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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.
Monterey County Grand Jury
• 2021-2022
Excellence in Action: Monterey County’s Educational Response to Covid-19
⚠️ Translation Notice: This content has been automatically translated. The original English text is the official version. Translation may contain errors.
⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
Findings 13 findings
F1
Page 61
Educators and classified staff in Monterey County are to be commended for their initiative and flexibility in meeting the challenges of COVID-19. From the MCOE Superintendent to the newest part-time classroom aide, county educational employees went beyond their job descriptions in meeting the needs of students and their families during the pandemic.
F2
Page 61
The Monterey County Superintendent of Schools is to be commended for proactive leadership in a time of crisis. Without such leadership, Monterey County’s educational response to COVID-19 would have been inadequate.
F3
Page 61
MCOE is to be commended for maintaining continuity of operations while increasing support services for school districts under the most challenging of circumstances.
F4
Page 61
All the donors who contributed to the Digital Equity Fund are to be commended for their generosity.
F5
Page 61
Administrators, teachers, and information technology staff in Monterey County are to be commended for making great strides in providing remote learning devices and solving internet access problems during the COVID-19 pandemic.
F6
Page 61
MCOE is working with all school districts to assure fiscal accountability and stewardship of the public’s education dollars. 45
F7
Page 62
MCOE’s service departments continue working diligently to provide support, guidance, training, and resources for all members of Monterey County’s educational community.
F8
Page 62
Despite a lack of preparedness at many levels of government, MCOE, school districts, and staff responded to the impact of the pandemic in a timely manner.
F9
Page 62
Monterey County successfully expanded internet connectivity due to the efforts of MCOE, industry partners, grant institutions, the Digital Task Force, and school district investment in technology.
F10
Page 62
There is increased collaboration and coordination among agencies that provide services and support, including the MCOE, Monterey County Behavioral Health, the Monterey County Health Department, internet partners, school districts, support providers, and community groups.
F11
Page 62
Administrators, teachers, parents, and students are all extremely concerned about students’ social-emotional issues arising from COVID-19.
F12
Page 62
Administrators, teachers, parents, and students are concerned about the learning loss that took place during the 2020-2021 school year. There is an urgent need for mitigation of such a loss.
F13
Page 62
There is the potential for significant fiscal disruption with the continuing loss of ADA and the end of additional federal funding occurring at the same time.
Recommendations 5
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R1Page 62School districts maintain a minimum level of one behavioral support staff member at each school site until the end of the 2025-2026 school year.
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R2Page 62School districts maintain learning loss mitigation programs and extended learning opportunities until the end of the 2025-2026 school year.
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R3Page 62MCOE should continue to closely monitor district LCAPs and budgets for the impacts of ADA loss and the end of emergency federal funding.
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R4Page 62MCOE be forward thinking about its emergency plans.
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R5Page 62MCOE should establish partnerships and internships with CSU Monterey Bay, MCBH, and industry partners to increase the number of mental health workers, teachers, substitutes, and bus drivers 46
Agency Responses 1
Government agencies' official responses to this report's findings and recommendations. Click on a response to see the structured breakdown.