Kern County Grand Jury • 2024-2025

Report - Lakeside Union School District

Published: May 05, 2025 13 pages
View Original PDF

Findings and Recommendations 16 findings

F1
In order to reduce teacher turnover, the District may benefit by providing teaching coaches for mentorship and training of new teachers to ensure success in the classroom.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
The Grand Jury recommends that the Lakeside Union School District: Work with KCSOS to secure funding to hire additional mentor teachers or coaches to provide guidance and support to new teachers by August 31, 2025. (Finding #1)
F2
Although teachers should receive curriculum materials before the beginning of the academic year, some classes received their curriculum (October and November) after the school year had started, or not at all. This created frustration among the teaching staff, as they had to find alternate methods of teaching.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2
The Grand Jury recommends that the Lakeside Union School District: Create a system of follow-up to ensure curriculum is ordered and delivered to the classrooms before the beginning of the school year by August 1, 2025. (Finding #2)
F3
Implementation of PBIS can be challenging due to high staff turnover rates. New staff members may lack the professional development needed to execute PBIS as a whole.
Related Recommendations (2)
R3
The Grand Jury recommends that the Lakeside Union School District: Administration should provide additional training and development for teachers and staff to ensure PBIS is implemented fully by September 1, 2025. (Finding #3)
R8
The Grand Jury recommends that the Lakeside Union School District: Hire additional counselors to provide emotional and academic support to students in need and to support PBIS efforts, by September 30, 2025. (Findings #3 and #7)
F4
Although the District has a custodial staff, there have been reports of classrooms not being cleaned for three to four days at a time. Some teachers have taken the initiative to clean their classrooms using their own supplies. This puts an extra burden on teachers and hinders maintaining sanitation and cleanliness of the classroom.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4
The Grand Jury recommends that the Lakeside Union School District: By August 1, 2025, ensure classrooms are cleaned and sanitized daily by communicating expectations with current custodial staff and by hiring additional custodial staff if needed. (Finding #4)
F5
Although security is listed as a top priority in the SARC Reports, there are several issues that still need to be addressed: • Lakeside school personnel were unable to reach the office or administration to report an intruder on campus • Gates are not always locked. When the Grand Jury toured Lakeside, the gate to the water well was not locked • Children have been seen roaming on campus with no supervision or hall passes • There was a report of a student bringing a gel gun on campus • It is not intended for all staff members to have 2-way radios. Although there is a PA system, not all teachers feel they are informed of potential security issues • Teachers do not feel safe as there have been threats from students and parents • Although the District has a Comprehensive School Safety Plan, some of the staff are uncertain of security protocols. This is detrimental to safety on campus
Related Recommendations (3)
R5
The Grand Jury recommends that the Lakeside Union School District: Review school safety protocols and procedures to address staff and public concerns regarding the effectiveness of current protocols by September 1, 2025. (Finding #5)
R6
The Grand Jury recommends that the Lakeside Union School District: Enforce the protocol to ensure all gates remain locked. This should be accomplished as soon as possible. (Finding #5)
R7
The Grand Jury recommends that the Lakeside Union School District: Hire additional security at both schools to ensure the safety needs of students and staff are being met by September 1, 2025. (Findings #5 and #15)
F6
CAASPP (California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress) testing done by the state is conducted in April; however, the District does not receive the results until November or December. To gain insight ahead of those results, the District uses computer-based STAR testing to monitor student progress throughout the year.
No recommendations for this finding
F7
Safety cameras installed at Lakeside seem to help in monitoring student behavior; however, the school is still having to address social media bullying with students. Combating this issue is vital to student well-being.
Related Recommendations (1)
R8
The Grand Jury recommends that the Lakeside Union School District: Hire additional counselors to provide emotional and academic support to students in need and to support PBIS efforts, by September 30, 2025. (Findings #3 and #7)
F8
Because of late bus arrivals, some 7th and 8th grade students missed first period altogether. A second role call was conducted during second period before marking the student “absent” for the day. A student would then deliver the roster to the attendance office. This takes away class time from students and seems to be misleading.
No recommendations for this finding
F9
Although Suburu is a “walking school,” there is considerable traffic congestion during drop-off and pick-up times. This poses a potential safety risk at these times.
No recommendations for this finding
F10
In the event of an instructional aide shortage for IEP students, general education aides are sometimes pulled off their regular duties to give support to the IEP students. This may create a burden for the general education teachers.
Related Recommendations (1)
R9
The Grand Jury recommends that the Lakeside Union School District: By September 2025, hire additional aides in Special Education to ensure compliance with student IEP’s and General Education aide requirements. (Finding #10)
F11
Although there is a “no smoking/vaping” policy on campus, with the aid of the vaping detectors in the restrooms, some staff members have been caught either smoking or vaping on campus. This muddles the effectiveness of the policy and the example it sets for the community.
No recommendations for this finding
F12
The copiers used by teachers are unpredictable. They jam frequently and have little to no toner. This makes it difficult for teachers to prepare for class.
Related Recommendations (1)
R10
The Grand Jury recommends that the Lakeside Union School District: Ensure photocopiers are maintained in a timely manner to help teachers prepare for class lessons by August 1, 2025. (Finding #12)
F13
There seems to be a breakdown in communication between the staff and administration. This poses a threat in their ability to address student needs.
No recommendations for this finding
F14
Some staff members feel uncomfortable reaching out to the administration for help as they feel their concerns are not addressed.
No recommendations for this finding
F15
Although Lakeside School hired a campus supervisor for security this year, staff at both school sites feel there is still a need for additional security.
Related Recommendations (1)
R7
The Grand Jury recommends that the Lakeside Union School District: Hire additional security at both schools to ensure the safety needs of students and staff are being met by September 1, 2025. (Findings #5 and #15)
F16
Board meetings are held monthly, but attendance is typically low. This shows a lack of engagement from parents, staff, and the community. COMMENTS: The 2024-2025 Kern County Grand Jury would like to thank the Board of Trustees, administration, staff, and the public for providing insight into the Lakeside Union School District. It is evident this team cares about student success; however, operating this district is complex and requires a collaborative effort from all stakeholders. The District’s accountability plans are well-written and well thought out; however, the District falls short in the execution of these plans. Two phrases resonated with the Grand Jury during the investigation: “We are growing with what we have,” and “I can’t fix it if I don’t know about it.” Limited finances complicate decisions of where to allocate funds and how to maintain standards. The District is growing exponentially, and there is a need to be able to adapt to constantly changing situations. There seems to be some resistance to change within the District, and the lack of communication also seems to be a significant issue. Fostering open communication will help transition through change.
Related Recommendations (1)
R11
The Grand Jury recommends that the Lakeside Union School District: Consider adding recognition programs for teachers, staff, and students at Board Meetings to help with engagement efforts at these meetings by September 30, 2025. (Finding #16) NOTES: • The Lakeside Union School District should post a copy of this report where it will be available for public review. • Persons wishing to receive an email notification of newly released reports may sign up at: https://www.kerncounty.com/government/other-agencies/grand-jury • Present and past Kern County Grand Jury Final Reports and Responses can be accessed on the Kern County Grand Jury website https://www.kerncounty.com/government/other- agencies/grand-jury RESPONSE DEADLINE: • REQUIRED WITHIN 90 DAYS FROM: Lakeside Union School District Board of Trustees o

Comments 6