for MCOE, all of the 24 school districts, and the 8 charter schools in Monterey County.
No recommendations for this finding
F7
MCOE's service departments continue working diligently to provide support, guidance, training, and resources for all members of Monterey County's educational community. ____x_ AGREE PARTIALLY AGREE DISAGREE Response: The County Board and the County Superintendent agree with this finding. The MCOE Business Office, Technology Services, Human Resources, General Services, Educational Services, Student Services, and Special Education continue to provide the highest quality of service to the county's educational community. MCOE will continue to strive to achieve our mission to provide leadership, support, and service excellence needed to prepare the diverse students of Monterey County for success. FS. Despite a lack of preparedness at many levels of government, MCOE, school districts, and staff responded to the impact of the pandemic in a timely manner. ____x_ AGREE PARTIALLY AGREE DISAGREE Response: The County Board and the County Superintendent agree with this finding. The global pandemic surfaced gaps in communications and needed resources at all levels of government. MCOE, school districts, and staff worked diligently to respond appropriately and timely to each challenge the pandemic surfaced.
No recommendations for this finding
F9
Monterey County successfuUy expanded internet connectivity due to the efforts of MCOE, industry partners, grant institutions, the Digital Task Force, and school district investment in technology. ____x_ AGREE PARTIALLY AGREE DISAGREE • Response: The County Board and the County Superintendent agree with this finding. MCOE worked with many partner agencies, granting institutions, vendors, technology experts, district superintendents, and elected officials to expand the internet connectivity for students in need. MCOE is thankful for the collective efforts of all Digital Divide Task Force participants for their willingness to work together to identify solutions to the digital divide. FlO. There is increased collaboration and coordination among agencies that provide services and support, including the MCOE, Monterey County Behavioral Health, the Monterey County Health Department, internet partners, school districts, support providers, and community groups. _x_ AGREE PARTIALLY AGREE DISAGREE Response: The County Board and the County Superintendent agree with this finding. The increased collaboration and coordination among agencies allows for more efficient response and better coordination of services and support. Fll. Administrators, teachers, parents, and students are all extremely concerned about students' social-emotional issues arising from COVID-19. _x_ AGREE PARTIALLY AGREE DISAGREE Response: The County Board and the County Superintendent agree with this finding. According to the American Psychological Association, 71 percent of parents across the nation are reporting that the pandemic has taken a toll on their child's mental health. School officials are reporting that they are seeing more behavioral challenges, as well as social and emotional health concerns this year than in years past.
No recommendations for this finding
F12
Administrators, teachers, parents, and students are concerned about the learning loss that took place during the 2020-2021 school year. There is an urgent need for mitigation of such a loss. _x_ AGREE PARTIALLY AGREE DISAGREE Response: The County Board and the County Superintendent agree that administrators, teachers, parents, and students are concerned about the learning loss that took place during the 2020-2021 • school year and that there is an urgent need for additional support for students who fell behind academically.
No recommendations for this finding
F13
There is the potential for significant fiscal disruption with the continuing loss of ADA and the end of additional federal funding occurring at the same time. X AGREE PARTIALLY AGREE DISAGREE Response: The County Board and the County Superintendent agree with this finding. California and Monterey County are experiencing declining enrollment and increased absenteeism in many school districts due to the pandemic. With federal COVID relief funds ending, school districts will need to take appropriate action to maintain fiscal solvency as funding declines due to reduced ADA.
No recommendations for this finding