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Findings and Recommendations 9 findings
F1
All the schools visited had inconsistencies regarding visitors coming on campus. Of the 11 schools visited, only three asked for IDs, which were processed through Raptor Technologies®. KHSD violated their own “prevention/mitigation” document.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
KHSD should enforce their existing policy which requires that all visitors be screened by providing identification and processed through Raptor Technologies®, by August 15, 2023. This eliminates those who should not be on campus. (Finding 1)
F2
The Grand Jury noted several unattended open gates at various schools, during school hours. Again, KHSD is not following their own policy!
Related Recommendations (1)
R2
KHSD should enforce their existing policy to keep gates locked during the school day. When unlocked, they need to be tended by school personnel. This should be implemented by August 15, 2023. (Finding 2)
F3
According to school officials, many school cameras had limited views, blind spots, and poor resolution, creating safety issues.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
KHSD should update campus cameras with better resolution and routine maintenance. Administrative staff should have a working knowledge of the operation of the camera system by December 15, 2023. (Finding 3)
F4
Campus supervisors lack the necessary training to deal with hostile situations. This oversight does not equip the campus supervisor with the essential tools to deal with everyday situations such as assaults, fighting, drug use, etc. 2022-2023 Kern County Grand Jury Report 5 123
Related Recommendations (1)
R4
KHSD should ensure that campus supervisors have consistent “hands on” basic self- defense, de-escalation, and interpersonal communication training by January 1, 2024. (Finding 4)
F5
Not all schools posted “IN AN EMERGENCY TAKE ACTION” posters in the common areas. Not all incidents happen in the classroom, so it would be prudent to have them posted in all common areas (See Appendix D).
Related Recommendations (1)
R5
KHSD should have “IN AN EMERGENCY TAKE ACTION” posters in all common areas of school campuses by August 15, 2023. (Finding 5) 2022-2023 Kern County Grand Jury Report 6 124
F6
All schools complied with updating the CSSPs.
No recommendations for this finding
F7
Administrative staff, KHSD law enforcement, and campus supervisors appeared to be proactive and concerned with school safety. However, they are inconsistent with following their own approved policies.
Related Recommendations (1)
R7
KHSD school administrators, law enforcement, and campus supervisors should continue to be proactive in maintaining school safety by providing ongoing training in accordance with their own policies, by August 15, 2023. (Finding 7)
F8
Generally, the schools visited do not keep classroom doors locked during school periods. There is no policy mandating this. There should be!
Related Recommendations (1)
R6
KHSD should mandate that all classroom doors be locked from the inside, while class is in session, yet allow administrators, law enforcement, fire department, and campus supervisors the ability to unlock doors from the outside in cases of emergencies by August 15, 2024. Available grant funds should be used as needed. (Finding 8)
F9
Not all standardized Emergency Management guides are kept in a place easily accessible in times of a crisis. In the event of an emergency, the format and location of the guides should be consistent in all schools (See Appendix E). They need to be! COMMENTS: The Grand Jury would like to thank school administrators/staff, KHSD law enforcement officers, and campus supervisors for their time and patience in answering numerous questions and providing guided campus tours.
Related Recommendations (1)
R8
KHSD should standardize their Emergency Standard Management guides to a “flip chart,” to be located in classrooms by the front door and consistent throughout KHSD by January 15, 2024 (See Appendix E). (Finding 9) NOTES: • The Kern High School District should post a copy of this report in each campus where it will be available for public review. • Persons wishing to receive an email notification of newly released reports may sign up at: www.kerncounty.com/grandjury • Present and past Kern County Grand Jury Final Reports and Responses can be accessed on the Kern County Grand Jury website: www.kerncounty.com/grandjury RESPONSE DEADLINES: • REQUIRED WITHIN 90 DAYS FROM: KERN HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF TRUSTEES RESPONSES ARE REQUIRED PURSUANT TO CAL. PENAL CODE §§933(C) AND 933.05 WITHIN 90 DAYS TO: • PRESIDING JUDGE KERN COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT 1415 TRUXTUN AVENUE, SUITE 212 BAKERSFIELD, CA 93301 • TRUXTUN AVENUE, SUITE 600 BAKERSFIELD, CA 93301 Reports issued by the Grand Jury do not identify individuals interviewed. Cal. Penal Code § 929 requires that reports of the Grand Jury not contain the name of any person or facts leading to the identity of any person who provides information to the Grand Jury. 2022-2023 Kern County Grand Jury Report 7 125
Comments 6
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CO1The Kern High School District should post a copy of this report in each campus where it will be available for public review.
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CO2Persons wishing to receive an email notification of newly released reports may sign up at: www.kerncounty.com/grandjury
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CO3Present and past Kern County Grand Jury Final Reports and Responses can be accessed on the Kern County Grand Jury website: www.kerncounty.com/grandjury RESPONSE DEADLINES:
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CO4REQUIRED WITHIN 90 DAYS FROM: KERN HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF TRUSTEES RESPONSES ARE REQUIRED PURSUANT TO CAL. PENAL CODE §§933(C) AND 933.05 WITHIN 90 DAYS TO:
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CO5PRESIDING JUDGE KERN COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT 1415 TRUXTUN AVENUE, SUITE 212 BAKERSFIELD, CA 93301
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CO6FOREMAN KERN COUNTY GRAND JURY 1415 TRUXTUN AVENUE, SUITE 600 BAKERSFIELD, CA 93301 Reports issued by the Grand Jury do not identify individuals interviewed. Cal. Penal Code § 929 requires that reports of the Grand Jury not contain the name of any person or facts leading to the identity of any person who provides information to the Grand Jury. 2022-2023 Kern County Grand Jury Report 7 125 APPENDIX A: PREVENTION/MITIGATION Site has Planning Future Not achieved in Need Applicable Progress 2022-2023 Kern County Grand Jury Report 8 126 gninedraH tegraT Fencing is present around entire perimeter of the school site Access to campus is limited through one entry point during the day When perimeter gates are unlocked, those entry points are staffed A barricade of some sort exists between the school entrance/lobby campus e,g, vestibule, doorway, half-wall with gated access, etc. Classroom doors remained locked from the outside when occupied (NOTE: locked doors must be free from hardware that hinders egress during an emergency School Resource Officers (RO) or security staff are employed School site is equipped with surveillance cameras tnemeganaM rotisiV All visitors are required to sign-in and sign-out at the front office Visitors must present a valid ID to gain access to campus All visitors wear identification badges while on campus All school staff wear identification badges etamilC loohcS The school site has a program in place to educate the students and staff how to recognize the signs and signals of at-risk behavior and potential threats in social media The school site has a formal process for anonymous reporting of safety threats (e.g. Sandy Hook Promise ay Something app of Stop-it!) The school site has a multi-tiered intervention team and process for identification and intervention o students/staff/visitors who may be at risk of violence to themselves of others The school site has a tiered framework to house needed interventions, supports and school engagement (e.g. PBIS or restorative practices) School site has in place a formal anti-bullying/kindness program (e.g. Safe School Ambassadors, Start With Hello, Buddy Bench etc. KERN COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS WEBSITE APPENDIX B: 2022-2023 Kern County Grand Jury Report 9 127 APPENDIX C 2022-2023 Kern County Grand Jury Report 10 128 APPENDIX D: 2022-2023 Kern County Grand Jury Report 11 129 APPENDIX E: 0 2022-2023 Kern County Grand Jury Report 12 130