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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.

Imperial County Grand Jury • 2007-2008

City of El Centro Central Union High School District

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Findings 10 findings

F1 Page 45
Southwest High School is ten years old and the buildings are in good condition; the buildings were re-roofed in 2006. Central High School is an older facility. The plumbing was replaced five years ago and the electrical system will be replaced soon, using money obtained through the State Hardship Plan. Under the Hardship Plan, a district contributes what maintenance money it has and the state supplies the rest for a particular project. The amount of space available at Central High School (27 acres) is insufficient for the number of students it serves. It should have 40 acres. Therefore, some new construction is planned incorporating two-story buildings. Desert Oasis High School is a new facility and is in good condition. A site for an additional high school is being considered in the southeast area of the District, but construction is 8 to 10 years in the future.
F2 Page 45
The Academic Placement Index (API) for the District is good. Central High School is a California Distinguished School, and Southwest High School has been so honored in the past and is close to achieving that goal again. The District has a dropout rate of only 6%. Eighty percent of District graduates go on to college, including both four-year colleges and community colleges, but only 4% of those continue to graduation. Seventy percent of the District seniors pass the exit exam; the others can take summer school classes or go on to the Adult Education program. 32
F3 Page 46
Forty percent of the students are English language learners. The District is proud of its success with these students; the program at Central has been cited as a national model. Central is also proud that two of its Advance Via Individual Determination (AVID) students last year received scholarships from the Bill Gates Foundation. Almost all of the Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) classes have been phased out and replaced with Advanced Placement classes, in which students can earn college credit. There are sufficient textbooks and they are up-to-date. All three sites have up-to-date computers and software and sufficient budget to upgrade as necessary.
F4 Page 46
Three of the four administrators at Southwest High School are new this year. Two of them, including the Principal and the Vice-Principal in charge of discipline, do not speak Spanish and must communicate with many parents and students through an interpreter.
F5 Page 46
The Southwest campus includes the Southwest Academy for the Visual and Performing Arts (SAVAPA). Its curriculum includes instruction in the regular courses but also special courses in theater, dance, and music. Students are admitted to the program by audition. Public performances are given regularly and are very popular in the Imperial Valley. There is no data on how many of these students continue in the arts, either in college or professionally.
F6 Page 46
Food Service is not self-sustaining and has to be subsidized from the General Fund. The Healthy Foods Initiative has been implemented, and the Food Service is in compliance with state guidelines.
F7 Page 46
There is one police officer assigned to the District. There is also one Community Liaison person and one Probation Officer for the District. In addition, Southwest has four Security Guards, Central has three, and Desert Oasis has one. A system of security cameras is being installed throughout the District and will be completely operational before the end of the school year. A policy of mandatory drug testing before participating in any extracurricular activity is in place. Student athletes must maintain a 2.0 grade average.
F8 Page 46
The restrooms on the northwest outside of the gym at Southwest have been closed during school hours because of security problems. The location is at the far end of the campus and not within sight of any classrooms. Other restrooms are available for the students. These restrooms are opened when there are events in the Auditorium.
F9 Page 46
There are continuing efforts at all sites to encourage parent involvement in school activities and decisions. Many students, especially Hispanics, are unable to participate in after-school activities because of bus schedules.
F10 Page 46
Southwest High School has a Lead Custodian with eight employees under him. Central High School has a Lead Custodian and six employees. Their duties have been increased this year to include care of floors and carpets and other maintenance work which formerly was done during the summer or holiday breaks. Some equipment is old and not 33

Recommendations 6