Pope Valley Union Elementary School District*

The Pope Valley Union Elementary School District failed to provide a safe learning environment and requisite education for its students. RESPONSE TO F1 The Board of Trustees disagrees in part. At Pope Valley Union Elementary, student safety and educational wellbeing are paramount. The Board of Trustees acknowledges the significant challenges the District has faced, including the erosion of community trust due to the recent trial and conviction of a former school employee. While the District remains steadfast in its commitment to providing a safe and academically enriching learning environment, we recognize the clear need for improvement. Since the appointment of our current Superintendent/Principal, the District has taken concrete steps to overcome challenges and address shortfalls. These include implementation of additional safety protocols, adoption of a structured and goal-oriented curriculum, accountability measures for staff, and targeted interventions to improve student achievement. The District has also increased access to bilingual services, improved communication with families, and strengthened special education through the addition of qualified personnel. We will continue to support the additional systems now in place to ensure the District provides all students with a safe school environment and a quality education. The positive momentum underway reflects a clear break from past practices and a commitment to sustained improvement.

The PVUESD Board of Trustees (School Board) failed to deliver the necessary oversight and direction for PVUESD operations and academic performance. At this time, the School Board appears to be focused on addressing past deficiencies and committed to providing the necessary oversight and direction to improve PVUESD operations and academic performance. RESPONSE TO F2 The Board of Trustees agrees that the current School Board is focused on addressing past deficiencies and committed to providing the necessary oversight and direction to improve PVUESD operations and academic performance. The current Board of Trustees has limited knowledge of the day-to-day oversight operations provided by former Trustees. The Board is actively correcting identified deficiencies and is committed to providing the necessary oversight and direction to improve district operations. Since appointing a new Superintendent/Principal, the Board has committed to a new standard of governance grounded in transparency and accountability. We now work with the Superintendent to be informed and review data related to academic 1 PVUESD Board of Trustees Response to Grand Jury Report: Pope Valley Union Elementary School District: Overcoming a Troubled Past achievement, fiscal health, and operational performance. We have adopted a long-term improvement plan aligned with the Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP), which outlines measurable goals and benchmarks. Additionally, we have begun working with external resources including the Napa County Office of Education and School and College Legal Services of California to expand our training and improve governance practices. We also acknowledge the importance of restoring community trust. To that end, we have increased communication with families and staff and made Board meetings more accessible with the addition of professional interpretation services. As we continue this work, the Board is united in its commitment to sustaining oversight practices that are proactive, informed, and driven by the needs of our school community. While we cannot change the past, we are fully focused on ensuring a stable and high-performing future for the Pope Valley Union Elementary School District.

Prior school superintendents/principals failed to ensure student safety, address academic instruction and student performance gaps, or manage the school and staff effectively. <b>RESPONSE TO F3</b> The Board of Trustees disagree in part with this finding. The current Board of Trustees have limited knowledge of the day-to-day operations of past administration. We believe the lack of clear leadership standards and consistent expectations has had a lasting impact on academic performance and community confidence in the school. To address these systemic shortcomings, the Board appointed a new Superintendent/Principal in 2023 with a strong background in educational leadership and organizational change. Under her leadership, the District has adopted a rigorous, goal-oriented instructional framework and implemented formal staff performance evaluations. Safety procedures have been put in place, and past gaps in adult supervision and accountability have been corrected. The Superintendent has also strengthened the school's financial reserves and operational procedures. These improvements represent a significant and necessary shift in how the District operates and are anchored in professionalism, accountability, and a deep commitment to student success and well-being.

The Superintendent/Principal, who held the position during this Civil Grand Jury investigation, implemented policies and procedures to stabilize and build sustainable long-term operations, enforce student safety protocols, and improve academic instruction and student performance. RESPONSE TO F4 The Board of Trustees agrees with this finding and strongly supports the work of the current Superintendent/Principal. Since her appointment in 2023, the Superintendent has brought stability, professionalism, and vision to a school community that had endured significant disruption, including prior administrative shortcomings, fractured governance, and the deep impacts of a criminal abuse case involving a former employee. In a short time, she has enacted wide-reaching reforms that have improved the District's academic foundation, operations, and climate of safety and trust. PVUESD Board of Trustees Response to Grand Jury Report: Pope Valley Union Elementary School District: Overcoming a Troubled Past One of the Superintendent's earliest actions was the implementation of a rigorous instructional framework, including clearly defined learning goals, a structured curriculum, and staff performance evaluations tied to student growth. These academic reforms were long overdue and have provided both students and teachers with the consistency and expectations necessary for effective teaching and learning. Teaching assignments were realigned to ensure continuity of instruction, including reducing reliance on long-term substitutes in upper grades. In parallel, the Superintendent prioritized school safety. Formal safety procedures and campus access protocols were introduced to ensure that students and staff are protected throughout the day. Operational stability has also improved significantly under her leadership. The District's financial reserves have increased for two consecutive years, resulting in positive certifications from the Napa County Office of Education and the California Department of Education. The Superintendent has upgraded internal systems and is working on the adoption of a new student information system to give families real-time access to attendance and academic data. The school website has been modernized and now includes Spanish-language content, board agendas, school reports, and key updates to improve transparency and family access. To improve support for students with disabilities, the Superintendent hired a credentialed Special Education teacher who holds a Master of Science in Special Education and previously served as a SELPA director. She also launched a Learning Center model to provide hands-on, individualized support to both general and special education students. These reforms are reinforced by a long-term Revitalize and Rebuild Plan that establishes clear priorities for academic improvement, campus safety, community engagement, and fiscal health. Through her leadership, the District is building an accountable and student-centered future. The Board will continue to support this progress through ongoing oversight, policy alignment, and collaboration with the Superintendent. We are confident that the work now underway provides a strong foundation for lasting improvement.

While the Civil Grand Jury investigation found no evidence of discrimination or unequal treatment by the school administration against Hispanic or Spanish-speaking families, the past lack of bilingual support revealed communication gaps, leaving Spanish-speaking parents and English Second Language learners feeling isolated and disconnected. RESPONSE TO F5 The Board of Trustees agrees with this finding and appreciates the Grand Jury's clarification that no evidence of discrimination or unequal treatment was found. We understand that past communication practices left some families feeling disconnected from school life. However, it is important to distinguish between those feelings and actual discrimination, which the District does not tolerate under any circumstance. Since the appointment of the current Superintendent/Principal, the District has taken deliberate and sustained steps to ensure that all families can access timely, accurate, and inclusive information. A bilingual teacher has been added to the staff, professional interpreters are available for meetings and 3 PVUESD Board of Trustees Response to Grand Jury Report: Pope Valley Union Elementary School District: Overcoming a Troubled Past events, and real-time language support is provided through Language Line. School communications, including the website, newsletters, and notices, are now routinely available in both English and Spanish. These efforts reflect the District's ongoing commitment to inclusion, transparency, and equitable access. The Board urges all members of the school community to rely on facts and avoid spreading misinformation that distracts from the real progress being made on behalf of all students and families.

Inadequate communication by district and school management following the trial and conviction of a former school employee for student sexual abuse left parents feeling disconnected and frustrated. RESPONSE TO F6 The Board of Trustees respectfully disagrees with this finding. While we acknowledge the gravity of the situation and the emotional toll it placed on our school community, we agreed with the District's response following the trial. We believe that the administration communicated appropriately, promptly, and in accordance with all legal and ethical requirements. Public statements were issued and made available to the school community and picked up by local media. These communications were clear and consistent with guidance from legal counsel. We recognize that in times of crisis, families may want more information than the District is legally able to provide. We appreciate the fact that the Grand Jury Report acknowledges the community remains deeply divided over the recent trial, however, the report does not take into consideration direct community involvement in the trial. This contributed to parent frustration because some community members were privy to more information than the District had at the time or could legally provide during the trial. Nonetheless, in the wake of the trial, the Superintendent reviewed and strengthened communication protocols to ensure families receive timely, supportive updates during future critical incidents. The Board supports these improvements and remains committed to transparency, lawful communication, and the continued rebuilding of trust within the school community.

School bus transportation service was found to be inadequate to serve the district, with persistent equipment problems undermining reliability. RESPONSE TO F7 The Board of Trustees agrees with this finding¹. California school districts are not required to provide school bus transportation, however, PVUESD has elected to provide transportation services to their students to offer safe and reliable access to school. We recognize that the District's school bus transportation program has not met expectations in recent years due to persistent mechanical issues, limited availability of qualified drivers, and the unreliability of the propane-powered buses previously in use. In response, the Board has worked closely with the Superintendent/Principal to review the District's transportation program and take meaningful corrective ¹ It is important to note that this finding excludes special education transportations services which were not interrupted by equipment failures. Special Education transportation services are adequate to serve the district's needs. PVUESD Board of Trustees Response to Grand Jury Report: Pope Valley Union Elementary School District: Overcoming a Troubled Past action. The District has since purchased a new gas-powered minibus to provide more dependable service and ensure compliance with safety standards. It is important to note that swift action to purchase the new gas-powered minibus would not have been possible without the financial stability established under the current Superintendent's leadership, including the rebuilding of District reserves and improved fiscal management. The Board remains committed to supporting sustainable transportation solutions, pursuing additional funding opportunities, and maintaining clear communication with families while long-term improvements continue to be implemented.

The school community is divided, with one group of parents and teachers supporting changes in the school and another favoring a return to prior practices and personnel. <b>RESPONSE TO F8</b> The Board of Trustees agrees with this finding. The Board acknowledges that any period of transition, especially one involving long-overdue reforms, can bring about differing views within a small and close- knit community. We respect the right of families and staff to hold a range of perspectives. However, it is important to distinguish between constructive feedback and efforts to undermine progress. The direction the district is now taking is not only necessary but directly aligns with Recommendation R3 of the Grand Jury's report, which calls for continued implementation of recent improvements to ensure long-term stability and performance. The reforms currently underway address the findings in the Grand Jury Report and focus on improved instruction, strengthened safety protocols, fiscal oversight, and increased transparency. We also want to make it clear that while we are committed to working with all stakeholders to unite the school community, unity cannot be built on false narratives. We strongly encourage all stakeholders to prioritize factual information and acknowledge the ongoing efforts dedicated to the district's improvement. We stand fully behind the Superintendent/Principal and the changes made to stabilize and improve PVUESD. The Board has no intention of reversing course or compromising on student safety, accountability, or academic performance. By striving for excellence, we hope to help the district achieve its full potential and provide the dynamic and effective learning experiences our students deserve. The Board remains committed to moving forward, and invites all families, staff, and community members to be part of a school culture built on truth, trust, and a shared commitment to student success. PVUESD Board of Trustees Response to Grand Jury Report: Pope Valley Union Elementary School District: Overcoming a Troubled Past Grand Jury Recommendations and Board of Trustees Responses: