Response to Civil Grand Jury Report – Right Facility, Wrong Time: The Role of James

Recommendations 1

• R4
  “The County, working with SCCOE as needed, should produce an annual report that shows the full cost accounting of James Ranch, including the average cost per youth and the measures of success for the youth for a period of two years following release from James Ranch. In addition to recidivism, measures of success should include educational outcomes, successful employment, and stable housing.” Response: SCCOE agrees with this recommendation. As the educational provider for youth at James Ranch through Blue Ridge School, SCCOE is committed to supporting transparency and accountability in juvenile justice education. SCCOE will collaborate with the County of Santa Clara to contribute relevant educational cost data and student outcome metrics to the proposed annual report. We will work with the County to ensure that: • SCCOE’s direct and shared costs related to educational services at James Ranch are accurately reported. • Educational outcomes such as diploma/GED attainment, vocational certifications, and post-secondary enrollment are tracked and included. • SCCOE supports efforts to develop data-sharing protocols and post-release follow-up strategies, including incentives and third-party data collection as appropriate. SCCOE will coordinate with the County to meet the report publication deadline of September 30, 2026. We appreciate the Civil Grand Jury’s thoughtful analysis and recommendations and remain committed to continuous improvement in serving our youth. Best wishes, Dr. David M. Toston, Sr. County Superintendent of Schools