📋
Extracted from Consolidated Report

This investigation was originally published as part of a larger consolidated report containing multiple investigations. View the consolidated PDF for the complete document.

Tulare County Grand Jury • 2009-2010

School District Board Meetings

3 pages
View PDF View Full Original

Findings 2 findings

F1
Of the 48 District meetings visited: h. Not all Board Members were a. Thirty-seven started on time. prepared for their meeting. Ø 42 TULARE COUNTY GRAND JURY REPORT 2009-2010 i. Thirty-one districts provide benefits Counsel and other local attorneys for all for their Board Members and governing board members.) fourteen pay their Board Members. j. The length of meetings varied 2. School Districts: between ten minutes and four a. Add to the agenda Senate Bill 343 hours. Chapter 298 language and a place k. In five districts Board Members for public comment. were late to the meeting. b. Post meeting agendas 72 hours l. Meeting rooms were a problem for before the Board meeting in a five districts, they did not have a location where it is available for the room for the meeting or the room public to review per the Ralph M. was too small. Brown Act. m. Two districts moved the meeting to c. When the agenda is full of another room without notification business save extra presentations or leaving a notice at the original for another meeting. site where the meeting had relocated. 3. School Board Members: n. On at least two occasions, Board a. Read agenda packets before Members appeared to fall asleep. meetings. b. Be on time.
F2 Page 49
Eight of the 48 districts have complied c. Be professional and business-like, with Senate Bill 343 Chapter 298 do not veer off the agenda or fall (Government Code section 54957.5). asleep. This Senate Bill, which is an amendment d. Keep meetings under 2 hours in to the Ralph M. Brown Act, became order to increase meeting effective July 1, 2008 and requires that participation. Board meeting agendas include a e. Ensure all speakers can be heard notice, that any agenda packet provided by each and every person in to Board Members is available for public attendance. inspection at the district office and/or the district’s web site. 4. If a large group of parents, teachers, and visitors are expected to attend a CONCLUSIONS meeting, find a room large enough to accommodate them before the meeting The majority of Tulare County School Board time. meetings are well run by organized, knowledgeable and supportive people. 5. If the scheduled meeting room is moved However, there are issues that need to another site, post a notice of the new addressing in the preparation and execution location at the original site. of the School Board meetings.

Recommendations 1