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Extraído del Informe Consolidado

Esta investigación fue publicada originalmente como parte de un informe consolidado más amplio que contiene múltiples investigaciones. Consulte el PDF consolidado para ver el documento completo.

Santa Cruz County Grand Jury • 2002-2003

A Review of the Structure and Administration of the Santa Cruz County Public School Systems

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Findings and Recommendations 89 findings

F1 Page 129
Table 2 illustrates that having ten school districts in the county creates a duplication of administrative functions. Page 6-2 A Review of the Structure and Administration of the Santa Cruz County Public School Systems 2001–2002 Santa Cruz County Grand Jury Final Report Administrative Functions Matrix (4) One- COE PVUSD SC SV SLV SOQ LO School Districts Superintendent X X X X X X X X Assistant Superintendent X X X X X X X Business Services X X X X X X X X Bond Projects X X X X X X X X Finance X X X X X X X X Facility X X X X X X X X Food Services X X X X X X X X Purchases X X X X X X X X Curriculum X X X X X X X X Staff Development X X X X X X X X Student Support Services X X X X X X X X Technology X X X X X X X X Health Services X X X X X X X X Human Resources X X X X X X X X Teacher Contracts X X X X X X X Union, Lease, Project X X X X X X X Contracts Table 2. The matrix does not include duplicated positions in each district for special education. These positions are included in the Special Education Local Program Administration (SELPA) and are discussed later in this report. A Review of the Structure and Administration Page 6-3 of the Santa Cruz County Public School Systems 2001–2002 Santa Cruz County Grand Jury Final Report
No recommendations for this finding
F2 Page 129
Table 3 details the cost per student in each of the school districts in Santa Cruz County. Cost Per Student Comparison Actual Number of Number of Cost per Expenditure Students Schools Student (4) One-School Districts: Bonny Doon, Happy $4,660,810 540 4 $8,631 Valley, Mountain, Pacific Elementary Live Oak School District $16,346,121 1,994 4 $8,198 Soquel $14,344,059 2,142 5 $6,697 Elementary School District Scotts Valley $14,578,141 2,591 4 $5,626 Unified School District San Lorenzo $27,086,531 3,996 6 $6,778 Unified School District Santa Cruz $56,537,272 7,998 12 $7,069 City School District Pajaro Valley $142,649,320 19,863 24 $7,182 Unified School District Combined Budget: $276,202,254* 39,124 59 $7,060 *Includes monies for 538 Special Education and Alternative Education students with the COE and 257 students at Pacific Collegiate Charter School. Table 3. Declining Enrollment
No recommendations for this finding
F3 Page 129
Santa Cruz County school administrators agree that all of the school districts are concerned about the effects of declining enrollment.
No recommendations for this finding
F4 Page 129
Santa Cruz School District lost 720 students in 2000/2001.
No recommendations for this finding
F5 Page 129
Bonny Doon School District lost 112 students over five years.
No recommendations for this finding
F6 Page 129
Soquel School District lost 140 students over five years.
No recommendations for this finding
F7 Page 130
Administrators at Live Oak, Pacific and San Lorenzo Valley state that they have all experienced declining enrollment.
No recommendations for this finding
F8 Page 130
Many schools that have not shown a drop in enrollment have zero growth.
No recommendations for this finding
F9 Page 130
According to the State Franchise Tax Board, Santa Cruz County will lose an additional 2,200 students by the year 2010. Page 6-4 A Review of the Structure and Administration of the Santa Cruz County Public School Systems 2001–2002 Santa Cruz County Grand Jury Final Report
No recommendations for this finding
F10 Page 130
Some northern classrooms have empty desks while many southern classrooms experience overcrowding. Deficits
No recommendations for this finding
F11 Page 130
Most school districts are experiencing financial difficulties. Studies suggest that by the year 2010, Santa Cruz County public schools will lose approximately $21,455,390 due to a drop in Average Daily Attendance (ADA).
No recommendations for this finding
F12 Page 130
Additional funds are available from the State as incentives for more efficiently organized districts. Based upon today's figures the incentives are $20 per student, which equates to approximately $800,000 potentially available to County schools.
No recommendations for this finding
F13 Page 130
School districts in Santa Cruz County do not employ professional project managers to oversee major building renovation projects. This exposes the districts to cost overruns and waste. Special Education Programs
No recommendations for this finding
F14 Page 130
Special Education Programs are Federally and State mandated but many are only partially funded. These programs are extremely expensive and impose a severe financial burden on the entire education system.
No recommendations for this finding
F15 Page 130
The special education program in Santa Cruz County has two administrative staffs. Pajaro Valley Unified School District runs its own Special Education Local Program Administration (SELPA) program. The COE and the other nine school districts are in a consortium called Northern County SELPA.
No recommendations for this finding
F16 Page 130
The County of Santa Cruz receives approximately $22 million dollars annually for special education funding. 40% of this funding comes from federal sources and 60% from state revenues.
No recommendations for this finding
F17 Page 131
The COE administers the north county SELPA and serves as a conduit for special education funds from the state to the school districts.
No recommendations for this finding
F18 Page 131
Districts utilizing special education services provided by the COE are charged for additional “excess cost.”
No recommendations for this finding
F19 Page 131
The funds for the consortium in the northern county area are approximately $11 million annually. The COE retains 50% to cover the cost of programs they provide (including 61 special education teachers’ salaries) and the remaining funds are distributed to the consortium members. If there are excess costs for the program, the school districts may have to reimburse the COE for participating in the program.
No recommendations for this finding
F20 Page 131
Pajaro Unified School District has its own SELPA in the southern county area and is funded directly from the state, thereby eliminating additional administrative costs. Grant Money
No recommendations for this finding
F21 Page 131
Each individual district must procure federal, state and private grant money in its own behalf.
No recommendations for this finding
F22 Page 132
Preparing grant documents is costly and time consuming. A Review of the Structure and Administration Page 6-5 of the Santa Cruz County Public School Systems 2001–2002 Santa Cruz County Grand Jury Final Report
No recommendations for this finding
F23 Page 132
While there are ten school districts in the County, a cooperative grant application system does not exist.
No recommendations for this finding
F24 Page 132
The COE does not regularly prepare grant applications for individual school districts.
No recommendations for this finding
F25 Page 132
The criteria for many federal, state and private grant monies are family income levels (based on federal guidelines) within the district, and/or the number of non-English speaking students.
No recommendations for this finding
F26 Page 132
Many of the county school districts do not meet the criteria of family income level or non-English speaking students to qualify for grants.
No recommendations for this finding
F27 Page 132
The data indicate the southeastern portion of the county has a larger percent of lower- income families and non-English speaking students, which qualifies Pajaro Valley Unified School District for a larger number of grants. County Office of Education
No recommendations for this finding
F28 Page 132
In 1861 D.J. Haslam served as the first Superintendent of Santa Cruz County schools, supervising twenty-one schools, 1,756 students and a budget of $6,344.
No recommendations for this finding
F29 Page 132
Until 1890 the County Superintendent was a part-time employee. Today the County Office of Education has a budget of $34,097,978 and employs 286 persons supporting 40,000 students.
No recommendations for this finding
F30 Page 132
The County Office of Education currently consists of: · 37 Administrators · 61 Special Education Teachers · 49 Vocational Teacher · 55 Classroom aides · 10 Student support – therapists, work experience teachers · 24 Administrator assistants – secretaries · 40 Clerical · 5 Technology support staff · 5 Maintenance staff
No recommendations for this finding
F31 Page 133
The mission statement of the COE states: "The County Superintendent of Schools is to oversee and further the progress of education in all school districts within the County and serve as an intermediate link between those local districts and the State Department of Education."
No recommendations for this finding
F32 Page 133
The County Superintendent has the responsibility of providing those services that can be more economically and efficiently provided by a central office rather than an individual local school district.
No recommendations for this finding
F33 Page 133
The COE generally does not offer services that compete with the districts, or impose programs or laws.
No recommendations for this finding
F34 Page 133
Four of the state-mandated functions of the COE are: · Information and coordination services Page 6-6 A Review of the Structure and Administration of the Santa Cruz County Public School Systems 2001–2002 Santa Cruz County Grand Jury Final Report · Program and staff development services · Fiscal oversight of the County's school districts. · Registration of teaching credentials for teachers who teach within Santa Cruz County
No recommendations for this finding
F35 Page 133
The four one-school districts in the County receive financial and accounting assistance from the COE for which they are not billed.
No recommendations for this finding
F36 Page 133
Funding for the COE is divided into two categories: 85% is restricted to special education, vocational education and schools at detention facilities. The funding is partially based on Average Daily Attendance (ADA, the amount per student funded by the State to the schools). The remaining 15% covers administrative costs.
No recommendations for this finding
F37 Page 133
The COE bills districts utilizing programs administered by the COE for excess costs.
No recommendations for this finding
F38 Page 133
The COE has the primary responsibility of reviewing the yearly audits of the school districts’ budgets.
No recommendations for this finding
F39 Page 133
All school and district payrolls pass through the COE, which also passes along an administrative charge to the school districts.
No recommendations for this finding
F40 Page 133
As of April 1st 2002, the county wide declining enrollment dilemma has not resulted in budget or staff reductions at the COE. One-School Districts
No recommendations for this finding
F41 Page 133
These four one-school districts have a total student enrollment of 540: · Bonny Doon Union Elementary School District · Founded 1940. 170 students. · One school K-6. · Happy Valley Elementary School District · Founded 1864. 130 students. · One school K-6. · Mountain Elementary School District · Founded 1869. 158 students. · One school K-6 · Pacific Elementary School District · Founded 1906. 82 students. · One school K-6 · Yearly budget (combined): $4,660,810 · Total Number of Employees (combined):
No recommendations for this finding
F42 Page 133
Each district is a self-contained business entity, i.e., it includes hiring, budgeting, employee contract, curriculum and fund raising functions.
No recommendations for this finding
F43 Page 134
The Principal has the dual role of District Superintendent and School Administrator.
No recommendations for this finding
F44 Page 134
Since family income levels are generally above federal guidelines in these districts, very little grant money is available. A Review of the Structure and Administration Page 6-7 of the Santa Cruz County Public School Systems 2001–2002 Santa Cruz County Grand Jury Final Report
No recommendations for this finding
F45 Page 134
Due to the cost of special education programs, a very serious financial threat is posed to these small districts. If a student needs an aide or a tutor with him/her or if the student needs education outside of the district, the district must pay for it.
No recommendations for this finding
F46 Page 134
Test scores in these one-school districts lead the county, but the cost per student is much higher than the other six county school districts.
No recommendations for this finding
F47 Page 134
An Administrator stated, “Parental involvement and a dedicated, committed staff are a key component to the success of the district."
No recommendations for this finding
F48 Page 134
Families are moving from the area, one of the least affordable in the nation, due to the high cost of housing.
No recommendations for this finding
F49 Page 134
Declining enrollment severely impacts small districts. A family with any children leaving the school district poses a serious financial loss due to the loss of payment for ADA for that student. Six Multi-School Districts
No recommendations for this finding
F50 Page 134
The six multi-school districts range from 1,994 to 19,863 students.
No recommendations for this finding
F51 Page 134
Each District Office operates as an individual business entity.
No recommendations for this finding
F52 Page 134
Staff in each District Office consists of Administrative, Human Resources, Purchasing, Facilities, Food Service, Curriculum, and Staff Development personnel.
No recommendations for this finding
F53 Page 134
Each district negotiates its own union contacts.
No recommendations for this finding
F54 Page 134
The ten school districts set policy and administration for all schools within their jurisdiction.
No recommendations for this finding
F55 Page 134
Boundaries of school districts make it difficult for teachers and students to transfer between districts where declining enrollment is severely impacting a district’s financial viability.
No recommendations for this finding
F56 Page 134
With the multi-school districts in the North County, students from one family may attend K-6 in one district, middle school in another and high school in yet a third. This creates a lack of uniformity in the curriculum, transportation and family vacation schedules. Live Oak School District Founded Number of Students Yearly Budget Number of District Employees 1872 1,994 $13,226,298 267 Four Schools — Kindergarten (K) through 8th Grade · Del Mar Elementary School · Green Acres Elementary School · Live Oak Elementary School · Shoreline Middle School Page 6-8 A Review of the Structure and Administration of the Santa Cruz County Public School Systems 2001–2002 Santa Cruz County Grand Jury Final Report
No recommendations for this finding
F57 Page 135
Live Oak School District, surrounded by the Soquel and Santa Cruz school districts, has housing that is increasingly out of the reach of many working families. Consequently the Live Oak School District is experiencing declining enrollment.
No recommendations for this finding
F58 Page 135
Live Oak will face budget deficits within two years unless costs in the school district are lowered; additional funding is acquired or transfers of students from other districts are achieved.
No recommendations for this finding
F59 Page 135
The district has been proactive in addressing their budget issues by doing the following in an effort to attract more students: · Opened day care to all residents in the community · Opened a community center · Formed a parent/teacher committee to examine budget and declining enrollment issues. · Are preparing to open a magnet school (a school which emphasizes a specific area of study) and plan to enroll students who live anywhere in Santa Cruz County who are interested in that subject. Soquel Union Elementary School District Founded Number of Students Yearly Budget Number of District Employees 1890 2,142 $14,344,059 226 Five Schools — Kindergarten (K) through 8th Grade · Capitola Elementary School · Main Street Elementary School · Santa Cruz Gardens Elementary School · Soquel Elementary School · New Brighton Middle School
No recommendations for this finding
F60 Page 135
Soquel suffers from declining student enrollment with approximately 140 students lost over the last five years.
No recommendations for this finding
F61 Page 135
Lack of affordable housing and the high cost of special education severely impact this district. District Administrators expect budget deficits in the future.
No recommendations for this finding
F62 Page 135
Family income levels tend to be above federal guidelines that make it very difficult for the district to qualify for grants.
No recommendations for this finding
F63 Page 135
Administrators state that the cost of preparing grant applications greatly reduces the net amount funded to the district. A Review of the Structure and Administration Page 6-9 of the Santa Cruz County Public School Systems 2001–2002 Santa Cruz County Grand Jury Final Report Scotts Valley Unified School District Founded Number of Students Yearly Budget Number of District Employees 1872 2,591 $14,578,141 257 Four Schools — Kindergarten (K) through 11th Grade · Brook Knoll Elementary School · Vine Hill Elementary School · Scotts Valley Middle School · Scotts Valley High School
No recommendations for this finding
F64 Page 136
Scotts Valley High School was opened on September 3rd 1999. This increased the total enrollment for the school district. However, by doing so other districts lost enrollment.
No recommendations for this finding
F65 Page 136
Declining enrollment has not impacted the district, but the Scotts Valley district does not anticipate future growth.
No recommendations for this finding
F66 Page 136
The district is in the process of remodeling its middle school campus.
No recommendations for this finding
F67 Page 136
On November 8, 1994 voters approved two bond measure totaling $22.7 million for a new high school.
No recommendations for this finding
F68 Page 136
On May 1, 1995, $4.5 million was released with the remaining $18.2 million released on August 1st 1997.
No recommendations for this finding
F69 Page 136
Voters rejected additional school bonds for the district in March 2002. San Lorenzo Valley Unified School District Founded Number of Students Yearly Budget Number of District Employees 1952 3,996 $27,086,531 447 Six Schools — Kindergarten (K) through 12th Grade · One Charter Program · Boulder Creek Elementary School · Quail Hollow Elementary School · Redwood Elementary School · San Lorenzo Valley Elementary School · San Lorenzo Valley Junior High School · San Lorenzo Valley High School
No recommendations for this finding
F70 Page 136
San Lorenzo Valley School District is located in the mountainous region of Santa Cruz County.
No recommendations for this finding
F71 Page 136
The district faces numerous challenges with transportation and declining enrollment. Page 6-10 A Review of the Structure and Administration of the Santa Cruz County Public School Systems 2001–2002 Santa Cruz County Grand Jury Final Report
No recommendations for this finding
F72 Page 136
While district buses operate daily during school hours, late after-school activities pose a problem.
No recommendations for this finding
F73 Page 136
Missing scheduled morning pick-ups and return trips home often discourages students from attending school or participating in after school activities.
No recommendations for this finding
F74 Page 136
School officials feel free bus passes for public transportation would help daily attendance.
No recommendations for this finding
F75 Page 137
At the close of fieldwork, the Superintendent stated the budget would have a deficit in the 2002-2003 school year. Santa Cruz City School District Founded Number of Students Yearly Budget Number of District Employees 1857 7,998 $56,537,272 938 Twelve Schools — Kindergarten (K) through 12th Grade · Two Ark Studies Schools: Ark School (9-12) and Home Studies AFE (K-12) · Bayview Elementary School · Branciforte Elementary School · De Laveaga Elementary School · Gault Elementary School · Monarch Elementary School · Natural Bridges Elementary School · Westlake Elementary School · Sojourn Charter Middle School · Branciforte Junior High School · Mission Hill Junior High School · Delta Charter High School · Harbor High School · Santa Cruz High School · Soquel High School
No recommendations for this finding
F76 Page 137
The district has lost approximately 720 students since 1999. 322 students were lost during the 2001 school year alone.
No recommendations for this finding
F77 Page 137
In order to remain solvent, the district must reduce its budget by $3.2 to $4.9 million dependent on receiving additional funding.
No recommendations for this finding
F78 Page 137
A parcel tax measure was recently passed. According to district officials, these amounts will not be sufficient to cover growing deficits.
No recommendations for this finding
F79 Page 137
In 1998, voters approved bond measures totaling $86 million designated for school remodeling.
No recommendations for this finding
F80 Page 137
The District has been in the processing of renovating older school buildings in order to bring them into compliance with federal mandates. A Review of the Structure and Administration Page 6-11 of the Santa Cruz County Public School Systems 2001–2002 Santa Cruz County Grand Jury Final Report
No recommendations for this finding
F81 Page 137
The district recently announced that Strategic Construction Management Consulting Company would receive $1.2 million to oversee these renovations.
No recommendations for this finding
F82 Page 137
Recently two high school principals resigned their positions citing the high cost of housing, declining enrollment, and budget concerns. One principal was quoted as saying; “I’ve been having to make budget decisions that honestly are difficult for me to deal with, reducing people’s work day, their work year. Unfortunately this is the beginning of a cycle that is not going to go away for a while.”
No recommendations for this finding
F83 Page 138
Many students from the Santa Cruz City School District were transferred to Scotts Valley High School, which opened in 1999. This negatively impacted the school district’s ADA. Pajaro Valley Unified School District Founded Number of Students Yearly Budget Number of District Employees 1960 19,863 $142,649,320 2,381 Schools — Kindergarten (K) through 12th Grade · Three Charter Schools · Alianza Elementary Charter School · Linscott Charter School · Pacific Coast Charter School · Amesti Elementary School · Ann Soldo Elementary School · Bradley Elementary School · Calabasas Elementary School · Freedom Elementary School · H. A. Hyde Elementary School · Hall Elementary School · MacQuiddy Elementary School · Mar Vista Elementary School · Mintie White Elementary School · Ohlone Elementary School · Rio Del Mar Elementary School · Salsipuedes Elementary School · Starlight Elementary School · Valencia Elementary School · E.A. Hall Middle School · Lakeview Middle School · Pajaro Middle School · Rolling Hills Middle School · Aptos Junior High School · Aptos High School · Renaissance High School Page 6-12 A Review of the Structure and Administration of the Santa Cruz County Public School Systems 2001–2002 Santa Cruz County Grand Jury Final Report · Watsonville High School
No recommendations for this finding
F84 Page 138
Pajaro Valley Unified School District is the largest school district in the County.
No recommendations for this finding
F85 Page 138
The migrant population and other non-English speaking students create unique expenses and challenges for PVUSD.
No recommendations for this finding
F86 Page 138
According to State of California statistics, thirteen schools in the district have unacceptably low-test scores.
No recommendations for this finding
F87 Page 139
The District is continuously initiating programs to reverse low academic achievement.
No recommendations for this finding
F88 Page 139
Overcrowding at the high schools is a major concern.
No recommendations for this finding
F89 Page 139
A new high school is scheduled to open in approximately two years. Conclusions
No recommendations for this finding