📋
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.
Lake County Grand Jury
• 2012-2013
(Amended by Stats. 2000, Ch. 1058, Sec. 19. Effective January 1, 2001.)
⚠️ 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 and Recommendations 6 findings
F1
Page 186
The various transportation departments are doing an excellent job considering the budgetary constraints under which they operate.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
Page 186
The transportation departments of all districts be commended for their performance under difficult circumstances. (F1)
F2
Page 186
Each district handles purchasing according to their own needs.
No recommendations for this finding
F3
Page 186
The procedures are fairly uniform between districts.
No recommendations for this finding
F4
Page 186
Administrative savings could be realized with centralized Information Technology for record keeping and purchasing. This could eliminate the teaching staff, principals, et al. from being responsible for transportation needs of the students (see “The Educational and Financial Benefits Derived from the Unification of all Lake County School Districts” in the 2012-2013 Civil Grand Jury Report).
Related Recommendations (1)
R2
Page 186
The committee recommends coordination of administration and IT into one office with one director. This can facilitate better contracts, inventory control and recordkeeping and governmental reporting. The IT system can further facilitate performance measurement of staff and facilities. This could eliminate the teaching staff, principals, et al from being responsible for transportation needs of the students. (F4)
F5
Page 186
The inclusion of GPS transponders allows for real-time location reporting which enhances student safety and security.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
Page 186
All buses and white fleet in the county have GPS transponders installed. (F5)
F6
Page 186
Middletown bus barn security is in need of repairs Recommendations:
Related Recommendations (1)
R4
Page 186
The Middletown School District repair their security fence to control theft. (F6) Request for Responses: Lake County Office of Education (60 days) All seven school districts (60 Days): Kelseyville Unified School District, Konocti Unified School District, Lakeport Unified School District, Lucerne Elementary School District, Middletown Unified School District, Upper Lake Union Elementary School District, Upper Lake Union High School District 2012-13
Additional Recommendations 21
These recommendations are not explicitly linked to specific findings.
-
R5Page 171County Grand Jury Study of the Unification (EC 35753). The county Grand Jury must determine the impact of the unification on the conditions listed in Education Code Section 35753.
-
R6Page 171Approval Process (EC 35706, 35707, 35752 through 35755) a. of the first public hearing, the county Grand Jury must make a recommendation to approve or disapprove the petition. b. The county Grand Jury may make a recommendation regarding the area of election. c. The county Grand Jury transmits the petition, report, and recommendations to the State Board of Education. d. The State Board of Education holds public hearings on CEQA and the unification proposal. e. The State Board of Education approves or disapproves the petition. f. If approval is given, the county superintendent calls an election in an area determined by the State Board of Education. UNIFICATION INITIATED BY 10% PETITION OR LOCAL AGENCY
-
R7Page 173Approval Process (EC 35722, 35752 through 35755) a. of the first public hearing, the county Grand Jury shall make a final recommendation to approve or disapprove the petition. b. The county Grand Jury may make a recommendation regarding the area of election. c. The county Grand Jury transmits reports and recommendations to the State Board of Education. d. The State Board of Education holds public hearings on CEQA and the unification proposal. e. The State Board of Education approves or disapproves the petition. f. If approval is given, the county superintendent calls an election in an area determined by the State Board of Education. 2012-13 COUNTY GRAND JURY PLANS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR REORGANIZATION
-
R8Page 177None of the school districts keep a substantial inventory of replacement parts.
-
R9Page 177All school districts are negatively affected by budget shortfalls. This has required them to consolidate departmental duties under existing staff. There are only two full time Transportation Directors in Lake County (Kelseyville Unified School District and Lakeport Unified School District). The other districts must rely on certified staff such as the principal or teachers to manage the departments.
-
R10Page 177All school district administrations are aware of the Transportation Study and have been making improvements, as they are able, within their departments.
-
R11Page 177The Transportation Study was not well received by various districts because they felt it was flawed by numerous inaccuracies. 2012-13
-
R12Page 177Over the last several years there have been only minor accidents involving buses. There have been no injuries.
-
R13Page 177The dollar amount each Transportation Director is authorized to spend without prior administrative authorization varies within each district.
-
R14Page 177Many of the bus drivers are assigned other duties in order to achieve full time status.
-
R15Page 177Most of the school districts have fuel storage tanks on their facilities for diesel and gasoline. The majority of the tanks are secured.
-
R16Page 178There is a consortium within six of the school districts for fuel purchases. The purchases are determined by bid. The exception is the Lucerne Elementary School District which purchases fuel through the North Shore Fire Department.
-
R17Page 178All districts have procedures to handle discipline problems on the buses.
-
R18Page 178All the new buses have seatbelts and cameras on board.
-
R19Page 178The committee found there is a lack of security in the Middletown bus barn. The security fence is unrepaired due to budgetary constraints. A security camera and fuel have been stolen.
-
R20Page 178The Lakeport bus barn is equipped with a security system that is linked to law enforcement.
-
R21Page 178Not all districts use common computer software inventory control programs for tracking parts, fuel and equipment.
-
R22Page 178The nine passenger vans are used for school functions, i.e. school competitions and sports. They are part of the “white fleet”. [See
-
R23Page 178Presently, each transportation district’s personnel document their own budgetary needs, fuel consumption, mileage, requisition of equipment, etc. to their individual districts.
-
R24Page 178The Transportation Directors indicated that several bus drivers in various districts will be retiring within the school year. They also indicated a concern that replacing these individuals will be challenging due to the complexity of the application process.
-
R25Page 178At present none of the school buses or white fleet are equipped with Global Positioning System (GPS) transponders which would enhance transportation operations, student safety and security. 2012-13