Tuolumne County Grand Jury • 2009-2010

Sonora Union High School

Published: November 18, 2009 3 pages

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Findings 9 findings

SUHS representatives did not respond to jury member’s requests for documents even though these documents should be readily available to the public.

The SUHS cafeteria has no unprocessed or whole grain food products available. It serves no whole wheat breads, pastas or brown rice. The food available has only highly processed starches. While the cafeteria meets minimum state nutritional requirements, the food being served does not enhance overall student health.

The SUHS campus was unkempt and messy. Paper and other trash were along the fence lines, by the outdoor tables, and in what plantings were present. Weeds were growing through cracks in the paved areas and in the plantings.

The SUHS security staff looked unprofessional and showed little apparent concern for student safety. Panel members were not required to sign in or out at the office for the meetings. No juror was asked for identification. At no time did security approach and ask why the members were on site, even after the meetings when some panel members had to leave the group and walked across campus on their own. Other panel members went to different points on the campus and were not challenged. (After asking about this, panel members were informed the security personnel had been told the Grand Jury would be on site.)

Jurors requested, but did not receive, a copy of the security protocols.

Certificated Staff members were quick to blame parents and students for any academic shortcomings. Blame was also placed on lack of money and the ‘limitations of rural students’.

Proposals to cut the present 240 credits required for graduation to 220 credits due to no summer school program have been made

There is a dress code for students, but little enforcement was apparent.

Just over two percent (2%) of the SUHS students are enrolled in Advanced Placement (AP) courses.

Recommendations 10

R1

For Findings 1 and 5, staff members at all levels need to recognize the mandated requirements to respond to Grand Jury requests for documents in an expeditious manner. Grand Juries normally do not make written requests for documents.
R2

For Finding 2, more unprocessed food products need to be made available to students. This can be done within the mandated state guidelines.
R3

For Finding 3, if grounds keepers have been cut due to budget constraints, students can be encouraged to help clean the grounds following the examples of the staff members. If a student sees a staff member pick up a piece of trash, most likely the student will follow suit.
R4

For Finding 4, security staff members need to present a more professional appearance. Button down shirts and neat slacks should be worn. Identifying badges or jackets should be worn to make identification easier for both visitors and new students.
R5

There is no recommendation for Finding 6.
R6

For Finding 7, in this age of technology, students need to learn more not less. No cuts in requirements should be made.
R7

For Finding 8, consideration should be made to require student uniforms. Uniforms are considerably cheaper to the parents and students. This would also eliminate the “mine is better than yours” climate so prevalent in today’s society. If parents reject the uniform idea, the present dress code needs to be strongly and strictly enforced for all students.
R8

For Finding 9, emphasis must be placed on getting more students into AP courses and a greater number of courses need to be offered as soon as possible.
R9

This recommendation does not relate to any specific finding. More agriculture/vocational classes are needed, especially in a “rural community” such as Tuolumne County. The present staffing needs to be maintained in order to keep the program as strong as possible. Most other “rural” counties have three (3) to five (5) teachers in this field. It is doubtful there are other staff members at SUHS with the proper credential that can teach all of the present vocational classes and continue to build the program. SUHS needs to maintain and increase these classes because Tuolumne County is a “rural community” based on many facets of agriculture.
R10

This recommendation does not relate to any specific finding. Future Grand Juries need to look long and hard at the Sonora Union High School over the next several years. This level of oversight is needed to insure compliance with the school’s own written policies and guidelines as well as complying with the responses to the Grand Jury’s recommendations.