Santa Cruz County Grand Jury
• 2001-2002
• Agency Response
Response to:
Grand Jury Report - 2001-2002
Santa Cruz County Grand Jury Responses to the Final Report of the
⚠️ 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.
Note: Missing finding numbers detected: F11, F14, F16, F17, F19, F20, F21, F22
Findings and Recommendations 15 findings
F1
Studies show that a majority of high school students are either currently using alcohol and/or drugs, or have used these substances in the past. Even as early as 7th grade, 52% of these youngsters have been or currently are using drugs or alcohol. The data cited are from the “Healthy Kids Survey of Santa Cruz County,” a study conducted by the County’s school districts, and include alternative schools, The Ark, Loma Prieta and Renaissance High Schools, but not the County Office of Education Alternative Education schools. The data represent lifetime use. Santa Cruz County Youth Survey, 2001 Grade 7 Grade 9 Grade 11 Substance Used Santa Santa Santa Calif. Calif. Calif. Cruz Cruz Cruz Alcohol 29% 25% 57% 50% 73% 70% Been Drunk 11% 10% 33% 24% 53% 45% Inhalants 12% 6% 15% 8% 16% 14% Marijuana 11% 8% 32% 24% 50% 45% Cocaine 7% 4% 9% 9% Methamphetamines 7% 4% 8% 9% Hallucinogens 7% 6% 10% 12% Heroin 4% 2% 4% 3% Response: Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors AGREES Response: Santa Cruz County Sheriff AGREES The Sheriff's Office partially agrees with this finding. Drug and alcohol use are a constant issue with high school aged students. It can be difficult to determine the percentage of students who have experimented vs. those who have serious addictive issues and behavior. Response: Santa Cruz City Police Department AGREES Response: Scotts Valley Police Department AGREES The Scotts Valley Police Department does not dispute the Healthy Kids Survey of Santa Cruz County. Substance Abuse on Campus -1 Response: Watsonville Police Department AGREES Watsonville Police Department Response to Findings 1 & 2 - We have no information to disagree with the Grand Jury's statistics. In the past the City, through the Police Department, has funded surveys on this subject. We assume the statistics you cite are valid. Response: City of Capitola AGREES Response: Scotts Valley High School PARTIALLY AGREES On behalf of SVHS, the District agrees that the data cited from the “Healthy Kids Survey of Santa Cruz County” is accurately presented. However, there is no way to determine whether the data accurately reflects substance abuse at SVHS. Response: San Lorenzo Valley High School AGREES Response: Santa Cruz High School AGREES Response: Harbor High School AGREES Response: Soquel High School PARTIALLY AGREES We have no way ofverifying this information accurately. The statistics are alarming, but somewhat misleading because they fail to distinguish between one-time and habitual use. Response: Pajaro Valley Unified School District PARTIALLY AGREES The figure of 52% reported by the grand jury is inaccurate. It appears to be the addition of the 7th grade rates of lifetime use for alcohol (29%), inhalants (12%), and marijuana (11%). These survey items are independent and, because students may report more use in more than one category, it is not accurate to simply add the individual totals. The survey report provides an unduplicated count of "Any Alcohol and Other Drugs Use" for lifetime and current use time periods. In 2001, 34% of Santa Cruz County 7th grade students reported having ever used alcohol or other drugs, while 21 % reporteduse during the past 30 days. PVUSD agrees that the level of drug use by our county's students is a serious problem.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
Santa Cruz County law enforcement agencies, the Juvenile Probation Division, and Santa Cruz County high school administrators must work together to ensure swift and effective consequences for drug abuse and juvenile crime. Response: Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors AGREES The recommendation was implemented years ago and continues to be implemented through the Criminal Justice Council's Juvenile Justice Task Force, which contains School, Law Enforcement and Probation representation, and through a variety of joint grant programs. The Probation Department is presently involved in two projects within the Juvenile Justice Task Force. One project is focusing on truancy in order to improve and coordinate efforts between probation, education and law enforcement, and the purpose of the other project is to improve and coordinate efforts on repeat juvenile offenders. Response:Santa Cruz County Sheriff DISAGREES This recommendation has yet to be implemented. The advent of the SRO position has bridged the gap between law enforcement and school officials. The probation department and law enforcement have drifted into an adversarial relationship. Law enforcement officials are concerned that current release policies may be in conflict with the need for public safety. Further work is needed to establish trust and ensure public safety and appropriate sanctions and treatment for juvenile offenders. Response: Pajaro Valley Unified School District AGREES This recommendation has been implemented. The recommendation continues to be expanded by the school district's full participation in the Juvenile Justice Task Force of the Santa Cruz County Criminal Justice Council, participation on the BASTA collaborative, and monthly law enforcement (SRO) and school administration meetings for North Zone district schools at the Sheriff's community office in the Aptos shopping center and for South and Central Zone district schools at the district office. PVUSD also conducts monthly School Attendance Review Board (SARB) hearings at the Watsonville Police Department that include representatives from law enforcement, probation, community agencies and school district staff. Monthly truancy mediation hearings take place at the Watsonville Courthouse, which includes the judge, assistant district attorney, probation, law enforcement and school district officials. PVUSD makes referrals to the Teen Peer Court. These are all opportunities to work together with probation, law enforcement, and the district attorney to ensure swift and effective consequences for drug use and juvenile crime. In addition, PVUSD's dedicated nonprofit agency, Pajaro Valley Prevention and Student Assistance (PVPSA), implements the ASSETS first offender program and the Watsonville Juvenile Community Court (WJCC) program. Response: Santa Cruz City Police Department AGREES Response: Watsonville Police Department AGREES Response: San Lorenzo Valley High School AGREES -16 Substance Abuse on Campus Response: City of Capitola PARTIALLY AGREES More analysis is needed. It is unclear what is meant by the word "consequences", and further, after decades of effort and billions of dollars, a swift and effective solution to the drug problem seems to have eluded us all. Whatever the solution, the City of Capitola agrees that it requires the cooperation of the agencies listed plus working with families and the religious community. The City of Capitola is willing to participate in such an effort, but given our limited resources leadership should come from a more regional group. Response: Scotts Valley High School AGREES This recommendation has already been implemented by the City of Scotts Valley, the Scotts Valley Unified School District and the Juvenile Probation Department. Response: Scotts Valley Police Department AGREES This recommendation has already been implemented by the City of Scotts Valley, the Scotts Valley Unified School District and the Juvenile Probation Department. Response: Harbor High School AGREES At the present time Harbor High School and the SCPO have a wonderful working relationship in regards to juvenile crime and drug abuse. Responses by the Santa Cruz Police Department are swift and thorough. The SRO Program agreement between the city schools and the police department is in large part responsible for this. Having officers on campus working with the student is a large part of the deterrence to crime and drug abuse. One area of concern is when students are arrested or cited and turned over to the Juvenile Court System, the communication breaks down. In support of the Juvenile system and the probation system, they are understaffed and have too many cases. Our area of concern is the communication from the juvenile court and probation system back to the schools. The school may have students on probation for various crimes committed while not on the school campus, but the school does not always get this information. Harbor High feels that it is important for the school system to be aware of students that are on probation for various crimes, especially but not limited to, gang-related offenses, drug arrests and crimes of violence. Harbor High believes the various public systems are working to correct this breakdown in communication and it is improving, but that more effort needs to be concentrated in this area. Response: Santa Cruz High School AGREES Santa Cruz High administrators welcome any opportunity to ensure a safe and healthy environment for all students. A consistent working relationship with these agencies will assist us in reaching that goal. Response: Soquel High School AGREES Working in collaboration with law enforcement agencies has proven to be the most effective manner to combat drug abuse and juvenile crime. We are very p", ; appreciative of the efforts of law enforcement, including the School Resource Officer , with whom the site has closely worked. We are committed to continue this collaboration and explore other potential partnerships directed toward the same end. Substance Abuse on Campus -17
F2
Heroin use has shown a frightening rise among students at the 9th grade level. By 11th grade, another 4% of students are new heroin users. The 4% of the student population who are heroin users in 9th grade do not stay in regular public schools. By the 11th grade, these students have either dropped out of school, are in alternative schools, are in drug treatment programs or juvenile detention, or are deceased. This represents approximately 8% of the total high school student population who use heroin. Response: Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors DISAGREES The 2001 Santa Cruz County Youth Survey indicates that 4% of youth in 9th grade self report lifetime (using at any time) use of heroin. In 11 th grade the figure is 5%. The 2001 Survey also indicates heroin dependency for 1 % of the youth surveyed in 9th grade and 1 % of the youth surveyed again in 11 th grade. These figures cannot be combined to -2 Substance Abuse on Campus indicate that all of the 4% of 9th graders who self report any amount of heroin use drop out of high school and an entirely new 4% self report in 11 th grade. In addition, the County disagrees with the blanket statement that the 4% of students, who have ever tried heroin, either drop out of school, are in alternative schools, are in drug treatment programs or juvenile detention, or are deceased. Heroin use is, indeed, a local problem. It is important that information on this problem be accurately and appropriately used to develop effective prevention and intervention responses. Response: Santa Cruz County Sheriff PARTIALLY AGREES The Sheriff's Office partially agrees. Heroin usage is higher in the youth population of Santa Cruz County vs. other jurisdictions. Again, the Sheriff's Office relies on student survey data, along with arrest data. The schools may have better data on drop-out rate due to heroin. Response: San Lorenzo Valley High School DISAGREES During the 14 years that I have been an administrator here at San Lorenzo Valley High School I have not dealt with any active heroin cases. Seven years ago I had one student who admitted to me during an interview that he had been a user. Response: Santa Cruz City Police Department AGREES Response: City of Capitola AGREES Response: Scotts Valley Police Department AGREES Once again the Scotts Valley Police Department does not dispute the findings of the statistics provided by the Healthy Kids Survey; however, these statistics may not be reflective of the students in the Scotts Valley Unified School District. Response: Scotts Valley High School PARTIALLY AGREES On behalf of SVHS, the District agrees that the data cited from the “Healthy Kids Survey of Santa Cruz County” is accurately presented. However, there is no way to determine whether the data accurately reflects use at SVHS. Response: Watsonville Police Department AGREES Watsonville Police Department Response to Findings 1 & 2 - We have no information to disagree with the Grand Jury's statistics. In the past the City, through the Police Department, has funded surveys on this subject. We assume the statistics you cite are valid. Response: Harbor High School PARTIALLY AGREES We question the 8% -- we feel it is high. Response: Santa Cruz High School PARTIALLY AGREES During the 2001-2002 school year, there were no students suspended for being in possessionof heroin and/or for using heroin at Santa Cruz High School. Response: Soquel High School DISAGREES Substance Abuse on Campus -3 Again, we lack the resources for verification, but we have yet to see any evidenceof r heroin use among Soquel High School students. Response: Pajaro Valley Unified School District PARTIALLY AGREES While there is evidence that heroin use has increased among Santa Cruz County teens, this increase has not been reflected in school-based survey data over the last five years. Lifetime use rates were as follows: 9th Grade 11 th Grade 1996 3% 4% 1998 4% 5% 2001 4% 4% The survey data does not support the assertion that 8% of the high school population uses heroin. Although anecdotal data does suggest that heroin- addicted youth tend to drop out from the school system, not all youth who report ever using heroin become regular, addicted users, and it is extremely unlikely that every 9th grader who reports use of heroin will drop out within the next two years. Probability suggests that use in the last 30 days is reasonable measure of on- going use, though it may include a small number who have just tried a substance for the first time. Although the California Healthy Kids Survey does not include measures of current heroin use (last 30 days), the American Drug and Alcohol Survey which was used in earlier years showedcurrent rates of heroin use that were half or less that the lifetime rate: 9th Grade 11 th Grade 1996 1% 2% 1998 2% 1% The finding presents a projected accumulative rate (the percentage of students who report any use at some time during the four years of high school) without reference to the total population size over four years. Because the survey does not represent an intact group over time, such an attempt to construct an accumulative rate is not statistically meaningful. Heroin use by young people in Santa Cruz County is an extremely serious problem, one that needs a high level of community awareness and action.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2
Santa Cruz County high school administrations should explore more effective and realistic ways to enforce the state-mandated “zero-tolerance” policy regarding drugs on campus. Response: Scotts Valley High School AGREES We agree that further study of this topic is warranted. I will be asking the SVHS Principal to place this item on the agenda for the Santa Cruz County High School Principals’ Network and discuss this at the quarterly collaborative meeting with local law enforcement (including the SVHS Principal, the City of Scotts Valley Chief of Police and the SVHS School Resources Officer). Response: San Lorenzo Valley High School AGREES Response: Pajaro Valley Unified School District AGREES This recommendation has been implemented. PVUSD revised its substance abuse policy to reflect the recent changes in state education codes. These policies redefine the meaning of "zero tolerance" to provide appropriate consequences and counseling for the violations. In addition all PVUSD students and parents receive an annual district enrollment packet that contains a letter from the superintendent with relevant excerpts from district policy; a district discipline chart is provided for students and parents to sign so there is a clear understanding of behavior standards and consequences (attached). Aptos and Watsonville High Schools present this same information in their student handbook provided for each student to read and review during the schools' annual orientation at the beginning of each school year. District alternative school programs with additional counseling services have also been put in place to address the individual needs of students and to serve as a solution for certain students trying to overcome their substance abuse issues. Response:Harbor High School PARTIALLY AGREES Enforcing the state's No Tolerance mandate is easy in theory and hard to enforce from a practical standpoint. If students are in possession, using or selling drugs and we are to claim a zero tolerance for first or repeat offenders, the problem becomes where to place the underage students if forced to attend a different school within the district. Harbor High believes the best deterrents to drug use and , possession on campus Involves: Informing students/parents of the schools policies/guidelines/consequences for drug or paraphernalia use or possession. Step up "drug education" within the school curriculum particularly in the required Health class. Physical Education, science and other related courses would be additional sources of information for students. .Attempt to increase the searches of individuals that fall under the category of reasonable suspicion. Another potential method of accomplishing the reduction in the use and possession of drugs on our campus is the unscheduled use of drug dogs to assist in the identification and location of illegal drug use and drug paraphernalia. The dogs are a sure and non-evasive method of checking for drugs and other contraband present on campus or on individuals. Response: SantaCruz High School AGREES In response to drug incidents on campus, Santa Cruz High School administrators apply appropriate consequences for substance abuse and juvenile crime, being mindful to observe due process owed to students and parents. -18 Substance Abuse on Campus Response: Soquel High School AGREES Soquel high School is very open to exploring more effective ways of enforcing the state- mandated "zero-tolerance" policy. Efforts will be made to meet with job- alikes at our other comprehensive high schools and work collaboratively toward enforcing zero tolerance.
F3
The Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) program is offered to students from 5th grade through 9th grade. At the time of this report, no such program exists for high school students above the 9th grade. Response: Scotts Valley High School AGREES Response: Harbor High School AGREES Response: Santa Cruz High School AGREES Response: Soquel High School AGREES Response: Pajaro Valley Unified School District PARTIALLY AGREES DARE is an age-specific intervention which is not designed to be implemented with older students. Prevention research shows that DARE-type interventions are unlikely to be effective among older students. The school district's DARE program does not go beyond 8th grade. As of the 2002-2003 school year, the Watsonville Police Department will not be providing the DARE program to the seven schools within the city limits. -4 Substance Abuse on Campus
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
Law enforcement officers must fully enforce drug laws on or near school grounds. Response: Santa Cruz County Sheriff AGREES It is the belief of the Sheriff's Office that this recommendation has already been implemented. Our full-time SROs are extremely mindful of the drug issues facing our diverse campuses. They have done numerous controlled substance investigations, including those involving rings of students engaged in the distribution of marijuana and other drugs. Response: Santa Cruz City Police Department AGREES Response: Scotts Valley Police Department AGREES This has always been the case in the City of Scotts Valley. Response: Watsonville Police Department AGREES Response: City of Capitola AGREES For the City of Capitola the enforcement of drug laws on or near school grounds has always been, and continues to be, a priority. Response: San Lorenzo Valley High School AGREES I believe that we are enforcing all drug laws on or near this campus.
F4
Santa Cruz County public high school students receive substance abuse education in a one-semester health class. Substance abuse is only one of many topics covered in this class. Response: Scotts Valley High School AGREES SVHS 9th graders also participate in the 9th grade DARE Program which includes education related to substance abuse. Response: San Lorenzo Valley High School AGREES We do not use the D.A.R.E. Program as classroom instruction here at the high school. We provide a 9th grade health class, Triad counseling, and referral to other counseling programs to our entire student body. Response: Harbor High School AGREES Response: Santa Cruz High School AGREES Response: Soquel High School AGREES Response: Pajaro Valley Unified School District PARTIALLY AGREES In compliance with the California Department of Education (CDE), PVUSD provides six hours of age-appropriate, developmentally based education programs for all students (K- 12)on the prevention of drug, alcohol, and tobacco use and of violence. Instruction is emphasized at some grade levels and reinforced at other grade levels to meet student needs. CDE defines substance abuse education to include a wide variety of reinforcement activities presented beyond curriculum, such as drug-free alternative activities, school- wide informational assemblies, conflict resolution, and insight groups. Teachers creatively take these opportunities, along with many other occasions, to give instruction emphasizing drug prevention.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4
Teen centers should be located on all public high school campuses. Response: Scotts Valley High School PARTIALLY AGREES This recommendation requires further analysis. It is our intention to work cooperatively with the City of Scotts Valley and prepare a more detailed response Response: San Lorenzo Valley High School AGREES Recent state initiative should help in the development of teen centers on school campuses. Response: Harbor High School PARTIALLY AGREES In theory this is a wonderful recommendation but impractical in the real world. At a time when funding for schools is tough, at best, declining enrollment, space for classrooms and qualified personnel to manage the teen centers makes the operation impractical on school sites. If outside funding were available to cover the operating costs including, but not limited to, building space, instructors, security, materials for activities and custodial services, a Teen Center would be a wonderful addition to every campus. Response: Santa Cruz High School PARTIALLY AGREES We agree that teen centers at each of the county's public high school campuses are a great idea and one that is welcomed by Santa Cruz High administrators. However, Substance Abuse on Campus -19 administrators have concerns related to funding, location, and staffing for the teen centers at each of the sites. Response: Soquel High School DISAGREES Unclear as to what constitutes a teen center and what that would entail for Soquel High School. Response: Pajaro Valley Unified School District AGREES This recommendation requires further analysis. Please refer to PVUSD's response to
F5
School officials and law enforcement officers both report that public and parental apathy contribute to a lack of meaningful consequences for substance abuse and juvenile crime incidents. Surveys show Santa Cruz County leads the state in support of medical and recreational marijuana use. Some parents shrug off what they consider to be “minor” drug incidents. Response: San Lorenzo Valley High School AGREES I concur to a certain extent, but I do know that I have many active parents in a number of programs such as Valley Unity Action Group, Booster Club, Cougar Club, Friday Night Live, and Every 15 Minutes program who work very hard to address these issues. Response: Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors The County can neither agree nor disagree with statements by unnamed school officials and law enforcement officers. The County is not familiar with any surveys regarding levels of support of medical or recreational marijuana use. The County Juvenile Probation Division has found that there is a range of concern from parents whose children are involved in the juvenile justice system. Most parents are Substance Abuse on Campus -5 extremely concerned over the discovery of their child's drug use, and some parents suffer from substance abuse themselves. Response: Santa Cruz County Sheriff As an example, recently deputies, serving a search warrant at the home of a graffiti suspect, seized photos of the juvenile smoking marijuana with his mother. Response: Santa Cruz City Police Department AGREES Response: Scotts Valley Police Department AGREES While the Scotts Valley Police Department agrees that some parents may shrug off what they consider to be minor drug incidents, we do believe that the majority of parents are concerned about illegal drug use by their children. Response: City of Capitola AGREES Response: Scotts Valley High School PARTIALLY AGREES On behalf of SVHS, the District finds it difficult to generalize this response to Scotts Valley parents. Response: Watsonville Police Department PARTIALLY AGREES In Watsonville, we believe some parents are apathetic, but very few. Many feel that they have lost control of a child, but want to stay connected. The second sentence seems more appropriate to northern Santa Cruz County than the Pajaro Valley. Response: Harbor High School AGREES Response: Santa Cruz High School AGREES Response: Soquel High School AGREES Response: Pajaro Valley Unified School District PARTIALLY AGREES Schools recognize the importance of parental attitudes and modeling by parents. This is the reason for extensive parent education, including dissemination of information, parent education events and classes. There should also be recognized a transition of culture and attitudes that occurs in Santa Cruz County going from south to north. PVUSD efforts to influence parental attitudes and engage parents in the serious issue of substance use include: Safe Homes directories, Aptos We Care parent group, parent education series, Migrant Education Parent programs and School Site Council meetings. Anonymous hotline phones have been installed at both traditional high schools for students, parents and community members to report any problems. PVUSD requires counseling for every student who is suspended for an alcohol, drug or violence incident. Counseling provides an opportunity for youth to change their behavior and there is an admitted need for more counselor time at both high schools to address this critical student need.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5
The Juvenile Probation Division should provide a monthly list to the SROs identifying students at their respective schools who are on probation, and the disposition of pending cases involving students from these schools. Response: Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors DISAGREES The recommendation will not be implemented. Juvenile Court dispositions are provided to school superintendents by the juvenile court on a broad range of offenses outlined in the Welfare and Institutions Code. Law enforcement officers have access to information for all youth on probation. Dissemination of monthly lists containing confidential information on probationers is not good practice and could lead to confusion and the possibility of action taken by officers based on outdated information. The Probation Department is committed to collaboration and partnership with law enforcement, education, and community based service providers and consistently works to develop better ways to communicate and work together effectively toward common goals. Response: San Lorenzo Valley High School AGREES
F6
Due to the rise in school violence, a full time SRO is assigned to each high school campus. These peace officers have to deal with every type of criminal behavior including vandalism, substance abuse, physical violence and weapons on campus. The SRO is ultimately responsible for the physical safety of students and faculty. -6 Substance Abuse on Campus Response: Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors PARTIALLY AGREES The County is unaware of any statistics, which indicate that there has been a countywide rise in school violence. School Resource officers assist school personnel in their responsibility to provide a safe school environment. Response: Pajaro Valley Unified School District PARTIALLY AGREES Safety on school sites is a responsibility shared by school personnel and community policing officers. School staff take responsibility for 95% of the safety issues at school and the School Resource Officer (SRO) is invaluable in dealing with the other five percent and SROs prevent problems by their presence on school sites. PVUSD recognizes the value of SROs on campus and has expanded the SRO program to include four junior high/middle schools in addition to the two traditional high schools in the district. The SRO assignments also afford numerous positive interactions between law enforcement and youth. Response: Santa Cruz County Sheriff AGREES Deputies are assigned to Aptos High School, San Lorenzo Valley High School and Soquel High School. In addition to the high schools, deputies have been placed at Shoreline Middle School, Aptos Junior High and Lake View Middle School. Response: Santa Cruz City Police Department partially AGREES Different campuses have different incidents and behavior varies from year to year. The SRO is assigned to the school to prevent or deter criminal acts and to act as a mentor and counselor in addition to the need to be there to respond to an actual criminal incident. The school has the ultimate legal responsibility for the safety of the students and faculty. Their participation in the SRO program is one response to that responsibility. The County Office of Education no longer has an SRO assigned to their schools, as their SRO grant funding was lost: Every effort should be made to have an SRO assigned to COE schools. Response: Scotts Valley Police Department AGREES The Scotts Valley Police Department and the Scotts Valley Unified School District acted in a pro-active manner in placing an SRO in the new high school. We have not experienced a rise in school violence that required we do so. Response: San Lorenzo Valley High School AGREES We have a full-time Resource Officer assigned to our campus thanks to the help of the Santa Cruz Sheriffs Department. For the past 9 years we have received this support. I do not believe that we have violence on this campus. In fact, we have very little violence on this campus. Although nation-wide I do know that this is an issue. The SRO has been extremely helpful in issues of petty crime, vandalism, substance abuse, and truancy. Our currentSRO is sought out by students as a mentor, as a counselor, and because of vocational interests of students. The SRO is also utilized by the other schools in our district. Response: City of Capitola AGREES There are however no high schools within the city limits of Capitola. Substance Abuse on Campus -7 Response: Scotts Valley High School PARTIALLY AGREES On behalf of SVHS, the District would like to point out that a SRO was planned from the initial beginning phases of planning for a new Scotts Valley high school. The intent of having an SRO on campus was to provide continuity of support that exists on our other campuses from Scotts Valley Police Department and to serve and support school programs and staff. The primary rationale was to stress prevention, therefore, the SRO was not placed primarily due to a rise in school violence. Response: Watsonville Police Department PARTIALLY AGREES The SRO at Watsonville High School was not assigned solely because of a rise in school violence. In fact, the latest record we have of California Safe Schools Assessment for Watsonville High School (2000/2001) shows crimes against persons down 31 %. However, in stark contrast Uniform CrimeReports, compiled by the FBI, from Watsonville Police Department shows an increase in crimes against persons. The difference may be in reporting criteria. CSAS is not required to report mutual combat as a battery. Starting in 2003, schools are no longer to report CSAS statistics. Further, crime is not the sole criteria for an assignment to campus. The ability to teach, counsel, work with school administrators, parents, prevention programs, and conflict resolution teams are all considered to prevent crime and conflict and maintain order. Also, the SRO deals with non-students on campus and is the first responder to coordinate an "active shooter" critical incident such as occurred at Columbine High School in Colorado. SRO's do deal with the crimes listed by the Grand Jury. They are handled first within the disciplinary policy of the school district. Sometimes referrals are also made to the juvenile justice system, either by arrest or citation. Any disposition is then administered by the Probation Department and Juvenile Court Judge. The SRO, in my opinion, is not ultimately responsible for the physical safety of students and faculty. By law, the school district is to provide a safe environment at schools. This was the case before there were SRO's, and it is still the case. SRO's are one strategy in many that is employed by our school district. Examples of others are: (1) Campus Supervisors, (2) Conflict Resolution Teams; (3) PVPSA (Pajaro Valley Prevention and Student Assistance), a non-profit dedicated to the district to help at risk kids and family members; (4) ASSETS (Accountability Support Services Ensure Safety), a grant program between Watsonville Police Department, PVPSA, and the Probation Department, which is a formal diversion program that attempts to keep selected kids from the justice system or getting deeper in the juvenile system; (5) Mandatory school policies and procedures regarding all safety issues crime, active shooter, earthquake or other natural disasters. There are many more. Response: Harbor High School DISAGREES We do not have a full-time SRO on campus. When here, he does an excellent job in the areas stated. Ultimately, site administrators are responsible for the safety of students and staff. Response: Santa Cruz High School AGREES Response: Soquel High School PARTIALLY AGREES -8 Substance Abuse on Campus The statement is correct, but the phrase “The SRO is ultimately responsible for the physical safety of the students and faculty" may be misleading. We feel that responsibility ultimately lands on the shoulders of the school and district administration who use SROs as part of their safety plan.
No recommendations for this finding
F7
Aptos High School and Scotts Valley High School are the only public high schools with closed campuses. A closed campus restricts students from leaving school grounds during school hours. Response: Scotts Valley High School AGREES On behalf of SVHS, the District would like to point out that SVHS is a closed campus. However, students are permitted to leave the campus to participate in specific programs or activities such as work experience and cross-age tutoring. Response: Pajaro Valley Unified School District AGREES Response: San Lorenzo Valley High School AGREES We have a modified closed campus. Our students are free to leave at lunch and return, primarily because of lack of food facilities here. The campus is closed at all other times during the day.
Related Recommendations (1)
R7
The Juvenile Probation Division should lead the way in revising the Risk Assessment system to ensure that juveniles realize there are consequences for illegal behavior. The Juvenile Probation Division should especially consider: A. Scores on the Risk Assessment Form should be cumulative. B. Probation violations should receive points. C. Repeat offenders should receive high scores for recidivism. D. Drug and alcohol offenses should receive higher scores than the current system allows. Santa Cruz County Juvenile Probation Division -35 Response: Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors DISAGREES The recommendation will not be implemented because it is not warranted. It is not the purpose of the Risk Assessment to ensure that juveniles realize there are consequences for illegal behavior. As mentioned above, the purpose of the Risk Assessment is to provide an effective and objective decision-making process for determining who should be held in custody pending due process. It is inappropriate and illegal to make detention decisions in order to impose consequences or to teach a lesson regarding illegal behavior. Juveniles are entitled to due process through the court. Detention is only appropriate when necessary to protect public safety and to ensure court appearance. The judge has the sole authority to impose Juvenile Hall commitment time as a punitive consequence for illegal behavior as part of a dispositional order. The A through D Grand Jury recommendations are already incorporated in the current Risk Assessment system, as shown below: A. The scores for the 9 areas on the risk instrument are cumulative. B. Probation violators receive points for the actual behavior, not the violation itself. For example, drug and alcohol use, new criminal behavior, or runaway behavior from home, all score points on the instrument. Over a third of the juvenile hall population, on any given day, is comprised of probation violators. C. Offenders score more points depending on the number of sustained offenses in the last year (See area 3 on the attached risk instrument). D. There is an entire drug and alcohol section in the latest revision (See area 9 on the attached risk instrument). Response: Santa Cruz County Sheriff AGREES This recommendation is directed at the Probation Department and Probation should answer. The Sheriff's Office believes the points made by the Grand Jury are worthy of consideration. Response: Santa Cruz City Police Department AGREES Response: City of Capitola PARTIALLY AGREES This recommendation has not yet been implemented. As mentioned above the City of Capitola is willing to participate in revising the Risk Assessment Form if asked. Should that eventuality occur, we believe the process should determine outcome, and reserve our opinion on this matter until any such process would require it. Response: Scotts Valley Police Department AGREES Once again, we believe this is a good recommendation; however, it will be incumbent on the Juvenile Probation Division to implement these procedures and not the individual law enforcement agencies although we would like to be a part of the process.
F8
Five of the county’s public high schools have open campuses, which allow students to leave and return during the school day. Response: San Lorenzo Valley High School AGREES Answered in No.7. Response: Harbor High School AGREES Open campus only during 30-minute lunch break. Response: Santa Cruz High School AGREES Response: Soquel High School AGREES Response: Pajaro Valley Unified School District AGREES Watsonville High School has a modified closed campus, which is only open for lunch breaks. However, the school is extremely overcrowded with approximately two times the number of students for which it was designed.
Related Recommendations (1)
R8
The Juvenile Probation Division should provide monthly data to law enforcement officials detailing the status and disposition of cases under their jurisdiction. -36 Santa Cruz County Juvenile Probation Division Response: Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors AGREES This recommendation was implemented years ago. All County law enforcement agencies have Affidavits for Juvenile Court Petition forms which are to be filled out, attached to police reports and provided to the Probation Department. The affidavits trigger a response from Probation and the District Attorney in which the disposition of the case is delineated. Additionally, law enforcement has 24 hour access to current information on any and all court probation cases. Generating confidential lists on a monthly basis could result in inappropriate action by law enforcement officials based upon inaccurate or out of date information. Response: Santa Cruz County Sheriff AGREES The recommendation has been implemented. There is a system currently in place that allows for this feedback, if requested, by individual officers. Response: Santa Cruz City Police Department AGREES Response: Scotts Valley Police Department AGREES Once again, we fully agree with this recommendation; however, again it will be incumbent upon the Juvenile Probation Division to make this happen. Response: Watsonville Police Department AGREES Perhaps providing the information when the disposition is made would beeven better. Response: City of Capitola AGREES This recommendation has not yet been implemented. Should the Juvenile Probation Division decide to provide such information, the City would find benefit from the information in our disposition of property and evidence, allow us to better implement our diversion program, and assist in future investigations.
F9
An open campus policy presents the opportunity for some students to leave the school grounds to use, buy or sell drugs or alcohol. Response: San Lorenzo Valley High School DISAGREES Investigations by the Sheriffs Department and the school district indicate that most purchases of drugs are done after school and on the weekend. Response: Pajaro Valley Unified School District AGREES The Watsonville Police Department does attempt to provide a more visible presence during lunch breaks in the community surrounding the school campus. Response: Harbor High School AGREES Substance Abuse on Campus -9 Response: Santa Cruz High School PARTIALLY AGREES The physical layout of existing campuses in general (SCHS specifically) makes it impossible to close them. Response: Soquel High School AGREES 10.School officials report 50 to 100 on-campus drug incidents per school year in each of the county’s seven public high schools. The majority of these incidents involve possession of marijuana on campus. Response: San Lorenzo Valley High School AGREES Response: Pajaro Valley Unified School District AGREES Response: Scotts Valley High School PARTIALLY AGREES On behalf of SVHS, the District agrees that the data cited from the “Healthy Kids Survey of Santa Cruz County” is accurately presented. However, the California Safe Schools Assessment for the time period of July 1, 2001, to December 31, 2001, showed only 13 incidents at Scotts Valley High School. Response: Harbor High School AGREES Response: Santa Cruz High School DISAGREES During the 2001-2002 school year, there were 34 suspensions related to controlled substances at Santa Cruz High School. Response: Soquel High School DISAGREES This figure is misleading. At Soquel High School, there were 52 incidents involving drugs, alcohol, or paraphernalia. Although alcohol is a drug, the phrase "drug incidents" presents a different picture in the mind of the public. 11.On or off campus, when apprehended by law enforcement officers for substance abuse, a student is detained, the drugs or alcohol are confiscated, and a report is forwarded to the Juvenile Probation Division for follow-up. Response: Santa Cruz County Sheriff AGREES The Sheriff's Office agrees with this finding. Deputies do confiscate contraband and cite or arrest students who are in possession or under the influence of drugs. Response: Santa Cruz City Police Department AGREES Response: Watsonville Police Department AGREES This is also a school disciplinary process. Response: City of Capitola AGREES An attempt is always made to contact the parent(s) or legal guardian. If contact is not made and the juvenile is under the influence, the juvenile is transported to Dominican Hospital for evaluation and then taken to Juvenile Hall. A report is always written and forwarded to either the Juvenile Diversion Officer of the Juvenile Probation Division. Response: Scotts Valley Police Department PARTIALLY AGREES -10 Substance Abuse on Campus The Scotts Valley Police Department partially agrees with this finding; however, the Scotts Valley Police Department has a Juvenile Diversion Program and the juvenile may in fact be diverted through our program in cooperation with the Scotts Valley Unified School District. Response: San Lorenzo Valley High School AGREES I concur, but additionally there are school sanctions under Ed Code 48900, including suspension and expulsion. 12.A youth apprehended for selling drugs on campus is put under arrest and removed from the school campus. The youth is taken to Juvenile Hall for processing, and may or may not be held in custody depending on the risk assessment performed at Juvenile Hall. (See the second section of this report for further details on risk assessment.) Response: San Lorenzo Valley High School AGREES I concur, but Education Code 48900 mandates that any student apprehended for selling drugs will be expelled from all schools in the district. Response: Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors AGREES Each case is individually assessed for risk to determine whether detention is appropriate. If the youth is not detained, conditions of release to protect students and school staff may be imposed. When a minor is not detained for possession for sale of drugs on a school campus, the Probation Intake Supervisor makes contact with the appropriate school official to inform him/her of the conditions of release. A standard condition includes the directive not to return to school without first contacting the school official handling discipline, so that the school administrative sanctions (e.g., suspension or expulsion) coordinated with the Juvenile Justice System response. Response: Santa Cruz County Sheriff AGREES Response: Watsonville Police Department AGREES Response: Scotts Valley Police Department AGREES The Scotts Valley Police Department primarily agrees with this finding however, this is not always the case. The juvenile may be diverted, or released to a parent to be cited into juvenile probation at a later 'time. The Risk Assessment process is handled entirely by Juvenile Probation. Response: Santa Cruz City Police Department AGREES Response: City of Capitola AGREES 13.A first time drug offense usually results in a three-day suspension by the school district, mandatory community service, or some other supervised activity. Response: San Lorenzo Valley High School PARTIALLY AGREES I would concur only we provide a 3-5 day suspension, referral to counseling services, meetings with parents and a contract. Response: Pajaro Valley Unified School District PARTIALLY AGREES Substance Abuse on Campus -11 Counseling is mandatory, but not community service, in accordance with PVUSD policy and education codes. Response: Scotts Valley High School DISAGREES When suspension is indicated, the site administrator will determine whether the consequence should include, but not be limited to: home suspension, in-school suspension, Saturday school, intervention group, detention, or community service. If suspension is warranted, a 5-day suspension and notification of law enforcement is required. A copy of the discipline plan for SVHS is attached for your reference. Response: Harbor High School AGREES Response: Santa Cruz High School AGREES Response: Soquel High School AGREES 14.Drug testing is not a prerequisite for returning to campus. Response:Pajaro Valley Unified School District PARTIALLY AGREES This is true in most cases except when specified for certain expulsion contracts for rehabilitation. Response: Scotts Valley High School AGREES Response: San Lorenzo Valley High School AGREES I concur. State Education Code does not provide for drug testing. Penal Code with supervision by the Probation Department can mandate drug testing. Response: Harbor High School PARTIALLY AGREES First offense-no testing; second offense-possible; third offense-definitely Response: Santa Cruz High School AGREES Response: Soquel High School AGREES
Related Recommendations (1)
R9
The Juvenile Probation Division should formulate policy and procedures as well as participate in the development of a countywide diversion program. Response: Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors AGREES This recommendation was implemented years ago. Diversion services are presently available countywide. Diversion services have been availablecountywide for the past five year. They include Teen Peer Court, Neighborhood Accountability Boards and Educational and Youth Service diversion options, as well as the Assets program at Pajaro Valley Prevention and Student Assistance and Police Diversions. All youth who are eligible for diversion have the opportunity to be diverted. 10.The Juvenile Probation Division should assign a specific probation officer or contact person to interact with administrative personnel and SROs at each public high school in the county. Response: Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors AGREES This recommendation was implemented years ago. Santa Cruz County Juvenile Probation Division -37 The Juvenile Probation Division has assigned a probation supervisor to attend SRO meetings. SRO's are encouraged to communicate with probation staff assigned to students at their school assignment. These probation officers are available to meet with SRO staff on a periodic basis. The Probation Department has expressed its interest to school and law enforcement personnel in being included in the funding opportunities to provide probation partnership when funding School Resource Officers.
F10
In a separate and earlier report from June of 2000, General Counsel emphasized against, “…vague documentation, especially given the contractual provision that the City periodically invoice the RDA and keep accurate records of its costs.” Refer to the originating 1981 Agreement. 11.The current City Manager estimated the various percentages of total time allocated to the RDA by city staff. These specifics have been detailed for review by the City Council: A. A tabulation of all direct and overhead costs of the City were listed, since a portion of those expenses were deemed attributable to maintaining the offices of the RDA. B. An example of percentage reimbursement was pulled from the operations of the Santa Cruz County Office of Redevelopment. These offices use an annually variable percentage — versus a fixed flat fee percentage — to recover the costs of administering this Agency. For the period 1999–2000, the actual percentage of expenses to revenues was 9.56%; and for 2000–2001, this ratio was 10.35%. 12.All of the above information is part of the progress report; the “well documented” case, to quote the City Attorney, developed by city staff to justify two important decisions: An Investigation of the City of Capitola Redevelopment -3 Agency Reimbursement Loan Agreement A. To decide how the City was to obtain past reimbursement without any written records. B. To determine what percentage of the net tax increment the City could expect to adopt. 13.The normal range with flat-fee, percentage based reimbursements for similar agencies, as suggested by a redevelopment official, is in the range of five to fifteen percentage points, provided that it is supported by legitimate documentation. Response: City of Capitola DISAGREES The City is unfamiliar with this guideline a suggested by a redevelopment official. The current process for the city of Capitol a uses a percentage that is less than 9% of the gross tax increment and therefore falls within this range. Furthermore, this 9% of tax increment must also cover the cost of direct staff time. Response: Treasurer of the Capitola Redevelopment Agency AGREES It would also have been helpful to have a Finding whether the City's contractual obligation to "...keep records of activities and services in order that an accurate record of the Agency's liability to the City can be ascertained", which is in the agreement that formed the RDA in 1981, is still in force. If the Reimbursement Loan Agreement did not waive this obligation, then there are conflicting resolutions. While this may be viewed as a minor housekeeping matter, it does create a reason to reconsider the Reimbursement Loan Agreement. Perhaps a compromise would be to phase-in the Reimbursement Loan Agreement after several years of documenting expenses, as set forth in the RDA's founding document. 14.There remains dissent within the Finance Committee regarding the use of a flat-fee reimbursement schedule instead of time cards. Response: City of Capitola AGREES 15.A new time-keeping system for payroll purposes is being procured for all of City Hall. However, its use is not being prepared for monitoring the time and performance costs of administering the RDA. Response: City of Capitola DISAGREES The CUlTent time keeping system is being upgraded. Implementation is targeted for January 2003; there is ajob cost system that will be used. The City Council may chose to assign job costing to the RDA. Response: Treasurer of the Capitola Redevelopment Agency AGREES It would have been helpful for the Findings to reflect one of the main reasons the Reimbursement Loan Agreement was favored over timecards. A proposal was considered to track actual expenses for two years and thereafter use that data to establish the RDA's financial obligation to the City for services rendered in past years. However, it appeared that taking two years to track actual costs would prevent the City from obtaining reimbursement for its services to the RDA during Fiscal 1997-98 and Fiscal 1998-99, based on the four-year statute of limitations that applies to this situation, according to an opinion letter from the previous City Attorney. -4 An Investigation of the City of Capitola Redevelopment Agency Reimbursement Loan Agreement The statutes of limitations is in our laws to facilitate justice. There is general agreement that as time passes, memories fade, key people are no longer available and pertinent records get misplaced. Therefore, statutes of limitations provide predictability and protection. However, in this situation, I do not believe the issues that are the basis for statutes of limitations are pertinent. I wonder whether the City and RDA could agree to waive the four-year statute of limitations in this case, without violating statutory requirements. If so, the City would not incur a financial penalty for conducting a two- year study to determine the actual cost of the services it provides to the RDA, and there would be firm data upon which to base a determination of the RDA's obligation to the City for the past years of service. 16.It is the City Manager’s responsibility to provide to the City Council, a balanced budget for its approval. 17.The RDA is required to have its annual report audited by the City, and its annual Statement of Indebtedness approved by the County Auditor. 18.The County Auditor, who chose to approve the report, reviewed the 2000–2001 Statement of Indebtedness. In this instance, the auditor chose to send an annotated copy of this report to the State Finance Department for further review. The State Finance Department has the authority under state statute SB1711 to sue a redevelopment agency, but has no active monitoring system to review a Statement of Indebtedness. Response: City of Capitola PARTIALLY AGREES The City cannot speak to the actions of the County Auditor. To date the RDA has not received any comments from the State Finance Department related to the SOl. Furthermore it is our understanding that the Auditor Controller sent the SOl to the State Finance Department for reasons other than are being considered in this matter. Response: Treasurer of the Capitola Redevelopment Agency AGREES The City is scheduled to implement a timecard system later this fiscal year. Therefore, there will soon be a system in place that will make it possible to conduct a study regarding the actual costs the City incurs providing services to the RDA 19.The County Auditor disbursed the tax increment funds for 2000–2001 to the Capitola RDA. 20.The 2001–2002 Statement of Indebtedness is due for submission on September 30, covering the year inclusively through June 30th, 2002.
No recommendations for this finding
F12
above states that the Auto Body Shop generates revenue. This is true, but the revenue does not go into the Inmate Welfare Fund. Finding #14 states that the revenues received by the Auto Body Shop are not reported as income into the "Inmate Welfare Fund." This is true because that is not where they go. The auto body shop is a Regional Occupational Program (ROP) managed by the County Office of Education. The auto body shop instructor is an employee of the County Office of Education. The income generated by the body shop is split at the time the customer pays for the repairs. The portion of the bill for "Parts" is placed in an ROP trust fund which in turn pays for items such as paint, sandpaper, and body filler. The portion of the bill for "Labor" goes into a trust fund managed by the Sheriffs Office and held by the County Auditor's Office. It is, in turn, used to buy tools, teaching supplies, and to maintain the paint booth. There is no profit. All monies received by the auto body program go back into the auto body Program. The revenue does not go into, nor is it mingled in any way with, the Inmate Welfare Fund. The trust funds maintained by both the County Auditor and the County Office of Education are detailed and in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. The Inmate Welfare Fund is also managed in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and is audited by the County Auditor. It is a line item budget with significant detail. A status report is presented to, and accepted by, the Board of Supervisors each year as required by law. -14 Report on the Rountree Facility Santa Cruz County Grand Jury Response to the Final Report: Section 5 Health and Human Services Committee Reports Long Term Care For Seniors Part One–Alternatives To Nursing Home Placement 2001-2002 Grand Jury Report – -1 Findings 1. Cuts in reimbursements to residential care facilities by the state and federal governments have resulted in unnecessary placement of elderly people in nursing homes. 2. There are thirty-one residential care facilities in the county with a total bed capacity of 1141; only fifty-two of these beds accept people receiving SSI if they are not already assigned. The average cost per person, per month is $1000-$3000 and SSI pays $800- $850 per month. 3. Due to the lack of residential care facilities in Santa Cruz County, some poor residents who are discharged from the hospital and are unable to remain at home in order to avoid nursing home placement, must go to Santa Clara County for residential care needs. Adult Protective Services and hospital discharge planners have assisted some Santa Cruz County residents to take this route. 4. Inadequate cost of living adjustments in Santa Cruz County to keep in line with the increased costs of housing, services and supplies, prevents agencies such as the Multipurpose Senior Services Program from moving people out of nursing homes and back into the community. Response: Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors PARTIALLY DISAGREES Lack of community resources prevent the elderly and individuals with disabilities from remaining in their homes, and as a result of the number of residential beds available, they are sometimes placed in skilled nursing facilities which is a higher level of care than they actually need. 5. Many elderly and disabled people who are in nursing homes could manage better in an alternative setting. Response: Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors PARTIALLY DISAGREES The exact number of elderly and people with disabilities that could manage better in an alternative setting with the proper level of assistance and resources from the community is unknown, but some people in nursing homes could manage better in a less restrictive environment outside of a nursing home. Appropriate supports are needed to be successful. 6. Thirty percent of home health care agencies nationwide have gone out of business due to cuts in reimbursement payments by the state and federal governments. Response: Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors PARTIALLY DISAGREES In addition to home health care agencies, health care providers nationwide have been affected by the continued trend of escalating health costs. Limited Medi-Cal and Medicare reimbursements and the required amount. of documentation make it difficult for home health care agencies and health care providers to continue operating. Long Term Care for Seniors -1 7. The County Board of Supervisors governs a Public Authority for In-Home Support Services. The Public Authority has a computer system in place to provide registry for caregivers and to establish standards for care. 8. The wages for caregivers for elderly people is inadequate, since caregivers are usually paid minimum wage. The Public Authority has been successful in increasing the caregivers’ minimum wage to $8.50 per hour, which is a step toward solving the problems of staff shortages and poor quality of care.
No recommendations for this finding
F13
Atthe end of fieldwork in February 2002, there were already sixty-two referrals to the Indigent Burial Program for the current fiscal year, seventeen of which occurred after January 1, 2002. Response: Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors This finding should be referred to the Sheriff's Office, because the Burial of Indigents program is under the supervision of the Sheriff's Office. 14.Typically, a funeral home will charge $1500 to $1800 for a cremation; the agreed County fee is $595.50. The cost breakdown for indigent cremation is as follows: Item Cost Funeral Processing $355.29 Carton $35.00 Sales Tax $2.71 Cremation $187.00 Processing Fee $8.50 Total $595.50 Response: Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors This finding should be referred to the Sheriff's Office, because the Burial of Indigents program is under the supervision of the Sheriff's Office. 15.Another service offered by the County is burial services for victims of violent crimes through the Victim/Witness Program. The County will pay a maximum of $5000 for a victim’s final expenses whether or not the family has sufficient funds. The Victim/Witness Program funds are not part of the Indigent Burial Program. Response: Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors This finding should be referred to the District Attorney, because this aspect of the Burial of Indigents program is under the supervision of the District Attorney's Office.
No recommendations for this finding
F15
It can take up to three months from the time of an incident until a probation officer meets with the juvenile and his or her parents. Response: Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors PARTIALLY DISAGREES In most cases where a juvenile is detained, Juvenile Probation Intake Officers conduct intake interviews with the juvenile and his or her parent within 24 hours from detention. It takes an average of 32.5 days from the receipt of a police report to the completion of an intake interview on juveniles who are not detained. While it is possible that a case may occasionally be delayed for up to three months, this is not typical. Delays can occur when circumstances beyond the Probation Department's control exist, such as the law enforcement investigation was not completed, or a youth and parents failed to keep the appointment for an interview. The Juvenile Probation Division is presently working on ways to further streamline the process. Response: San Lorenzo Valley High School AGREES -12 Substance Abuse on Campus 16.The SRO can request information from the Juvenile Probation Division regarding specific individuals. The SRO is not provided with a list of students at their schools who are on probation, and is not informed of the disposition of pending cases. Response: Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors PARTIALLY DISAGREES Information is available to law enforcement on an ''as needed" basis. A list is not provided because it would immediately become outdated, given the daily number of changes in probation status. By statute Juvenile Court dispositions are provided to school personnel on most crimes and are available to law enforcement by request. Response: Santa Cruz County Sheriff AGREES A list should be provided as probation often includes terms or restrictions that can be enforced by peace officers. The probation department does not make lists available. Response: San Lorenzo Valley High School AGREES I concur and I see this as an absolute for not only SROs, but school administrators who can maintain the confidentiality of this information. Response: Santa Cruz City Police Department AGREES Response: City of Capitola AGREES Response: Watsonville Police Department MOSTLY DISAGREES The SRO's at Watsonville High School and County Office of Education Alternative Schools can and do request information on specific individuals. Also, the SRO at Watsonville High School reports that she has a list of probationers and can and does get dispositions if needed. I believe this is also true for the SRO at the Alternative Schools since in one school all kids are on probation, "Court and Community School." This level of cooperation stems in part from the ASSETS grant and that Probation Officers and SRO's meet at least once a month. All information is confidential within the justice system. The School District has access only within laws governing when information can be shared. Response: Scotts Valley Police Department AGREES 17.Many programs that provide care or counseling for youths involved with substance abuse or with the juvenile justice system exist throughout the county. However, a consolidated referral list of these programs has not been developed. Response: Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors DISAGREE The bi-lingual English/Spanish "Resource Guide for Youth in Santa Cruz County published by the Community Foundation is a comprehensive list of all community services to youth. This list includes substance abuse services available to youth and families. In addition, the Health Services Agency has also produced a comprehensive list of all referral agencies providing youth alcohol and drug prevention, intervention and treatment. Finally, the Santa Cruz County Children and Families Commission has developed an on line Information and Referral Directory which contains this information at helpscc.org . Response: San Lorenzo Valley High School AGREES Substance Abuse on Campus -13 18.Except at Soquel High School, teen centers or other supervised gathering points for teens do not exist on school grounds at this time. Response: Scotts Valley High School PARTIALLY AGREES SVHS offers a wide variety of supervised after school sports, clubs and activities. In addition, the City of Scotts Valley provides a wide variety of supervised recreational opportunities for teens. Response: San Lorenzo Valley High School DISAGREES There is a Teen Center within half a mile of the school. We also provide an extensive after school program including the following extracurricular activities: athletics, drama productions, counseling, peer court, mock trial, and community service projects (Key Club). Response: Pajaro Valley Unified School District PARTIALLY AGREES In the PVUSD,both Aptos and Watsonville High Schools use classrooms, the school's library and cafeteria for programs such as tutoring, school clubs and extended learning. Watsonville High School students also take advantage of the numerous community resources that are proximate to the campus for lunch time or before and after school use, such as the YMCA, YWCA, Veterans Hall, City Youth Center, Healthy Start, Girl Scouts and PVPSA's counseling center. Response: Harbor High School AGREES Response: Santa Cruz High School DISAGREES At Santa Cruz High School, students are supervised in the following gathering points: Student Services office, the library, theater, quad, cafeteria, and various classrooms in and around the facility. Response: Soquel High School DISAGREES No such teen center exists at Soquel High School. 19.Several agencies provide counseling on campus for a variety of different problems. (See report on Review of Initial Alcohol and Drug Intervention with High School Age Youth.) Response: Scotts Valley High School AGREES Specifically, SVHS has a contract with TRIAD for counseling services. Response: San Lorenzo Valley High School We have had excellent service from the Triad agency and we make referrals out to a number of public and private counseling programs. Response: Harbor High School AGREES Response: Santa Cruz High School AGREES Response: Soquel High School AGREES Response: Pajaro Valley Unified School District AGREES -14 Substance Abuse on Campus Conclusions. While not required to do so, San Lorenzo High School responded to the following conclusions.
No recommendations for this finding
F18
The district will implement "teen centers" in the future as funding is available. 5. The Juvenile Probation Division should provide a monthly list to the SROs identifying students at their respective schools who are on probation, and the disposition of pending cases involving students from these schools. Response: Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors DISAGREES The recommendation will not be implemented. Juvenile Court dispositions are provided to school superintendents by the juvenile court on a broad range of offenses outlined in the Welfare and Institutions Code. Law enforcement officers have access to information for all youth on probation. Dissemination of monthly lists containing confidential information on probationers is not good practice and could lead to confusion and the possibility of action taken by officers based on outdated information. The Probation Department is committed to collaboration and partnership with law enforcement, education, and community based service providers and consistently works to develop better ways to communicate and work together effectively toward common goals. Response: San Lorenzo Valley High School AGREES 6. The County Board of Supervisors should prepare and maintain a comprehensive list of all community resources available to aid youths with substance abuse issues and/or involvement with the juvenile justice system. This list should be made available to school administrators, law enforcement officers on- and off-campus, Juvenile Court personnel, Santa Cruz County health agencies and providers, parents and other concerned citizens. Response: Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors AGREES This recommendation has been implemented as described in the response to finding # 17 above. Response: San Lorenzo Valley High School AGREES -20 Substance Abuse on Campus Santa Cruz County Juvenile Probation Division 2001-2002 Grand Jury Report – -9 Note: The County Board of Supervisors is responding for the Juvenile Probation Department. Findings Juvenile Probation Division 1. The Probation Department operates on an annual budget totaling $13,138,054. The annual budget of the Juvenile Probation Division is $6,370,722. In addition, the annual budget for Juvenile Hall is $3,092,262. The remaining funds are allocated to the Adult Probation Division. Response: Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors AGREES 2. The Santa Cruz County Probation Department reports that it expects a $2.5 million cut in its budget due to the current California state budget crisis. Response: Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors AGREES At the time of the Grand Jury investigation, the department anticipated losses of this size. The state budget for 2002-2003 has now been approved, and it appears that the Probation Department will lose approximately $1 million in State funding. 3. Staff for the Juvenile Division consists of the Division Director, 2.5 Assistant Directors, 34 Probation Officers, and 7 Probation Aides. Response: Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors AGREES 4. The Juvenile Probation Division has five distinct areas of responsibility: A. The Intake Officer determines whether to detain or release an alleged offender based on the “Risk Assessment Form.” B. The Investigation Unit reports to Juvenile Court. C. The Field Supervision Unit ensures that probation terms are carried out. D. The Home Supervision Unit follows a youth’s compliance with the terms of his or her probation, makes residential inspections, and supervises electronic monitoring. E. Placement Services explores alternative housing or placement in a county ranch or camp outside Santa Cruz County. Santa Cruz County does not have ranch or camp facilities. Response: Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors AGREES In addition to the above, the Intake Officer also conducts a social study and assessment to determine the risk and needs of the youth and develops a case plan and service plan. The supervision unit also delivers services that promote accountability. These services include victim awareness education, parent education and "Thinking For A Change," an evidenced based program that promotes accountability by teaching the cause and effects of behavior. Santa Cruz County Juvenile Probation Division -21 5. There were 2,517 total referrals to the Juvenile Probation Division for the year 2001. Response: Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors AGREES 6. There were 536 juveniles placed on supervised probation in 2001. Approximately 100 were placed on informal probation. Response: Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors AGREES 7. Many youthful offenders on probation state that from month to month, they are unaware of who their probation officer is. Response: Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors DISAGREES A survey taken of all youth in the Juvenile Hall on August 6, 2002, revealed that 83% could accurately give their probation officer's name. 8. After an arrest for an alleged offense, a youth between the ages of 12 and 18 may be detained at Juvenile Hall. This detention in Juvenile Hall may be for public or personal safety or to ensure the juvenile will attend his or her court appearance. Response: Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors AGREES 9. Except in cases of extremely violent crime, most youths under the age of 12 who are arrested are turned over to Child Protective Services for placement in an appropriate facility or foster home. Response: Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors PARTIALLY DISAGREES Youth under the age of 12 are assessed individually with regard to the offense behavior and social history. Appropriate action pending court may include juvenile hall detainment, release to parent, release to parent with home supervision, or a referral to Child Protective Services if the matter meets their criteria. Risk Assessment 10.The Juvenile Probation Division, in order to reduce the number of juveniles being detained in Juvenile Hall, has developed a system referred to as “Risk Assessment.” Risk Assessment uses criteria for the Juvenile Probation Division to either release or detain a juvenile offender. These criteria measure the amount of risk to the community, to the victim (if any), and to the youth himself, posed by releasing the detainee. Response: Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors DISAGREES The purpose of the risk assessment is not to reduce the population of the Juvenile Hall; it is to provide an effective and objective decision-making process for determining who should be held in custody pending due process. State law, federal requirements, and judicial rules mandate that arrested juveniles who are pending court proceedings must be evaluated using specific detention criteria and be released to the least restrictive setting. Detention is to be used when all reasonable efforts to release have been tried or considered. The Juvenile Court Judge makes the final decision regarding detention status. -22 Santa Cruz County Juvenile Probation Division 11.When a sheriff or other law enforcement official arrests a juvenile offender, the Juvenile Intake Officer completes a “Screening Risk Assessment Form.” (See Figure 1.) Santa Cruz County Juvenile Probation Division -23 Figure 1. -24 Santa Cruz County Juvenile Probation Division Response: Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors AGREES However, the Figure 1 shown in the Grand Jury Report is a Risk Assessment form that has not been utilized for the past seven years. The current Risk Assessment has been in use since late fall of 200 1 and is provided (Attachment A). This is the second full revision of this instrument in the last five years. 12.The form was developed by the Juvenile Probation Division and sent to law enforcement agencies. Response: Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors DISAGREES The risk assessment is an internal document used by the Probation Department and was therefore not distributed to law enforcement agencies. However, information on booking criteria has been agreed upon and distributed to law enforcement agencies. All of the chiefs of the local police agencies agreed to booking criteria approximately three years ago. A document entitled "Suggested Booking Criteria" was distributed to law enforcement agencies to assist law enforcement personnel in making decisions whether to release or book juveniles. Training was conducted by the Juvenile Assistant District Attorney, the Supervising Intake Probation Officer, and the Assistant Division Director of Juvenile Hall for all local law enforcement agencies where the risk instrument was reviewed and questions and feedback were addressed. Response:Santa Cruz County Sheriff AGREES The risk assessment from was made available to law enforcement. Response: Santa Cruz City Police Department AGREES Response: Scotts Valley Police Department AGREES Response: Watsonville Police Department AGREES We were informed by Chief John Rhoads that an instrument was being developed. The explanation did not alert anyone that there would be any problems. Response: City of Capitola PARTIALLY AGREES The form was developed by Juvenile Probation, but the Police Department never received a copy. Response: Office of the Santa Cruz County District Attorney AGREES The form enclosed in the Santa Cruz County Grand Jury Report of 2001 - 2002 as figure 1 appears to be a dated form no longer being used by the Probation Department. A revised form is currently being used and has been distributed to county law enforcement agencies as well as the District Attorney's Office. 13.Law enforcement officials were not included in the development of this system. Currently, a third draft of the Screening Risk Assessment form is being discussed. Law enforcement officials have been asked to participate in this revision. No date has been set for the review and acceptance of this revision. Response: Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors DISAGREES Santa Cruz County Juvenile Probation Division -25 The risk assessment tool is an instrument which is entirely within the purview of the Probation Department to develop and administer. Law enforcement input has been included in the latest revision and will be sought in future revisions. The Probation Department constantly maintains and evaluates data to determine the effectiveness of detention alternatives and the validity of the risk assessment tool. Response: Santa Cruz County Sheriff AGREES Law Enforcement was aware of the document and does understand Probation's right to establish detention criteria. However, release policies can affect all public safety. A continuing review of this document would be healthy. Response: Santa Cruz City Police Department AGREES The Police Department was not included in the original risk management document although we were aware it was being developed. We were told that it would be a first draft and subject to review and later modification. Unfortunately, it has taken longer to modify it than originally expected. Response: Scotts Valley Police Department AGREES Response: City of Capitola PARTIALLY AGREES The Department has not been asked to assist in the revision of the Screening Risk Assessment form. Response: Office of the Santa Cruz County District Attorney PARTIALLY AGREES The Probation Department did compile a team to explore the revision of the Screening Risk Assessment form. This team was comprised of an assistant district attorney, a public defender, and representatives from the Probation Department. No police officers were invited. This committee then informed the Juvenile Hall Overcrowding Task Force (an entity created by the Juvenile Probation Department) of its findings. Law enforcement agencies were invited to the Overcrowding Task Force Meetings. It should be emphasized that the Probation Department ultimately had the final say as to the form's content. We strongly advocated the inclusion of victim impact issues and these were included. In other areas, we disagreed with some of the point values assessed. In addition to concerns regarding the subject matter of the Screening Risk Assessment form, we have concerns about its implementation. Not all Juvenile Hall staff appeared adequately trained in the use of the assessment. Some expressed the view that, in addition to the listed factors, the need to reduce the number of detained youth and manage the population at the Hall could also be considered. We do not feel this should influence the detention determination 14.School administrators, law enforcement officials, juvenile court staff and the District Attorney’s Office have not been regularly consulted regarding risk assessment procedures. Response: Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors PARTIALLY DISAGREES All of the above personnel have been consulted, except school administrators, who do not make decisions to arrest. The Assistant District Attorney assigned to juvenile court was -26 Santa Cruz County Juvenile Probation Division actively involved in the development of the detention risk instrument used today. The District Attorney and Law Enforcement are represented at Detention and Crowding meetings where the risk instrument is a regular discussion topic and the outcomes of detention are tracked. Regular trainings have been offered to law enforcement to assist them in their decision to arrest or cite. The District Attorney's office, Public Defender and law enforcement representatives have attended conferences at the Probation Department's invitation, at which information on objective decision-making criteria was presented. The Juvenile Probation Division would be pleased to provide a description of the risk instrument and detention process to any interested school administrators. Response: Santa Cruz County Sheriff PARIALLY AGREES Probation did present information about the risk assessment to various agencies. The concern was that law enforcement objection about current aspects of the assessment, i.e. no reference to gang involvement, was not included. Response: Santa Cruz City Police Department PARTIALLY AGREES We have attended a number of meetings to discuss risk assessment. We may disagree on certain issues over the assessment. We also realize it is the Probation Department's responsibility to develop, implement and monitor its use to see if it is effective or not. Response: Scotts Valley Police Department AGREES Response: Watsonville Police Department PARTIALLY AGREES We do not think PVUSD school administrators were consulted during the development of the risk assessment or any of the numerous meetings regarding revisions. However, we must say on behalf of the Probation Department that since schools do not arrest or bring kids to Juvenile Hall, it may not be necessary or appropriate to consult them about procedures. Regarding law enforcement, juvenile court staff, and District Attorney's office, it was apparent that the previous probation chief did not communicate or train clearly on procedures, which has partially led to the conflict with this instrument. We believe the new Chief of Probation has worked on, and is clarifying the instrument, especially to juvenile intake staff, meeting regularly with law enforcement, District Attorney's staff, etc. on the provisions of the instrument. Response: City of Capitola AGREES Response: Office of the Santa Cruz County District Attorney PARTIALLY AGREES We have been consulted regarding risk assessment procedures, however, our opinion has had little impact upon the implementation of these procedures. We believe that the standards set forth in Welfare and Institutions Code (WIC) Sections 628 and 628.1should form the foundation of any risk assessment procedure. The statute lists the circumstances under which a minor may be detained. 1) The minor lacks proper and effective parental care. 2) The minor is destitute, lacking the necessities of home. Santa Cruz County Juvenile Probation Division -27 3) The minor's home is unfit. 4) It is a matter of immediate and urgent necessity for the protection of the minor or a reasonable necessity for the protection of the person or property of another. (The circumstances and gravity of the offense figure in here. WQ. 635.) 5) The minor is likely to flee. 6) The minor has violated a court order. 7) The minor is physically dangerous to the public because of a mental or physical deficiency, disorder, or abnormality. If the minor needs mental health treatment, the court must notify the county mental health department. (WQ. 635.1 .) The Probation Department has attempted to make the use of the statutory criteria objective by assigning point values to specific occurrences. This method causes an interpretation of some sections which we believe is more narrow and restrictive than intended by the statute. Two examples of our differing read of the statute can be seen in the approach to flight risk and potential danger. The code cites the likelihood that the minor will flee as a consideration. This is a subjective determination which may involve a number of factors. On the risk assessment form, this is reduced to a three item list: previous escapes, failures to appear, and pending referrals. Secondly, the question of whether the minor is dangerous is considered as it relates to elements of the offenses charged. We believe this is too complex to reduce to point values and is essentially a subjective determination for the court to make. 15.The Juvenile Probation Division has expressed pride in its success in reducing occupancy at Juvenile Hall through the use of the Risk Assessment Form. Response: Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors AGREES The Probation Department is extremely proud that it has been able to fulfill its mandate to keep the appropriate youth at home during court proceedings without jeopardizing public safety. The Board of Supervisors wholeheartedly applauds these efforts. 16.Figure 1 presents the Santa Cruz County Screening Risk Assessment form in use as of March 2002 by the Santa Cruz County Juvenile Probation Division. A. In Areas 1 and 4, scoring for offenses is not cumulative. B. In Area 1-C, Felony Possession of Narcotics/Drugs scores at 4. C. Probation violations receive no score at all. D. In Area 2, a juvenile arrested five or more times in the last six months is given only five points. E. Area 3 demonstrates the Juvenile Probation Division’s low-priority attitude toward drug and alcohol offenses. Response: Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors DISAGREES The County disagrees with this finding and strongly disagrees with the characterization of the Probation Department's attitude towards drug and alcohol offenses as "low-priority." The risk instrument used today has been validated and is extremely successful based on public safety outcome measures. As mentioned above, the risk instrument presented in -28 Santa Cruz County Juvenile Probation Division Figure 1 has not been used by this agency for over seven years. The following corrections to the findings are submitted: A. The risk instrument is cumulative. B. In the updated instrument, both misdemeanor and felony possession of drugs score 3 points. Possession of drugs for sale scores 5. It should be noted that this is one of 9 areas to be scored. C. Although the actual probation violation does not score points, often the behavior associated with this violation does - for example, use of drugs or runaway behavior. On any given day over a third of the juvenile hall population is composed of probation violators. D. This score is directly related to current court status. If the minor is pending court, he/she scores 6 points and if it has been over a year since his/her last criminal offense, he/she receives 2 points. This is one of 9 areas that are cumulatively scored. E. Drug and alcohol use is addressed in area 9. This area is research based and was developed with the assistance of the drug and alcohol counselor assigned to Juvenile Hall. A minor admitting to intravenous drug use or showing signs of drug use in the past 72 homes scores a 10, causing them to be held in Juvenile Hall regardless of the scores in the other 8 areas. 17.Although substance abuse cases including heroin, methamphetamines, hallucinogens, cocaine, marijuana and alcohol make up the vast majority of juvenile referrals, these rarely result in a stay at Juvenile Hall, based on the Screening Risk Assessment. Response: Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors DISAGREES Substance abuse cases do not make up the vast majority of juvenile offense referrals; however, substance abuse is frequently identified as a factor in a significant number of referrals. Over 80% of the youth detained in juvenile hall have some level of substance use, abuse or dependency, even though they may be in custody for another crime. At the same time, a small percentage of these youth require medical intervention for detoxification symptoms due to drug addiction caused by prolonged and uninterrupted use of drugs and addiction. For youth detained in the juvenile hall, level of use, abuse and dependency of drugs and/or alcohol is assessed along with criminalgenic factors, social history, and detention criteria as outlined in the Welfare and Institutions Code. All youth who pose significant risk to self or others are detained based on this assessment. Other youth are directed to the appropriate outpatient service. The Juvenile Hall is not and cannot be a residential substance abuse treatment center, but will continue to provide substance abuse assessment, programs and transitional services to the appropriate level of care. 18.Staff at Juvenile Hall report that youths who have substance abuse problems are not placed in substance abuse programs as a matter of need, but rather as a reward for good behavior. Response: Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors STRONGLY DISAGREES Santa Cruz County Juvenile Probation Division -29 Probation Department policy does not allow participation in substance abuse programs to be used as a reward, and any staff using substance abuse treatment as a reward is in violation of departmental policy. Drug and alcohol counseling is offered to detainees in both group and individual formats and is an integral part of Juvenile Hall programming. Juveniles whose behavior is too dangerous or disruptive for group counseling are allowed to receive individual drug counseling. 19.Crimes against property are on the rise, but generally do not result in detainments. Response: Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors DISAGREES According to the most recent available data, crimes against property are not on the rise. Statistics provided by all county law enforcement agencies on juvenile arrests, show that property crimes (including burglary, robbery, theft and motor vehicle theft) fell by 4% in 2001 as compared to 2000. Juvenile felony arrests, which tend to involve injury or substantial property loss, have steadily declined since 1995. At the time of this response, 22% of youth detained in the juvenile hall on a law violation are in custody for a property crime. Property offenders are held in custody when they meet the detention risk criteria or upon judicial order. 20.Reports and citations are referred to the Juvenile Probation Division for review and/or actions. Investigations are conducted and include meetings with the parents and the juvenile. Some cases are forwarded to Juvenile Court. Response: Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors AGREES 21.The delay between the time of arrest and initial contact with a probation officer is typically two to three months. Response: Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors DISAGREES All youth who are arrested and brought to the juvenile hall have immediate contact with a probation officer .For youth cited and referred by law enforcement (i.e. not in detention), reports are processed and assigned to an intake probation officer, reviewed by the district attorney if appropriate or mandated, and an appointment is set to meet with the youth and family at the soonest possible time. The average amount of time taken to complete an intake interview from the time the law enforcement report is received is 32.5 days. 22.The Juvenile Probation Division interacts with the several law enforcement agencies conducting “Juvenile Diversion Programs.” Response: Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors AGREES Response: Santa Cruz County Sheriff AGREES Response: Santa Cruz City Police Department AGREES Response: Scotts Valley Police Department AGREES We agree that the Juvenile Probation Division does interact with the Scotts Valley Police Department regarding our Juvenile Diversion Program. Response: Watsonville Police Department AGREES -30 Santa Cruz County Juvenile Probation Division We have the ASSETS grant as previously mentioned. It is a partnership with Watsonville Police Department, Probation Department, and PVPSA. It is in it's last year of funding. It needs to be continued. Response: City of Capitola AGREES 23.The Sheriff’s Department has no diversion programs in unincorporated areas policed by that agency. (See report on Review of Initial Alcohol and Drug Intervention with High School Age Youth.) Response: Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors AGREES However, all eligible youth living in the unincorporated area receive diversion services offered by the Probation Department and community providers. Response:Santa Cruz County Sheriff AGREES The Sheriff's Office does not maintain a formal diversion system. The Sheriff's Office has demonstrated its commitment to the youth of our County by being the only agency to have five dedicated school resource officers responsible for the Aptos High, Soquel High, San Lorenzo Valley High, Renaissance High, Aptos Ir. High, Lakeview Middle School and Shoreline campuses. These deputies perform these duties on a full-time basis despite the worrisome staffing shortage in our Patrol Services Division. The Sheriffs Office remains the busiest police agency in this County yet has the least amount of officers per 1000 residents of all County law enforcement agencies. Rather than enhancing our police services for Fiscal Year 2002-03, the Sheriffs Office received sizeable budget cuts, including deputy sheriff positions (one of whom was dedicated full time to our DARE Program and another dedicated to narcotics enforcement). In addition, the Sheriff s Office has an unfilled Juvenile Detective position due to a staffing crisis in the Patrol Division. This detective will, when staffed, follow- up on case referrals from patrol deputies and our SROs, including a limited diversion program. The Sheriff's Office also maintains dedicated community deputies assigned to San Lorenzo Valley, the Summit area, North Coast, and Corralitos areas. These deputies frequently dealt with juvenile issues and monitored minor offenders in their respective areas. They are now working in Patrol, as well, due to our staffing crisis. Lastly, a probation officer was supposedly budgeted some years ago to handle Aptos High students and be seen on campus with the SRO. Apparently, due to their caseload, this has yet to happen. 24.The Juvenile Probation Division reports that law enforcement officers can access any of the division’s information but that it does not routinely provide the information to officers. Response: Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors AGREES Response: Santa Cruz County Sheriff AGREES Information is provided to deputies upon request. Probation does not provide lists of juvenile probationers as a routine measure. Response: Santa Cruz City Police Department DISAGREES Santa Cruz County Juvenile Probation Division -31 Officers cannot routinely access information from Probation or about an individual. Officers have to go through a probation officer to obtain the information. Response: Scotts Valley Police Department AGREES Response: City of Capitola AGREES 25.The average length of stay in Juvenile Hall has been reduced. In 1999 the average length of stay was 32 days. At the close of fieldwork, the average length of stay was 8.9 days. Response: Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors DISAGREES In 1999, the average length of stay was 12.3 days. In 2000 the average length of stay was 9 days. In 2001 the average length of stay was 10 days. 26.Some parents have reported the Juvenile Probation Division has a very lax attitude toward marijuana use. Some parents stated they were told by the Juvenile Probation Division, “At least it’s better than cocaine or methamphetamines.” Response: Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors DISAGREES The Juvenile Probation Department places a high priority on enhancing, expanding and improving substance abuse treatment, including partnership with Health Services Drug and Alcohol staff to provide drug assessment in the Juvenile Hall; the addition of $250,000 in drug and alcohol services to expand the partnership with Health Services Agency to STAR and other local residential treatment providers to enhance and expand residential drug treatment services for court wards; the award of the Robert Wood Johnson, Reclaiming Futures initiative to identify system needs for substance abuse treatment; and collaboration on three grants to the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment. With additional resources and better assessment, probation officers have become more sophisticated at differentiating between use, abuse and dependency and using this information to form service plans. 27.The County judicial system is evaluating juvenile detention reform. Response: Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors partially DISAGREES The County is aware of and appreciates the excellent work of the presiding Juvenile Court Judge who is involved in the continual evaluation of the detention system, however, the County is not aware that the judicial system is conducting an evaluation of detention reform. 28.The Watsonville Police Department has been instrumental in initiating dialogue between the Juvenile Probation Division and other law enforcement agencies. Response: Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors AGREES The County appreciates the input of all law enforcement departments. Response: Watsonville Police Department AGREES Thank you. We are blessed with wonderful crime analysts (Linda Peters and Edward Delfin). They enable us to research issues and present them for discussions. -32 Santa Cruz County Juvenile Probation Division Conclusions Note: Although not required to do so, the District Attorney responded to the following conclusions: 6. The shortened length of stay at Juvenile Hall makes it difficult for county agencies or other providers of services to influence behavior of youths in custody. Response: Office of the Santa Cruz County District Attorney AGREES We agree with the Grand Jury's conclusion. The Probation Department's reluctance to detain minors has had a detrimental effect on our community's ability to rehabilitate and deter juvenile offenders. Drug addicted youth need a safe and comfortable environment to recover from withdrawal and break from long periods of drug abuse. Detention often may deter criminal conduct and promote rehabilitation. Law enforcement officers in this have expressed grave frustration about their perception that juveniles who are arrested and transported to the detention facility are often released prior to the completion of the officer's paperwork. Some officers have indicated that they have simply stopped arresting and taking juveniles to the detention facility for certain offenses. Others report that arrested youth often brazenly comment that the officer is wasting his or her time as surely, the youth will be summarily released. The District Attorney's Office has communicated concerns regarding detention policies to the Probation Department. We continue to welcome discussion on an issue that we feel is of paramount importance to public safety and our community.
No recommendations for this finding
F23
on -12, we discussed ongoing commitment to the juvenile justice system, i.e. five SRO positions, DARE deputy, etc. We are not able, due to staffing issues or funding, to establish a diversion program of our own. The Probation Department currently operates a number of diversion programs that are successful. The Sheriff's Office needs regarding youth diversion will continue to be addressed by the Probation Department. 5. The Juvenile Probation Division, in conjunction with the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Department and the police departments of the cities of Capitola, Santa Cruz, Scotts Valley, and Watsonville should cooperate to develop a plan for the administration of countywide diversion programs. Response: Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors AGREES This recommendation was implemented five years ago and is in operation at this time Response: Santa Cruz County Sheriff AGREES This recommendation has not been implemented. The Sheriffs Office looks forward to discussion on this recommendation. Improved coordination of a diversion program would enhance the Juvenile Justice System. Response: Santa Cruz City Police Department PARTIALLY AGREES The Santa Cruz Police Department partially agrees with this recommendation. I believe we need to work together so we do not waste or duplicate certain resources and to benefit by others experience. I do not think this is a "one size fits all" situation. Each jurisdiction could and should have input on individual issues/concerns within each agency. I strongly feel that the Probation Department should take the lead in juvenile diversion issues. Response: Scotts Valley Police Department AGREES This department will cooperate in any manner whatsoever in order to develop a plan for the administration of countywide diversion programs even though we're not convinced of the need. Response: Watsonville Police Department AGREES Perhaps one ASSETS type grant that would standardize diversion throughout the county law enforcement agencies. Response:City of Capitola AGREES The City of Capitola has not yet implemented this recommendation. The City of Capitola would participate in such a process. Santa Cruz County Law Enforcement Agencies -47 6. The police departments of the cities of Capitola, Santa Cruz, and Scotts Valley should undertake studies of juvenile crime in their respective cities similar to the study done by the Watsonville Police Department. Response: Scotts Valley Police Department DISAGREES The City of Watsonville has juvenile related crime that in no way represents the types of juvenile related crime that occur in the City of Scotts Valley. The needs for the City of Watsonville are much different than the needs of the City of Scotts Valley in relation to juvenile crime, therefore, we see no need to implement such a recommendation at this time. Response: City of Capitola AGREES The City of Capitola has not yet implemented this recommendation. The City of Capitola should have this data on or before the end of the 2002/2003 fiscal year. Response: Santa Cruz City Police Department AGREES The studies conducted by both the Watsonville Police Department and the Santa Cruz Police Department were very laborious and time consuming to put together. The probation information needs to be more easily accessible in order to track outcomes. -48 Santa Cruz County Law Enforcement Agencies Review of Initial Alcohol and Drug Intervention With High School Age Youth High Schools’ Initial Response to Substance Abuse 2001-2002 Grand Jury Report – -20 Findings 6. Those high schools students who are found to be in possession of alcohol or drugs on campus can expect to be cited by the School Resource Officer. The SRO is a peace officer from the local policing agency assigned to the school for security. The citation issued by the SRO will be sent to the Juvenile Probation Division. The Juvenile Probation Division investigates the incident and arranges for a conference with the student and parents. Response: Santa Cruz County Sheriff AGREES Drug and alcohol on campus are actively investigated and referred to Probation. Response: Santa Cruz City Police Department AGREES Response: Watsonville Police Department AGREES At Watsonville Police Department, the citation will most likely be forwarded to the ASSETS Probation Officer. The Probation Officer coordinates the appropriate course of action with input from school, law enforcement, and PVPSA. 7. A first-time offender may be placed on probation or may be considered for a diversion program. The process of placing a first-time offender on a diversion program frequently takes two months to initiate. A diversion program will avoid a permanent record and will include several months of counseling, group sessions, contracts, community service, writing essays and possibly a waiver for search and seizure. Response: Santa Cruz County Sheriff AGREES Diversion programs can be successful for many offenders. Probation has made efforts to get juveniles into diversion programs as quickly as possible. Response: Santa Cruz City Police Department DISAGREES Currently, our first-time diversion program placement is less than one month. Response: Watsonville Police Department PARTIALLY DISAGREES We believe the selection and placement process is a week or two. 9. The high schools use the following programs for early assessment and counseling: A. Students in the PajaroValley Unified School District, which include Aptos High School and Watsonville High School, are referred to Pajaro Valley Prevention and Student Assistance (PVPSA). It is a non-profit agency that supports Pajaro Valley School District. This model, which has a documented success rate, automatically and immediately places students in intervention programs. Review of Initial Alcohol and Drug Intervention With High School Age Youth -49 B. Students in the Santa Cruz City School District, which include Harbor, Santa Cruz and Soquel Highs, are referred to Youth Services for assessment and substance abuse counseling. C. Students from ScottsValley and San Lorenzo High Schools are referred to Triad Community Services for assessment and substance abuse counseling. Response: Santa Cruz City School District PARTIALLY AGREES Students are referred to Youth Services, other community agencies or a family physician for a drug use assessment. The assessment is returned to the school and the school counselor and school social worker determine the appropriate intervention for the student, using the assessment and other information gathered regarding the students health status, school achievement, attendance and behavior.
No recommendations for this finding
Conclusions 2
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CL1It is inappropriate for the attorney for the District to prepare and sign correspondence on behalf of the Salsipuedes Sanitary District. Response: Salsipuedes Sanitary District DISAGREES Any correspondence sent out by legal counsel on behalf of the District is at the request and direction of the Sanitary District. The Salsipuedes Sanitary District is a special district organized and ':Cooperating under the Sanitary District Act of 1923 (Health & Safety Code section 6400, et seq.) ;!; The Sanitary District Act expressly authorizes the District to employ counsel "for any purpose (Health & Safety Code section 6493.) It also authorizes the District to employ and pay necessary agents and assistants. Health & Investigation of the Salsipuedes Sanitary District Page 7-3 Safety Code section 6517. It is totally appropriate for the District to communicate to anyone it chooses through its legal counsel. This is the same basic right that every public agency, and every other person or entity for that matter, enjoys. The Grand Jury's conclusion to the contrary is illogical and unfounded. -""'"
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CL211.A consolidated school district would ensure uniform policies and procedures in all schools throughout the county. Response: Bonny Doon School PARTIALLY AGREES No response required from Bonny Doon School. However, a consolidated school district would ensure uniform policies and procedures in all schools throughout the County." However, we agree only because a single Board of Trustees would have jurisdiction throughout the County. We do not agree that a single Board of Trustees for all schools in Santa Cruz County is a good thing for education. Page 6-48 A Review of the Structure and Administration of the Santa Cruz County Public School Systems
Comments 6
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CO1Four of the state-mandated functions of the COE are: • Information and coordination services • 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 Response: Santa Cruz County Office of Education AGREES 35.The four one-school districts in the County receive financial and accounting assistance from the COE for which they are not billed. Response: Santa Cruz County Office of Education PARTIALLY AGREES All school districts receive some financial and accounting assistance from the COE for which they are not billed as part of our mandated services. 36.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. Response: Santa Cruz County Office of Education AGREES 37.The COE bills districts utilizing programs administered by the COE for excess costs. Response: Santa Cruz County Office of Education DISAGREES There are currently no excess costs billed to districts for COE administered programs. There are fee-for-service programs offered. 38.The COE has the primary responsibility of reviewing the yearly audits of the school districts’ budgets. Response: Santa Cruz County Office of Education AGREES A Review of the Structure and Administration Page 6-35 of the Santa Cruz County Public School Systems 39.All school and district payrolls pass through the COE, which also passes along an administrative charge to the school districts. Response: Santa Cruz County Office of Education DISAGREES There are no administrative fees charged for payroll services except to the charter school as permitted by law. The only fee is for data processing services. 40.As of April 1st 2002, the county wide declining enrollment dilemma has not resulted in budget or staff reductions at the COE. Response: Santa Cruz County Office of Education AGREES The declining enrollment in some districts does not directly affect the overall services provided to districts. The same services continue to be provided. One-School Districts 41.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): 122 Response: Bonny Doon School PARTIALLY AGREES We have limited access to other district information. Response: Happy Valley Elementary School District PARTIALLY AGREES Happy Valley Elementary School enrollment on CBEDS day, October 3,2001 was 131 students. Response: Pacific School District PARTIALLY AGREES The enrollment figures are based on Average Daily Attendance. Acctual enrollment is greater than reported. Pacific School District had 88 students enrolled and Happy Valley School District reported 132. Response: Mountain Elementary School District PARTIALLY AGREES First of all, it is not appropriate to respond for another public agency. We cannot confirm data for the other three small districts. We agree with the founding date and that Page 6-36 A Review of the Structure and Administration of the Santa Cruz County Public School Systems Mountain is a one school K-6 district. We agree that the high enrollment for the 2001-02 school district was 158. Our yearly budget for the 2001-02 School year was $1,072,966.02. By employees, it is not clear if this means fte's (full-time positions) or total number of people employed-combining full and part time positions. During the 2001-02 School Year, our total number of employees were: Employee Group Number of Full Time Number of Part Time Teachers- 6/ 3; Administrator- 1; Office staff- 1/1; Aides: Library, Classroom, Tech- 11 Food supervisor- 1 Custodian- 1. Through the COE we had one very part time Psychologist and a part-time Speech Therapist This group includes 25 people but less than 15 fte's. 42.Each district is a self-contained business entity, i.e., it includes hiring, budgeting, employee contract, curriculum and fund raising functions. Response: Bonny Doon School AGREES Response: Pacific School District PARTIALLY AGREES The four one-school districts receive a considerable amount of assistance from the County Office of Education with respect to financial analysis, budget development, vendor and payroll warrants and the annual audit. Response: Happy Valley Elementary School District PARTIALLY AGREES The four one-school districts receive a considerable amount of assistance from the County Office of Education with respect to financial analysis, budget development, vendor and payroll warrants and the annual audit. Response: Mountain Elementary School District PARTIALLY AGREES Although we are a separate school district, we are a direct service district. This means that the County Office of Education must provide certain services for us. The SCCOE assigns a financial analyst to work closely with the administrator. The analyst assists with budget preparation and monitoring as well as in the completion of complex State and local fiscal reports. 43.The Principal has the dual role of District Superintendent and School Administrator. Response: Bonny Doon School AGREES Don't forget chief business official, human resources manager, and head of maintenance and custodial services. Response: Happy Valley Elementary School District AGREES Response: Pacific School District AGREES Response: Mountain Elementary School District DISAGREES The role is not a dual role. The District Administrator assumes the roles of Superintendent, business services administrator, much of the load of the financial administrator, is in charge of facility, food services, purchases, curriculum, staff development, student support services, technology, health services, human resources, teacher and other contracts as well as being the principal of the school. 44.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 6-37 of the Santa Cruz County Public School Systems Response: Bonny Doon School AGREEES This is matched by very little need for the grants. Response: Pacific School District PARTIALLY AGREES Pacific School District and Happy Valley Elementary School District have received Title I Concentration Grant funds based on the number of students eligible for free and reduced lunches under federal guidelines. Response: Happy Valley Elementary School District PARTIALLY AGREES Happy Valley and Pacific Elementary have received Title I Concentration Grant funds based on the number of students eligible for free and reduced lunches under federal guidelines. Response: Mountain Elementary School District PARTIALLY AGREES While the family incomes of those who live in-district tend to be generally high, approximately half of our students are here because we are the school of parental choice for families in other parts of the county. Our inter-district transfer students tend to come from families with lower economic resources than those of our in-district students. Approximately 14% of our children qualified for free lunches last year. Because we are in an area listed by the Federal government as '~al" we qualify for grant money not available to other more urban districts. Last of all, we have a very strong parent group that fund-raises throughout the year to support a number of our fine programs. Fundraising parents often come from the more affluent families. 45.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. Response: Bonny Doon School PARTIALLY AGREES No mention is made of the safety nets that exist within the County to protect small districts against sudden, massive costs arising out of the need to provide special education services. Response: Pacific School District AGREES Response: Happy Valley Elementary School District AGREES Response: Mountain Elementary School District PARTIALLY AGREES We agree that the cost for special education programs is very high. We also agree that if one of our students needs special services of any kind, the district must pay for it. However, this is true for all school districts-not just the one-school districts. The difference, of course, is that our budget is much smaller than a place like Pajaro Valley Unified School District. One student's cost to them is painful but it does not create a threat. One student's severe cost to a one-school district can impact the entire district. If a small district gets two extremely expensive cases, it can certainly threaten the financial stability of the district. Because the percentage of high cost special education students has risen in this area, it is a concern for all districts. Page 6-38 A Review of the Structure and Administration of the Santa Cruz County Public School Systems 46.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. Response: Bonny Doon School AGREES Is it possible that by providing more funding to our schools we can foster greater student achievement, and therefore higher test scores? Response: Pacific School District DISAGREES The chart presented in Grand Jury Finding #2 does not accurately reflect the basic cost of educating students in the one-school districts. During the 2000-01fiscal year, Pacific Elementary District received a Title I Concentration Grant of$263,618, and Happy Valley Elementary District received $412,000 from the same federal funding source. If the amount of Concentration Grant funding for both schools ($675,618) is subtracted ~ from the one-school districts 2000-01 general fund expenditures, the total Audited Actual General Fund Expenditures would be $3,980,380, divided by the ADA for the single school districts, the Cost/Student (CBEDS) would be $7,454 and (P-2) would be $7,744. Since the small school districts have consistently achieved high test scores over a longer period of time, this additional Title I Grant money doesn’t account for the academic achievement of the one-school districts. Response: Happy Valley Elementary School District DISAGREES The chart presented in Grand Jury Finding #2 does not accurately reflect the basic cost of educating students in the one-school districts. During the 2000-01fiscal year, Pacific Elementary District received a Title I Concentration Grant of$263,618, and Happy Valley Elementary District received $412,000 from the same federal funding source. If the amount of Concentration Grant funding for both schools ($675,618) is subtracted ~ from the one-school districts 2000-01 general fund expenditures, the total Audited Actual General Fund Expenditures would be $3,980,380, divided by the ADA for the single school districts, the Cost/Student (CBEDS) would be $7,454 and (P-2) would be $7,744. Response: Mountain Elementary School District PARTIALLY AGREES We agree that the test scores and high and lead the county; however, we disagree that the cost per student is much higher than the other six county school districts. See comments on Findings 2 and 41. 47.An Administrator stated, “Parental involvement and a dedicated, committed staff are a key component to the success of the district." Response: Bonny Doon School AGREES Response: Pacific School District AGREES Response: Happy Valley Elementary School District AGREES Response: Mountain Elementary School District AGREES Parents are very involved in all aspects of the Mountain School District. They volunteer their time to assist in the classroom, they are in charge of the monthly newsletter, they sit on committees, the Parents' Club is the major fundraising arm of the district, parents are involved as classroom helpers, they participate in the site council, they were major A Review of the Structure and Administration Page 6-39 of the Santa Cruz County Public School Systems players in the strategic planning process, they coordinate workdays to weed, repair and paint the facilities, etc. They attend our events and feel themselves to be important to the running of the school and district. The dedication of the staff includes all categories: classroom teachers, who usually teach two or more grades, the resource teacher who also works with Title I, the horary aide who donates many hours of unpaid time to keep the horary in excellent condition, the secretary who takes on the work of five or m departments as well as playing the role of ' 'school nurse" for minor cuts and scrapes, the maintenance person who is also the custodian, and the administrator who administersall the departments. 48.Families are moving from the area, one of the least affordable in the nation, due to the high cost of housing. Response: Bonny Doon School PARTIALLY AGREES This may be one of the reasons for leaving the area. The finding is too simply stated, however, to be of much value. Response: Pacific School District AGREES Response: Happy Valley Elementary School District AGREES Response: Mountain Elementary School District PARTIALLY AGREES The cost of housing in Santa Cruz County is doubtless some of the least affordable in the nation; however, we have a lot of stability in our student body-particularly those families who live in our district. Many of the sixth graders, in fact, started school together in kindergarten. 49.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. Response: Pacific School District AGREES Response: Bonny Doon School PARTIALLY AGREES This may be true for most small school districts; but it is not true in basic aid school districts. This fact seems not to be included in the Grand Jury's deliberations. Response: Happy Valley Elementary School District AGREES Response: Mountain Elementary School District PARTIALLY AGREES Mountain and other one-district schools often have a long waiting list of students from families who would like to attend. Declining enrollment impacts all districts; because our budget is small, the loss of a family may impact the finances of the school-particularly if the openings occur in grades where there is no one on a waiting list. During the past few years, Mountain has shown a slight increase in enrollment; however, that could change at any time. Page 6-40 A Review of the Structure and Administration of the Santa Cruz County Public School Systems Six Multi-School Districts 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 57.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. Response: Live Oak School District AGREES In 1990, the Live Oak School assessed tax value was $1,444,366,250. Currently the District's assessed tax value is $2,916,346,675. 58.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. Response: Live Oak School District AGREES The Live Oak School District Governing Board formed an Economic Viability Study Group (25 community representatives) that recommended the District follow a prescriptive financial plan that should help the District avoid deficits within the next two years. 59.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. Response: Live Oak School District AGREES Opened day care to all residents in the community Green Acres Preschool expansion 2002-03 Live Oak Preschool expansion 2003-04 A Review of the Structure and Administration Page 6-41 of the Santa Cruz County Public School Systems Del Mar Preschool expansion 2004-05 Opened a community center The District opened a community Teen Center in 2001-02. The District is currently negotiating joint-use agreements with the Live Oak/Soquel Redevelopment Agency to develop two joint-use gyms through SB 1795 funding. Formed a parent/teacher committee to examine budget and declining enrollment Issues. Formed a citizen advisory committee to help develop and implement the District's Economic Viability Report. 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. Applied for a federal charter school planning grant (2002) with the intent of opening a small charter high school (2003) for those parents currently seeking a modified independent study program with core college prep courses being offered at a District school site. 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 60.Soquel suffers from declining student enrollment with approximately 140 students lost over the last five years. Response: Soquel Union Elementary School District DISAGREES The CBEDS enrollment in 1996 was 2403. The CBEDS enrollment in 2001 was 2142. This is a difference of 261 students. However, this year's enrollment to date reflects less than 1 % of a decline in enrollment from last year's CBEDS count, which may reflect a slowing in the rate of decline. Enrollment tends to be cyclical, with periods of decline followed by periods of growth over time.
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CO2Lack of affordable housing and the high cost of special education severely impact this district. District Administrators expect budget deficits in the future. Response: Soquel Union Elementary School District AGREES Page 6-42 A Review of the Structure and Administration of the Santa Cruz County Public School Systems The high cost of housing impacts everyone in our county. Certainly, it is often difficult for school employees to purchase a house in this market. It is true that districts, by accident of who lives within their attendance boundaries, may have the obligation of significant expenses for individual students with special needs. These individual obligations sunset as students move out of the system. It is impossible to predict future obligations, as they are dependent upon individual student needs. At this time the Soquel Union Elementary School District has not entirely met its 3% reserve requirements for School Year 02-03. We are working to remedy this within our current resources. 62.Family income levels tend to be above federal guidelines that make it very difficult for the district to qualify for grants. Response: Soquel Union Elementary School District PARTIALLY AGREES Soquel Union Elementary School District does qualify for Title 1 funding, which is based on poverty levels in our attendance area. There are state and federal grants that either assign priority to districts with a higher poverty rate than our district's poverty rate, or require a higher poverty rate to make application. 63.Administrators state that the cost of preparing grant applications greatly reduces the net amount funded to the district. Response: Soquel Union Elementary School District DISAGREES Staff and administrative time is used in the preparation of grant applications. Certainly, grant preparation time must be weighed when deciding to apply for grants. Of more significant impact is the level of staff time needed to implement grants according to state and federal guidelines and meet compliance requirements for monitoring. Some grants carry significant paperwork and data collection requirements even though they strictly limit the amount of indirect or administrative costs that can be charged against the grant funds. 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 • BrookKnoll Elementary School • Vine Hill Elementary School • Scotts Valley Middle School • Scotts Valley High School 64.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. Response: Scotts Valley Unified School District AGREES A Review of the Structure and Administration Page 6-43 of the Santa Cruz County Public School Systems 65.Declining enrollment has not impacted the district, but the Scotts Valley district does not anticipate future growth. Response: Scotts Valley Unified School District PARTIALLY AGREES While the overall District enrollment continues to increase due to the increase in enrollment at Scotts Valley High School as additional classes have been added over the last four years the K-8 enrollment has declined slightly. 66.The district is in the process of remodeling its middle school campus. Response: Scotts Valley Unified School District DISAGREES In March 2002 a bond measure was considered by voters and was narrowly defeated. One component of the bond was to rebuild Scotts Valley Middle School (SVMS). Since the bond was defeated this project is on hold. 67.On November 8, 1994 voters approved two bond measure totaling $22.7 million for a new high school. Response: Scotts Valley Unified School District AGREES 68.On May 1, 1995, $4.5 million was released with the remaining $18.2 million released on August 1st 1997. Response: Scotts Valley Unified School District AGREES 69.Voters rejected additional school bonds for the district in March 2002. Response: Scotts Valley Unified School District AGREES 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 70.San Lorenzo Valley School District is located in the mountainous region of Santa Cruz County. Response: San Lorenzo Valley School District AGREES 71.The district faces numerous challenges with transportation and declining enrollment. Response: San Lorenzo Valley School District AGREES Page 6-44 A Review of the Structure and Administration of the Santa Cruz County Public School Systems 72.While district buses operate daily during school hours, late after-school activities pose a problem. Response: San Lorenzo Valley School District AGREES 73.Missing scheduled morning pick-ups and return trips home often discourages students from attending school or participating in after school activities. Response: San Lorenzo Valley School District PARTIALLY AGREES We believe that sometimes students may be discouraged from attending school or participating in after school activities rather than "often." 74.School officials feel free bus passes for public transportation would help daily attendance. Response: San Lorenzo Valley School District AGREES
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CO3At the close of fieldwork, the Superintendent stated the budget would have a deficit in the 2002-2003 school year. Response: San Lorenzo Valley School District DISAGREES The Superintendent must have been misunderstood. The Superintendent would never have made such a statement since he then would have to make a formal report to the State with a negative certification of the budget and then turn the district over to the County Superintendent of Schools. School districts are not allowed to have deficits in their budgets. Santa Cruz City School District 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 A Review of the Structure and Administration Page 6-45 of the Santa Cruz County Public School Systems
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CO4The district has lost approximately 720 students since 1999. 322 students were lost during the 2001 school year alone. Response: Santa Cruz City School District PARTIALLY AGREES District enrollment has declined by approximately 720 students. The term "lost" implies that students once previously enrolled in the district have transferred or relocated elsewhere, which is not the case. 77.In order to remain solvent, the district must reduce its budget by $3.2 to $4.9 million dependent on receiving additional funding. Response: Santa Cruz City School District AGREES
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CO5A parcel tax measure was recently passed. According to district officials, these amounts will not be sufficient to cover growing deficits. Response: Santa Cruz City School District AGREES 79.In 1998, voters approved bond measures totaling $86 million designated for school remodeling. Response: Santa Cruz City School District AGREES 80.The District has been in the processing of renovating older school buildings in order to bring them into compliance with federal mandates. Response: Santa Cruz City School District AGREES 81.The district recently announced that Strategic Construction Management Consulting Company would receive $1.2 million to oversee these renovations. Response: Santa Cruz City School District AGREES 82.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.” Response: Santa Cruz City School District AGREES There are several factors, professional and personal, that contribute to administrators' decisions to resign their positions, including, but not exclusively, the cost of housing, declining enrollment, and budget concerns. 83.Many students from the Santa Cruz City School District District were transferred to Scotts Valley High School, which opened in 1999. This negatively impacted the school district’s ADA. Response: Santa Cruz City School District PARTIALLY AGREES Students, who would have attended the Santa Cruz City School District District in absence of Scotts Valley High School, attend Scotts Valley High School, i.e. their high school of residence. Page 6-46 A Review of the Structure and Administration of the Santa Cruz County Public School Systems 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 • Watsonville High School 84.Pajaro Valley Unified School District is the largest school district in the County. Response:Pajaro Valley Unified School District AGREES The district has grown until last year and has now stabilized the enrollment unlike the remainder of the county which is declining.
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CO6The migrant population and other non-English speaking students create unique expenses and challenges for PVUSD. Response: Pajaro Valley Unified School District AGREES A Review of the Structure and Administration Page 6-47 of the Santa Cruz County Public School Systems The challenges are exacerbated by the fact that almost all of our students who are "English Learners" live in a community in which it is not necessary for them to speak English in order to have their basic needs met. Community services, family services, health care, and businesses all cater to the Spanish-speaking population. Therefore, there is very little exposure to or opportunities to practice the English language other than the five hours spent in school. 86.According to State of California statistics, thirteen schools in the district have unacceptably low-test scores. Response: Pajaro Valley Unified School District DISAGREES Using the state's Academic Performance Index (API) and the rankings on a scale of one to ten (one being the lowest) there are 14 schools in the bottom rank (decile one), and three more in decile two. Source: 2001 Base API. 87.The District is continuously initiating programs to reverse low academic achievement. Response: Pajaro Valley Unified School District AGREES The District is implementing a comprehensive and coordinated plan for the 2002-2003 school year to produce significant increases in academic achievement. 88.Overcrowding at the high schools is a major concern. Response: Pajaro Valley Unified School District AGREES Construction has now started on the third high school which is scheduled to open by the end of 2004. In the meantime, there are sufficient relocatable facilities to house the classes need at the two high schools to maintain the District's class size ratios. The District has placed a bond issue on the November ballot to further address the current deficiencies in the District's high schools. 89.A new high school is scheduled to open in approximately two years. Response: Pajaro Valley Unified School District AGREES Construction has now started on the third high school which is scheduled to open by the end of 2004. Conclusions Note: While not required to do so, Bonny Doon did respond to the conclusions. 11.A consolidated school district would ensure uniform policies and procedures in all schools throughout the county. Response: Bonny Doon School PARTIALLY AGREES No response required from Bonny Doon School. However, a consolidated school district would ensure uniform policies and procedures in all schools throughout the County." However, we agree only because a single Board of Trustees would have jurisdiction throughout the County. We do not agree that a single Board of Trustees for all schools in Santa Cruz County is a good thing for education. Page 6-48 A Review of the Structure and Administration of the Santa Cruz County Public School Systems