Score: +4 (4/1/0)

Stanislaus County Grand Jury • 2009-2010

Modesto City School District Board of Education and Administration Civil Grand Jury Case No. 10-10c

Published: November 03, 2009 6 pages

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⚠️ Translation Notice: This content has been automatically translated. The original English text is the official version. Translation may contain errors.

⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.

Findings and Recommendations 5 findings

There is no evidence that any member of the Modesto City Schools Board of Trustees, as composed prior to 11/3/09, violated the Brown Act;

Related Recommendations (1)

While there is no evidence that the Modesto City Schools Board of Trustees violated the Brown Act, the Grand Jury believes that it would be in their best interest to annually evaluate the ongoing education programs for Trustees, with a specific emphasis on the Brown Act;

While there is no evidence of a Brown Act violation on the part of the Modesto City Schools Board of Trustees, the “public reprimand” of a trustee by three fellow trustees, without any notice to the public, the trustee being reprimanded or even those trustees who did not sign the “public reprimand,” gives an impression of backroom dealing that is troublesome and should be avoided in the future; 3

Related Recommendations (1)

Furthermore, if the Board of Trustees finds it necessary to make a formal “public reprimand” of a member, such action should be placed on the Board’s agenda, with appropriate notice to the Trustee involved;

Insufficient measures were taken by the Modesto City Schools’ Board of Trustees, as well as District Administration, to lessen the impact of the transition of hiring a new Superintendent on District staff and employees. Part and parcel of this error appears to be the Board of Trustees’ decision to quickly implement sweeping changes District- wide;

Related Recommendations (1)

In the future, when the Board of Trustees hires a new superintendent, it should take into consideration the need for a new superintendent to familiarize him or herself with the culture of the District;

During the transition period there was a failure to effectively communicate changes in policies and procedures both internally and externally;

Related Recommendations (1)

To encourage effective communication both internally and externally, it would be in the District’s best interest to designate a person as its Public Information Officer;

There does not appear to be a clear and concise personnel policy protecting those employees who bring to their supervisors’ attention misbehavior or malfeasance of fellow District employees, or who wish to question the manner in which day to day business is being conducted.

Related Recommendations (1)

The District should adopt a comprehensive “Whistleblower Policy” which complies with all State and Federal laws.

Agency Responses 2

Government agencies' official responses to this report's findings and recommendations. Click on a response to see the structured breakdown.

Modesto City School District

June 25, 2010 • 12 pages View Details ▾

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Response from Board of Supervisors

September 14, 2010 • 10 responses • Score: +4 (+4, 1, 0) View Details ▾

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10 responses to findings and recommendations

There is no evidence that any member of the Modesto City Schools Board of Trustees, as composed prior to 11/3/09, violated the Brown Act;

Response: Agree Score: +1

The County has no information on which to agree or disagree, as a result the Board of Supervisors is unable to respond to this finding. When applications for elected Special Districts are received to the Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors, the Clerk of the Board contacts the Registrar of Voters to ensure the applicant is a registered voter and resides in the district prior to processing the application. This process ensures that the applicant meets the residency requirement to serve on the Special District Board. The Board of Supervisors is unable to monitor if individuals move out of the ...

Response: Implemented

Score: 0

This recommendation has been implemented and is the process the County follows. The County agrees that Board members must reside within the District. When applications for elected Special Districts come to the Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors, the Clerk of the Board contacts the Registrar of Voters to ensure that the applicant is a registered voter and resides in the district prior to processing the application. This process ensures that the applicant meets the residency requirement to serve on the Special District Board.

Response: Agree Score: +1

The respondent agrees with the finding F.2.

Response: Unknown

Score: 0

The Board of Supervisors is unable to respond to this finding.

Response: Agree Score: +1

Agree Finding 3: Inmates are separated and housed by appropriate classifications.

Response: Will Implement

Score: +1

Agree. The recommendation has not been implemented, but will be implemented within the next twelve (12 ) months. California Government Code Section 26909 requires all special districts to submit a copy of their audited financial statements to the State Controller's Office and to the County Auditor in which the district is located. The Stanislaus County Auditor Controller's Office will work with the district to ensure their compliance with California Government Code Section 26909.

During the transition period there was a failure to effectively communicate changes in policies and procedures both internally and externally;

Response: Unknown Score: 0

The Board of Supervisors is unable to respond to this finding.

To encourage effective communication both internally and externally, it would be in the District’s best interest to designate a person as its Public Information Officer;

Response: Unknown

Score: 0

The Board of Supervisors is unable to respond to this recommendation as the Board of Supervisors does not have jurisdiction over the hiring practices of District employees.

Response: Unknown Score: 0

The Board of Supervisors is unable to respond to this finding.

The District should adopt a comprehensive “Whistleblower Policy” which complies with all State and Federal laws.

Response: Unknown

Score: 0

The Board of Supervisors is unable to respond to this finding.

No Responses Found 1

Government entities assigned to respond to this report. No response documents have been linked in our database.

Modesto City High School District School District