Tulare County Grand Jury
2012-2013
Findings & Recommendations
32 findings
F1:
The Grand Jury found that Farmersville and Woodlake are the only two cities that have a Medical Marijuana Ordinance and permit requirement.
F2:
The Grand Jury also found that without a Medical Marijuana Ordinance and permit requirement, it was impossible for the cities to keep track of legal Medical Marijuana cultivation within their boundaries.
F3:
The Revenue Limit per ADA is $6,242 and the Total Revenue Limit is $932,492.
F4:
The Academic Performance Index is 682.
F5:
VTEC was created to give students the opportunity to complete the requirements for a high school diploma while pursuing an early college and career related program.
F6:
VTEC was created by members of the Visalia Unified School District and the community, along with representatives from local industries and the College of the Sequoias.
F7:
Students attend classes in specific career fields offering hands-on training in veterinary science, agricultural system technology, and environmental horticulture or food science.
F8:
As an early college program, VTEC works closely with the College of The Sequoias and requires students to enroll concurrently upon enrollment at VTEC.
F9:
Board meetings are scheduled for the second and fourth Tuesday of the month.
F10:
The Student Handbook is available in English only.
F11:
A Safe School Plan and Emergency Preparedness Plan are available.
F12:
The Tulare County Office of Education provides support services to the school.
F13:
VTEC is accredited by the Western Association of School and Colleges.
F14:
The Visalia Unified School District sponsors VTEC.
F15:
The School Board Agenda is available on their web site.
F16:
A parent agreement is required to enroll their child in school.
F17:
The student graduation rate is 98%.
F18:
All classrooms at VTEC are equipped with computers.
F19:
Transportation is provided through Visalia City Coach.
F20:
The Tulare County Office of Education provides ongoing staff development training to VTEC employees. TULARE COUNTY GRAND JURY REPORT 2013-2014
F21:
Students are required to participate in the Future Farmers of America (FFA) program.
F22:
Student demographics consist of the following: a. Black – 1% b. Hispanic – 56% c. White – 39% d. American Indian or Alaskan Native – 1% e. Two or More Races – 1% f. Not Reported – 1% g. Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander – 1% FINDINGS:
F23:
SCICON students learn about nature from nature itself. They are taught about a variety of subjects from composting to the mating habits of salamanders.
F24:
A recently expanded museum has wild animals preserved in their natural state by a taxidermist, in addition to natural stones/rocks, Native American displays, live insects and reptiles, and more. The museum houses a small planetarium that rotates the stars and planets. Students are able to use telescopes to study the night sky.
F25:
At one time, SCICON had a rehabilitation program for injured or sick wildlife. This program is no longer available; however, a birds of prey sanctuary continues to be maintained for those birds unable to be released back into the wild. Birds from this program are used to educate the students and are taken for visits to various schools. TULARE COUNTY GRAND JURY REPORT 2013-2014 FINDINGS:
F26:
As of August 2013 and at least two months before the first winter storms are due in the San Joaquin Valley, Lake Kaweah was at fifty-three percent of average water level and Lake Success was at sixty-four percent.
F27:
Approximately 200,000 acre-feet or 15% of the water is diverted for Salmon per year.
F28:
The depth of the water table beneath the City of Visalia has dropped an average of three feet per year over the past twenty-five years. The first ten months of 2013 have been the driest since 1895, according to the National Climatic Data Center. Water levels in many of the state’s big reservoirs remain below historical averages.
F29:
The Tulare Irrigation District manages 70,000 acres of water rights East of Visalia to Kings County which include the Kaweah Water Basin and the Friant Water Canals.
F30:
The Tulare Irrigation District intends to expand its recharge basin by four-thousand acres at a total cost of $130 million: $18,000 per acre for the land and $15,000 per acre for development. A recharge basin can be as small as twenty acres in size. The Tulare Irrigation District has applied for a grant from the Bureau of Reclamation to build the basins, which may have to sit empty due to lack of rain. TULARE COUNTY GRAND JURY REPORT 2013-2014
F31:
Agricultural cropping patterns are intensifying. Farmers are planting row crops in the rows between fruit and nut trees in order to have year-round crops which consume more water than previously used by farmers.
F32:
The City of Lindsay proposes to construct a levee and excavating a basin at the treatment process plant. The levee and basin would cost the city an estimated $3.8 million, which is not available in their operating budget. FINDINGS:
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Findings & Recommendations
1 findings
F4:
11. Are you or any of your immediate family members employed by the County of Tulare? or any school district within the county? If yes, where? 12. Do you have any significant problems reading or understanding the English Language?
Additional Recommendations
14
Not linked to specific findings.
R1:
Prepare and store food in a manner that is compliant with state standards.
R2:
Interviewed relevant witnesses FACTS
R3:
Once the juveniles are booked, they are either held at the facility for felony arrests or are released to a responsible adult for misdemeanor arrests.
R4:
Juveniles held at the facility continue through the intake process, which takes approximately two hours to complete. At this time they are evaluated for health, drug usage, gang affiliation, etc. TULARE COUNTY GRAND JURY REPORT 2012-2013
R5:
An on-duty nurse examines the juveniles for communicable parasites such as scabies and/or lice and takes their vitals such as pulse, heart rate. The nurse will also ask questions that may help determine mental health issues in addition to prescription and/or illegal drug usage.
R6:
On average, a juvenile taken to the facility is between the ages of 15 and 17. However, a small population of juveniles between the ages of 12 and 14 does exist.
R7:
Those below the age of 12 are released to a responsible adult. Those arrested for a violent offense, such as murder, will be held at the facility. However, consent must be obtained from the facility administrator or an on duty supervisor before those juveniles can be held.
R8:
At the time the Grand Jury toured the facility, there were 94 male, 12 female juveniles in detention and 12 full time staff members.
R9:
Medical: a. There are eight rotating nurses on duty 24/7 and three rotating Physician Assistants (PA) who visit the facility every day. b. There are three medical examination rooms, a dental examination/treatment room and should it be needed, a padded room (for those having mental health issues and/or drug induced behavioral episodes). c. Should a juvenile need medical care, a call slip is sent to the on duty nurse. After the juvenile has been examined, the nurse will either contact the PA for further evaluation or send the juvenile back to his/her unit with care instructions and if required, send the juvenile to the hospital.
R10:
The classroom instructor on duty at the time of our tour specialized in English and computer skills.
R11:
Computer skills may include learning how to look for and apply for employment.
R12:
Educational visual aids such as posters may be used in the classroom.
R13:
Most of the juveniles have a high energy level, because of this; they consume approximately 850 calories per meal.
R14:
Kitchen: a. The kitchen area appeared to be clean and free of insects. b. The freezer and walk-in cooler areas were well organized and clean. c. There were several uncovered trays of hamburger patties and a possible dessert prepared for the next meal.