Gran Jurado del Condado de Sacramento
2023-2024
From the annual report
The consolidated year-end volume. The individual investigations it contains are listed separately below.
📑 Year-End Report
The full consolidated volume; individual reports are listed below.
Individual reports (8)
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Hallazgos & Recomendaciones
9 hallazgos
F1:
The misperception that special education is separate from general education denies the student a chance to participate in a general education classroom. (R1)
Recomendaciones relacionadas (1)
R1:
The SCUSD Board should direct administrators, teachers, and staff to formally collaborate to develop a plan to ensure special education is included as an equal component of the general education program rather than being treated as a segregated entity by January 3, 2025 and a formal adoption by February 3, 2025. (F1)
F2:
The District has ignored repeated warnings and failed to implement
Recomendaciones relacionadas (2)
R2:
The SCUSD Board and the District Administration should independently review the numerous reports with recommendations to improve special education and implement a comprehensive special education plan by January 3, 2025. (F2, F3)
R3:
SCUSD administration should provide quarterly updates to the SCUSD Board on the comprehensive special education implementation plan’s progress by January 3, 2025. (F2, F3)
F3:
The District administration and the SCUSD Board of Education have failed to adopt a working plan with specific steps and measurable outcomes to guide special education, resulting in a lack of focus and effectiveness in the Special Education Department. (R2, R3)
Recomendaciones relacionadas (2)
R2:
The SCUSD Board and the District Administration should independently review the numerous reports with recommendations to improve special education and implement a comprehensive special education plan by January 3, 2025. (F2, F3)
R3:
SCUSD administration should provide quarterly updates to the SCUSD Board on the comprehensive special education implementation plan’s progress by January 3, 2025. (F2, F3)
F4:
The District unnecessarily places a significant number of students of color in special education. (R4)
Recomendaciones relacionadas (1)
R4:
SCUSD should take corrective action as recommended by CDE to reduce the number of students of color in special education by January 3, 2025. (F4)
F5:
SCUSD fails all its students and their parents and guardians by not consistently performing early assessment of students to determine their learning needs and appropriate support. (R5, R6, R7)
Recomendaciones relacionadas (3)
R5:
SCUSD should create and implement district-wide policies that identify and assess the learning needs of all students for early intervention services by January 3, 2025. (F5)
R6:
SCUSD should complete the implementation of MTSS at all elementary schools as the underlying structure for all work designed to improve student outcomes by August 1, 2025. (F5)
R7:
SCUSD should mandate educators and administrators to attend professional development on early intervention models that will lead to evidence-based universal screening, benchmark assessments, and progress monitoring for all students by January 3, 2025. (F5)
F6:
Students' achievements and goals are not measured consistently because the District does not hold individual school personnel accountable for updating IEPs as mandated by state and federal laws. (R5, R6, R7)
Recomendaciones relacionadas (3)
R8:
SCUSD should improve accuracy of IEP data by providing professional training on SEIS to special education teachers and providers (e.g., speech therapist, Occupational Therapist, Behavior Therapist, etc.) by January 3, 2025. (F6, F7)
R9:
SCUSD should conduct quarterly audits to ensure accountability for the input of SEIS data and the accuracy of information beginning January 3, 2025. (F6, F7)
R10:
SCUSD should hold principals, teachers, and support specialists accountable to ensure IEPs are updated annually beginning January 3, 2025. (F6, F7)
F7:
By not fully utilizing the district’s tracking system (SEIS), services to special needs students are not accurately recorded and centrally documented. (R5, R6,
Recomendaciones relacionadas (3)
R8:
SCUSD should improve accuracy of IEP data by providing professional training on SEIS to special education teachers and providers (e.g., speech therapist, Occupational Therapist, Behavior Therapist, etc.) by January 3, 2025. (F6, F7)
R9:
SCUSD should conduct quarterly audits to ensure accountability for the input of SEIS data and the accuracy of information beginning January 3, 2025. (F6, F7)
R10:
SCUSD should hold principals, teachers, and support specialists accountable to ensure IEPs are updated annually beginning January 3, 2025. (F6, F7)
F8:
SCUSD fails to provide free and appropriate education due to its overreliance on placing special education students in 162 self-contained classrooms as opposed to placing them in the least restrictive environment. (R6, R7)
Recomendaciones relacionadas (1)
R11:
SCUSD should provide necessary support and resource services to keep students in general education classrooms, when possible, rather than placed in self-contained special education classrooms to ensure all students are placed in the least restrictive environment by January 3, 2025. (F8)
F9:
The District’s failure to provide ongoing communication and outreach leaves parents/guardians uniformed and unengaged about the special education process and their student’s progress. (R12, R13)
Recomendaciones relacionadas (2)
R12:
SCUSD should bolster its communications plan and outreach efforts to parents/guardians of special education students to recognize differences in culture, language, and internet access by January 3, 2025. (F9)
R13:
SCUSD should identify a point of contact at each school for parents/guardians of special education students by January 3, 2025. (F9)
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Hallazgos & Recomendaciones
9 hallazgos
F1:
The misperception that special education is separate from general education denies the student a chance to participate in a general education classroom. (R1)
Recomendaciones relacionadas (1)
R1:
The SCUSD Board should direct administrators, teachers, and staff to formally collaborate to develop a plan to ensure special education is included as an equal component of the general education program rather than being treated as a segregated entity by January 3, 2025 and a formal adoption by February 3, 2025. (F1)
F2:
The District has ignored repeated warnings and failed to implement
Recomendaciones relacionadas (2)
R2:
The SCUSD Board and the District Administration should independently review the numerous reports with recommendations to improve special education and implement a comprehensive special education plan by January 3, 2025. (F2, F3)
R3:
SCUSD administration should provide quarterly updates to the SCUSD Board on the comprehensive special education implementation plan’s progress by January 3, 2025. (F2, F3)
F3:
The District administration and the SCUSD Board of Education have failed to adopt a working plan with specific steps and measurable outcomes to guide special education, resulting in a lack of focus and effectiveness in the Special Education Department. (R2, R3)
Recomendaciones relacionadas (2)
R2:
The SCUSD Board and the District Administration should independently review the numerous reports with recommendations to improve special education and implement a comprehensive special education plan by January 3, 2025. (F2, F3)
R3:
SCUSD administration should provide quarterly updates to the SCUSD Board on the comprehensive special education implementation plan’s progress by January 3, 2025. (F2, F3)
F4:
The District unnecessarily places a significant number of students of color in special education. (R4)
Recomendaciones relacionadas (1)
R4:
SCUSD should take corrective action as recommended by CDE to reduce the number of students of color in special education by January 3, 2025. (F4)
F5:
SCUSD fails all its students and their parents and guardians by not consistently performing early assessment of students to determine their learning needs and appropriate support. (R5, R6, R7)
Recomendaciones relacionadas (3)
R5:
SCUSD should create and implement district-wide policies that identify and assess the learning needs of all students for early intervention services by January 3, 2025. (F5)
R6:
SCUSD should complete the implementation of MTSS at all elementary schools as the underlying structure for all work designed to improve student outcomes by August 1, 2025. (F5)
R7:
SCUSD should mandate educators and administrators to attend professional development on early intervention models that will lead to evidence-based universal screening, benchmark assessments, and progress monitoring for all students by January 3, 2025. (F5)
F6:
Students' achievements and goals are not measured consistently because the District does not hold individual school personnel accountable for updating IEPs as mandated by state and federal laws. (R5, R6, R7)
Recomendaciones relacionadas (3)
R8:
SCUSD should improve accuracy of IEP data by providing professional training on SEIS to special education teachers and providers (e.g., speech therapist, Occupational Therapist, Behavior Therapist, etc.) by January 3, 2025. (F6, F7)
R9:
SCUSD should conduct quarterly audits to ensure accountability for the input of SEIS data and the accuracy of information beginning January 3, 2025. (F6, F7)
R10:
SCUSD should hold principals, teachers, and support specialists accountable to ensure IEPs are updated annually beginning January 3, 2025. (F6, F7)
F7:
By not fully utilizing the district’s tracking system (SEIS), services to special needs students are not accurately recorded and centrally documented. (R5, R6,
Recomendaciones relacionadas (3)
R8:
SCUSD should improve accuracy of IEP data by providing professional training on SEIS to special education teachers and providers (e.g., speech therapist, Occupational Therapist, Behavior Therapist, etc.) by January 3, 2025. (F6, F7)
R9:
SCUSD should conduct quarterly audits to ensure accountability for the input of SEIS data and the accuracy of information beginning January 3, 2025. (F6, F7)
R10:
SCUSD should hold principals, teachers, and support specialists accountable to ensure IEPs are updated annually beginning January 3, 2025. (F6, F7)
F8:
SCUSD fails to provide free and appropriate education due to its overreliance on placing special education students in 162 self-contained classrooms as opposed to placing them in the least restrictive environment. (R6, R7)
Recomendaciones relacionadas (1)
R11:
SCUSD should provide necessary support and resource services to keep students in general education classrooms, when possible, rather than placed in self-contained special education classrooms to ensure all students are placed in the least restrictive environment by January 3, 2025. (F8)
F9:
The District’s failure to provide ongoing communication and outreach leaves parents/guardians uniformed and unengaged about the special education process and their student’s progress. (R12, R13)
Recomendaciones relacionadas (2)
R12:
SCUSD should bolster its communications plan and outreach efforts to parents/guardians of special education students to recognize differences in culture, language, and internet access by January 3, 2025. (F9)
R13:
SCUSD should identify a point of contact at each school for parents/guardians of special education students by January 3, 2025. (F9)
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Hallazgos & Recomendaciones
9 hallazgos
F1:
Members of the FCWD Board of Directors have limited understanding of their duties and bicker among themselves as well as with staff, resulting in mismanagement and little planning for the future. (R1, R2, R3)
Recomendaciones relacionadas (4)
R1:
FCWD Board members should adopt and ensure staff adhere to Policies and Procedures (e.g., operations, accounting, and human resources) based on the best-practice templates provided by FCWD legal counsel or those available from special district or local government associations, no later than December 31, 2024. (F1)
R2:
FCWD management should establish a checklist by November 30, 2024, of all state-mandated training and forms required to be completed by Board members and staff, and document the completion dates. (F1)
R3:
FCWD management should maintain a list of terms of office for all current members of the FCWD Board of Directors, including start and end of terms of office for each Board Member, no later than October 31, 2024. (F1)
R4:
FCWD Board members and management should take advantage of membership in the California Special Districts Association and attend relevant training sessions by March 31, 2025. (F1, F2)
F2:
FCWD management lacks professional executive experience in finance, water management, human resources, and climate change, so they are unprepared for the complexities of modern water district operations. (R4, R5, R6, R7)
Recomendaciones relacionadas (4)
R4:
FCWD Board members and management should take advantage of membership in the California Special Districts Association and attend relevant training sessions by March 31, 2025. (F1, F2)
R5:
FCWD Board should adopt an employment contract for the general manager position that requires, but is not limited to: demonstrated ability in financial management and budgeting, personnel management, groundwater conservation, and water treatment operations, and the performance assessment of the Interim General Manager by October 31, 2024. (F2)
R6:
FCWD management should engage with the Sacramento Central Groundwater Authority and the Regional Water Authority regarding local groundwater management projects no later than October 31, 2024. (F2)
R7:
FCWD’s operating policies and procedures, including provisions to require construction plans be reviewed by a professional civil engineer, should be adopted by the Board by December 31, 2024. (F2)
F3:
FCWD Board of Directors, management, and legal counsel downplay the appearance of impropriety posed by employees directly supervising close family members, which raises questions about the integrity of the District. (R8)
Recomendaciones relacionadas (1)
R8:
FCWD Board should establish human resource policies that address nepotism and lack of separation of duties between family members no later than December 31, 2024. (F3)
F4:
The FCWD Board of Directors fails to address the problems and financial risks identified in the delayed four-year fiscal audit dated October 27, 2022, so the District remains financially vulnerable. (R9)
Recomendaciones relacionadas (1)
R9:
FCWD Board should review the four-year audit and management report presented in October 2022 and establish an action plan to address problems no later than December 31, 2024. (F4)
F5:
Because the FCWD Board of Directors fails to initiate annual audits as required by law, FCWD is unable to ensure public money is accounted for and controls are in place to protect against misappropriation and misuse. (R10)
Recomendaciones relacionadas (1)
R10:
FCWD Board should ensure that audits for Fiscal Years 2021/2022 and 2022/2023, are completed no later than December 31, 2024, and arrange that future annual audits are completed within 6 months of the end of each fiscal year. (F5)
F6:
The FCWD Board of Directors’ disagreement about the salary increase given by the former General Manager only to himself, the Office Manager, and Superintendent (all close family members) contributes to Board conflict and paralysis. (R11)
Recomendaciones relacionadas (1)
R11:
FCWD Board should require budgets include a schedule that lists by job title all actual and budgeted positions and salaries starting with Fiscal Year 2025/2026. (F6)
F7:
FCWD does not provide an adequate source of information about water operations and governance because its website is rudimentary and the only regular contact with ratepayers is the monthly bill, resulting in an uninformed customer base. (R12, R13)
Recomendaciones relacionadas (2)
R12:
FCWD management should add key documents to the FCWD website by the dates below. (F7) • Adopted policies and procedures, by December 31, 2024. (see R1) • Terms of office for current members of the FCWD Board of Directors, including start and end of terms of office for each Board Member, by October 31, 2024. (see R3) • The action plan developed to address the deficiencies identified in the four- year audit and management report presented in October 2022, by December 31, 2024. (see R9) • Audited Financial Statements with accompanying Management Reports, within two months of delivery to the Board. (see R10)
R13:
FCWD management should update and maintain the FCWD website for ease of use by all, no later than March 31, 2025. (F7)
F8:
Flat revenue and growing major expenses, including water meter installation and aging infrastructure replacement, threaten FCWD’s financial viability. (R14)
Recomendaciones relacionadas (1)
R14:
FCWD Board should study the need to implement a rate increase, with the first step being the creation of a five-year capital improvement plan, no later than November 30, 2024. (F8)
F9:
Without a LAFCo review, FCWD has not benefited from an outside evaluation that would address governance, service capacity, infrastructure, and efficiencies. (R15)
Recomendaciones relacionadas (1)
R15:
A Municipal Service Review should be performed by LAFCo to study and analyze information about the District’s governance structure, service capacity, infrastructure, and efficiencies, by March 31, 2025. The Grand Jury also recommends that FCWD fully cooperate with LAFCo. (F9)
Hallazgos & Recomendaciones
5 hallazgos
F1:
SSO’s practice of sharing ALPR information with out-of-state entities violated SB 34 and unreasonably risked the aiding of potential prosecution by the home-state of women who traveled to California to seek or receive healthcare services. (R1)
F2:
The practice of the SPD to share ALPR information with out-of-state entities violates SB 34 and unreasonably risks the aiding of potential prosecution by the home state of women who have traveled to California to seek or receive healthcare services. (R2)
Recomendaciones relacionadas (2)
R1:
The SSO should update and post its policies and procedures conspicuously on its website to reflect its change in policy to no longer share ALPR data with out- of-state LEAs or the federal government no later than October 1, 2024. (F2)
R2:
The SPD should comply with the Attorney General’s Information Bulletin dated October 27, 2023 regarding the compliance with SB 34 requirements prohibiting California LEAs from sharing ALPR information with private entities or out-of- state or federal agencies, including out-of-state and federal law enforcement agencies, as the other LEAs in Sacramento County have done, no later than January 1, 2025. (F2)
F3:
SSO’s failure to require case number entries with sufficient specificity to track the validity of the request puts ALPR information at risk for unauthorized access, misuse, or disclosure. (R3)
Recomendaciones relacionadas (1)
R3:
The SSO and other Sacramento County ALPR system administrators should require sufficient and verifiable information which will enable complete and accurate audits on all ALPR data requests no later than January 1, 2025. (F3)
F4:
SSO conducts periodic cursory internal audits of their data, equipment, and processes that do not adequately protect an individual’s privacy. The audits are not scheduled or consistent, thereby raising the risk of misuse and abuse of the data. (R4)
Recomendaciones relacionadas (1)
R4:
The SSO should administer quarterly internal audits of ALPR data requests to include user searches and utilize a third-party, external entity to conduct annual audits beginning January 1, 2025. Audit results should be posted conspicuously on the agencies website no later than thirty days after each internal and external audit. (F4)
F5:
SB 34 requires local LEAs to make their ALPR policies available to the public and post it conspicuously on the agency’s website. The failure of most local LEAs to clearly post ALPR policies that can be easily found by the public is noncompliant with California state law. (R5)
Recomendaciones relacionadas (1)
R5:
All Sacramento LEAs should ensure that their ALPR policies are made available to the public and posted conspicuously on the agencies’ websites no later than January 1, 2025. (F5)
Hallazgos & Recomendaciones
6 hallazgos
F1:
CPS has failed to establish a licensed County-operated TSCF, leaving unplaced foster teens without a safe, healthy, and comfortable home, as is required by the Foster Youth Bill of Rights. (R1)
Recomendaciones relacionadas (1)
R1:
CPS should present a viable strategic plan to the BOS, no later than November 30, 2024, to recruit licensed and experienced agencies to operate the Welcome Homes as TSCFs, replacing the county-operated model. (F1)
F2:
CPS lacks practical experience, human resources, and commitment to operate TSCFs, and as a result have been unable to operate them successfully. (R2, R3)
Recomendaciones relacionadas (2)
R2:
CPS should continue to collaborate with outside operators, such as Progress Ranch and the Children’s Receiving Home of Sacramento, to establish one or more licensed TSCFs operated on behalf of the County as soon as possible but no later than December 31, 2024. (F2)
R3:
So long as CPS continues to operate the Welcome Homes, they should be staffed with personnel with practical experience in congregate living environments as soon as possible but no later than December 31, 2024. (F2)
F3:
CPS has failed to eliminate exposure to drug and alcohol use, possession of weapons, sex trafficking, and other threats around the County-operated Welcome Homes, leaving teenagers vulnerable and unsafe. (R4, R5)
Recomendaciones relacionadas (2)
R4:
While the Welcome Homes are still in use, CPS should immediately implement stronger measures to eliminate drug and alcohol use, possession of weapons, sex trafficking, and other threats, but no later than September 30, 2024. (F3)
R5:
CPS reports should publicize statistics that state the number and type of incidents related to temporarily-sheltered foster children, the average daily census of all temporary shelters, and the number of AWOL foster children, and report these measures to the BOS in a public meeting on a quarterly basis starting no later than October 31, 2024. (F3, F4)
F4:
CPS does not focus adequate effort on Family Finding, and as a result, falls behind most counties in placing foster children with relatives/NREFM. (R5, R6)
Recomendaciones relacionadas (2)
R5:
CPS reports should publicize statistics that state the number and type of incidents related to temporarily-sheltered foster children, the average daily census of all temporary shelters, and the number of AWOL foster children, and report these measures to the BOS in a public meeting on a quarterly basis starting no later than October 31, 2024. (F3, F4)
R6:
BOS should require that CPS rigorously follow the policy on Family Finding to increase the number of teenagers placed with relatives/NREFM no later than December 31, 2024. (F4)
F5:
The Coalition does not require foster care conditions to be included in the Oversight Committee’s Annual Report to the BOS, potentially leaving the BOS uninformed. (R7)
Recomendaciones relacionadas (1)
R7:
The Coalition should amend Section 1.04 of its Bylaws to require a review of Foster Care equal in standing to Critical Incidents and to report annually to the BOS, no later than December 31, 2024. (F5)
F6:
The Oversight Committee’s failure to recognize and respond to CPS’s inadequate efforts to shelter unplaced foster teens allowed the many years of unsafe, unhealthy, and unlicensed living conditions to continue. (R8)
Recomendaciones relacionadas (1)
R8:
The Oversight Committee should establish a monthly review of Foster Care, and include a report on CPS’s progress in opening TSCFs, no later than December 31, 2024. (F6)
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Hallazgos y recomendaciones aún no extraídos.
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Detalles completos →
Hallazgos y recomendaciones aún no extraídos.
Hallazgos & Recomendaciones
5 hallazgos
F1:
The financial mistakes contained in the Board Letter of April 18, 2023, were discovered after-the-fact by County staff and were not reported to the BOS directly, thereby leaving both the Board and the public misinformed. [R1] [R2]
Recomendaciones relacionadas (1)
R1:
The Office of Budget and Debt Management should explain the financial mistakes described in F1. The explanation should include how it was discovered and provide the correct financial information to the BOS in open session by no later than November 1, 2024. [F1]
F2:
Because the BOS are voted into office by the people to serve the people, decisions relating to compensation for the BOS should be decided with public participation and input. [R3]
Recomendaciones relacionadas (1)
R2:
The County Executive, in collaboration with the Clerk of the Board, should establish a formal procedure, by no later than December 31, 2024, to ensure material flaws concerning information presented to the BOS are brought to the attention of the Clerk of the Board or the BOS directly. [F1]
F3:
Although the BOS’s use of the consent calendar was not unlawful, the consent calendar process lacked the level of procedural transparency essential to maintain the public’s trust when voting on controversial matters of significant public interest. [R4]
Recomendaciones relacionadas (1)
R3:
The County Executive should establish a citizen-based compensation commission such as those procedures established by other local and state governmental jurisdictions by no later than April 1, 2025. [F2]
F4:
Ordinance No. 1598 conflicts, on its face, with California Government Code Section 25123.5 and thereby places the validity of the ordinance in question. [R5] [R6]
Recomendaciones relacionadas (1)
R4:
The County Executive, in collaboration with the Clerk of the Board, should establish a formal procedure to limit the use of the consent calendar to only non- controversial matters that are reasonably expected to elicit little or no discussion by no later than November 1, 2024. [F3]
F5:
Ordinance No. 1598 violated California Election Code Section 9144 by depriving Sacramento County residents of their right to protest the ordinance and initiate the referendum process. [R7]
Recomendaciones relacionadas (1)
R5:
The Board of Supervisors should direct the County Executive, in collaboration with County Counsel, to determine the validity or invalidity of Ordinance No. 1598 Mistakes Have Consequences and upon doing so, present recommendations to the Board of Supervisors in open session by no later than November 1, 2024. [F4]
Recomendaciones adicionales
2
No vinculadas a hallazgos específicos.
R6:
The Board of Supervisors should direct the County Executive, in collaboration with County Counsel, to determine if any monies paid pursuant to Ordinance No. 1598 are owed to the County and upon doing so, present recommendations to the Board of Supervisors in open session by no later than November 1, 2024. [F4]
R7:
The Board of Supervisors should direct the County Executive, in collaboration with County Counsel, to determine the nature and extent of the violation of voter rights afforded by California Election Code Section 9144 and upon doing so, present recommendations to the Board of Supervisors in open session by no later than November 1, 2024. [F5]