Stanislaus County Civil Grand Jury Report 2007-08, Case #08-04,*

Dear Judge Shaver: I am writing in response to the referral of the Grand Jury Report 2007-08, Case #08-04, La Grange Elementary School District, Finding #4 (Report). The California Department of Education considers the Report to be in the nature of a compliance complaint. (See attached letter of June 18, 2008.) The California Code of Regulations, Title 5, Section 4640, states it is the responsibility of the local school district to first consider the issues the Grand Jury raises. Because of this legal requirement, I referred the Report to the La Grange Elementary School District for their review and investigation. The District will send a copy of the result of their investigation of the Report to you. Complaints must first be considered by the local agency for resolution. However, if the district fails to respond within 60 days of receipt of your report, or if the grand jury believes that the district decision is incorrect as a matter of fact or law, you may wish to appeal to the CDE within 15 days after the district letter was due or upon receipt of the decision of the district. If you have further questions about the complaint process or this letter, please contact me, at 916-319-0929. Sincerely, Lathleen Seabourn Kathleen Seabourne, Manager Categorical Programs Complaints Management Unit RECEIVED KS AUG 15 2000: . ..................................... 1430 N STREET, SACRAMENTO, CA 95814-5901 • 916-319-0800 • WWW.CDE.CA.GOV JACK O'CONNELL STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF June 18, 2008 EDUCATION Ms. Judith C. Mahan, Foreperson Stanislaus County Civil Grand Jury P.O. Box 3387 Modesto, California 95353 Re: La Grange Elementary School District Dear Ms. Mahan: Your letter of June 5, 2008 and the attached report of the Stanislaus County Civil Grand Jury regarding the La Grange Elementary School District has been referred to this office for response. The findings and recommendations of the Grand Jury invoke the jurisdiction of the California Department of Education (CDE) in several areas. I will therefore refer the report to the appropriate CDE divisions to be treated as compliance complaints as follows: 1. Finding 1: School Facilities Division for communication with the Division of the State Architect of the Department of General Services 2. Finding 2: School Facilities Division 3. Finding 3: School Facilities Division 4. Finding 4: Categorical Programs Complaint Management Division 5. Finding 5: Special Education Division 6. Finding 6: School Facilities Division upon notice from the Stanislaus County Office of Education 7. Finding 7: Policy and Evaluation Division 8. Finding 8: School Fiscal Services Division and Audit & Investigations Division 9. Finding 9: This is a local personnel matter. 10. Findings 10-12: Local governance matters. Thank you for bringing these public education matters to our attention. Each of the responsible divisions will conduct an appropriate inquiry and order corrective actions if necessary. (6) 15 1430 N STREET, SACRAMENTO, CA 95814-5901 • 916-319-0800 • WWW.CDE.CA.GOV Ms. Judith C. Mahan June 18, 2008 Sincerely yours, SA uchal Michael E. Hersher Deputy General Counsel Cc: Kathleen Moore, SFD Kathleen Seaborne, CPCMD Mary Hudler, SED Rachel Perry, PED Scott Hannan, SFSD Kevin Chan, AID . ٠. - . *, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 . . 0 0 . ... . 7 . . . 16 . . 0 * 9

Special Education Division

School Facilities Division upon notice from the Stanislaus County Office of Education . Finding 7: Policy and Evaluation Division . Finding 8: School Fiscal Services Division and Audit & investigations Division

This is a local personnel matter. 0. Findings 10-12: Local governance matters. QahwNy => © ON Thank you for bringing these public education matters to our attention. Each of the responsible divisions will conduct an appropnalst inquiry and order corrective actions if necessary. E e E i T E JUN 2 3 2008 pyo (fo 1430 N STREET, SACRAMENTO, CA 95814-5901 © 916-319-0800 «+ WWW.CDE.CA.GOY Ms. Judith C. Mahan June 18, 2008 Deputy General Counsel Cc: Kathleen Moore, SFD Kathleen Seaborne, CPCMD Mary Hudler, SED Rachel Perry, PED Scott Hannan, SFSD Kevin Chan, AID