Sonoma County Grand Jury • 2007-2008

Sonoma County Office of Education Misuse of State Vocational Education Funds The people of Sonoma County trust and

Published: June 27, 2008 5 pages
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Note: Missing finding numbers detected: F6

Findings and Recommendations 7 findings

F1
Programs that qualified for funding through Carl F6 The SKILLSUSA program affords students in Perkins vocational-education grants were vocational/technical education programs the denied funding by SCOE, and programs and opportunity to compete for awards recognizing materials not allowed by the Carl Perkins Act excellence in job skills learned. were purchased with the grant money.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
The SCOE Superintendent of Schools must The Grand Jury commends the staff of SCOE's ensure that all funds spent by the office are Alternative Education Programs for the many disbursed as intended. excellent opportunities they offer to students who, for a variety of reasons, are not able to attend and
F2
SCOE’s original 2006-2007 Carl Perkins Grant Alternative Education Program asked SCOE Application requested funds for: for Carl Perkins Funds to allow his/her students classified salaries ($7,941for guidance and to participate in a SKILLSUSA competition. counseling) employee benefits ($1,661for SCOE refused to allocate funds from the guidance and counseling) books and supplies program for this purpose, stating that it was ($3,605) services and other expenditures not an appropriate use of the funds. ($250).
Related Recommendations (1)
R2
SCOE must adhere to requirements for the function well in the County's comprehensive high disbursal of grant monies received for specific schools. The programs are tailored to meet the programs. needs of a variety of student difficulties. To succeed, these programs require staff with
F3
After the initial grant application, monies were testified that these funds can be used for removed from "classified salaries” and SKILLSUSA competition. “employee benefits" to "services and other expenditures," increasing the original budget in F9 A staff person requesting Carl Perkins Funds that category from $250 to $4,500. for SKILLSUSA questioned SCOE's use of the funds for SASix, and disagreed with SCOE's
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
SCOE must acknowledge that targeted funds are exceptional skills. The programs are a valuable to be used for designated programs, not as service to at-risk students, and to society in general. general funds.
F4
The revised expenditures reflecting the final refusal to allow funds to be used for distribution of 2006-2007 Carl Perkins Funds SKILLSUSA. This staff person, who is not the indicates an expenditure of $4,000 for the complainant, was subsequently reassigned SASix software-attendance program that is against his/her will. The timing of this used by the SCOE Technology Services Unit. reassignment suggests poor personnel SASix is a general education support program management at SCOE. Mismanagement of this not specific to vocational training. kind may affect the morale of staff and undermine the support needed to ensure the
Related Recommendations (1)
R4
SCOE programs receiving targeted funding must be audited to ensure that the funds are spent appropriately. As a result of a State
F5
The State Administrator of Carl Perkins Funds success of Alternative Education Programs. testified that the purchase of SASix software was an inappropriate use of Carl Perkins F10 As a result of a State Department of Education Funds. investigation, SCOE will be required to repay all or part of the 2006-2007 Carl Perkins Funds it was awarded. Conclusions SCOE has misused the 2006-2007 Carl Perkins Funds supplied by the State for use by the Alternative Education vocational/technical training program. This action and related inappropriate personnel decisions threaten to undermine the morale of the Alternative Education staff. In order to have a vibrant and effective program, staff must have confidence in the administration, and be able to work effectively with them. The working relationship of Alternative Education staff and SCOE managers could be eroded by such actions.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5
SCOE must include teachers and other staff Department of members in decisions concerning the application Education investigation, for and disbursement of funds that may be used in SCOE will be required program funding. to repay all or part of
F7
An award-winning teacher at the Youth Camp
Related Recommendations (1)
R7
The movement of personnel, when undertaken, awarded. must benefit the students affected rather than strictly be in the best interest of SCOE, as stated in present SCOE policy (SP 4135.00). Required Responses to Findings SCOE F1, F3, F4, F5, F7, F8, F9, F10 Required Responses to Recommendations SCOE R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7 27
F8
The State Administrator of Carl Perkins Funds
No recommendations for this finding

Additional Recommendations 1

These recommendations are not explicitly linked to specific findings.

Conclusions 1