Santa Cruz County Grand Jury • 2017-2018

Soquel Union Elementary School District and the Brown Act Missing – Mutual Respect and a Shared Vision

Published: May 30, 2017 15 pages
View Original PDF

Findings and Recommendations 12 findings

F1
The June 18, 2014, SUESD Board minutes do not record that there was an opportunity for public comment prior to the superintendent’s evaluation.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
The SUESD Board should record in the minutes the closed session agenda items that were discussed and any actions taken, including taking no action, on those items. (F1, F2, F4, F5)
F2
The June 18, 2014 and June 3, 2015 SUESD Board minutes do not record that the superintendent’s evaluation was discussed in closed session.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
The SUESD Board should record in the minutes the closed session agenda items that were discussed and any actions taken, including taking no action, on those items. (F1, F2, F4, F5)
F3
The 2015 and 2016 SUESD Board minutes do not record whether the Board offered the public a chance to speak before closed sessions.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2
The SUESD Board should demonstrate its compliance with CGC §54954.3(a), ​ ​ ​ ​ CEC §35145.5, and its Bylaw 9323 to give the public an opportunity to comment ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ by recording this offering in the minutes. (F3)
F4
In 2015 and 2016, closed session items were rarely recorded in the minutes.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
The SUESD Board should record in the minutes the closed session agenda items that were discussed and any actions taken, including taking no action, on those items. (F1, F2, F4, F5)
F5
In 2015, 2016, and the first two months of 2017, the SUESD Board repeatedly used the statement “Nothing to report out of closed session.”
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
The SUESD Board should record in the minutes the closed session agenda items that were discussed and any actions taken, including taking no action, on those items. (F1, F2, F4, F5)
F6
The Board has met twice in closed session after adjourning open session.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
The Board should comply with CGC §54957.7.(a), CGC §54957.7.(b), CGC ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ §54957.7.(c) by not meeting in closed session after adjourning open session. ​ ​ (F6)
F7
The Board, in adopting their Governance Handbook, has shown increased acceptance of public input in the direction of the district by including an avenue for requesting items to be added to the agenda.
No recommendations for this finding
F8
In 2015, 2016, and the first two months of 2017, the SUESD Board minutes did not record that the Board has conducted a self-evaluation.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4
The SUESD Board should comply with its Bylaw 9400 by addressing in public ​ ​ session its self-evaluation, including whether or not the District’s goals for the previous year have been achieved. (F8)
F9
The SUESD Board has not reviewed or revised the responsibilities and duties of the superintendent at any time between September 2001 and 2016.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5
The SUESD Board should conduct an official review and update of the criteria for evaluating their only employee, the superintendent. (F9)
F10
The SUESD Board has been using an incorrect template for its agenda for at least the past six years.
Related Recommendations (1)
R6
The SUESD Board should comply with CGC §54954.3 by correcting its agenda ​ ​ ​ ​ template to reflect accurate times, locations, and content for meetings. (F10) ​ ​
F11
The agenda template announces conflicting times for the convening of public meetings.
Related Recommendations (1)
R7
The Board’s agenda should reflect that Board meetings begin with the Call to Order. (F11)
F12
The agenda template does not advise the public of its opportunity to pull items from the consent agenda for comment prior to the adoption of the agenda.
Related Recommendations (1)
R8
The Board should advise the public of its right to pull a Consent Agenda item for comment prior to adopting the agenda. (F12)

Commendations 1