⚠️ 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 9 findings
F01
Administrators believe that fee issues have been resolved by education, training, and oversight.
F02
Part-time coaches and volunteer personnel seem uncertain about when and how to communicate the fact that most fees are discretionary. Training for these groups is inconsistent.
F03
PTA and PTSA members are sometimes confused in communication with parents concerning which fees are discretionary. Fact: All districts studied have received guidelines from their school district and ACLU counsel. Fact: Administrators have a training program in place to assist school personnel at each level to understand the difference between a mandatory school fee and an elective school fee. Fact: Some principals found that PTA, PTSA, part-time staff volunteers and ad hoc groups are confused when school credit is given for elective events such as intramural sport, cheerleading, band and art.
F04
Training for some part-time staff, volunteers, ad hoc groups and parents is not reaching everyone on a consistent basis. Fact: Teachers are trained in writing requests for materials from parents to verify that they understand that their contributions are voluntary.
F05
Parents understand these requests, no matter how carefully worded, as mandatory fees. Fact: The administrators interviewed agreed that their schools are required to provide basic school supplies, e.g. paper, pencils, pens, crayons, P.E. clothes, band and cheerleading uniforms, sporting and musical equipment and art supplies. Fact: Many classroom teachers and active parent groups interviewed find these supplies to be inadequate. Fact: Elementary school teachers spend personal time and money to insure their students’ success. Fact: National Survey results showed that teachers spent $1.5 billion out of their own pocket in 2010. (Data for San Diego County are not available.)
F06
The issue of inadequate supplies is addressed in a variety of ways. Contributions are received from booster groups, foundations, parents and teachers.
F07
Every past and present classroom teacher interviewed said that they contributed money from their own pocket. The range of contribution was a low of $200 annually to a high of $6000. In the lower grades (K-8) teachers are more likely to contribute out of their own pocket to the needs of their classrooms.
F08
In high schools, parents are more likely to be asked to contribute to tax-exempt corporations for school-wide needs. Fact: Every school district must abide by the laws regarding mandatory and discretionary fees. Fact: There is no uniform policy across districts regarding training, implementation and monitoring of school fee requirements. Fact: Every interviewee believed there should be a county wide uniform policy regarding school fees.
F9
In the absence of uniform guidelines, each school district must develop its own policy and procedure for monitoring and collecting fees. This causes duplication of effort and quite possibly duplication of funds for personnel to administer these programs.
Recommendations 2
-
12-27Page 5Develop and administer county-wide uniform regulations and training guidelines
-
12-28Page 5Restructure budgets for this service from school districts and shift the cost to the
Commendations 1
-
CM1The San Diego County Grand Jury wishes to commend all past and present teachers for the amount of time they spend outside of the classroom and the amount of money they spend out of their own pockets to ensure the success of their students. REQUIREMENTS AND INSTRUCTIONS The California Penal Code §933(c) 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 within 60 days to the Presiding Judge with an information copy sent to the Board of Supervisors. Furthermore, California Penal Code §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 therefor. (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 therefor. (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 authority. The response of the elected agency or department head shall address all aspects of the findings or recommendations affecting his or her agency or department. 6 SAN DIEGO COUNTY GRAND JURY 2011/2012 (filed May 17, 2012) Comments to the Presiding Judge of the Superior Court in compliance with the Penal Code §933.05 are required from the: Responding Agency Recommendations Date Superintendent, San Diego 12-27, 12-28 8/15/12 County Office of Education 7 SAN DIEGO COUNTY GRAND JURY 2011/2012 (filed May 17, 2012)
Agency Responses 1
Government agencies' official responses to this report's findings and recommendations. Click on a response to see the structured breakdown.
No Responses Found 1
Government entities assigned to respond to this report. No response documents have been linked in our database.