Score: -7
(15/78/22)
Santa Barbara County Grand Jury
• 2025-2026
Bullying in Santa Barbara County Schools
Published: June 08, 2026
11 pages
⚠️ Aviso de traducción: Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
Findings and Recommendations 3 findings
F1
Bullying in County schools will be reduced by implementing additional safety measures.
Related Recommendations (3)
R1a
The Grand Jury recommends that school boards increase staff presence in areas where students congregate before, during breaks, and after school.
R1b
The Grand Jury recommends that school boards have sufficient cameras in order to monitor where students congregate before, during, and after school.
R1c
The Grand Jury recommends that school boards add more counselors to achieve a ratio no greater than 250:1.
F2
Administrators do not consistently inform school counselors when students under their guidance engage in bullying.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2
The Grand Jury recommends that school boards inform school counselors whenever any students under their guidance engage in bullying.
F3
Parent participation in outreach programs for bullying has been poor.
Related Recommendations (3)
R3a
The Grand Jury recommends that school boards direct school administrators to schedule parent outreach programs regarding bullying on evenings, weekends, online and with archived recordings to accommodate working parents.
R3b
The Grand Jury recommends that school boards implement non-monetary incentives to encourage parents to attend outreach programs.
R3c
The Grand Jury recommends that school boards strongly encourage parents of students who have engaged in repeated acts of bullying to attend outreach programs.
Agency Responses 13
Government agencies' official responses to this report's findings and recommendations. Click on a response to see the structured breakdown.
▶
Ballard School District
• 10 responses
•
Score: -1
(+0, 8, -1)
View Details ▾
10 responses to findings and recommendations
F1
Bullying in County schools will be reduced by implementing additional safety measures.
Response: Disagree Partially
Score: 0
Disagree partially.
While smart safety measures help, stopping bullying at the elementary level isn't about adding security cameras or physical gear. True prevention for young children happens through Social-Emotional Learning (SEL), character building, watchful recess supervision, and teaching kids how to talk through disagreements kindly.
R1a
The Grand Jury recommends that school boards increase staff presence in areas where students congregate before, during breaks, and after school.
Response: Implemented
Score: 0
Has been implemented. Having eyes on our students is a huge priority for us. We strategically schedule our staff so that our play yards, lunch areas, and pick-up zones are actively supervised before school, during recesses, and at dismissal.
R1b
The Grand Jury recommends that school boards have sufficient cameras in order to monitor where students congregate before, during, and after school.
Response: Unknown
Score: 0
Partially implemented. While Ballard School does have outdoor security cameras that record around campus, their primary purpose is to protect our property from vandalism during evenings and weekends-which, fortunately, has rarely been an issue. We do not spend our time,
energy, or budget actively video-monitoring our students during the day. Because we maintain an exceptionally low student-to-staff ratio on the yard, we rely entirely on direct, personal human supervision while kids are playing. We firmly believe that having attentive, caring staff members interacts with our 4-to-12-year-old s...
R1c
The Grand Jury recommends that school boards add more counselors to achieve a ratio no greater than 250:1.
Response: Implemented
Score: 0
Has been implemented. We strongly believe in supporting our students' mental health. With an enrollment of only 104 students, our student-to-support ratio is far better than the recommended 250:1 baseline, giving our kids immediate access to social-emotional help.
F2
Administrators do not consistently inform school counselors when students under their guidance engage in bullying.
Response: Disagree
Score: -1
Disagree. This statement is completely incorrect when it comes to Ballard School. In a small school of 104 students, our administrator, teachers, and support staff talk constantly throughout the day. If a student conflict pops up, everyone involved is notified immediately so we can help the kids right away.
R2
The Grand Jury recommends that school boards inform school counselors whenever any students under their guidance engage in bullying.
Response: Implemented
Score: 0
Has been implemented. This team communication is standard practice at our school. The superintendent/principal and teachers work hand-in-hand on any student behavior concerns to ensure we are giving immediate, consistent guidance to the children.
F3
Parent participation in outreach programs for bullying has been poor.
Response: Disagree Partially
Score: 0
Disagree partially. While we understand that long commutes and busy work hours make it hard for families across the county to attend standalone night meetings, characterizing parent turn-out as completely "poor" doesn't match our experience at Ballard. Our parents are incredibly supportive and show up in large numbers when we mix informational sessions into our regular school events, open houses, and student performances. Responses to Recommendations
R3a
The Grand Jury recommends that school boards direct school administrators to schedule parent outreach programs regarding bullying on evenings, weekends, online and with archived recordings to accommodate working parents.
Response: Implemented
Score: 0
Has been implemented. To respect our families' busy work routines, we coordinate our parent informational workshops in the evenings and make sure our school's digital updates provide easy-to-access resources for parents at home.
R3b
The Grand Jury recommends that school boards implement non-monetary incentives to encourage parents to attend outreach programs.
Response: Implemented
Score: 0
Has been implemented. We find the best incentive for our families is community and connection. By pairing our parent outreach with high-interest events like student showcases, family nights, or school performances, we enjoy excellent parent engagement.
R3c
The Grand Jury recommends that school boards strongly encourage parents of students who have engaged in repeated acts of bullying to attend outreach programs.
Response: Implemented
Score: 0
Has been implemented. In our small elementary setting, if a student has an ongoing behavior issue, we immediately call for a parent conference. We work closely with the family as direct partners to implement behavioral plans and support strategies at home and at school. The Ballard School District will always advocate for practical, age-appropriate solutions that protect both the physical and emotional safety of our young learners. We continue to stress that a rigid, one-size-fits-all plan doesn't work for a tiny elementary campus, and our local school board will continue to prioritize our bud...
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Blochman Union Elementary School District
8 pages
• 10 responses
•
Score: +3
(+3, 7, 0)
View Details ▾
10 responses to findings and recommendations
F1
Bullying in County schools will be reduced by implementing additional safety measures.
Response: Agree
Score: +1
Agree Blochman Union School Districtagreesthatthoughtful,evidence-based safety measurescan reduce opportunitiesfor bullying and contributeto a saferschool climate.The District believesthe most effective safety measures combineactive adultsupervision, positive relationships, timely intervention, and clearlycommunicated behavioral expectations. As a single-school TK-8 districtserving fewerthan 250students, Blochman isableto provide consistent adultvisibilitythroughouttheschoo! day.Teachers, classified staff, administration, and the School Psychologist routinelysupervise classrooms, common areas,...
R1a
The Grand Jury recommends that school boards increase staff presence in areas where students congregate before, during breaks, and after school.
Response: Implemented
Score: 0
Has Been Implemented Blochman Union School District has implementedthis recommendation through its relationship-centered StudentSupport Model. Staffmembers are assigned supervision responsibilities before school, during recess and lunch, and atdismissal. Administrators, teachers, classified staff, and the School Psychologist maintain a visible presence in common areasto promote positive interactions, identifyconcerns early, and intervene promptlywhen needed. Given the District'ssingle-campus TK-8structure and enrollmentoffewerthan 250 students, supervision is highlycoordinated and allowsadults...
R1b
The Grand Jury recommends that school boards have sufficient cameras in order to monitor where students congregate before, during, and after school.
Response: Implemented
Score: 0
Has Been Implemented The Districtsupportstheappropriate use ofsecurity cameras asone component ofa comprehensive school safety program. Existing cameras are strategicallyplaced to assistwith monitoring campus activity, investigatingincidents, and supportingstudentsafety. Blochman believes thattechnologycomplements butdoes not replace-active adult supervision. Consistentwith the Blochman Student Support Model, the District prioritizesvisible adult presence, relationship building, and timely intervention while periodicallyevaluatingcampussafety needs and equipment.
R1c
The Grand Jury recommends that school boards add more counselors to achieve a ratio no greater than 250:1.
Response: Implemented
Score: 0
Has Been Implemented Although the Districtdoes not employa credentialed school counselor, Blochman has implemented an integrated studentsupport model that provides students with timelyaccessto behavioral, social-emotional, and mental health support. With fewerthan 250enrolled students, concernsare addressed through close collaborationamongthe
Principal, the credentialed School Psychologist, teachers, and othereducational staff. The School Psychologist maintains a regular presence oncampus, conductsstudent check-ins, consultswith staff and families, participates in MTSS and SST processes, and ...
F2
Administrators do not consistently inform school counselors when students under their guidance engage in bullying.
Response: Disagree Partially
Score: 0
Disagree Partially Blochman Union School Districtagrees thatcommunication among professionals supporting students is essential whenever bullyingorsignificant behavioral concerns occur. However, the District's student support structure differsfrom largerdistricts referenced inthe report. Although the District does not employ acredentialed schoolcounselor, administrators routinely collaborate with the credentialed School Psychologist regardingstudent behavioral, social-emotional, and mental health concerns asappropriate. Teachers and otherstaffsimilarlycommunicate concerns through established MT...
R2
The Grand Jury recommends that school boards inform school counselors whenever any students under their guidance engage in bullying.
Response: Implemented
Score: 0
Has Been Implemented Consistentwiththe District's organizational structure, administrators routinelycommunicate with the credentialed School Psychologist regarding bullyingand significant behavioral concernswhenever Student support iswarranted. Staffmemberscollaboratethrough administrativemeetings, MTSS, SST processes, parent conferences, and ongoing consultation. BecauseofBlochman's size, communication amongstaffis often immediate, allowingconcernsto move quicklyfrom identificationto coordinated intervention while maintaining appropriateconfidentiality. This collaborative practice reflectsthe...
F3
Parent participation in outreach programs for bullying has been poor.
Response: Disagree Partially
Score: 0
Agree Partially Blochman Union School District recognizesthat meaningful familyengagement isessential to successful bullying prevention and intervention. Like manydistricts, parent participation can varydepending on workschedules, transportation, childcare responsibilities, language needs, and otherfactors. The District remains committedtostrengtheningfamily partnershipsthrough flexible communication, regularoutreach, conferences, school events, and opportunitiesfor parenteducation. Blochman will continue exploring practical methodsforincreasingaccessibilityand participation while recognizingt...
R3a
The Grand Jury recommends that school boards direct school administrators to schedule parent outreach programs regarding bullying on evenings, weekends, online and with archived recordings to accommodate working parents.
Response: Will Implement
Score: +1
Will Be Implemented Blochman Union School District agreesthatprovidingflexibleopportunitiesforfamilyengagement increasesaccessibilityand strengthens school-home partnerships. The Districtwill continueto offer parent outreachthrough a varietyofformats, includingevening meetingswhen appropriate,virtual options, electronic communications, and othermethodsthat accommodatefamily schedules and available resources. Implementation Schedule:The District will continueexpandingflexible parentoutreach opportunities duringthe 2026-2027 school yearand will review participation to identifyadditional improvem...
R3b
The Grand Jury recommends that school boards implement non-monetary incentives to encourage parents to attend outreach programs.
Response: Will Implement
Score: +1
Will Be Implemented The District recognizesthatmeaningful parent participation isinfluenced byconvenience, relevance, and accessibility. Blochman will continue exploring practical, non-monetarystrategiesto encourage participation, including childcarewhen feasible, recognition ofparticipation, flexible scheduling, virtual attendance opportunities, translated materials,and topicsthatrespond to parent interests and student needs. Implementation Schedule:These practiceswill continueto be incorporated into parentoutreach efforts throughoutthe 2026-2027school year.
R3c
The Grand Jury recommends that school boards strongly encourage parents of students who have engaged in repeated acts of bullying to attend outreach programs.
Response: Implemented
Score: 0
Has Been Implemented Blochman Union Schoo! District believesthatfamilyengagement isessential when addressing repeated behaviora! concerns. Administrators, teachers, andthe School Psychologist routinelycommunicatewith parents and guardianstodevelop collaborativestrategiesthatsupport positivestudent behavior and improveschool success. When patterns ofbullying orothersignificant behavioral concernsare identified, families are encouraged to participate in meetings, problem-solving discussions, and available educational opportunities.The District's emphasis remains on partnership, earlyintervention...
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Carpinteria Unified School District
3 pages
• 1 response
•
Score: 0
(+0, 1, 0)
View Details ▾
1 response to findings and recommendations
R1b
The Grand Jury recommends that school boards have sufficient cameras in order to monitor where students congregate before, during, and after school.
Response: Implemented
Score: 0
: The Grand Jury recommends that school boards have sufficient cameras in order to monitor where students congregate before, during, and after school. To be implemented by June 30, 2027. Has been implemented. CUSD confirms that there are cameras in and throughout all school campuses except private spaces such as the bathrooms. We conduct an annual security review which includes the assessment of the number and placement of video cameras at each school site. For 26-27, we are installing additional cameras at each school site.
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Cold Spring School District
June 12, 2026
•
8 pages
• 10 responses
•
Score: -1
(+1, 7, -2)
View Details ▾
10 responses to findings and recommendations
F1
Bullying in County schools will be reduced by implementing additional safety measures.
Response: Agree
Score: +1
Agree The Cold Spring School District agrees that appropriate, developmentally responsive safety measures can reduce bullying and improve school climate. The District further believes that effective bullying prevention requires a comprehensive approach that includes visible adult supervision, controlled campus access, camera systems, strong student-adult relationships, clear behavioral expectations, social-emotional learning, parent communication, staff training, timely intervention, and ongoing review of campus safety procedures. At Cold Spring, the small size of the school, the District's st...
R1a
The Grand Jury recommends that school boards increase staff presence in areas where students congregate before, during breaks, and after school.
Response: Implemented
Score: 0
Has been implemented. Cold Spring School District currently maintains staff presence in student gathering areas before school, during recess and lunch, during passing periods and transitions, and after school. As a small single-school district, Cold Spring is able to deploy certificated staff, classified staff, instructional assistants, and administration to supervise students in common areas, playground areas, arrival areas, dismissal areas, and other areas where students gather. The Superintendent/Principal is highly visible on campus and works directly with teachers, staff, students, and fa...
R1b
The Grand Jury recommends that school boards have sufficient cameras in order to monitor where students congregate before, during, and after school.
Response: Implemented
Score: 0
Has been implemented. Cold Spring School District has implemented a campus camera and controlled-access entry system to support student safety and campus security. During school hours, Cold Spring maintains a locked campus. Visitors are not able to enter the campus without first ringing the front gate entry system, where office staff are able to see and communicate with them before granting access. The District also maintains cameras at the front entry area, in the back of campus, and around the perimeter of the school. These systems support the District's ability to monitor campus access poin...
R1c
The Grand Jury recommends that school boards add more counselors to achieve a ratio no greater than 250:1.
Response: Implemented
Score: 0
Has been implemented. Cold Spring School District's enrollment is below 250 students. Cold Spring does not employ school counselors; instead, the District maintains student support services through its school psychologist, Superintendent/Principal, classroom teachers, intervention staff, special education team, and other appropriate support personnel. As a small elementary school district, Cold Spring is able to identify student needs quickly and provide individualized support through close collaboration among the Superintendent/Principal, teachers, parents/guardians, and student support perso...
F2
Administrators do not consistently inform school counselors when students under their guidance engage in bullying.
Response: Disagree
Score: -1
Disagree as to Cold Spring School District; agree that appropriate student support personnel should be informed when student concerns arise. Cold Spring School District does not employ school counselors. As a small single-school elementary district, Cold Spring provides student support through its school psychologist, Superintendent/Principal, classroom teachers, special education team, intervention staff, and other appropriate support personnel. The District agrees that when students are struggling with behavior, peer relationships, friendship challenges, bullying, or alleged bullying, approp...
R2
The Grand Jury recommends that school boards inform school counselors whenever any students under their guidance engage in bullying.
Response: Implemented
Score: 0
Has been implemented. Cold Spring School District does not have school counselors; however, the intent of this recommendation has been implemented through the District's use of its school psychologist and other appropriate student support personnel. When student behavior, friendship concerns, peer conflict, bullying, or alleged bullying concerns arise, Cold Spring involves the school psychologist and other appropriate staff as needed based on the nature of the concern, the needs of the students involved, and applicable confidentiality requirements. This may include the Superintendent/Principal...
F3
Parent participation in outreach programs for bullying has been poor.
Response: Disagree
Score: -1
Disagree Cold Spring School District agrees that parent engagement is essential to preventing and responding to bullying, and the District recognizes that school districts must make outreach accessible to working families. However, the District does not agree that this finding reflects parent engagement at Cold Spring. Cold Spring has a highly engaged parent community, strong communication systems, and multiple opportunities for families to participate in school life. ParentSquare, classroom communication, schoolwide events, monthly Principal's Coffees, parent meetings, the LCAP Advisory Commi...
R3a
The Grand Jury recommends that school boards direct school administrators to schedule parent outreach programs regarding bullying on evenings, weekends, online and with archived recordings to accommodate working parents.
Response: Implemented
Score: 0
Has been implemented. Cold Spring School District provides parent outreach and support in flexible and accessible formats designed to accommodate working families. Through the Cook Center for Human Connection and ParentGuidance.org, Cold Spring families have access to online mental health resources, parent coaching, webinars, and on-demand resources that may be accessed outside of the traditional school day, including evenings, weekends, and school breaks. The ParentGuidance.org Mental Health Series includes webinars and resources on topics such as anxiety, social media, emotional regulation, ...
R3b
The Grand Jury recommends that school boards implement non-monetary incentives to encourage parents to attend outreach programs.
Response: Implemented
Score: 0
Has been implemented. Cold Spring School District has implemented non-monetary supports and incentives to encourage parent participation in outreach, education, and student well-being resources. The District partners with the Cook Center for Human Connection through ParentGuidance.org, which provides Cold Spring parents and guardians with free access to online parent coaching, mental health resources, on-demand videos, courses, webinars, and practical support on a wide range of topics related to student well-being, behavior, anxiety, emotional regulation, bullying, family communication, and sc...
R3c
The Grand Jury recommends that school boards strongly encourage parents of students who have engaged in repeated acts of bullying to attend outreach programs.
Response: Implemented
Score: 0
Has been implemented.
Cold Spring School District does not currently have an identified pattern or ongoing issue involving students engaging in repeated acts of bullying. As a small single-school elementary district, Cold Spring is able to respond quickly and directly when student social-emotional, behavioral, or peer-conflict concerns arise. The District works closely with students, parents/guardians, teachers, administration, and support staff to address concerns early and in a developmentally appropriate manner. Cold Spring School District has already implemented parent outreach and suppor...
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Goleta Union Elementary School District
September 03, 2026
•
4 pages
• 10 responses
•
Score: -1
(+2, 5, -3)
View Details ▾
10 responses to findings and recommendations
F1
Bullying in County schools will be reduced by implementing additional safety measures.
Response: Agree
Score: +1
Agree The Goleta Union School District agrees that appropriate, developmentally responsive safety measures can reduce bullying and improve school climate. Our Comprehensive School Safety Plans (CSSPs) are developed and revised annually to address the varied ways in which we support students' physical and emotional safety. We regularly review our processes for reporting and responding to bullying and are committed to adding additional safety measures when necessary.
Recommendation 1a
The Grand Jury recommends that school boards increase staffpresence in areas where students congregate before,...
R1a
The Grand Jury recommends that school boards increase staff presence in areas where students congregate before, during breaks, and after school.
Response: Implemented
Score: 0
Has been implemented 401 North FairviewAvenue « Goleta, CA 93117* (805) 681-1200
GUSD focuses our staff presence in areas where students congregate before school, during breaks, and after school.
Recommendation 1b
The Grand Jury recommends that school boards have sufficient cameras in order to monitorwhere students congregate before, during, and after school. To be implemented by June 30, 2027. GUSD
R1b
The Grand Jury recommends that school boards have sufficient cameras in order to monitor where students congregate before, during, and after school.
Response: Requires Analysis
Score: 0
Requires further analysis, with an analysis completion date offewer than 6 months after the issuance ofthe report. While GUSD does use cameras as one safety measure, we're currently evaluating whether our current cameras sufficiently cover the areas where students congregate at all GUSD schools.
Recommendation 1c
The Grand Jury recommends that school boards add more counselors to achieve a ratio no greater than 250:1. To be implemented by June 30, 2027. GUSD
R1c
The Grand Jury recommends that school boards add more counselors to achieve a ratio no greater than 250:1.
Response: Will Not Implement
Score: -1
It will not be implemented While GUSD agrees with the purpose behind this recommendation, we provide social emotional support differently through Our Multi-Tiered System of Supports including: maintaining small class sizes, employing full-time school psychologists for each school, utilizing school psychology interns as well as access to mental health clinicians through our Expanded Learning Program.
Finding 2
Administrators do not consistently inform school counselors when students under their guidance engage in bullying. GUSD
F2
Administrators do not consistently inform school counselors when students under their guidance engage in bullying.
Response: Disagree
Score: -1
Disagree While GUSD does not employ school counselors, we understand that in this context the term is being used more broadly to apply to staff providing social emotional support and or counseling to students. GUSD does utilize our school psychologists and other support staffto provide intervention and support to both perpetrators and victims of bullying. Administrators handle each case of reported bullying individually in orderto make decisions based on the evidence and provide appropriate support to involved students.
Recommendation 2
The Grand Jury recommends that school boards inform sch...
R2
The Grand Jury recommends that school boards inform school counselors whenever any students under their guidance engage in bullying.
Response: Implemented
Score: 0
Has been implemented 401 North FairviewAvenue * Goleta, CA 93117+ (805) 681-1200 2
GUSD has established procedures for referring students who have engaged in bullying to appropriate support providers. As mentioned above, GUSD does not employ school counselors but instead has full time school psychologists who receive referrals for student support related to bullying.
Finding 3
Parent participation in outreach programs for bullying has been poor. GUSD
F3
Parent participation in outreach programs for bullying has been poor.
Response: Disagree Partially
Score: 0
Disagree partially GUSD agrees that parent/guardian engagement is critical and that participation can be a challenge. However, GUSD has provided information to families regarding student behavior including bullying through various parent groups such as the DistrictAdvisory Committee.
Recommendation 3a
The Grand Jury recommends that schoo! boards direct school administrators to schedule parent outreach programs regarding bullying on evenings, weekends, online and with archived recordings to accommodate working parents. To be implemented by December 31, 2026. GUSD
R3a
The Grand Jury recommends that school boards direct school administrators to schedule parent outreach programs regarding bullying on evenings, weekends, online and with archived recordings to accommodate working parents.
Response: Will Not Implement
Score: -1
It will not be implemented GUSD respectfully disagrees with the recommendation to provide parent outreach programs regarding bullying during evenings and weekends, online and through archived recordings. While the District recognizes the importance of accessible information to families, we believe that bullying concerns are most effectively addressed through individualized support ratherthan general workshops. The District will continue to evaluate effective ways to communicate with and support families, but does not believe that broad-based bullying workshops are the most effective approach t...
R3b
The Grand Jury recommends that school boards implement non-monetary incentives to encourage parents to attend outreach programs.
Response: Will Implement
Score: +1
Will be implemented GUSD is committed to removing barriers to parent/guardian involvement. The District will continue to use the information we have to determine which parent outreach topics are most needed by engaging with our families. We will continue to support families by providing support including but not limited to food, transportation, and child care at parent events when possible.
Recommendation 3c
The Grand Jury recommends that school boards strongly encourage parents of students who have engaged in repeated acts of bullying to attend outreach programs. To be implemented by Decemb...
R3c
The Grand Jury recommends that school boards strongly encourage parents of students who have engaged in repeated acts of bullying to attend outreach programs.
Response: Implemented
Score: 0
Has been implemented 401 North FairviewAvenue « Goleta, CA 93117« (805) 681-1200 3
GUSD agrees that parent/guardian support is critical when students are engaged in repeated acts of bullying. We will continue to referfamilies for support including to community partners such as LEAP and Youthwell. Creating positive school climates where students feel safe, connected, and supported is a responsibility shared by educators, families, students, and community partners. GUSD remains committed to supporting student wellness initiatives, family engagement efforts, professional learning opportunities, ...
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Montecito Union School District
3 pages
• 10 responses
•
Score: +1
(+1, 9, 0)
View Details ▾
10 responses to findings and recommendations
F1
Bullying in County schools will be reduced by implementing additional safety measures.
Response: Agree
Score: +1
MUSD Agrees. Bullying, aggressive student behavior, and violent student behavior can be reduced by implementing additional safety measures, including giving social-emotional supports, targeted therapies, and proactive measures to address the antecedents of this behavior.
R1a
The Grand Jury recommends that school boards increase staff presence in areas where students congregate before, during breaks, and after school.
Response: Implemented
Score: 0
MUSD has already implemented this recommendation. MUSD has long prioritized small class sizes and an excellent staff to student ratio. Currently, we have more than one staff member for every four students, allowing for excellent supervision, support, and intervention.
R1b
The Grand Jury recommends that school boards have sufficient cameras in order to monitor where students congregate before, during, and after school.
Response: Implemented
Score: 0
MUSD has already implemented this recommendation. MUSD has more than thirty cameras across our one-school district. Moreover, these cameras utilize artificial intelligence to support effective monitoring.
R1c
The Grand Jury recommends that school boards add more counselors to achieve a ratio no greater than 250:1.
Response: Implemented
Score: 0
MUSD has already implemented this recommendation. MUSD employs a 0.8 full-time equivalent counselor and a full-time psychologist for a student body of approximately 357 students.
F2
Administrators do not consistently inform school counselors when students under their guidance engage in bullying.
Response: Disagree Partially
Score: 0
MUSD Disagrees Partially. MUSD informs our counselor, psychologist, and other key personnel when students engage in bullying. We cannot speak to the actions across the county.
R2
The Grand Jury recommends that school boards inform school counselors whenever any students under their guidance engage in bullying.
Response: Implemented
Score: 0
MUSD has already implemented this recommendation. MUSD informs our counselor, psychologist, and other key personnel when students engage in bullying. Moreover, a plan is put in place to support these students and to ensure all students and staff members are safe.
F3
Parent participation in outreach programs for bullying has been poor.
Response: Disagree Partially
Score: 0
MUSD Disagrees Partially. MUSD's parents are actively involved and regularly attend many outreach programs and opportunities. Parents attend social-emotional workshops, participate in child study team meetings, participate actively in individual education plan meetings, attend Superintendent Coffees where student behavior is actively discussed, attend the Superintendent Report during Montecito Union School Foundation Meetings, attend Board Meetings where student behavior is discussed, and attend individual meetings with counselors, administrators, and teachers. We cannot speak to participation...
R3a
The Grand Jury recommends that school boards direct school administrators to schedule parent outreach programs regarding bullying on evenings, weekends, online and with archived recordings to accommodate working parents.
Response: Implemented
Score: 0
: The Grand Jury recommends that school boards direct school administrators to schedule parent outreach programs regarding bullying on evenings, weekends, online and with archived recordings to accommodate working parents. To be implemented by December 31, 2026. e¢ MUSD has already implemented this recommendation. MUSD has offered parenting workshops both immediately after drop off, in the evenings, and on the weekends. The video recording of these sessions would limit participation, by slide decks and packets of information are offered digitally. Moreover, we have produced several social-emot...
R3b
The Grand Jury recommends that school boards implement non-monetary incentives to encourage parents to attend outreach programs.
Response: Implemented
Score: 0
MUSD has already implemented this recommendation. MUSD drives parent participation by connecting our outreach efforts to highly-attended community events. For example, our Friday Flag Assemblies are highly attended by parents and guardians, and Superintendent Coffees (where social emotional learning, student behavior, and similar topics are presented) are held immediately following. We also incentivize attendance by offering experiences and take-aways for participants, such as when parents attended a recent workshop at our Nature Lab and were able to construct aromatherapy sachets to use at ho...
R3c
The Grand Jury recommends that school boards strongly encourage parents of students who have engaged in repeated acts of bullying to attend outreach programs.
Response: Implemented
Score: 0
MUSD has already implemented this recommendation. In our TK-6th grade one-school district, chronic or repeated behavioral disruption triggers mandatory administrative and counseling interventions. These interventions explicitly require direct parent or guardian participation, ensuring that families are brought in as active partners in targeted behavioral strategies, conflict-resolution resources, and direct support.
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Orcutt Union School District
July 24, 2026
•
7 pages
• 10 responses
•
Score: -1
(+1, 6, -2)
View Details ▾
10 responses to findings and recommendations
F1
Bullying in County schools will be reduced by implementing additional safety measures.
Response: Agree
Score: +1
Agree Orcutt agrees that additional safety measures can contribute to the reduction of school bullying. That said, additional safety measures must be evidence-based and thoughtfully planned and executed in order to have maximal effectiveness.
Finding 2
Administrators do not consistently inform school counselors when students under their guidance engage in bullying.
OUSD
R1a
The Grand Jury recommends that school boards increase staff presence in areas where students congregate before, during breaks, and after school.
Response: Implemented
Score: 0
Has Been Implemented Orcutt supports the intent of this recommendation and agrees that active, visible adult supervision is an important component of safe school environments. Orcutt works to ensure that staff are present to monitor student play areas, student eating areas, and drop-off/pick-up zones before, during, and after the school day. Orcutt also works to provide training for staff in active, watchful student supervision practices.
Recommendation 1b
The Grand Jury recommends that school boards have sufficient cameras in order to monitor where students congregate before, during, and af...
R1b
The Grand Jury recommends that school boards have sufficient cameras in order to monitor where students congregate before, during, and after school.
Response: Implemented
Score: 0
Has Been Implemented Orcutt has embraced campus cameras as another way to maintain safe learning environments. Cameras are a deterrent to misbehavior and provide evidence when misbehavior does occur. As of this date, we have a total of 220 cameras in place on our nine school sites. Our junior high schools and Orcutt Academy High School each have more than 30 cameras.
Recommendation 1c
The Grand Jury recommends that school boards add more counselors to achieve a ratio no greater than 250:1. OUSD
R1c
The Grand Jury recommends that school boards add more counselors to achieve a ratio no greater than 250:1.
Response: Will Not Implement
Score: -1
Will Not Be Implemented Orcutt recognizes the immense value of counseling and mental health support but does not have the financial resources to accomplish a student-to-counselor ratio of 250:1. It should be noted that our district has utilized its resources - particularly Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) funding - to implement a comprehensive plan for addressing student behaviors. These resources have funded additional elementary counselors, additional psychologists, Board Certified Behavior Analysts, and additional vice-principals. We are seeing results from this plan, and we do ...
F2
Administrators do not consistently inform school counselors when students under their guidance engage in bullying.
Response: Disagree
Score: -1
Disagree Our school administrators and counselors work as a team in addressing bullying, mistreatment, and other misbehavior. When incidents occur on campus, they strategize about how best to respond and what steps need to be taken to prevent a future incident. An important perspective on student behavior for both administrators and counselors is provided by the district's Securly system, which does real-time scanning of students' online activity, searches, posts, etc. for self-harm, depression, violence, threats, and bullying. If Securly notices a concerning search or post, it immediately sen...
R2
The Grand Jury recommends that school boards inform school counselors whenever any students under their guidance engage in bullying.
Response: Unknown
Score: 0
• Student supervision, surveillance, and reporting. We have worked to provide active, watchful staff supervision on campus during school and during busy drop-off and pickup times before and after school. We have put in place over 200 campus cameras districtwide as both a deterrent and a monitoring system. We have a Securly system for monitoring student online activity for cyberbullying, bullying, and threats. We also have a "See Something, Say Something" system whereby students and parents can report bullying.
• Behavioral support. Our district has funded additional elementary counselors, add...
F3
Parent participation in outreach programs for bullying has been poor.
Response: Disagree Partially
Score: 0
Disagree Partially Parent participation in parent education and outreach programs is irregular. Some parent education topics draw strong interest while others do not. In the past two school years Orcutt has hosted California Highway Patrol Officer Maria Barriga for a virtual parent education session on online safety (with cyberbullying addressed) and human trafficking. Both sessions have drawn considerable interest, and we plan to reprise the topic in 2026-2027.
Responses to Recommendations
Recommendation 1a
The Grand Jury recommends that school boards increase staff presence in areas where...
R3a
The Grand Jury recommends that school boards direct school administrators to schedule parent outreach programs regarding bullying on evenings, weekends, online and with archived recordings to accommodate working parents.
Response: Implemented
Score: 0
Has Been Implemented Our district consistently has worked to schedule parent education and outreach programs on evenings and often online for the convenience of parents. Orcutt is developing a Parent University page on its website (https://www.orcuttschools.net/university) that will include an array of parent resources, including video tutorials and recordings of parent education events. Our first focus for the page has been videos on school readiness for the parents/guardians of our youngest students: transitional kindergartners and kindergartners. We also have made our parents aware of the i...
R3b
The Grand Jury recommends that school boards implement non-monetary incentives to encourage parents to attend outreach programs.
Response: Implemented
Score: 0
Has Been Implemented In our experience we have found that providing meals and childcare can be powerful incentives for parents to attend in-person parent education and outreach programs. We also have found that virtual sessions enable parents to participate from the comfort and convenience of their own home. Both are very effective at enticing parent attendance.
Recommendation 3c
The Grand Jury recommends that school boards strongly encourage parents of students who have engaged in repeated acts of bullying to attend outreach programs. OUSD
R3c
The Grand Jury recommends that school boards strongly encourage parents of students who have engaged in repeated acts of bullying to attend outreach programs.
Response: Implemented
Score: 0
Has Been Implemented Orcutt agrees that family engagement is important in addressing repeated bullying behavior and supporting student well-being. Families are encouraged to participate in all support and outreach programs, including those put on by community organizations such as Fighting Back Santa Maria Valley and YouthWell. Respectfully submitted, Melanie Waffle President, Board of Trustees Orcutt Union School District Holly Edds, Ed.D. Superintendent Orcutt Union School District
▶
Santa Barbara County Superintendent of Schools
• 10 responses
•
Score: 0
(+1, 8, -1)
View Details ▾
10 responses to findings and recommendations
F1
Bullying in County schools will be reduced by implementing additional safety measures.
Response: Agree
Score: +1
Agree SBCEO agrees that additional safety measures, when paired with prevention, student support services, and positive school climate efforts, can help reduce bullying and improve student wellbeing.
Recommendation 1a
The Grand Jury recommends that school boards increase staff presence in areas where students congregate before, during breaks, and after school. SBCEO
R1a
The Grand Jury recommends that school boards increase staff presence in areas where students congregate before, during breaks, and after school.
Response: Implemented
Score: 0
Has been implemented SBCEO supports the intent ofthis recommendation and agrees that appropriate adult supervision is an important component ofsafe school environments. At SBCEO, each Juvenile Court and Community School classroom is staffed with a credentialed teacher and a teaching assistant. In addition, every Court School classroom is assigned a Juvenile Institution Officer (JIO) provided by the Santa Barbara County Probation Department. Probation staff also supervise all Court School breaks. At FitzGerald Community School, where there is one point of entrance and exit, a security guard tra...
R1b
The Grand Jury recommends that school boards have sufficient cameras in order to monitor where students congregate before, during, and after school.
Response: Implemented
Score: 0
Has been implemented SBCEO supports the goal of maintaining safe learning environments and recognizes that security infrastructure may be one tool available to schools as part ofa broader student safety strategy. SBCEO confirms there are cameras in and throughout all Juvenile Court and Community School facilities, including in classrooms and other gathering areas. Private spaces, such as bathrooms, are exempt and do not have cameras installed.
Recommendation 1c
The Grand Jury recommends that school boards add more counselors to achieve a ratio no greaterthan 250:1. SBCEO
R1c
The Grand Jury recommends that school boards add more counselors to achieve a ratio no greater than 250:1.
Response: Implemented
Score: 0
Has been implemented SBCEO agrees that access to counseling, mental health, and student support services is important to student well-being and positive school climate. Each Juvenile Court School and Community School site serves fewer than 50 students and is staffed with a Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) counselor. In addition, the Santa Barbara County Department of Behavioral Wellness provides a Licensed Marriage and FamilyTherapist (LMFT) to deliver treatment and support services to Court School students. The Community School has partnered with the Family Service Agencyto provide an associate...
F2
Administrators do not consistently inform school counselors when students under their guidance engage in bullying.
Response: Disagree
Score: -1
Disagree SBCEO agrees that effective communication among administrators, counselors, educators, and student support personnel is an important component ofaddressing student behavioral concerns and supporting student well-being. Through staff meetings, the work ofan Intervention Team, and other important mechanisms, communication about student concerns and incidents are monitored and shared consistentlyto any and all parties who may need to know (including counselors) at SBCEO's Juvenile Court and Community Schools.
Grand Jury Members Page 5
Recommendation 2
The Grand Jury recommends that sc...
R2
The Grand Jury recommends that school boards inform school counselors whenever any students under their guidance engage in bullying.
Response: Implemented
Score: 0
Has been implemented SBCEO supports the intent ofthis recommendation and recognizes the important role that coordinated communication plays in supporting students and addressing bullying concerns. At the Community School, an Intervention Team consisting ofcounselors, therapists, and school administrators meets weeklyto discuss student behavioral, social-emotional, and academic needs, including concerns related to bullying. Individual student matters are also a standing agenda item at weekly staff meetings, allowing all staffto raise concerns and receive support in addressing them. At the Court...
F3
Parent participation in outreach programs for bullying has been poor.
Response: Disagree Partially
Score: 0
Disagree partially SBCEO agrees that family engagement is a critical component ofstudent success and that many schools and districts face challenges in increasing participation in outreach programs. Before the 2023-24 school year, parent information nights at JCCS were hosted twice a year (once per semester) and have since been increased to a monthly meeting schedule, with interpretation in Spanish and Mixteco, family childcare, and free meals.
Recommendation 3a
The Grand Jury recommends that school boards direct school administrators to schedule parent outreach programs regarding bullying o...
R3a
The Grand Jury recommends that school boards direct school administrators to schedule parent outreach programs regarding bullying on evenings, weekends, online and with archived recordings to accommodate working parents.
Response: Implemented
Score: 0
Has been implemented SBCEO supports the intent of making family engagement opportunities more accessible to parents and guardians.
Grand Jury Members Page 6 The Juvenile Court and Community Schools staffwork hard to bring parents and guardians in as partners in preventing and addressing bullying. JCCS hosts in-person monthly parent workshops and information nights (aftertypical working hours) on topics such as bullying.
Recommendation 3b
The Grand Jury recommends that school boards implement non-monetary incentives to encourage parents to attend outreach programs. SBCEO
R3b
The Grand Jury recommends that school boards implement non-monetary incentives to encourage parents to attend outreach programs.
Response: Implemented
Score: 0
Has been implemented SBCEO supports the intent of reducing barriers to family participation and encouraging meaningful engagement between schools and families. At the Juvenile Court and Community Schools parent information nights, number of rsa supports are provided to reduce barriers to family participation, including providing Spanish and Mixteco interpretation, childcare for those with young children, and a meal for every participant and each participating family.
Recommendation 3c
The Grand Jury recommends that school boards strongly encourage parents ofstudents who have engaged in repea...
R3c
The Grand Jury recommends that school boards strongly encourage parents of students who have engaged in repeated acts of bullying to attend outreach programs.
Response: Implemented
Score: 0
Has been implemented SBCEO agrees that family engagement is important in addressing repeated bullying behavior and supporting student well-being. Families are encouraged to participate in all support and outreach programs. Creating positive school climates where students feel safe, connected, and supported is a responsibility shared by educators, families, students, and community partners. SBCEO remains committed to supporting student wellness initiatives, family engagement efforts, professional learning opportunities, and countywide collaboration aimed at ensuring that all students have acces...
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Santa Barbara Unified School District
4 pages
• 9 responses
•
Score: 0
(+1, 7, -1)
View Details ▾
9 responses to findings and recommendations
F1
Bullying in County schools will be reduced by implementing additional safety measures.
Response: Agree
Score: +1
Agree.
R1a
The Grand Jury recommends that school boards increase staff presence in areas where students congregate before, during breaks, and after school.
Response: Implemented
Score: 0
Has been implemented. Each ofour sites assigns supervision staffto areas where students congregate before school, during breaks, and after school, using site-specific maps of common areas that identify high-need supervision points. Supervision extends to areas immediately outside campus during the 15 to 20 minutes before school and the comparable dismissal window, so that students are supported during transitions to and from school. Site leadership adjusts supervision assignments as needs change. Our Safe2SpeakUp anonymous reporting app complements this supervision by allowing students and sta...
R1b
The Grand Jury recommends that school boards have sufficient cameras in order to monitor where students congregate before, during, and after school.
Response: Implemented
Score: 0
Has been implemented. Each of our sites operates a Verkada camera system sized to campus needs, ranging from 1-5 cameras at elementary schools, 7-13 cameras at junior high schools, and 32-40 cameras at high schools. Coverage includes primary areas where students gather, including quads, gathering areas on campus, and school perimeters at the junior high and high school levels. Site administrators identify additional coverage needs and work with the District office to fund and install additional cameras as needed.
R1c
The Grand Jury recommends that school boards add more counselors to achieve a ratio no greater than 250:1.
Response: Will Not Implement
Score: -1
Will not be implemented, with an explanation. We will not implement this recommendation. Our current student-to-counselor ratios are 275: 1 at the junior high school level, 329:1 at the high school level, and 297:1 on average across the District. The 250: 1 ratio the Grand Jury cites is a benchmark advocated by the American School CounselorAssociation, a professional advocacy body, and is not a statutory or regulatory requirement in California. We support students' mental health and belonging through a service model broader than school counselors alone. Our RISE clinicians provide mental healt...
F2
Administrators do not consistently inform school counselors when students under their guidance engage in bullying.
Response: Disagree Partially
Score: 0
Disagree partially with an explanation. The finding's framing assumes school counselors are available at every grade level. As noted in our introduction, our elementary schools do not staff traditional school counselors; Family Engagement Liaisons, mental health clinicians, and site administrators handle bullying response at TK-6. At the junior high and high school levels, we do have counselors, though notification practices vary by site and and we continue to work toward documented consistency across all campuses.
F3
Parent participation in outreach programs for bullying has been poor.
Response: Disagree Partially
Score: 0
Disagree partially with an explanation. We cannot speak to conditions at other County schools. As applied to us, participation across our parent outreach programs (AHA!, Daybreak, ELAC, SEAC, and La Cuesta parenting classes) varies by program and site. Some programs, such as Daybreak's on-demand recordings, are difficult to measure by traditional attendance metrics because parents access content asynchronously. Our responses to Recommendations 3a, 3b, and 3c describe how we support and encourage parent participation.
R3a
The Grand Jury recommends that school boards direct school administrators to schedule parent outreach programs regarding bullying on evenings, weekends, online and with archived recordings to accommodate working parents.
Response: Implemented
Score: 0
Has been implemented. We offer parent outreach on bullying and related topics through multiple channels. AHA! provides parenting classes and student classes focused on
preventing bullying, delivered on campus and off site. Our English LearnerAdvisory Committee (ELAC) and Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) present to parents on related topics. Daybreak provides online mental health programming accessible on parents' own schedule, with archived recordings available for later access. La Cuesta has opened its parenting classes to the District as a whole.
R3b
The Grand Jury recommends that school boards implement non-monetary incentives to encourage parents to attend outreach programs.
Response: Implemented
Score: 0
Has been implemented. Our schools offer non-monetary incentives to encourage parent attendance at outreach programs, including District swag distributed at parent events. Parent meetings at the District level and at several school sites include on-site childcare, which reduces a common barrier to working parents' attendance.
R3c
The Grand Jury recommends that school boards strongly encourage parents of students who have engaged in repeated acts of bullying to attend outreach programs.
Response: Implemented
Score: 0
Has been implemented. At ourjunior high schools, deans in charge ofclimate and culture, together with mental health clinicians, engage the families of students involved in repeated bullying incidents and connect them to outreach Programming. At our high schools, counselors, mental health clinicians, and wellness club programming provide the same function. Atthe elementary level, Family Engagement Liaisons perform related outreach. The District also has community partnerships that Support school climate work through 1:1 and small group interventions on a referral basis. We do not currently cond...
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Santa Maria-Bonita School District
September 08, 2026
•
5 pages
• 10 responses
•
Score: -1
(+1, 6, -2)
View Details ▾
10 responses to findings and recommendations
F1
Bullying in County schools will be reduced by implementing additional safety measures.
Response: Agree
Score: +1
Agree The Santa Maria-Bonita School District agrees that additional safety measures, when paired with prevention strategies, student support services, and a positive school climate, can help reduce bullying and improve student well-being.
Recommendation 1a
The Grand Jury recommends that school boards increase staff presence in areas where students congregate before, during breaks, and after school. Santa Maria-Bonita School District
R1a
The Grand Jury recommends that school boards increase staff presence in areas where students congregate before, during breaks, and after school.
Response: Implemented
Score: 0
Has been implemented. Positive adult presence is an important part of providing a safe school environment for all students. SMBSD employs Student Supervision Aides (SSA) and additional security personnel at Junior High Schools to provide student supervision during the school day. Supervision is provided for 15 minutes before school until 15 minutes after school. SMBSD continues to recruit and hire additional supervision staff to fill vacant positions.
Recommendation 1b
The Grand Jury recommends that school boards have sufficient cameras in order to monitor where students congregate before, d...
R1b
The Grand Jury recommends that school boards have sufficient cameras in order to monitor where students congregate before, during, and after school.
Response: Unknown
Score: 0
Requires further analysi s. Cameras provide one layer of support for overall campus safety, including as a tool to support investigations of incidents that occur on campus. They are one part of the SMBSD Comprehensive Safe Schools Plan, and do not replace positive adult supervision, positive relationships with students, and reporting systems that help proactively reduce conflicts. SMBSD has cameras at 4 Junior High School Sites and 6 Elementary Schools and continues to investigate funding and feasibility for additional cameras at all school sites.
Recommendation 1c
The Grand Jury recommends ...
R1c
The Grand Jury recommends that school boards add more counselors to achieve a ratio no greater than 250:1.
Response: Will Not Implement
Score: -1
Will not be implemented.
The recommendation will not be implemented as stated because achieving a districtwide counselor-to-student ratio of no greater than 250:1 is not currently reasonable given the significant ongoing personnel costs, availability of credentialed school counselors, and the District's existing multidisciplinary student-support model. SMBSD currently employs one counselor at each elementary school, three counselors at each junior high school, and two counselors at Jiménez School. These services are supplemented by school psychologists, mental-health professionals, wellness c...
F2
Administrators do not consistently inform school counselors when students under their guidance engage in bullying.
Response: Disagree Partially
Score: 0
Disagree partially School Administrators and School Counselors consistently work closely together to align resources and support for students across all campuses within SMBSD. School Counselors are often the first individuals to identify students' social or emotional needs and to provide direct support for students. This includes support for all parties involved when it comes to negative peer interactions and student conflicts. In addition to communication between school administrators and counselors, SMBSD has established school-based teams responsible for Coordination of Services (COST) and ...
R2
The Grand Jury recommends that school boards inform school counselors whenever any students under their guidance engage in bullying.
Response: Will Not Implement
Score: -1
Will not be implemented The Board of Education establishes policy and delegates implementation of student-support procedures to the Superintendent and school administrators. Within SMBSD, administrators and counselors regularly coordinate services for students involved in substantiated bullying incidents through site-level student-support structures, including Coordination of Services Teams and Culture and Climate Teams. The District will review its written procedures to ensure that expectations for counselor notification and involvement are clear and consistently implemented, subject to appli...
F3
Parent participation in outreach programs for bullying has been poor.
Response: Disagree Partially
Score: 0
Disagree partially
SMBSD is committed to fostering meaningful partnerships with families and the community to support the success and well-being of every student. In alignment with our mission statement's whole-child approach, we are dedicated to ensuring that every student flourishes by addressing their academic, social, and emotional needs. Our Family Engagement plans focus on: ● Building the capacity of parents to support their children's academic efforts. ● Promoting parent leadership within the school and stakeholder community. ● Monitoring progress toward preparing students for success....
R3a
The Grand Jury recommends that school boards direct school administrators to schedule parent outreach programs regarding bullying on evenings, weekends, online and with archived recordings to accommodate working parents.
Response: Implemented
Score: 0
Has been implemented. SMBSD encourages family engagement in school and district programs. SMBSD's Family Engagement team plans and coordinates districtwide outreach and engagement throughout the community in a variety of ways, including in-person and online parent training, Parent Advisory Committees, regular booths at community events such as Downtown Fridays, and maintains a weekly radio program. The variety of formats and times seeks to engage the greatest number of parents throughout our school community.
Recommendation 3b
The Grand Jury recommends that school boards implement non-moneta...
R3b
The Grand Jury recommends that school boards implement non-monetary incentives to encourage parents to attend outreach programs.
Response: Implemented
Score: 0
Has been implemented SMBSD continues to work towards the goal of reducing barriers to family participation and encouraging meaningful engagement between schools and families. Schools encourage participation through parent conferences, parent-teacher organizations, family nights, safety presentations, school events, electronic communication, direct contact from school personnel, and language support when appropriate. SMBSD provides a variety of ways for parents to be involved in districtwide Parent Advisory Committees (PAC) SMBSD believes family engagement is most effective when schools retain ...
R3c
The Grand Jury recommends that school boards strongly encourage parents of students who have engaged in repeated acts of bullying to attend outreach programs.
Response: Implemented
Score: 0
Has been implemented SMBSD has existing systems of support in place that encourage parent participation in their child's education, as well as engage in district and community programs that support healthy children and parenting. Assistant Principals and School Counselors serve as direct connectors for parents to a variety of school- and community-based programs, in particular when their child is engaging in behaviors that negatively impact others. Parents are encouraged to attend or participate based upon the specific needs of their children and family. Examples of these include youth diversi...
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Santa Maria Joint Union High School District
August 04, 2026
•
10 pages
• 8 responses
•
Score: -1
(+1, 5, -2)
View Details ▾
8 responses to findings and recommendations
F1
Bullying in County schools will be reduced by implementing additional safety measures.
Response: Agree
Score: +1
Agree. The District agrees that appropriate safety measures can help reduce bullying when they are implemented as part ofa broader, coordinated system. Physical security, supervision, and technology are important, but they are most effective when combined with prevention, positive school climate, student connectedness, accessible reporting, prompt intervention, counseling and behavioral health supports, family engagement, and follow-up. SMJUHSD therefore approaches student safety through a layered system of prevention, intervention, accountability, and studentsupport. TheDistrictcontinually ev...
R1b
The Grand Jury recommends that school boards have sufficient cameras in order to monitor where students congregate before, during, and after school.
Response: Implemented
Score: 0
Has been implemented. TheDistrictmaintains extensivevideo security systems atitshighschoolcampuses, includinghundreds ofcamerasthat supportcampus awareness, incidentresponse, investigations, andthereviewof reported concerns in common areas, access points, walkways, exterior areas, and otherlocations where students congregate. The District continually reviews and updates camera needs as facilities, technology, and operational needs evolve. Video security is one component ofthe District's layered safety system and does not replace active adult supervision, relationships with students, direct rep...
F2
Administrators do not consistently inform school counselors when students under their guidance engage in bullying.
Response: Disagree
Score: -1
Disagree as to SMJUHSD. The District recognizes that the Grand Jury report was directed broadly to school districts throughout SantaBarbaraCounty andmayreflectconcerns identifiedinotherlocaleducational agencies. However, SMJUHSD does not agree that this finding accurately describes District experience. In SMJUHSD, administrators involve counselors and other appropriate student-support personnel when the facts and studentneedswarrantsuchinvolvement. Communicationishandledinamannerconsistentwith student privacy, educational needs, and the circumstances ofeach case. The District agrees with the u...
R2
The Grand Jury recommends that school boards inform school counselors whenever any students under their guidance engage in bullying.
Response: Implemented
Score: 0
Recommendation 2 has been implemented.
F3
Parent participation in outreach programs for bullying has been poor.
Response: Disagree Partially
Score: 0
Disagree partially as to SMJUHSD. The District agrees that meaningful parent and guardian engagement contributes to safer schools and betterstudentoutcomes andalsorecognizesthatfamilyparticipationcanbe affectedby work schedules, transportation, language access, technology access, childcare needs, and other practical barriers. However, because the Grand Jury report was directed broadly to school districts throughout Santa Barbara County, SMJUHSD does not agree that the finding shouldbe read as aspecific conclusion that District parentparticipation in bullying-related outreach has beenpoor. SMJU...
R3a
The Grand Jury recommends that school boards direct school administrators to schedule parent outreach programs regarding bullying on evenings, weekends, online and with archived recordings to accommodate working parents.
Response: Implemented
Score: 0
Has been implemented. SMJUHSD currently maintains multiple methods for communicating with parents and guardians, including telephone calls, email, conferences, electronic communication systems, meetings, school events,translatedmaterialswhenappropriate, and directcontactby administrators, counselors,teachers,
7 and other school personnel. These communication methods allow schools to reach families in different ways and at different times based on the circumstances and the needs ofthe family. The District conducts parent outreach meetings and programs related to bullying, cyberbullying, confli...
R3b
The Grand Jury recommends that school boards implement non-monetary incentives to encourage parents to attend outreach programs.
Response: Will Not Implement
Score: -1
Will not be implemented as written. The District supports the goal of reducing barriers to family participation and encouraging meaningful engagement between schoolsandfamilies. Schoolsencourageparticipationthroughparentconferences, Wellness Center outreach, informational meetings, safety presentations, school events, electronic communication, direct contact from school personnel, and language support when appropriate. However, the District doesnotintend to adoptaprescribedincentivemodel solely forbullying outreach programs. SMJUHSD believes family engagement is most effective when schools ret...
R3c
The Grand Jury recommends that school boards strongly encourage parents of students who have engaged in repeated acts of bullying to attend outreach programs.
Response: Implemented
Score: 0
Recommendation 3c has been implemented.
▶
Solvang Elementary School District
6 pages
• 10 responses
•
Score: 0
(+2, 6, -2)
View Details ▾
10 responses to findings and recommendations
F1
Bullying in County schools will be reduced by implementing additional safety measures.
Response: Agree
Score: +1
Agree. The Solvang Elementary School District agrees that appropriate, evidence-based safety measures can significantly reduce opportunities for bullying and improve overall school climate. However, we believe that physical safety enhancements (such as fencing and cameras) must be balanced with direct human supervision, robust social-emotional and mental health supports, and proactive behavioral systems to achieve lasting prevention. Our safety data and parent surveys indicate a strong perception of safety on our campuses: 82% of parents agree or strongly agree that our school is safe for thei...
R1a
The Grand Jury recommends that school boards increase staff presence in areas where students congregate before, during breaks, and after school.
Response: Implemented
Score: 0
Has been implemented. Active, visible adult supervision is a cornerstone of Solvang's campus safety operations. Supervision Schedule: Our playground supervision begins at 8:15 a.m., with early-arriving students supervised in the library beginning at 7:30 a.m. for Early Care. Staff members are also assigned to supervise crosswalks during peak arrival and dismissal times. During recess and lunch breaks, students are under active playground supervision. Any students remaining in classrooms must be under direct teacher supervision. After-School Programs: At dismissal, students are expected to go d...
R1b
The Grand Jury recommends that school boards have sufficient cameras in order to monitor where students congregate before, during, and after school.
Response: Implemented
Score: 0
Has been implemented. The District has integrated security camera technology as a vital tool to complement direct physical supervision. Current Infrastructure: Through our "Project Safe" initiative, the District enclosed the interior of both campuses with perimeter fencing and installed security cameras throughout both campuses. In 25-26, we added gate and door buzzers integrated with an intercom and camera system at school offices to monitor campus access points.
Planned Enhancements In our 2026-27 LCAP (Goal 1, Action 1.6), we have prioritized funding to further upgrade our campus-wide came...
R1c
The Grand Jury recommends that school boards add more counselors to achieve a ratio no greater than 250:1.
Response: Will Not Implement
Score: -1
Will not be implemented with explanation. Solvang Elementary School District deeply values school counseling and mental health services; however, achieving a strict 250:1 student-to-counselor ratio is not fiscally viable at this time due to deficit spending and structural budget constraints. With an enrollment of nearly 600 students, the district employs one full-time (1.0 FTE) credentialed school counselor and one full-time (1.0 FTE) school psychologist. While this represents a ratio of approximately 600:1 for counselors, our integrated student support network significantly multiplies our cap...
F2
Administrators do not consistently inform school counselors when students under their guidance engage in bullying.
Response: Disagree
Score: -1
Disagree as to Solvang Elementary School District. While this finding may represent systemic issues across some county campuses, it does not reflect the operational reality at Solvang School. Given our small-school environment (~600 students across two adjacent campuses), our administrative team, credentialed school counselor, school psychologist, and teaching staff collaborate in real time on all student behavioral concerns. Bullying and cyberbullying are categorized as Level 3 behaviors, which are referred directly to site principals. Site administrators work hand-in-hand with our counselor ...
R2
The Grand Jury recommends that school boards inform school counselors whenever any students under their guidance engage in bullying.
Response: Implemented
Score: 0
Has been implemented. Interdisciplinary communication and unified team action are standard protocols at Solvang School.When a student is reported for Level 3 behaviors (such as bullying, cyberbullying, or harassment), site principals immediately handle the referral and notify the school counselor to initiate support. Our school counselor actively supports these students through check-in/checkout (CICO) interventions, restorative problem-solving, and individual self-regulation counseling using the Zones of Regulation curriculum. For any severe or perceived threats, our district utilizes a coord...
F3
Parent participation in outreach programs for bullying has been poor.
Response: Agree
Score: +1
Agree with Explanation The District agrees with the Grand Jury's finding that there is room for improvement in parent and family participation. The District recognizes that meaningful engagement requires more than providing information; it requires accessible, inclusive, and varied opportunities for families to participate in decisions affecting their children and the broader school community.
To strengthen parent participation, the District is expanding multilingual communication, providing interpretation and translated materials, offering meetings and engagement opportunities at varied time...
R3a
The Grand Jury recommends that school boards direct school administrators to schedule parent outreach programs regarding bullying on evenings, weekends, online and with archived recordings to accommodate working parents.
Response: Implemented
Score: 0
Has been implemented. Solvang has established a multi-format outreach strategy to accommodate our diverse and commuting working families:
SEL & Cyber-Safety Evenings: The district hosts "Parent SEL Info Nights" and digital safety programs (including Screenagers cyber-safety modules) scheduled specifically in the evenings. Additionally, the District has offered Volunteer training in the mornings and evenings. Bilingual Digital Accessibility: Bilingual (English/Spanish) digital newsletters, website links, socialemotional resources, and informational brochures are updated regularly on our distri...
R3b
The Grand Jury recommends that school boards implement non-monetary incentives to encourage parents to attend outreach programs.
Response: Implemented
Score: 0
Has been implemented. Removing barriers to participation is the most effective incentive for our families. In accordance with LCAP Action 2.1, Solvang has implemented the following supportive measures at our wholeschool Family Workshops and academic informational evenings: The District provides free childcare and refreshments during family math, literacy, and SEL workshops to ensure busy parents do not have to choose between their family duties and school engagement. All parent workshops and advisory sessions (including LCAP PAC and DELAC) feature professional bilingual translation and interpr...
R3c
The Grand Jury recommends that school boards strongly encourage parents of students who have engaged in repeated acts of bullying to attend outreach programs.
Response: Implemented
Score: 0
Has been implemented. Under Solvang's progressive discipline system (BP/AR 5144.1) and student conduct code, repeated acts of behavioral non-compliance or Level 3 offenses (including bullying) trigger direct and immediate principal-led parent conferences. In these meetings, parents are brought in as direct partners alongside administrators and the school counselor to design individual behavior intervention plans, review digital safety guidelines, and coordinate home-school strategies. Families are strongly directed to our school-based counseling resources and connected with local external part...
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Vista del Mar Union School District
August 20, 2026
•
5 pages
• 10 responses
•
Score: -5
(+1, 3, -6)
View Details ▾
10 responses to findings and recommendations
F1
Bullying in County schools will be reduced by implementing additional safety measures.
Response: Agree
Score: +1
Agree Explanation: Vista del Mar agrees that appropriate safety measures, supervision, student supports, and prevention practices can help reduce bullying and promote a safe school environment. The District has not experienced a pattern of repeated or chronic bullying. With 71 students, Vista del Mar's small-school environment allows staff to know students individually, closely observe student interactions, proactively facilitate positive relationships, and respond promptly when concerns arise. Recommendation 1a: The Grand Jury recommends that Santa Barbara County schools ensure adequate adult...
R1a
The Grand Jury recommends that school boards increase staff presence in areas where students congregate before, during breaks, and after school.
Response: Implemented
Score: 0
Has Been Implemented Explanation: Vista del Mar currently provides adequate adult supervision for its 71 students. An administrator and an aide provide supervision before school, during breaks, and after school. The District's small student population also allows staff to closely observe student interactions and respond promptly to concerns. The District will continue to evaluate supervision practices and make adjustments if student needs or circumstances change.
Recommendation 1b: The Grand Jury recommends that Santa Barbara County schools install and maintain sufficient cameras to monitor a...
R1b
The Grand Jury recommends that school boards have sufficient cameras in order to monitor where students congregate before, during, and after school.
Response: Implemented
Score: 0
Has Been Implemented Explanation: Vista del Mar currently maintains sufficient camera coverage around the campus to monitor student areas. The District will continue to maintain its existing camera system and evaluate coverage as campus conditions or student needs change. Recommendation 1c: The Grand Jury recommends that Santa Barbara County schools add counselors as necessary to maintain a student-to-counselor ratio of no greater than 250:1.
R1c
The Grand Jury recommends that school boards add more counselors to achieve a ratio no greater than 250:1.
Response: Will Not Implement
Score: -1
Will Not Be Implemented Explanation: Vista del Mar currently serves 71 students and does not employ a school counselor. Given the District's small enrollment and current student needs, the District does not believe adding a dedicated school counselor solely to establish a student-to-counselor ratio is warranted at this time. The District has a school psychologist who provides counseling when required as an IEP-related service. For general student concerns, the administrator works directly with students and families and coordinates additional supports as appropriate. The District will continue ...
F2
Administrators do not consistently inform school counselors when students under their guidance engage in bullying.
Response: Disagree
Score: -1
Disagree Explanation: This finding does not reflect Vista del Mar's student-support structure or practices. Vista del Mar does not employ a school counselor. Because of the District's small size, the administrator is directly involved in addressing significant student behavior concerns, including bullying should it occur. The District's school psychologist provides counseling when required as an IEP-related service and would be involved when a concern is relevant to a student's IEP or related services. This structure allows student concerns to be addressed directly and promptly without relying...
R2
The Grand Jury recommends that school boards inform school counselors whenever any students under their guidance engage in bullying.
Response: Will Not Implement
Score: -1
Will Not Be Implemented
Explanation: Vista del Mar does not employ a school counselor; therefore, the specific counselor-notification process contemplated by this recommendation does not apply to the District's current staffing structure. The administrator directly addresses significant student behavior concerns and coordinates with appropriate staff and families when concerns arise. When a concern involves a student's IEP or related services, the District's school psychologist is involved as appropriate. These existing practices accomplish the intent of the recommendation within Vista del Ma...
F3
Parent participation in outreach programs for bullying has been poor.
Response: Disagree
Score: -1
Disagree Explanation: This finding does not reflect Vista del Mar's experience with parent engagement. The District benefits from strong parent participation and maintains close communication with families. Vista Volunteers, the District's active parent organization, provides an additional avenue for parent involvement and connection to the school community. While the District does not currently conduct bullying-specific parent outreach programs, it has not experienced a pattern of repeated or chronic bullying that would indicate a need for such programming. Recommendation 3a: The Grand Jury r...
R3a
The Grand Jury recommends that school boards direct school administrators to schedule parent outreach programs regarding bullying on evenings, weekends, online and with archived recordings to accommodate working parents.
Response: Will Not Implement
Score: -1
Will Not Be Implemented Explanation: Vista del Mar has strong parent participation and has not identified a pattern of repeated or chronic bullying among its students. The District does not currently conduct bullying-specific parent outreach programs and does not believe establishing separate evening, weekend, online, and recorded bullying programs is warranted based on current student or family needs. The District communicates directly with families when concerns arise and will continue to provide parent outreach and education when a demonstrated need exists. Recommendation 3b: The Grand Jury...
R3b
The Grand Jury recommends that school boards implement non-monetary incentives to encourage parents to attend outreach programs.
Response: Will Not Implement
Score: -1
Will Not Be Implemented Explanation: Vista del Mar has strong parent participation and has not identified a need to provide incentives to encourage family engagement. The District maintains direct relationships with families and benefits from an active parent organization, Vista Volunteers. Given the District's existing level of parent
involvement and the absence of a demonstrated participation problem related to bullying, the District does not believe establishing incentives for participation is necessary at this time. Recommendation 3c: The Grand Jury recommends that Santa Barbara County sc...
R3c
The Grand Jury recommends that school boards strongly encourage parents of students who have engaged in repeated acts of bullying to attend outreach programs.
Response: Implemented
Score: 0
Has Been Implemented Explanation: Vista del Mar proactively supports students and facilitates positive relationships to prevent bullying and other harmful behaviors. The District has not experienced a pattern of students repeatedly engaging in bullying. Should repeated bullying behavior occur, the administrator will work directly with the student's parents or guardians and utilize appropriate interventions, including restorative practices, to address the behavior, repair relationships, and support the student in making positive behavioral changes. The District's small-school environment allows...
No Responses Found 9
Government entities assigned to respond to this report. No response documents have been linked in our database.
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In the Press 4
Press coverage of this report, automatically tracked.
Bullying issue in schools targeted by Santa Barbara County Grand Jury - KCLU
KC
KCLU
· June 19, 2026
Bullying a ‘chronic problem’ in Santa Barbara County schools, new report reveals - Santa Barbara News-Press
Santa Barbara News-Press
· June 18, 2026
Santa Barbara News-Press
· June 18, 2026
Santa Barbara County school districts must respond to Grand Jury bullying report within 90 days - Santa Maria Times
Santa Maria Times
· June 16, 2026
Santa Maria Times
· June 16, 2026
Santa Barbara County Grand Jury Calls for Action to Reduce School Bullying - edhat
ED
edhat
· June 15, 2026