Yolo County Grand Jury
• 2022-2023
• Agency Response
Woodland Joint Unified School District
⚠️ 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 7 findings
F1
Each school district has implemented school hardening measures to some degree in addition to those discussed in the 2019-20 Yolo County Grand Jury report. The measures in place at school sites vary and can be improved. While some schools in each district have their sites enclosed or have security cameras, others do not. Fences may not be high enough to prevent students or intruders from jumping over them. In addition, gates at schools are sometimes not closed, locked, or in disrepair. Response: A-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. Explanation: The District partially agrees with this finding. While the District agrees additional hardening measures are needed, in 2021-22 the District initiated the practice of identifying gates for the ingress and egress of students from all of its campuses (this excludes Douglass Middle School as they do not have fencing). These gates are monitored by school site personnel each morning and afternoon and are locked within 15 minutes after the school day begins and are unlocked within 15 minutes prior to the school day ending. Each subsequent year the District has maintained this practice. Annually our Maintenance and Operations Department undergoes an evaluation at all sites of its facilities through and repair and maintenance of gates and existing fencing. In January of 2023, our school board approved a Capital Improvement Plan based on Measure-Y funding. This plan included improvements to fencing and other security aspects on our campuses. The goal of the fencing will be to create single points of access and improve our gates. Additionally, in the Spring of 2023, our Technology Department hired an outside vendor to conduct a Security Camera Audit. The purpose of this audit is to help the District identify points of vulnerability with camera coverage. The plan is that during the 2023-24 school year, cameras will be addressed based on this assessment.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
The Grand Jury recommends that, prior to the start of the 2024-25 school year, each school district identify additional hardening approaches and develop a plan to further protect areas of its schools that remain vulnerable. Response: B-1 The recommendation has been implemented, with a summary regarding the implemented action: Explanation: The District conducted a facilities review during the 2022-23 school year. This District-wide facilities assessment helped to identify vulnerabilities and deficiencies in our school sites. In consultation with the Woodland Police Department (WPD) and the Woodland Fire Department (WFD), a review of these findings will be conducted to identify critical areas for hardening measures to be put in place that would impact student safety. In January of 2023, our school board approved a Capital Improvement Plan based on Measure-Y funding. This plan included improvements to fencing and other security aspects on our campuses. The goal of the fencing will be to create single points of access and improve our gates. Prior to the 2023-24 school year, in response to violence targeting schools, the District responded with the following; installing Columbine locks at all school sites, maintaining an active Safety Committee that includes WPD and WFD to provide feedback and guidance with safety protocols for our school sites; seeking feedback from WPD for each our our school site’s safety plans which are updated annually in October; and contracting with an outside vendor to conduct a Security Camera Audit to determine points of vulnerability with camera coverage.
F2
Each school district conducts California Healthy Kids Surveys, while some use additional methods for assessing student mental health. The response rate of students completing such surveys, however, may not be enough to generate reliable conclusions about student mental health. Response: A-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. Explanation: The District partially agrees with this finding. The District has implemented Social-Emotional Screeners to be completed in grades K-12 twice yearly. This implementation began in the Fall of 2021. In grades 7-12, students complete a self-screener called Pupil Attitudes to Self and School (PASS). PASS helps us identify learners who may be held back by factors such as a lack of confidence, motivation, or connection to school. Utilizing key factors such as self-regard, feelings about school, perceived learning capability, confidence in learning, and attitudes toward attendance, we are able to drill down to the root causes of why a student may be underachieving or feeling disengaged. By uncovering how students feel about themselves and school, we can target resources, allocate funding, provide services, and monitor progress in the areas that give them the support they need to thrive. The student completion rate for our PASS surveys is 68 % of all 7-12 grade students. Similarly, we utilize a social-emotional screener for our elementary students called the Social, Academic, and Emotional Risk Screener (SAEBRS) to identify those who are at risk for social- emotional behavior (SEB) problems. SAEBRS is one of the only SEB universal screening tools built to assess both the absence of problem behaviors and symptomatology (e.g., internalizing and externalizing behaviors) and the presence of well-being and competencies (e.g., social-emotional skills). Students in grades 2-12 self-assess their social, academic, and emotional behavior, while students in TK-1 are assessed by their classroom teacher. By evaluating in which of the three specific domains a student is at risk, educators may determine what type of support is most appropriate and which problem behaviors should be prioritized through intervention. The student completion rate for our SAEBRS surveys is 66% of all K-6 grade students.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2
Prior to the start of the 2024-25 school year, each school district should develop a SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound) plan to encourage all students to complete the California Healthy Kids Survey and similar surveys to produce meaningful data. Each school district should act on survey findings, especially those related to potentially violent actions. Response: B-1 The recommendation has been implemented, with a summary regarding the implemented action: Explanation: The District completes the California Healthy Kids Survey (CHKS) for grades 5, 7, 9, and 11 annually. In addition, the District administers a Social Emotional screener, twice yearly, to all students K-12. In grades 7-12, students complete a self-screener called Pupil Attitudes to Self and School (PASS). In grades K-6 students and teachers complete the Social, Academic, and Emotional Risk Screener (SAEBRS). The completion rate for these screeners is 67% of all K-12 grade students. These survey results coupled with the CHKS survey results help us to determine where we should target resources, allocate funding, and provide services, in the areas that give our students the most opportunity to be successful. Twice yearly, school administrators with district support review the results of the screeners to identify school site needs and trends, make targeted plans to address needs, develop action items to complete the plans, and monitor change. This process is also completed at the school site level with site administrators and teachers reviewing data, setting actionable steps, and monitoring change. Additionally, the District is able to identify specific student needs with the screeners used and can target individualized support as needed. With the District’s use of screeners such as PASS and SAEBRS, we believe we are adequately identifying our student's social-emotional needs, based on survey completion, survey frequency, and utilization of survey data to drive decision-making in a more responsive and accurate manner.
F3
California Education Code mandates that all school districts require visitors to go to a school’s office upon arrival and wear identification while on site. At some Yolo County schools, however, the location of the school’s office is not clear. Better signage is needed to direct visitors to the office. This is particularly important for schools, such as in the Davis, Winters, and Woodland school districts, where sharing open spaces or parking lots can make clear signage and prevention of intruders from entering school grounds more challenging. Response: A-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. Explanation: The District partially agrees with this finding. The District agrees that increasing signage visibility is important and a priority. Currently, the District does have signage that is in place, however, the District does recognize that we can complement what is in place with additional signage. With the proposed addition of fencing and modifications to the ingress and egress of students onto the school sites, the District also recognizes the need to improve signage that would support our community in being directed to and recognizing the location of the school offices.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
Prior to the start of the 2024-25 school year, each school district should evaluate and improve signage for all of its schools, so that visitors can easily find the school’s office to register upon their arrival. Response: B-2 The recommendation has not yet been implemented but will be implemented in the future, with a time frame for implementation. Explanation: During the 2023-24 school year, the District will begin to utilize funding from Measure-Y to increase hardening measures at our school sites. This includes the addition of fencing and in some cases re- establishing ingress and egress locations for students. The purpose is to create a single point of entry onto campus, through the school office. With these updates, signage will accompany.
F4
Each school district appropriately uses a web-based third-party provider for safety training modules. Annual training related to violent threats, such as active shooter, is not required at this time by the Davis, Esparto, Washington, and Woodland school districts, although Esparto and Woodland plan to add such training at the start of the 2023-24 school year. Ensuring staff are trained in how to respond appropriately to threats of violence would lessen the chances of another tragedy similar to that in Uvalde, Texas. Response: A-1 The respondent agrees with the finding. The District agrees with this finding and continues to put student safety as a priority. The District has identified the need for annual web-based training on Active Shooter and violence response. While the District will continue to offer web based training, the District has also identified the need for in-person training. In collaboration with the Woodland Police Department (WPD) during the 2023-24 school year, all secondary school sites in the District will receive level 2 of Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, and Evacuate (ALICE) training. Level 2 is a school-site-specific training that supports staff in recognizing potential threats and viable responses on a site-specific level. Additionally, all elementary school sites and other district staff will have received by the 2023-24 school year, the level 1 training for ALICE. Level 1 training is designed to empower people to make good survival decisions should a school attack occur.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4
Prior to the start of the 2024-25 school year, each school district should require and document that training related to threats of violence is completed by its teachers (regular and substitute), staff, and administrators every year. Response: B-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 offer or head of the agency or department being investigated or reviewed, including the governing body agency when applicable. The time frame shall not exceed six months from the date of publication of the grand jury report. Explanation: Required training needs to be completed during the employee’s paid time or during their work day. In the past two years, the District has set aside time prior to the start of the school year for regular teachers, staff, and administrators to complete the multiple required training for employees in California K-12 schools. Work calendars have not been developed for the 2024-25 school year. Discussions would need to be had regarding when regular teachers, staff, and administrators would be given time to set aside for all required training, including training related to threats of violence, during their work day. Negotiations with the labor associations may be needed in order to direct when this training will be completed. Discussions would also need to be had regarding expanding this specific training to substitute employees since this would be an additional significant cost to the District. This analysis will be completed from the date of publication of the grand jury report.
F5
The Esparto and Woodland school districts have assessed the effectiveness of their school safety training through surveys, as recommended by the 2019-20 Yolo County Grand Jury, while the Davis, Washington, and Winters districts have not. Assessing effectiveness based on quantifiable data can provide more accurate guidance for decisions about training. Response: A-1 The respondent agrees with the finding. The District agrees with this finding and continues to gather feedback regarding safety training through its use of surveys.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5
Prior to the start of the 2024-25 school year and each subsequent school year, Davis, Washington, and Winters school districts should identify and document a statistically reliable method or tool for measuring the effectiveness of school safety training, including an annual survey of teachers, staff, and administrators. Not Applicable to Woodland Joint Unified School District
F6
Each school district has contracted with a web-based third-party provider to notify parents of emergencies. The providers report on how many parents or guardians were reached per technology (e.g., email, text, app, or voice/phone). All school districts’ providers, except Washington, reach 90% or more of their student’s parents or guardians. Ensuring that virtually all parents or guardians can be reached when needed is desirable. Response: A-1 The respondent agrees with the finding. The District agrees with this finding and continues to work diligently to communicate and accurately record up-to-date contact and emergency contact information for all students. The District strives to increase its connectivity with families and will work to improve from its current overall 98% connectivity rate to above that for the 2024-25 school year.
Related Recommendations (1)
R6
Prior to the start of the 2024-25 school year and each subsequent school year, each district should achieve and maintain an emergency notification contact rate of at least 95% with parents or guardians, as verified by their third-party emergency notification providers. Response: B-1 The recommendation has been implemented, with a summary regarding the implemented action. Explanation: In the 2022-23 school year, our contactable rate was 98.4% utilizing the ParentSquare system. Prior to the start of the 2024-25 school year, and each subsequent year, the District will evaluate and review its contactable rate to ensure the highest rate of connectivity possible. The District will strive to increase this rate each year by making a plan to identify specifically which families are not receiving communication through the ParentSquare system and contact them directly with the support of our Community and Family Engagement (CAFE) specialists. Additionally, the District will monitor and check contactable rates during the school year.
F7
Some high school students in the Davis, Esparto, Winters, and Woodland school districts are allowed to go off- campus during lunch breaks. Should an emergency arise on campus, it is not possible for the schools to know how safe those students are, and the students may not receive timely emergency notifications if their school is on lockdown or evacuated. Response: A-1 The respondent agrees with the finding. The District agrees with this finding and will consider discussing its current practice of allowing high school seniors to leave campus during their lunch period. Response to Recommendations RECOMMENDATIONS
Related Recommendations (1)
R7
Prior to the start of the 2024-25 school year, Davis, Esparto, Winters, and Woodland school districts should develop, implement, and maintain a plan for contacting at least 95% of students who may be off-site if an emergency occurs during regular school hours. Response: B-4 The recommendation will not be implemented because it is not warranted or is not reasonable, with an explanation therefor. Explanation: The District believes that this request is not reasonable. Current Board Policy and Administrative Regulation 5112.5 Open/Closed Campus, states, “The district, Board of Trustees members and district employees shall not be liable for the conduct and safety of students who leave school grounds during the lunch period. (Education Code 44808.5).” While the District does allow students to leave campus during school hours we do not have a method of capturing who leaves and returns other than classroom through attendance. If an emergency were to occur while students were off-campus we do not have a way of knowing who is on or off campus at that moment. This would require personnel and technology software to check students out and then back into school, which becomes cost-prohibited. The alternative would be to close campuses and not allow students to leave. This would be a change to board policy. Additionally, the District does not have a method for capturing student phone numbers as a way to communicate information quickly. While this can be something we add to our data system during registration, for the 2024-25 school year, the District also can not assume that all students have a cell phone unless they are district-provided and maintained. This would be cost-prohibited. The District does provide each student with a district-issued Chromebook and our secondary students do have an email address. The District does have the ability to send out email messages in a timely manner. However, this method of communication may not be efficient in notifications of emergencies as they are not checked as often as text messages or phone calls and this would assume that the student had their Chromebook while off campus and access to the internet during that time. Unfortunately, this is not a foolproof way of ensuring all students would receive emergency notifications while off campus. Grand Jury Report Response approved: Date: ____September 14, 2023_______ Signed: ______________________________________________________ Woodland Joint Unified School District, Board of Trustees President