Shooting Prevention and Response Training in Monterey County Dear Honorable Judge Hulsey:

Active Shooter (e.g., ALICE),

Reimbursement for school safety costs mandated by the state are available but are inconsistently sought to the fullest extent possible by MCOE, schools, and each school district in the county. AGREE PARTIALLY AGREE ~ DISAGREE Response: The County Superintendent disagrees with this finding. Based on our review, all twenty-four (24) Monterey County school districts are participating in the Mandated Cost Block Grant (MCBG). Under the old state mandated cost reimbursement program, districts would file a state claim and wait many years to be reimbursed. The state created a new method for reimbursement under the MCBG which allows districts to receive annual revenue based on average daily attendance. All California school districts were given an option to continue to collect mandated cost reimbursements under the old state method or to participate in the new MCBG. In Monterey County, all twenty-four (24) school districts are participating in the MCBG program and are receiving their full ADA funding allocation annually. We believe that there is no wrong or right approach to mandated costs. Each district reviewed its fiscal condition and made a determination to participate in the MCBG program. That decision was appropriately based on local district governance.

Despite the availability of numerous school safety resources provided at no charge by highly respected and relevant government and professional organizations, few high school principals in Monterey County are utilizing these resources. AGREE PARTIALLY AGREE __X DISAGREE Response: The County Superintendent disagrees with this finding and recognizes that each Monterey County School district has the ability to utilize resources that meet the needs of their student and staff populations. There are many resources available at no charge from various agencies and entities. Each district must ascertain which resources best meet the needs of their student and staff populations.

Schools are not fully utilizing on-line shooting prevention and response training modules as part of their means for providing safety instruction. AGREE __X PARTIALLY AGREE DISAGREE Response: The County Superintendent partially agrees with this finding. Considering school districts are at different phases with implementing ALICE, usage of on-line tools will continue to be more common. While MCOE recommends a blended learning approach that includes on-line, and face-to-face site trainings, we understand districts must decide which approach works best for their students, staff, school calendars and daily schedules. FS. School shooting training exercises and drills need to be well planned and well executed in order to maximize benefits and minimize their adverse impact. __X AGREE PARTIALLY AGREE DISAGREE Response: The County Superintendent agrees with this finding.

How to assess and mitigate potential threats of violence when they occur Are applicable to the following school stakeholders: Principals School resource officers (when used) On campus probation officers (when used) Security officers (including campus monitors) Substitute teachers Special needs teachers General education teachers Paid teacher aids (including instructional assistant, behavior techs, academic coaches) Athletic coaches Special needs students General education students Guidance counselors School psychologists School bus drivers Cafeteria workers School nurses Custodial personnel Maintenance personnel Clerical personnel Parents Fire, police, and emergency medical first responders and their command personnel __X AGREE PARTIALLY AGREE DISAGREE Response: The County Superintendent agrees with this finding. The identified stakeholder groups are vital to the success of safe school environments. There have been focused efforts across the Monterey County to ensure that broader stakeholder engagement is a top priority. F7. Most high school stakeholders in Monterey County have not received adequate training in the five types of school violence prevention and response. AGREE __X PARTIALLY AGREE DISAGREE Response: The County Superintendent partially agrees with this finding. Substantial progress has been made in the five training areas, however, more work is needed to ensure that all stakeholders are adequately prepared and supported through district and countywide trainings. In 2019, the Monterey County Office of Education hosted the first annual All In For Equity Conference that included a focus on the social and emotional needs of all students. Conference topics included information and resources to address implicit bias and stereotypes that often lead to bullying and acts of violence on school campuses. In addition, ongoing professional learning sessions are provided to assist schools in implementing proactive measures through Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS). Listed below are a variety of training sessions hosted by the MCOE relevant to school crisis intervention and emergency response. Active Shooter • ALICE 100 • ALICE Train the Trainer • ALICE 100 & Incident Command Systems Training • Annual School Safety Symposium Suicide Prevention • Youth Mental Health First Aid • Positive Behavior Intervention and Support (PBIS) Anti-Bullying • Annual Anti-Bullying Campaign • Restorative Justice Practices • Handle with Care Training • Harmony at Home Bullying Prevention Program Mitigation of Potential Threats of Violence • Social Emotional Learning (SEU Trainings • Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS} Training • Trauma Informed Schools Report Issues of Violence • Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS} Training • Administrator Induction Program -School Climate Training In reviewing several years of training schedules and evaluations for MCOE, we confirmed our office has provided countywide training to a variety of stakeholders. Below is a list of school stakeholders that have attended these trainings across Monterey County: Principals Asst. Principals, Vice Principals Teachers Intervention specialists Classified staff Probation Officers Substitute teachers *Schools are trained on how to train substitute teachers about PBIS system. Special needs teachers Counselors Psychologists Mental health clinicians District staff Parents. Trained by school site staff. F8. Students, the largest high school stakeholder group, are the most vulnerable, the most likely to perpetrate or be victims of a school shooting, and to know when a peer may be at risk but have one of the lowest training rates. AGREE __X PARTIALLY AGREE DISAGREE Response: The County Superintendent partially agrees with this finding. Countywide, school districts are working to implement ALICE and other social emotional support programs; however, more work can be done to ensure students know how to identify an at risk peer, and have the confidence to share those concerns with a trusted adult. As MCOE continues its work in developing additional countywide professional development, we are committed to providing more support to districts in this area. F9. Many students, faculty, and staff joining school mid-year may miss receiving critical school shooting-related material until the next time that training is offered. AGREE __X PARTIALLY AGREE DISAGREE Response: The County Superintendent partially agrees with this finding. On-boarding of new students, faculty and staff mid-year can be challenging. Districts have access to on-line trainings that allow on-boarding of new employees to occur quickly. Accountability mechanisms are also important to ensure mid-year student arrivals participate in the appropriate drills in a timely manner. Follow up from the appropriate district personal is critical to prevent delays in required trainings. MCOE is committed to working with districts to offer trainings on-line or more frequently to address training needs.

Most, if not all, of the five school shooting training areas identified by the MCCGJ: 1. Active Shooter (e.g., ALICE), 2. Suicide Prevention, 3. Anti-Bullying (including tolerance, harassment, and conflict resolution), 4. When, how, why, and to whom stakeholders should report issues of violence concern, and 5. How to assess and mitigate potential threats of violence when they occur Are applicable to the following school stakeholders: Principals School resource officers (when used) On campus probation officers (when used) Security officers (including campus monitors) Substitute teachers Special needs teachers General education teachers Paid teacher aids (including instructional assistant, behavior techs, academic coaches) Athletic coaches Special needs students General education students Guidance counselors School psychologists School bus drivers Cafeteria workers School nurses Custodial personnel Maintenance personnel Clerical personnel Parents Fire, police, and emergency medical first responders and their command personnel __X AGREE PARTIALLY AGREE DISAGREE Response: The County Superintendent agrees with this finding. The identified stakeholder groups are vital to the success of safe school environments. There have been focused efforts across the Monterey County to ensure that broader stakeholder engagement is a top priority.

Most high school stakeholders in Monterey County have not received adequate training in the five types of school violence prevention and response. AGREE __X PARTIALLY AGREE DISAGREE Response: The County Superintendent partially agrees with this finding. Substantial progress has been made in the five training areas, however, more work is needed to ensure that all stakeholders are adequately prepared and supported through district and countywide trainings. In 2019, the Monterey County Office of Education hosted the first annual All In For Equity Conference that included a focus on the social and emotional needs of all students. Conference topics included information and resources to address implicit bias and stereotypes that often lead to bullying and acts of violence on school campuses. In addition, ongoing professional learning sessions are provided to assist schools in implementing proactive measures through Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS). Listed below are a variety of training sessions hosted by the MCOE relevant to school crisis intervention and emergency response. Active Shooter • ALICE 100 • ALICE Train the Trainer • ALICE 100 & Incident Command Systems Training • Annual School Safety Symposium Suicide Prevention • Youth Mental Health First Aid • Positive Behavior Intervention and Support (PBIS) Anti-Bullying • Annual Anti-Bullying Campaign • Restorative Justice Practices • Handle with Care Training • Harmony at Home Bullying Prevention Program Mitigation of Potential Threats of Violence • Social Emotional Learning (SEU Trainings • Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS} Training • Trauma Informed Schools Report Issues of Violence • Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS} Training • Administrator Induction Program -School Climate Training In reviewing several years of training schedules and evaluations for MCOE, we confirmed our office has provided countywide training to a variety of stakeholders. Below is a list of school stakeholders that have attended these trainings across Monterey County: Principals Asst. Principals, Vice Principals Teachers Intervention specialists Classified staff Probation Officers Substitute teachers *Schools are trained on how to train substitute teachers about PBIS system. Special needs teachers Counselors Psychologists Mental health clinicians District staff Parents. Trained by school site staff.

Students, the largest high school stakeholder group, are the most vulnerable, the most likely to perpetrate or be victims of a school shooting, and to know when a peer may be at risk but have one of the lowest training rates. AGREE __X PARTIALLY AGREE DISAGREE Response: The County Superintendent partially agrees with this finding. Countywide, school districts are working to implement ALICE and other social emotional support programs; however, more work can be done to ensure students know how to identify an at risk peer, and have the confidence to share those concerns with a trusted adult. As MCOE continues its work in developing additional countywide professional development, we are committed to providing more support to districts in this area.

Many students, faculty, and staff joining school mid-year may miss receiving critical school shooting-related material until the next time that training is offered. AGREE __X PARTIALLY AGREE DISAGREE Response: The County Superintendent partially agrees with this finding. On-boarding of new students, faculty and staff mid-year can be challenging. Districts have access to on-line trainings that allow on-boarding of new employees to occur quickly. Accountability mechanisms are also important to ensure mid-year student arrivals participate in the appropriate drills in a timely manner. Follow up from the appropriate district personal is critical to prevent delays in required trainings. MCOE is committed to working with districts to offer trainings on-line or more frequently to address training needs.