Cooperation and Coordinatlon among the Schooi Districis in i{evada County

There is an apparent lack of Professional Learning Communities in the areas of English Language Arts and Mathematics in the nine school districts in the County. Response to Finding 2: The Board disagrees with this finding. With respect to the Board's concerns regarding the information it received from the Grand jury in support of this conclusion, please refer to the explanation provided under "Response to Finding 1" above. The Board harbors identical concerns with respect to the support provided by the Grand Jury for its Finding 2. The Nevada City Elementary School District has implemented and supported Professional Learning Communities in allof the district's school sites. Additionally, our educators attend seminars and certification classes, and we collaborate with them to further their degree programs. Based on all the foregoing, the Board disagrees with the Grand Jury's finding that there is an apparent lack of Professional Learning Communities in the areas of English Language Arts and Mathematics in the nine school districts in the County. As set forth above, no credible evidence exists to support the Grand Jury's conclusion, as it pertains to the Nevada City Elementary School District.

There is failure of NCOE to train and support teachers in the nine school districts within the County in teacher leadership and the formation of functioning Professional Learning Communities negatively impacts student opportunity. Response to Finding 3: The Board disagrees with this finding. The Nevada County Superintendent of Schools office does many things to support the nine school districts in teacher leadership and Professional Learning Communities. NCSOS implemented an lnstructional Coaching model to support Nevada County Educators. Currently there are six lnstructional Coaches who are Nevada County Educators and offer expertise in the areas of English Language Arts, Math, Science and Technology. ln addition to providing workshops and professional development, these exceptional educators are available for individual coaching, staff meetings, PLC's and grade level meetings. Additionally, the women in the positions of Director of Curriculum and lnstruction and Associate Superintendent of Educational Services are extremely supportive to the needs of each district, and are available to train as well. Each year, school districts receive a survey from NCSOS in regards to the service that was provided to our schools by the lnstructional Coaches for that school year. This is for the county to receive information to make the necessary revisions for the next school year to better serve the school districts in the county. For the past two years and planned for the 2077-2078 school year, NCSOS provides an entire day of Professional Development for all educators in Nevada County. During this day there are multiple opportunities for teacher leaders to receive professional development and facilitate professional Development.

There is a lack of communication and collaboration between the two comprehensive high schools and their feeder elementary districts concerning expectations for entering ninth graciers. Response to Finding 4: The Board respectfully partially disagrees. There is limited evidence to substantiate this finding. Each month the superintendents of the nine school districts, and the Nevada County Superintendent of Schools, meet to collaborate and discuss issues relating to educational programs in their districts. The superintendent of the Nevada Joint Union High School District regularly shares information regarding the high school programs and discusses articulation between the feeder programs. ln February of each year, counselors from the high school visit Seven Hills Middle School and provide information to students and parents regarding Nevada Union programs and assist the families in enrolling in the high school. The counselors also give the Seven Hills Middle School teachers opportunity to provide recommendations for the placement of their students in the mathematics, science, and language arts courses. The Nevada Joint Union High School District also coordinates an annual math placement test to help place incoming freshmen students in the most appropriate mathematics course. Although the Board disagrees with the majority of this finding, it does acknowledge that it would be beneficial to increase the level and frequency of communication and articulation between Seven Hills Middle School and Nevada Joint Union High School District teachers. BOARD'S RESPONSE TO GRAND JURY'S RECOMMENDATIONS