Tulare County Grand Jury Report 2013-2014 Classroom Beneath the Stars

General Funds are being used to purchase bottled water. T U L A R E C O U N T Y G R A N D J U R Y R E P O R T 2 013 - 2 014 10 5

The Tulare County Grand Jury recommends Buena Vista School District apply for funding under Prop 84, Safe Drinking Water Bond Act, for a new well as other school districts have done. RESPONSES:

The Academic Performance Index is 620, an increase of fifty-six points from the previous year.

The Revenue Limit per ADA is $7,430 and there is a Total Revenue Limit of $351,460.

Board meetings are scheduled for the second Thursday of each month.

The Student handbook was available only in English.

The majority of students live on the Tule River Indian Reservation.

The District provides transportation to and from school to the Towanits Education Center on the Tule River Indian Reservation.

A Safe School Plan is available.

Citrus South Tule School District does not have the financial means to maintain adequate technology resources needed for the students. They have minimal and outdated computers available which are inadequate for taking the common core assessment tests.

The School does not have an after school program; however, the school does work closely with the Towanits Education Center Staff to assist the students with extra help, homework and school projects. FINDINGS:

The school administration office did not have an office sign posted.

The school participates in Odyssey of the Mind, an international academic competition, and has a Science Olympiad Team, which participates in a science, oriented national competition.

The school has a sports team that competes against other small schools.

Columbine School District has new classroom computers available that are pending installation and are required for the Common Core testing. T U L A R E C O U N T Y G R A N D J U R Y R E P O R T 2 013 - 2 014 10 7

The Columbine School District lacks sufficient funds to satisfy both computer and textbook needs. FINDINGS:

A three way pledge is signed by the parents, teachers and students as a commitment to work together to help the students do their best academically.

As an annual fundraiser for SCICON and for other student needs, parents, students and staff all work together in sponsoring the annual Spring Chicken Dinner. The dinner serves as a bridge to unite the school and community. T U L A R E C O U N T Y G R A N D J U R Y R E P O R T 2 013 - 2 014 1 1 2 FINDINGS:

The school has a gymnasium with fold-out tables and it doubles as the cafeteria. The gymnasium has two basketball hoops and a full size stage with overhead lighting.

The school has a music program consisting of the history of music for grades 3 – 5 and the marching band for grades 5 – 8.

Sundale School has a Gifted and Talented Education Program for grades 3 – 8. To enter the program all applicants must pass a complex intelligence test. Approximately 3% of the school’s population is in the program.

Sundale School has an Agricultural Science Program which consists of the following: a. A Farmer’s Market Program b. Work in the School’s Farmer’s Market Store on campus c. Herb garden products and garden flowers for arrangements are sold in the Farmer’s Market Store. d. Students raise chickens and rabbits. Eggs are sold in the Farmer’s Market Store. e. A garden section for grades K – 3 f. A garden section for grades 3 – 8 g. The cafeteria uses oranges, pomegranates, and persimmons as well as the vegetables grown in the garden. h. During the Annual Farm Show in Tulare, the agricultural students work each day selling what they have raised at the school. Their profit averages $50,000 to $60,000 each year. i. A portion of the profits from the Farm Show go to support the Band, the Art Program, and scholarships in Agricultural Science. The balance of the profits go to the Sundale Foundation, an after school and childcare program. FINDINGS: