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Findings and Recommendations 10 findings
F1
District Trustees by their title, oath of office and non-partisan designation are responsible for a high standard of conduct, free from outside influence and charged with the duty to act in the best interest of the district.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
The chancellor and trustees should complete an ―Ethics Training‖ program similar to the requirements of California AB1234. A record of this should be maintained on the district website. (F.1., F.2., F.3., F.5., F.6., F.7., F.8., F.9.)
F2
The trustee office is, by design, a part time position and the overwhelming management and operation of the district, in consultation with employee senates, is delegated by the board to the chancellor.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2
The chancellor and trustees should maintain a list (e.g. CA Form 460) of campaign contributions made to each member of the board during the previous four years. This list should be reported and updated on the district website in July and January of each year. (F.1., F.5., F.6.,
F3
Trustees govern under guidelines, restraints and recommendations provided by the California Legislature, State Chancellor‘s Office, accreditation commissions and professional membership organizations.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
The chancellor and trustees should strongly consider advising the entire board of ―potential‖ conflicts of interest on district contracts involving campaign donors from the previous four years. (F.1., F.5., F.6., F.7., F.8., F.9.)
F4
Trustees are not well known within their own district, and govern in meetings that are often not well attended. This was based on surveys, interviews and site visits.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4
The district board should develop a policy for the rotational selection of officers of the board. (F.1., F.3., F.6., F.8., F.9.)
F5
Trustees can have large campaign budgets and may have received contributions from individuals and firms that do business with the district.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5
The chancellor and trustees should report their total individual travel expenditures in a public meeting and on the district website. This should be reported four times each year. (F.1.,
F6
There is a lack of ethics training received by trustees and there is minimal oversight over their actions and behaviors, particularly their spending habits for travel.
Related Recommendations (1)
R6
Trustees should report, on the district website biography section, any official political party leadership positions. (F.1., F.3., F.4., F.5., F.6., F.8., F.9.)
F7
Trustees may receive generous benefits that are often approved by themselves. Examples: a. Paid health, dental and life insurance benefits for trustees and their families, b. Large travel and conference reimbursements, c. A variety of miscellaneous stipends, allowances, and expenses.
Related Recommendations (1)
R7
The chancellor should report the value of all district compensation received by each trustee during the previous fiscal year. This should be reported at the first board meeting in September of each year and posted on the district website. (F.1., F.4., F.6., F.7., F.9.)
F8
Trustees provide extensive personal information on the district website but little information about their performance in office.
Related Recommendations (1)
R8
Strong consideration should be given to sending a copy of this 2013-2014 Orange County Grand Jury study and district responses to collaborating educational organizations. (F.1., F.2.,
F9
Laws, regulations, guidelines and ethics require trustees to be fully transparent in all aspects of their actions, behavior, and performance. The actions of trustees should be readily available for public review.
Related Recommendations (1)
R9
Strong consideration should be given to posting the chancellor‘s complete employment contract on the district‘s website to promote transparency. (F.10.) REQUIRED RESPONSES The California Penal Code §933 requires any public agency which the Grand Jury has reviewed, and about which it has issued a final report, to comment to the Presiding Judge of the Superior Court on the findings and recommendations pertaining to matters under the control of the agency. Such comment shall be made no later than 90 days after the Grand Jury publishes its report (filed with the Clerk of the Court); except that in the case of a report containing findings and recommendations pertaining to a department or agency headed by an elected County official (e.g. District Attorney, Sheriff, etc.), such comment shall be made to the Presiding Judge with an information copy sent to the Board of Supervisors. Furthermore, California Penal Code Section §933.05 (a), (b), (c), details, as follows, the manner in which such comment(s) are to be made: (a) As to each Grand Jury finding, the responding person or entity shall indicate one of the following: (1) The respondent agrees with the finding (2) The respondent disagrees wholly or partially with the finding, in which case the response shall specify the portion of the finding that is disputed and shall include an explanation of the reasons therefore. (b) As to each Grand Jury recommendation, the responding person or entity shall report one of the following actions: (1) The recommendation has been implemented, with a summary regarding the implemented action. (2) The recommendation has not yet been implemented, but will be implemented in the future, with a time frame for implementation. (3) The recommendation requires further analysis, with an explanation and the scope and parameters of an analysis or study, and a time frame for the matter to be prepared for discussion by the officer or head of the agency or department being investigated or reviewed, including the governing body of the public agency when applicable. This time frame shall not exceed six months from the date of publication of the Grand Jury report. (4) The recommendation will not be implemented because it is not warranted or is not reasonable, with an explanation therefore. (c) If a finding or recommendation of the Grand Jury addresses budgetary or personnel matters of a county agency or department headed by an elected officer, both the agency or department head and the Board of Supervisors shall respond if requested by the Grand Jury, but the response of the Board of Supervisors shall address only those budgetary /or personnel matters over which it has some decision making aspects of the findings or recommendations affecting his or her agency or department. Comments to the Presiding Judge of the Superior Court in compliance with Penal Code section §933.05 are required from: Response Required: Chancellor/Board of Trustees, Coast Community College District:
F10
District chancellors are some of the most highly paid public officials in Orange County, yet their salaries or contracts are not easily accessible to the public. Penal Code §933 and §933.05 require governing bodies and elected officials to which a report is directed to respond to findings and recommendations. Responses are requested, from departments of local agencies and their non-elected department heads. RECOMMENDATIONS In accordance with California Penal Code Sections 933 and 933.05, the 2013-2014 Grand Jury requires (or, as noted, requests) responses from each agency affected by the recommendations presented in this section. The responses are to be submitted to the Presiding Judge of the Superior Court. Based on its investigation of Community Colleges in Orange County, the 2013-2014 Orange County Grand Jury makes the following eight recommendations:
No recommendations for this finding
Agency Responses 5
Government agencies' official responses to this report's findings and recommendations. Click on a response to see the structured breakdown.