School Safety in Jeopardy

Does your district have written policies on staff travel? Please provide a copy of that policy.

Who has the responsibility to audit travel records to assure compliance with those policies?

How are district directors compensated for time spent on district business? Please include forms of compensation other than cash, i.e., meals, use of vehicles, etc.

What authority determines which water district industry conferences directors will attend? When more than one director attends a conference, what justification is needed to provide for more than one participant?

What practices exist for directors’ travel? Please provide a copy.

When was the last travel audit performed on your district? Please provide a copy of that audit.

Are directors attending water industry conferences required to submit reports to the water district? Is the report written or oral? Is the item placed on the district’s meeting agenda?

What is the district’s policy on the acceptance of gifts by district directors and staff personnel? Please provide a copy of the policy.

What is the district’s policy on the payment of overtime to management personnel? Please provide a copy of that policy. After reviewing the responses, Grand Jurors interviewed the general managers and/or directors to elicit additional information. The following is a summary of what the Grand Jury found: Carmichael Water District Carmichael Water District is an urban water supply serving 11,063 customers in the Carmichael area with a population of 40,000 in a 6 square mile area. Water sources include 9 ground water wells (37%) and surface water supplied from the American River (63%). The average monthly rate for unlimited water is $39.80 for one connection of a ½ acre or less. The district’s operating budget for 2002-2003 is $7.9 million. The general manager’s annual salary is $100,614 and the assistant manager’s annual salary is $82,000. The district’s written response to questions by the Grand Jury: