FCMAT
Comprehensive Review
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Compton Unified
School District
Serna v Eastin Consent Decree
Ninth Six-month Progress Report
August 2003
Submitted by
Fiscal Crisis & Management Assistance Team
SERNA v EASTIN CONSENT DECREE
Introduction
This report is the ninth in a series of continuing six-month progress reports assessing the efforts
made by the Compton Unified School District to continually improve the district’s operations.
FCMAT has been involved in the Compton Unified School District from 1998 through the end
of 2001 through AB 52 legislation, and from February 2000 to the present through the Serna v
Eastin Consent Decree. Both the AB 52 legislation and the Consent Decree required FCMAT to
monitor and report on the district’s progress at six-month intervals.
As a requirement of AB52, FCMAT conducted a comprehensive assessment of the district in
1998 and developed a recovery plan in February 1999 for the district to implement. FCMAT
has issued six-month progress reports beginning in August 1999 on the district’s efforts to meet
the standards of the AB 52 legislation, and beginning with the August 2000 six-month progress
report, on the district’s efforts to also meet the stipulations of the Serna v Eastin Consent Decree.
As the standards in AB 52 were met in 2001, this is the fourth six-month progress report that
addresses only the district’s progress in meeting the stipulations of the Consent Decree.
Background
In July 1997, the ACLU and the attorneys for the Plaintiffs filed a class action lawsuit against the
State Department of Education in the Los Angeles Superior Court. This lawsuit (Serna v Eastin,
Case No. BC 174282) claimed that the children attending public schools in the Compton Unified
School District were deprived of basic educational opportunities, which are available to children
elsewhere in California.
The judgment approving the Consent Decree in the above-entitled action was entered on
February 7, 2000. The Consent Decree requires continued improvement in school facilities/sites
and the classroom environment. Some of the specific areas of concern that require attention
under the Consent Decree include such areas as the availability of certificated teachers in every
classroom, the availability of appropriate textbooks and instructional materials for students to
take home, the conditions of student restrooms, the timely removal of litter and graffiti, and the
repair/replacement of any faulty electrical wiring.
FCMAT was appointed by the parties to oversee compliance with the stipulations of the Consent
Decree. As the parties were aware that FCMAT was engaged in monitoring the progress of the
Compton Unified School District in the implementation of five recovery plans in the areas of
Pupil Achievement, Financial Management, Personnel Management, Facilities Management
and Community Relations as part of the requirements of AB52, the parties agreed to make parts
of the Compton USD recovery plans developed by FCMAT a part of the Consent Decree and
subject to the compliance requirements of the Consent Decree.
The Consent Decree identified specific standards among the legal and professional standards
developed by FCMAT in the operational areas of Pupil Achievement and Facilities Management
that required additional attention by the district. These identified standards needed to meet
a rating of 8 or better (on a scale of 1 to 10) in order for the standard to be determined
to be implemented and sustained. These specific standards have been reviewed and their
Executive Summary 1
implementation progress reported during each of FCMAT’s monitoring visits and six-month
progress reports since August 2000. The court’s action placed FCMAT in a monitoring role and
required FCMAT to prepare semiannual reports on the defendants’ progress in complying with
the requirements of the decree.
FCMAT’s third, fourth and fifth six-month progress reports in August 2000, February 2001, and
August 2001, responded to the monitoring requirements of both AB52 and the Consent Decree.
In the August 2001 progress report, the Compton Unified School District met the requirements
for return of governing authority to the CUSD governing board under AB52. The State
Superintendent of Public Instruction formally returned governing authority to the CUSD board in
an executive order dated September 11, 2001, and effective December 11, 2001.
The six-month progress reports beginning with the February 2002 report, provided FCMAT’s
review only of those standards and stipulations identified in the Consent Decree. The reports
issued in August 2002, February 2003 and this report, August 2003, continue to provide a review
of only those standards and stipulations identified in the Consent Decree.
FCMAT meets with the counsel for the plaintiffs and defendants every 60 days. Three meetings
were held prior to the third six-month progress report in August 2000 to discuss process,
responsibilities, and progress relative to the Consent Decree. The August 2000 progress report
represented the first FCMAT document addressing the stipulations of the Consent Decree.
• Two meetings and two random school site visitations were conducted between September
and February, prior to the fourth six-month progress report in February 2001.
• Four meetings and a random school site visitation were conducted between March and
August, prior to the fifth six-month progress report in August 2001.
• Three meetings and a random school site visitation were conducted between September
and February, prior to the sixth six-month progress report in February 2002.
• Three meetings and a random school site visitation were conducted between March and
August, prior to the seventh six-month progress report in August 2002.
• Two meetings and a random site visitation were conducted between September and
February, prior to the eighth six-month progress report in February 2003.
• Three meetings and a random site visitation were conducted between March and August,
prior to the ninth six-month progress report in August 2003.
The Compton Unified School District has made significant progress under the Consent Decree.
Meeting Compliance Requirements
Section 50 of Part VII. Termination of Consent Decree indicates the following:
50. This Consent Decree shall terminate upon the certification by FCMAT of each of the fol-
lowing:
a. Defendants have complied with Sections 1-24 of this Consent Decree.
b. Defendants have implemented the facilities plan required by Section 25(a).
c. Defendants have met the scaled scores for the Pupil Achievement recovery plan
and Facilities recovery plan as required by paragraph 25(b)(i).
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Section 50 (a):
The Consent Decree delineates 18 sections of stipulations (Sections 7-24) that the district must
address to reach compliance. Sections 1-6 of the Consent Decree refer to definitions and general
provisions. The district is fully complying with the required stipulations of the 18 sections
(Sections 7-24) of the Consent Decree. A summary of the district’s efforts to comply with each of
these stipulations follows on the next several pages of this report.
FCMAT certifies that the district has complied with Sections 1-24 of the Consent Decree.
Periodic monitoring of the sections will continue to ensure maintenance of compliance.
Section 50 (b):
To implement the facilities plan required in Section 25(a), the district continues to use all avail-
able resources to address the district’s facilities needs identified in the Facilities Master Plan.
All facilities projects are based on the facilities needs identified in the district’s comprehensive
Facilities Master Plan.
The district approved a Certificate of Participation (COP) in June 2002 to obtain the necessary
funds to build a new K-5 elementary school. The William Jefferson Clinton Elementary School
was opened to students on January 27, 2003 as scheduled.
The district successfully passed a local $80 million General Obligation Bond (GOB) in No-
vember 2002 with a voter approval rate of 83%. The GOB Measure I will enable the district to
implement the projects identified in the Facilities Master Plan. The project priorities for the GOB
funds were based on the projects identified in the Facilities Master Plan. A general obligation
bond oversight committee has been established to oversee the appropriate use of Measure I funds
for the district’s modernization and construction projects.
The implementation of the district’s comprehensive facilities plan will require more time to com-
plete. The monitoring of the district’s progress in implementing the Facilities Master plan will
continue.
Section 50 (c):
Section 25 (b)(i) of the Consent Decree identifies 30 standards of the 104 FCMAT legal and
professional standards for Facilities Management, and 14 standards of the 38 FCMAT legal and
professional standards for Pupil Achievement that must reach a rating of 8, on a scale of 1-10,
to reach compliance. Also, all Facilities Management and all Pupil Achievement standards must
reach an average rating of 7.5. The Consent Decree reads in part as follows:
Section 25.b.: The standards of the Pupil Achievement recovery plan and Facilities recovery plan
are made a part of this Consent Decree and shall be subject to the compliance requirements of
this Consent Decree.
25.b.i.: A list of standards for the Pupil Achievement recovery plan and Facilities re-
covery plan, including the current scaled scores is set forth in Exhibit “A” attached hereto and
incorporated by reference. Any standard that has a scaled score of 8, 9, or 10 shall be deemed to
have been implemented. Any standard that has a scaled score of less than 8 shall be addressed
and improved by defendants. Compliance with a recovery plan’s standards shall be deemed satis-
2 Executive Summary Executive Summary 3
fied when FCMAT certifies that defendants have achieved an average scaled score for all such
standards of 7.5 and no standard has received a scaled score of less than 4. In addition, compli-
ance shall not be deemed achieved unless the following standards have received a score of at
least 8:
1) Pupil Achievement: 1.2; 1.4; 1.5; 1.10; 1.11; 1.16; 1.20; 1.21; 1.23; 1.25; 2.3; 2.6;
2.9; 2.10
2) Facilities: 1.3; 1.6; 1.7; 1.8; 1.9; 1.12; 1.14; 1.17; 2.1; 2.3; 2.4; 2.5; 2.6; 3.4; 3.8;
3.10; 6.2; 6.3; 8.5; 8.6; 8.8; 8.9; 8.10; 8.12; 9.3; 9.4; 9.7; 9.8; 9.10; 9.11.
In Facilities Management, the current average rating of all Facilities Management standards at
this six-month reporting period is 9.02, exceeding the 7.5 required average rating stipulated by
the Consent Decree. No standards have a scaled score of less than 4. All thirty identified Facili-
ties Management standards have reached a rating of 8 or better as required. Full compliance has
been reached in the operational area of Facilities Management.
In Pupil Achievement, the current average rating of all Pupil Achievement standards at this
six-month reporting period is 7.97, exceeding the 7.5 required average rating stipulated by the
Consent Decree. No standards have a scaled score of less than 4. All but one of the 14 identified
Pupil Achievement standards have reached a rating of 8 or better as required. Full compliance
has almost been reached in the operational area of Pupil Achievement.
FCMAT certifies that the district has met the required scaled scores in all but one of the stan-
dards for the Pupil Achievement and Facilities recovery plans as required by paragraph 25(b)(i).
Monitoring of the one non-compliant standard will be conducted. Periodic review of selected
standards will continue to ensure maintenance of compliance.
Compliance Summary
The district continues to make progress in addressing the stipulations of the Consent Decree and
has met all but one of the requirements for termination of Sections 50 (a) and (c). The implemen-
tation of the facilities plan, as required in Section 50 (b) for termination of the Consent Decree,
has taken more time.
The state passed a General Obligation Bond, Proposition 47, in November 2002. The district has
also passed a local $80 million General Obligation Bond, Measure I, to support its share of the
facilities projects. The state and local bond funds will enable the district to speedily implement
its comprehensive Facilities Master Plan as required in Section 50 (b). The district has initiated
an aggressive construction program to complete as many of the 28 modernization and 3 new
construction projects that have long been approved and awaiting available funding. The district
has used general funds and deferred maintenance funds to address the district’s most pressing
facilities issues, prior to 2003.
4 Executive Summary Executive Summary 5
Summary of Findings and Recommendations Related to the
Consent Decree
FCMAT was appointed by the parties to oversee compliance with the Consent Decree. This
section provides the reader with FCMAT’s summary of the findings and recommendations related
to Sections 7-25 of the Consent Decree. Many of the FCMAT standards for Pupil Achievement
and Facilities Management address the concerns raised in Sections 7-25 of the Consent Decree.
A more detailed review of these standards can be found elsewhere in this report.
Consent Decree Stipulations Related to Pupil Achievement
There are several stipulations within the Consent Decree that relate to and affect pupil
achievement. These stipulations include: Availability of Textbooks, Presence of Certificated
Teachers, Employee Absenteeism, Established Homework Policy, Retention and Promotion
Policy, Passing of CBEST, and Race Relations. Several FCMAT standards in the Pupil
Achievement operational area are also affected by an additional compliance requirement of
needing to reach a rating of 8 (on a scale of 1-10) to be deemed compliant. These specific
standards are listed in the chart of Pupil Achievement standards in the Pupil Achievement section
of this report.
Consent Decree Section 8 (Textbooks)
The requirements of Section 8 have been met by the district. The district has purchased
standards-based textbooks in the core subject areas of English, Mathematics, History/Social
Science, and Science. Textbooks from prior adoptions remain available for students to take
home. Textbooks are adopted following the state schedule. The district annually prepares an
inventory of all existing textbooks, monitors textbook returns and losses, seeks restitution for
lost textbooks, and replaces lost copies. (See related Pupil Achievement Standard 1.25 – Current
Rating: 8. An additional stipulation required that Standard 1.25 reach an 8.)
Consent Decree Section 11 (Presence of Certificated Teachers)
The requirements of Section 11 have been met by the district. The district works to ensure that
certificated teachers are present in each classroom each day. Efforts continue to be made by
the district to increase the substitute list. The district attempts to maintain a list of certificated
substitutes in sufficient numbers to meet teacher absences. The principal has assumed
responsibility for ensuring that children receive appropriate instruction from a certificated teacher
on staff. Other certificated site staff (counselor, resource teacher, administrator) must substitute
if qualified substitutes are not available at the site. (See related Personnel Management Standard
8.2 – Current Rating: 10. Standard 8.2 is not required to reach an 8.)
Consent Decree Section 12 (Absenteeism)
The requirements of Section 12 have been met by the district. The district assigns non-
instructional certificated staff to substitute when regular substitutes are not available for teacher
absences. The district requires each site to address ways to reduce employee absenteeism in their
school site plans. Staff absentee reports are provided to the sites for administrators to review.
The superintendent has set an annual goal of increasing teacher attendance to 97%. (See related
Personnel Management Standard 8.2 – Current Rating: 10. Standard 8.2 is not required to reach
an 8.)
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Consent Decree Section 13 (Homework)
The requirements of Section 13 have been met by the district. The district has developed and
implemented a district wide homework policy. A monthly certification by the site principals that
a homework policy is being implemented is submitted to the district office. Parent notifications
regarding the homework policy are sent home at the beginning of each semester. The Student and
Parent/Guardian Handbook contains the district’s homework policy. The handbook is updated
annually and distributed to parents. Schools keep the signed acknowledgement of receipt forms
from parents. (See related Pupil Achievement Standards 1.2 – Current Rating: 9, and 1.11
– Current Rating: 8. An additional stipulation required that Standards 1.2 and 1.11 reach an 8.)
Consent Decree Section 19 (Student Promotion)
The requirements of Section 19 have been met by the district. The district developed a
promotion/acceleration/retention policy, Policy No. 5123. The board adopted this policy on
April 11, 2000. Information on the policy was distributed to parents through the Student and
Parent/Guardian Handbook. Plaintiffs’ counsel was invited to provide written comments on the
draft policy as it was developed. A copy of the policy was sent to Plaintiff’s counsel for written
comment. No response was received. (See related Pupil Achievement Standards 1.5 – Current
Rating: 8, and 1.16 – Current Rating: 8. An additional stipulation required that Standards 1.5
and 1.16 reach an 8.)
Consent Decree Section 20 (CBEST)
The requirements of Section 20 have been met by the district. The district identifies teachers
without clear credentials and their length of employment. The district limits the number of
teachers on CBEST waivers and monitors teachers who have not passed the CBEST. To
minimize the disruption of student instruction, the parties to the Consent Decree have agreed
that teachers may be released at the end of the school year, rather than at their hire date. The
district continues to provide CBEST training several times each year for teachers who have
not yet passed CBEST. An annual report of the number of non-credentialed teachers and those
who do not have a clear credential and the length of their employment is provided to the board.
The district implements a Pre-Intern program and requires new non-credentialed teachers to
participate as a condition of employment. The salary schedule is differentiated to motivate
teachers to speedily obtain a teaching credential. (See related Personnel Management Standard
3.10 – Current Rating: 10. Standard 3.10 was not required to reach an 8.)
Consent Decree Section 24 (Race Relations)
The requirements of Section 24 have been met by the district. The district parent advisory
council works to promote positive race relations among the various ethnic groups in the
community. Most schools have Peer Mediation and/or Conflict Resolution student groups to
work with other students on resolving student concerns. Secondary school sites have established
student-directed Human Relations Clubs to assist in planning and implementing the activities
in observation of various cultural events. The district has purchased instructional materials on
the Hispanic cultural experience and the African-American cultural experience. Curriculum
staff have worked to incorporate these materials into the Social Science curriculum. Activities
recognizing the birthdays of Cesar Chavez and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. take place annually.
(See related Pupil Achievement Standard 1.10 – Current Rating: 8. An additional stipulation
required that Standard 1.10 reach an 8.)
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Consent Decree Stipulations Related to Facilities Management
There are several stipulations within the Consent Decree that relate to and affect school facilities.
These stipulations include: Condition of Bathrooms, Broken Windows, Electrical, Security Plan,
Emergency Drills, Litter, Drinking Water, Site Committees, Food Service, Parent Volunteer
Strategies, and Central Telephone Number for Facilities Complaints. Several FCMAT standards
in the Facilities Management operational area are also affected by an additional compliance
requirement of needing to reach a rating of 8 (on a scale of 1-10) to be deemed compliant. These
specific standards are listed in the chart of Facilities Management standards in the Facilities
Management section of this report.
Consent Decree Section 7 (Bathrooms)
The requirements of Section 7 have been met by the district. Generally, bathrooms are safe,
supplied and operable. All site bathrooms continue to be inspected a minimum of three times
daily by the principal and/or other staff. Records of this monitoring process are maintained at
the site for inspection. The bathrooms are monitored during periodic, unannounced site visits
to school campuses. A FCMAT checklist is used to monitor compliance with Consent Decree
stipulations. All written documents and logs are reviewed and any needed follow-up discussed
with the site administrator. The passage of a local general obligation bond will enable the
modernization of many restrooms in the district’s schools. Four bathroom monitors have been
hired at each high school. (See related Facilities Management Standard 9.4 – Current Rating:
10. An additional stipulation required that Standard 9.4 reach an 8.)
Consent Decree Section 9 (Broken Windows)
The requirements of Section 9 have been met by the district. Identified boarded windows are
replaced with clear glass, plexiglass or other clear permanent material. Certain windows are
allowed to be boarded for safety and property protection. Broken windows are replaced as soon
as possible. Materials used to temporarily secure broken windows require that a date and time
of the repair be affixed on the material. Sites are monitored regularly to ensure compliance. (See
related Facilities Management Standard 1.12 – Current Rating: 10. An additional stipulation
required that Standard 1.12 reach an 8.)
Consent Decree Section 10 (Electrical)
The requirements of Section 10 have been met by the district. Plant managers have been directed
to daily inspect for electrical problems, report emergency conditions for immediate repair, and to
submit a monthly report to the Facilities Division. These monthly reports have been documented.
A Facilities Compliance Coordinator visits all school sites on a regular basis to check for any
hazardous conditions, including broken or loose wiring. Reports of conditions needing attention
are reported to the Facilities Division. The district has established an emergency hot line for use,
and has designated any electrical hazard as an emergency condition. The district and plaintiff’s
counsel selected a licensed electrician to conduct site inspections of specific identified sites in the
2000-2001 school year. (See related Facilities Management Standard 9.8 – Current Rating: 10.
An additional stipulation required that Standard 9.8 reach an 8.)
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Consent Decree Section 14 (Security Plan)
The requirements of Section 14 have been met by the district. There is a districtwide security
plan. School sites have established school site safety committees to continually determine
site safety concerns and recommend remedial action to the district office. The district security
committee referenced in the Consent Decree has been established. The committee has input
into updates of the district wide security plan. Parents have been encouraged to participate in
school security patrols. Monitored intrusion alarm systems have been installed in the district’s
schools. The district’s police force continues to work with site safety committees. The district, in
collaboration with the city, has established an Emergency Operations Center in the district police
services department to respond to more wide-spread community disasters. (See related Facilities
Management Standard 1.3 – Current Rating: 10. An additional stipulation required that Standard
1.3 reach an 8.)
Consent Decree Section 15 (Emergency Drills)
The requirements of Section 15 have been met by the district. Written emergency plans are
available at the school sites. Every school site has a fire warning system required by Education
Code Section 32001. Several schools are awaiting an upgrade from a bell system to a strobe
fire alarm system. The required fire and earthquake drills are practiced and recorded according
to the pertinent education code sections. These records are monitored by the district Facilities
Compliance Coordinator. (See related Facilities Management Standard 1.9 – Current Rating: 10.
An additional stipulation required that Standard 1.9 reach an 8.)
Consent Decree Section 16 (Litter)
The requirements of Section 16 have been met by the district. The district has a graffiti
abatement program in place, which is one of immediate removal. School campuses are inspected
regularly and graffiti is removed immediately. Litter is picked up daily. Unusable playground
equipment has been repaired or removed. The community service program in which all children
are encouraged to perform five hours of community service per semester for litter removal is
implemented at a few schools. A recycling program is in place at Roosevelt Middle School. The
high school graduation requirements have been modified to require 2.5 credits in community
service. The course requirement is the equivalent of 45 hours, or one quarter of a year’s credits.
All students, beginning with the freshman class of 2002-03, will be required to meet this
requirement for graduation. (See related Facilities Management Standard 1.8 – Current Rating:
10, and 1.14 – Current Rating: 10. Additional stipulations required that Standards 1.8 and 1.14
reach an 8.)
Consent Decree Section 17 (Drinking Water)
The requirement of Section 17 has been met by the district. Drinking water is readily available to
all children at all school sites. School sites are inspected regularly and water fountains checked
for operability. (See related Facilities Management Standard 8.10 – Current Rating: 10. An
additional stipulation required that Standard 8.10 reach an 8.)
Consent Decree Section 18 (Site Committees)
The requirements of Section 18 have been met by the district. The district established a
representative community committee to assist in the development of the district’s Facilities
Master Plan. As part of the district’s modernization construction applications, a facilities
inventory was conducted. School site safety committees and/or site advisory councils established
8 Executive Summary Executive Summary 9
at all school sites, continue to conduct site inspections and monitor site safety needs. The
governing board has established a facilities sub-committee and conducts periodic site visits to
review the facilities. (See related Facilities Management Standards 1.12 – Current Rating: 10,
1.14 – Current Rating: 10, and 9.11 – Current Rating: 9. Additional stipulations required that
Standards 1.12, 1.14 and 9.11 reach an 8.)
Consent Decree Section 21 (Food Service)
The requirement of Section 21 has been met by the district. The inspections conducted by the
Los Angeles County Health Department of the site cafeterias for the 2000-2001 school year were
shared with the school site committees. There were no inspections conducted by the County
Health Department during the 2001-2002 school year. The County Health Department indicates
that inspections of school cafeterias are usually conducted only in response to a complaint. In
2002-03 the Health Department visited a site cafeteria in response to a parent complaint and
found that the complaint was unsubstantiated. Another visit occurred at a school in summer
2003. A report of that complaint was shared with the site administration and site council. All
district cafeteria managers and cooks participate in the Serve-Safe national certification program.
The district boasts three food services employees who are trainers in this certification program.
(See related Facilities Management Standard 9.3 – Current Rating: 8. An additional stipulation
required that standard 9.3 reach an 8.)
Consent Decree Section 22 (Central Telephone Number for Facilities Complaints)
The requirements of Section 22 have been met by the district. Communication with the
community about facilities issues is ongoing and continual. The district has established a
facilities emergency hot line for school sites to utilize. The types of emergencies reported are
being tabulated. The Facilities Division can be reached by the public through the district’s central
voice messaging system. The district is participating in the WE-TIP program, which provides
a phone number for community members to make anonymous tips to the district concerning
facilities and safety issues. Posters on the WE-TIP program have been disseminated to all
school sites. Tabulation of the number and nature of the calls received and the disposition of the
complaints need to be provided in a quarterly report that is available to counsel for the plaintiffs
and the public. (See related Facilities Management Standard 11.2 – Current Rating: 9. Standard
11.2 was not required to reach an 8.)
Consent Decree Section 23 (Volunteerism)
The requirements of Section 23 have been met by the district. The district continues to work to
ensure parents and community members feel welcome in the schools. The Volunteers in Public
Schools (VIPS) handbook was developed and approved by the board in the 1999-2000 school
year. This document provides direction to volunteers about becoming involved in their schools.
Parents are actively recruited to volunteer and the district does an excellent job providing
recognition programs. Year-end recognition dinners have been held annually since spring 2001 to
recognize two outstanding volunteers from each school in the district. The number of volunteer
hours at each school site is recorded and tabulated. Parents and community members are more
involved in educational decision-making. Four parent forums were held in 2002-2003. In the
2001-2002 school year, parents and community members were involved in the superintendent
search process, and in the decision to implement a full-day kindergarten program in the district.
Parent volunteers were involved in helping to pass the district’s general obligation bond in
November 2002. (See related Facilities Management Standard 10.1 – Current Rating: 10.
Standard 10.1 was not required to reach an 8.)
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Consent Decree Section 25 (Additional Compliance Requirements)
The requirements of Section 25 have largely been met by the district. A comprehensive Facilities
Master Plan was developed by the district and was approved by the Advisory Board in August
2000. A Facilities Implementation Plan, providing a time line for implementing the recommen-
dations within the Facilities Master Plan, and identifying possible sources of state and district
funds to support the implementation was approved by FCMAT on August 10, 2001, and adopted
by the Advisory Board in August 2001. Several Pupil Achievement and Facilities standards were
identified in the Consent Decree as needing to reach a rating of 8 to be deemed implemented. All
identified standards in the Facilities Management operational area and all but one of the identi-
fied standards in the Pupil Achievement operational area have reached a rating of 8 or better. (See
related Facilities Management Standards 2.1 – Current Rating: 10, and 3.10 – Current Rating:
10. Additional stipulations required Standards 2.1 and 3.10 to reach an 8.)
The district has met the consent decree stipulations of Sections 1 through 24. The only remaining
stipulations to be completed in Section 25 are bringing standard 1.23 to a rating of 8 or better,
and fully implementing the Facilities Master Plan.
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HISTORICAL BACKGROUND: LEGISLATION AND STATE
RECEIVERSHIP OF COMPTON UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
In July 1993, Assembly Bill 657/Murray (Statutes of 1993, Chapter 78) appropriated $10.5
million in the form of an emergency loan for the Compton Unified School District. This
loan required the appointment of a state administrator who would exercise the powers and
responsibilities of the governing board. In October 1993, Assembly Bill 1708/Murray (Statutes
of 1993, Chapter 924) provided a second emergency loan of $9.45 million. This loan required
the district to comply with Education Code Section 41325, which continued the assignment of
the state administrator. In September 1993, Assembly Bill 33/Murray (Statutes of 1993, Chapter
455) provided further clarification and conditions regarding the emergency apportionment. This
bill stipulated that the state administrator retain authority for the operation of the district until
such time as the Superintendent of Public Instruction determined the district had met the fiscal
requirements and had made demonstrated academic progress.
The above mentioned legislation required the loan to be repaid and the academic performance of
the district to improve prior to the board being restored its legal rights, duties, and powers. The
district made the 6th and final loan payment in June 2001. In the six years following 1996, the
district repaid a total of $23,458,061 in loans and interest. The last payment was made in June
2001.
Through Assembly Bill 52/Washington (Statutes of 1997, Chapter 767), the legislature stated
its intent to return the designated legal rights, duties, and powers of governance to the Compton
Unified School District Board of Trustees. In addition to the above bills, AB 52 required the
assessment of five major operational areas of school district operation: Community Relations,
Personnel Management, Pupil Achievement, Financial Management, and Facilities Management.
AB 52 required FCMAT and the state administrator, in consultation with other specified entities,
to conduct comprehensive assessments and to develop specified recovery plans in the five
designated areas.
In addition to a systemic, district-wide assessment and the development of a recovery plan,
FCMAT was required to determine whether the school district made substantial and sustained
progress in the five designated areas. Where there was substantial and sustained progress,
FCMAT recommended to the Superintendent of Public Instruction the operational areas of
school operation that should be returned to the governing board of the CUSD. As a result of
this requirement, an incremental return of the legal rights, duties, and powers to the governing
board occurred over time. The State Superintendent of Public Instruction formally returned full
governing authority of all operational areas to the CUSD governing board in an executive order
dated September 11, 2001, and effective December 11, 2001. The State Administrator was, at that
time, named as State Trustee to continue to provide oversight of fiscal matters.
In a letter dated June 2, 2003, the State Superintendent of Public Instruction terminated oversight
of the Compton USD by the State Trustee who served through June 13, 2003. The Compton
Unified School District and its governing board became free of state oversight for the first time in
more than ten years.
10 Executive Summary Executive Summary 11
Incremental Return of Legal Rights, Duties and Powers in
Designated Operational Areas to CUSD
The return of authority over specific district operational areas occurred over time. FCMAT’s
third six-month progress report, in August 2000, recommended to the Superintendent of
Public Instruction that the designated operational areas of Community Relations and Facilities
Management be returned to the Governing Board of the Compton Unified School District. The
Superintendent acted to return the two operational areas to the Governing Board in January 2001.
The SPI also authorized the governing board to select and hire a district superintendent.
FCMAT’s fourth six-month report in February 2001, recommended that the operational area
of Pupil Achievement be returned to the Governing Board of the Compton Unified School
District. Although academic performance remained below average, academic performance scores
continued to increase. The district had focused efforts on improving student performance and had
procedures in place to identify and address student deficiencies. However, the Superintendent
of Public Instruction did not return governance of Pupil Achievement to the governing board
as recommended by FCMAT in its fourth six-month progress report. The SPI indicated, in a
letter to the district dated March 26, 2001, that the district would benefit from additional time
to determine how well the academic processes being implemented perform. The SPI also
indicated that it would be prudent to evaluate the district’s spring testing results to determine the
effectiveness of the steps taken by the district in the last year.
In the fifth six-month progress report in August 2001, FCMAT recommended that the operational
areas of Personnel Management and Financial Management be returned to the governing board
of the Compton Unified School District. Additionally, it was recommended that the operational
area of Pupil Achievement be returned to the governing board as recommended in the fourth
six-month progress report. The district had also selected and hired a district superintendent who
assumed the position in August 2001. The State Superintendent of Public Instruction formally
returned governing authority for all operational areas to the CUSD board in an executive order
dated September 11, 2001, and effective December 11, 2001. The SPI further assigned the State
Administrator to serve as the State Trustee in an oversight capacity for two years.
The State Superintendent of Public Instruction on June 2, 2003 formally terminated state
oversight of the district by the State Trustee, effective June 13, 2003.
12 Executive Summary Executive Summary 13
Executive Action on Return of Legal Rights, Duties and
Powers in Designated Operational Areas to CUSD
Executive Order, January 2001, Response to Third Six-Month Progress Report:
The Superintendent of Public Instruction, on January 30, 2001, formally notified the Compton
USD Governing Board of executive action taken to restore the Board’s rights, duties, and
obligations in the operational areas of Community Relations and Facilities Management.
The Superintendent of Public Instruction, in negotiations with the Compton Governing Board
over the process of incremental return of powers, agreed to remove the term “advisory” from
the Compton Governing Board’s title, provided the reinstatement of stipends and benefits upon
the recommended return of another operational area of governance, and authorized the Board to
begin the search process for a permanent superintendent. Upon completion of the search process,
the governing board would have final authority to select a permanent superintendent from
amongst the candidates.
The Superintendent of Public Instruction indicated that the State Administrator would serve as
the district’s interim superintendent for the areas over which the Compton Board has authority,
and would serve as the State Administrator for the areas over which the Compton Board does
not have authority. The SPI recognized the Board’s desire to hire an interim superintendent
for the two areas returned, Community Relations and Facilities Management. However, the
Superintendent of Public Instruction determined that “waiting a few months until the permanent
superintendent is in place will provide for a smoother transition.”
The district, with the assistance of CSBA, completed a superintendent search process and
unanimously selected and appointed a superintendent to begin work in the district August 20,
2001.
Executive Order No. 2, March 2001, Response to Fourth Six-Month Progress Report:
The Superintendent of Public Instruction, on March 26, 2001, formally notified the Compton
USD Governing Board of executive action to establish the board “stipend authorized under
Education Code section 35120, and such health benefits as are authorized under District policy
and law. In all other respects, the Superintendent’s January 30, 2001 Executive Order remains in
effect.”
The Superintendent of Public Instruction indicated that the District would benefit by having
the management of the operational area of Pupil Achievement remain for additional time under
the direct administration of the State Administrator. The SPI indicated that should appropriate
progress be demonstrated in the area of Pupil Achievement, the return of local control in this
operational area could be returned to the district in the fall.
The SPI also commented on the concerns raised by FCMAT as to whether the Board was
embracing the proper exercise of its governing authority. She indicated her concern as to the
readiness of the Board to effectively fulfill its policymaking role.
12 Executive Summary Executive Summary 13
Executive Order No. 3, September 2001, Response to Fifth Six-Month Progress Report:
The State Superintendent of Public Instruction issued Executive Order No. 3 which restored full
control to the governing board effective December 11, 2001. The executive order recognized
that the Compton Unified School District showed “substantial and sustained improvement in
all remaining areas not presently under local control.” The order further indicated that “the
state administrator shall assume the powers of the State Trustee…governing the oversight of
the Compton Unified School District.” “Effective September 11, 2001, personnel commission
members shall be entitled to the maximum stipend authorized under EC 45250.”
Superintendent of Public Instruction Action, June 2003:
A new Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI) was elected in November 2002. The previous
Superintendent had completed the maximum two-term limit for the position. The new SPI on
June 2, 2003 terminated state oversight of the Compton USD by the State Trustee, effective June
13, 2003, citing the district’s progress in governing itself. The State Trustee was reassigned to
another California district effective June 16, 2003.
14 Executive Summary Executive Summary 15
Standards-Based Assessment Process
For schools and school districts to be successful in program improvement, the evaluation, design
and implementation of the recovery plans must be standards-driven. When standards are clearly
defined, reachable, and communicated, there is a greater likelihood they will be measured and
met.
The Compton Unified School District was measured on a consistent rating format, and every
standard was given a scaled score from zero to 10 as to its relative status of completeness. The
following represents a definition of terms and scaled scores applied to this process. The single
purpose of the scaled score was to establish a baseline of information by which the district’s
gains and achievement in each of the standard areas could be measured.
• Not Implemented (Scaled Score of 0)
There is no significant evidence that the standard is implemented.
• Partially Implemented (Scaled Score of 1 through 7)
A partially implemented standard lacks completeness, and it is met in a limited degree.
The degree of completeness varies as defined:
1. Some design or research regarding the standard is in place that supports
preliminary development. (Scaled Score of 1)
2. Implementation of the standard is well into the development stage. Appropriate
staff is engaged and there is a plan for implementation. (Scaled Score of 2)
3. A plan to address the standard is fully developed, and the standard is in the
beginning phase of implementation. (Scaled Score of 3)
4. Staff is engaged in the implementation of most elements of the standard. (Scaled
Score of 4)
5. Staff is engaged in the implementation of the standard. All standard elements are
developed and are in the implementation phase. (Scaled Score of 5)
6. Elements of the standard are implemented, monitored and becoming systematic.
(Scaled Score of 6)
7. All elements of the standard are fully implemented, are being monitored, and
appropriate adjustments are taking place. (Scaled Score of 7)
• Fully Implemented (Scaled Score of 8 through 10)
A fully implemented standard is complete relative to the following criteria.
8. All elements of the standard are fully and substantially implemented and are
sustainable. (Scaled Score of 8)
9. All elements of the standard are fully and substantially implemented and have
been sustained for a full school year. (Scaled Score of 9)
10. All elements of the standard are fully implemented, are being sustained with high
quality, are being refined, and have a process for ongoing evaluation. (Scaled
Score of 10)
By utilizing a standards-based approach, FCMAT was able to incorporate a scaled score
to measure progress and to establish an acceptable level for the return of the Board’s legal
rights, duties and powers. AB 52 expressed the legislative intent that the Board be returned its
14 Executive Summary Executive Summary 15
designated legal rights, duties and powers through an incremental process. To implement this
intent, FCMAT established a standard for the return of the legal rights, duties and powers. This
standard was based upon the scaled score system. When the average rating in an operational area
reached a level of 6.00 and no individual standard was below 4.00, FCMAT recommended to the
Superintendent of Public Instruction the incremental return of that operational area to the school
district.
16 Executive Summary
CONSENT DECREE
III. School Conditions and Instructional Materials
This section of the report provides a review of the progress made by the district toward imple-
menting the requirements of Consent Decree Sections 7-25. (Sections 1–6 refer to definitions and
general provisions.) The language of the Consent Decree is provided in italics.
Section 7. Bathrooms
a. All bathrooms used by children on all school sites in the CUSD will be in safe,
sanitary and operable condition, regularly cleaned with all lighting in working order
and stocked with standard toilet supplies, including toilet paper, soap and paper
towels. The bathrooms shall be accessible to children at all times school is in session;
however, at high schools, some restrooms may be locked at certain times of the day so
long as students have reasonable access to restrooms that are not locked.
b. The principal of each school shall be responsible for ensuring compliance with
the requirements of this Section. The principal shall ensure that each bathroom
is inspected prior to the start of school, prior to lunch period, and after the lunch
period. If the result of the inspection requires corrective action, the principal shall
be responsible for taking corrective action. Any condition that arises that renders
any portion of a bathroom unsafe, unsanitary, inoperable, unclean, or unlit shall be
remedied in accordance with the following time period:
(i) One hour after the inspection, if the condition can be remedied by janitorial
or custodial staff.
(ii) 24 hours (not counting weekends and holidays) after the inspection, if he
condition cannot be remedied by janitorial or custodial staff. The principal
shall notify the State Administrator’s office when conditions cannot be
remedied by janitorial or custodial staff.
c. The State Administrator shall require that each principal maintain a daily inspection
record of the bathrooms. The daily inspection record shall be kept on the form
developed by the State Administrator. The record shall include a description of the
bathroom’s condition and identify supplies that need to be provided. The inspection
record shall be available for inspection by the public. The State Administrator shall
periodically conduct reviews to ensure that the inspection record is being maintained.
FCMAT Facilities Management Standard 9.4 was the standard used to monitor the
district’s compliance with Section 7.
Consent Decree 1
Facilities Management Standard 9.4
Instructional Program Issues - Bathroom Facilities are Clean and Operable
Legal Standard
The governing board of every school district shall provide clean and operable flush toilets for the
use of pupils. [EC 17576; CCR Title 5 ¤14030]
Consent Decree Stipulation
This standard was identified in the Consent Decree in the action Serna v Eastin, Case No. BC
174282, as needing to reach a rating of 8 to be deemed compliant.
Additional related stipulations (Section 7) include that all bathrooms used by children are safe,
sanitary and operable, regularly cleaned and stocked with supplies, and accessible when school
is in session; principals are to inspect bathrooms prior to the start of school, prior to and after the
lunch period, and are to take corrective action; principals will maintain daily inspection records
on a form developed by the State Administrator and make them available for public inspection.
Progress on Recommendations and Recovery Steps
This standard is fully implemented and the Consent Decree stipulations have been met.
• Restrooms continue to be inspected a minimum of three times daily by the principal
and/or staff. Records of monitoring are maintained at the site for inspection.
• The maintenance department provides an emergency hot line for sites to call for emer-
gency services from the district.
• Staff indicates that toilet facilities are operable.
• The district has renovated restroom facilities at a number of schools.
• The district has included modernizing the school site restrooms, and replacing aging
toilets in its modernization plans.
• Four restroom monitors have been assigned to each high school to monitor the rest-
rooms throughout the school day.
• A Facilities Compliance Coordinator, using a FCMAT inspection checklist, monitors
compliance with Consent Decree stipulations.
2 Consent Decree Consent Decree 3
Standard Implemented: Fully Implemented - Sustained
February 1999 Rating: 4
August 1999 Rating: Not Reviewed
February 2000 Rating: Not Reviewed
August 2000 Rating: 5
February 2001 Rating: 6
August 2001 Rating: 6
February 2002 Rating: 8
August 2002 Rating: 8
February 2003 Rating: 9
August 2003 Rating: 10
Implementation Scale:
Not Fully
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
2 Consent Decree Consent Decree 3
4 Consent Decree Consent Decree 5
CONSENT DECREE
III. School Conditions and Instructional Materials
Section 8. Textbooks
a. Appropriate textbooks and instructional materials (hereinafter “instructional
materials”) in the core subject areas will be provided to all children in the CUSD. It
is understood by the parties that this requirement does not apply to courses of study,
such as performing or fine arts, that do not use textbooks.
b. Appropriate instructional materials are those textbooks and materials identified by the
teacher consistent with the adopted curriculum and approved by the principal and the
Deputy Superintendent of Education Support Services. Core subject areas are those
areas of study described for grades 1 through 6 in Education Code Section 51210 and
for grades 7 through 12 in Education Code Section 51220.
c. Children will be able to take home either a textbook used in each core subject class
or a reproduced portion of the textbook in order to prepare for class, study for
examinations, and complete homework. By February 1 of each year, defendants shall
prepare an inventory of all existing textbooks and identify the number and type of
textbooks that need to be acquired in order to implement this requirement during the
following school year.
d. Students will be assigned one textbook at the beginning of a course of study for the
entire duration of the course. If a student’s textbook is lost or destroyed for any reason
during the course, a replacement textbook need not be assigned unless the student
pays the cost of replacement.
FCMAT Pupil Achievement Standard 1.25 was the standard used to monitor the district’s
compliance with Section 8.
4 Consent Decree Consent Decree 5
Pupil Achievement Standard 1.25
Instructional Materials - Student Accessibility
Professional Standard
The district will ensure that all instructional materials are accessible to all students.
Consent Decree Stipulation
This standard was identified in the Consent Decree in the action Serna v Eastin, Case No. BC
174282, as needing to reach a rating of 8 to be deemed compliant.
Additional related stipulations (Section 8) include that each student will be assigned a textbook
in core subject areas at the beginning of a course of study, that children will be able to take home
textbooks or study materials, that a textbook inventory is developed by February 1st and that a
textbook replacement plan is developed.
Progress on Recommendations and Recovery Steps
This standard is fully implemented and the Consent Decree stipulations have been met.
• Each classroom has a complete set of textbooks.
• Individual textbooks for secondary students to take home are available in several
core subject areas. The district reports a 1:1 ratio for textbooks in English Lan-
guage Arts, Mathematics, and History/Social Science. Secondary science class-
rooms have classroom sets of textbooks. Students utilize textbooks from previous
adoption cycles in science to take home.
• The district has a written textbook replacement plan in place.
• The district purchases new textbooks based on the state textbook adoption cycle.
Teachers participate in the selection of textbooks for adoption. Textbooks are rec-
ommended to the board for approval. All textbooks selected are standards-based.
• The Board of Trustees approved the district’s new Library Plan in January 2003.
The district has established a library book volume goal of a minimum of 13 books
per student.
• Textbook availability is monitored by a review of the textbook assignment forms,
lost textbook collection process, and the purchase order requests made for replace-
ment copies.
• Teachers prepare textbook orders and inventory in the spring for the next school
year. A teacher follow-up survey to determine adequacy of textbooks is conducted
in September.
• Parents sign off on textbook responsibility forms and the returned forms are filed
in a secure area at the school site. Students are required to maintain their textbooks
in the condition they were issued. Textbooks and library books are collected at the
end of each year to ensure accountability.
• FCMAT conducted a survey of teachers from several district schools in June 2003
to gauge teacher satisfaction with availability of appropriate instructional materi-
als. The vast majority of respondents indicated they had significant numbers of text
books. A few teachers responded in the negative. Follow up is being provided by
the district to those schools that did not indicate 100% satisfaction.
6 Consent Decree Consent Decree 7
Standard Implemented: Fully Implemented - Substantial
February 1999 Rating: 4
August 1999 Rating: Not Reviewed
February 2000 Rating: Not Reviewed
August 2000 Rating: 5
February 2001 Rating: 5
August 2001 Rating: 5
February 2002 Rating: 6
August 2002 Rating: 7
February 2003 Rating: 8
August 2003 Rating: 8
Implementation Scale:
Not Fully
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
6 Consent Decree Consent Decree 7
8 Consent Decree Consent Decree 9
CONSENT DECREE
III. School Conditions and Instructional Materials
Section 9. Broken Windows
a. All boarded-up windows shall be replaced with clear glass, clear plexiglass or other
clear permanent material so that there are no boarded-up windows in the CUSD. In
lieu of glass, plexiglass, or other clear permanent material, the lowest row of windows
below eight feet in height may contain a permanent, painted material such as wood or
metal when deemed necessary by the State Administrator to prevent individuals from
breaking into or vandalizing school facilities.
b. Any window that is broken shall be replaced with clear glass, clear plexiglass, or
other clear permanent material within 72 hours (not counting weekends or holidays).
c. Any material that is used to temporarily secure a broken window shall have affixed to
it the date and time the temporary material was placed on the window.
FCMAT Facilities Management Standard 1.12 was the standard used to monitor the
district’s compliance with Section 9.
8 Consent Decree Consent Decree 9
Facilities Management Standard 1.12
School Safety - Inspection and Correction of Unsafe Conditions
Legal Standard
Building examinations are performed, and required actions are taken by the governing board
upon report of unsafe conditions. [EC 173679(a)]
Consent Decree Stipulation
This standard was identified in the Consent Decree in the action Serna v Eastin, Case No. BC
174282, as needing to reach a rating of 8 to be deemed compliant.
Additional related stipulations (Sections 9 and 18) include replacing boarded up windows, re-
placing broken windows within 72 hours, affixing a date and time to temporary material placed
on broken windows; establishing site committees to inventory and prioritize repair and mainte-
nance needs, and reporting to the State Administrator and board at least once a semester.
Progress on Recommendations and Recovery Steps
This standard is fully implemented and the Consent Decree stipulations have been met.
• The district continues to comply with the speedy replacement of broken windows.
• Schools have organized parent safety committees at each site. The committees
perform site inspections for unsafe or hazardous conditions and forward repair
requests to the maintenance department to address.
• Plant managers are instructed to conduct daily inspections of the site and to imme-
diately report any unsafe condition.
• The district’s Facilities Compliance Coordinator conducts site inspections and rates
the school sites.
• The district continues to utilize two mobile maintenance teams.
• The maintenance department continues to immediately address emergency calls to
the maintenance hot line (310-639-4321, extension 55377).
• Plant managers are directed to conduct electrical inspections of their site on a daily
basis and to report in writing, any potentially hazardous electrical condition. A
form for the documentation of these reviews on a monthly basis was developed,
and records of the monthly reports from the sites are being maintained.
• Monthly training meetings are held with the plant managers.
• The district has established a district-wide Beautification Committee. The Com-
mittee has developed a list of landscaping do’s and don’ts for site beautification
projects. The Committee approves site beautification plans and works with sites to
support their beautification efforts.
10 Consent Decree Consent Decree 11
Standard Implemented: Fully Implemented - Sustained
February 1999 Rating: 6
August 1999 Rating: 6
February 2000 Rating: Not Reviewed
August 2000 Rating: 6
February 2001 Rating: 7
August 2001 Rating: 8
February 2002 Rating: 9
August 2002 Rating: 9
February 2003 Rating: 10
August 2003 Rating: 10
Implementation Scale:
Not Fully
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
10 Consent Decree Consent Decree 11
12 Consent Decree Consent Decree 13
CONSENT DECREE
III. School Conditions and Instructional Materials
Section 10. Electrical
a. All broken and loose electrical wiring and fixtures shall be repaired or replaced, along
with any other electrical problems that might immediately endanger children.
b. On a monthly basis, CUSD shall inspect all school facilities and identify any broken
or loose electrical wiring and fixtures or any other electrical problems that might
immediately endanger children. A written record of these monthly inspections shall be
maintained by the State Administrator.
c. On or before September 1, 1999, a licensed electrical inspector shall be retained to
inspect selected school sites identified by plaintiff’s counsel. The inspector shall be
mutually agreed upon between counsel for the plaintiffs and defendants. The inspector
shall have no prior employment or contracting arrangement with either the DUSD or
the City of Compton. The inspector shall perform inspections as directed by plaintiff’s
counsel and shall be compensated on an hourly basis, not to exceed the total sum of
$50,000.00. The inspector shall prepare an inspection report containing the following
information:
(i) The location of any broken or loose electrical wiring and fixtures, the location
of any other electrical problems that might immediately endanger children.
(ii) The location of other electrical problems that the inspector believes should be
called to the attention of the CUSD.
d. A copy of the inspection report shall be delivered to counsel for plaintiffs and shall be
available for public inspection at the CUSD.
e. In the event the inspection indicates that broken or loose electrical fixtures remain
or that electrical problems that might endanger children or employees exist, the
inspector shall perform follow-up inspections to determine if the problem has been
corrected. The costs of follow-up inspections shall not be charged against the
$50,000.00 allocated pursuant to subsection (c) above.
FCMAT Facilities Management Standard 9.8 was the standard used to monitor the
district’s compliance with Section 10.
12 Consent Decree Consent Decree 13
Facilities Management Standard 9.8
Instructional Program Issues - Adequate Lighting, Electrical Service Provided
Professional Standard
All schools shall have adequate lighting and electrical service.
Consent Decree Stipulation
This standard was identified in the Consent Decree in the action Serna v Eastin, Case No. BC
174282, as needing to reach a rating of 8 to be deemed compliant.
Additional related stipulations (Section 10) include monthly inspections for electrical problems
conducted by the district with written records of these monthly inspections maintained, the in-
spection before September 1, 1999, by a licensed electrical inspector of sites identified by plain-
tiff’s counsel and a copy of the report delivered to counsel for plaintiffs and available for public
inspection, the correction of any electrical problems.
Progress on Recommendations and Recovery Steps
This standard is fully implemented and the Consent Decree stipulations have been met.
• The district and plaintiff’s counsel selected a licensed electrician to conduct site
inspections of specific identified sites during the 2000-2001 school year. Inspec-
tions were conducted at Compton, Centennial and Dominguez High Schools. All
deficiencies identified were addressed. The district has two licensed electricians on
staff.
• Site plant managers are directed to conduct electrical inspections of their sites on a
daily basis and to report in writing, any potentially hazardous electrical condition.
Monthly electrical reports are submitted to the facilities division. A form for the
documentation of the monthly reviews was developed, and records of the monthly
reports from the sites are being maintained.
• HVAC and lighting/electrical systems are included in the scope of the projects
contained within the modernization plans.
• A retrofit of lights has taken place at several schools. Modernization projects will
address electrical upgrades.
• The mobile repair teams replace lights and light fixtures as needed.
• Modernization and new construction projects address energy conservation in pro-
posed equipment, infrastructure, and construction.
14 Consent Decree Consent Decree 15
Standard Implemented: Fully Implemented - Sustained
February 1999 Rating: 0
August 1999 Rating: Not Reviewed
February 2000 Rating: 2
August 2000 Rating: 4
February 2001 Rating: 6
August 2001 Rating: 6
February 2002 Rating: 7
August 2002 Rating: 8
February 2003 Rating: 9
August 2003 Rating: 10
Implementation Scale:
Not Fully
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
14 Consent Decree Consent Decree 15
16 Consent Decree Consent Decree 17
CONSENT DECREE
III. School Conditions and Instructional Materials
Section 11. Certificated Teachers
a. A certificated teacher will be present in every classroom on every school day.
b. No violation of subdivision (a) will occur if the following procedures have been
followed:
(i) The CUSD maintains a list of certificated substitute teachers with sufficient
numbers of certificated teachers to meet projected teacher absences.
(ii) CUSD attempted to contact everyone on that list in an effort to secure the
present of a certificated teacher in the classroom.
(iii) Whenever the list has been exhausted such that CUSD is unable to secure a
certificated substitute teacher, the CUSD has commenced reasonable efforts
to increase the number of certificated substitute teachers on the list who are
willing and able to provide services to the CUSD.
c. In the event a certificated teacher cannot be obtained, the principal shall be
responsible for ensuring that children without a certificated teacher receive
appropriate instruction in accordance with the curriculum for the class.
FCMAT Personnel Management Standard 8.2 was the standard used to monitor the
district’s compliance with Section 11.
Section 12. Absenteeism
a. Due to the high degree of employee absenteeism, it is reasonable and necessary
that CUSD hold all personnel accountable for meeting attendance requirements.
Absenteeism of CUSD employees impedes the ability of CUSD to provide instructional
services to children.
b. The State Administrator will develop a plan to reduce employee absenteeism district-
wide, subject to the requirements of collective bargaining. The absenteeism plan shall
address the issue of employees who are absent from any required staff development
programs.
FCMAT Personnel Management Standard 8.2 was the standard used to monitor the
district’s compliance with Section 12.
16 Consent Decree Consent Decree 17
Personnel Management Standard 8.2
Use of Technology
Professional Standard
The Personnel Division provides an automated substitute calling system. The system should have
the ability to input and retrieve data. Data should be distributed to site and program managers.
Consent Decree Stipulations
Sections 11 and 12 of the Consent Decree in the action Serna v Eastin, Case No. BC 174282,
includes the following stipulations: the district is to ensure that certificated teachers are present in
each classroom every day, maintain a list of certificated substitutes in sufficient numbers to meet
absences, develop a plan to reduce employee absenteeism, and hold employees accountable for
meeting attendance requirements.
Progress on Recommendations and Recovery Steps
This standard is fully implemented and the Consent Decree stipulations have been met.
• A district attendance goal for 2002-2003 was set by the superintendent of 97% at-
tendance for all classroom teachers. At the elementary level the average attendance
rate achieved for 2002-03 was 95.72% with four schools exceeding the goal. At
the middle school level, the average achieved was 95.97% with one school exceed-
ing the goal. At the high school/alternative school level the average achieved was
95.18% with the Community Day School exceeding the goal.
• Each school addresses staff attendance as part of their school improvement plan.
The district regularly reports employee absences and reasons for absences to
school site managers to work with their staffs to reduce absenteeism.
• The Office of Human Resources and Employee Development (HRED) provides
substitutes when classroom teachers are absent. HRED maintains a pool of approx-
imately 275 substitutes and continues to process applications for substitutes.
• Site administrators assign non-instructional certificated staff to substitute when a
regular substitute is not available to cover a teacher’s absence. If no substitute is
available, certificated teachers are first solicited to substitute during their prepara-
tion period(s). Department chairs, counselors, curriculum specialists, learning sup-
port coordinators, assistant principals and principals are to be used on a rotational
basis when other teachers are not available. Teachers can be recalled from a locally
held workshop or conference to return to school if no substitute is available. At the
elementary level, 20% of the students in a class may be assigned to each of five
other certificated teachers for the day.
• HRED monitors on a daily basis, the number of classroom teacher absences by
site, and provides weekly reports to the Executive Cabinet and monthly reports to
the principals.
• The district continues to utilize an automated substitute calling system, Substitute
Employee Management System (SEMS).
• The HRED staff holds monthly training sessions with new substitute teachers.
• The district has developed a substitute teacher’s manual for substitute teachers.
• The district continues to demonstrate safety consciousness by requiring all district
employees to wear a district-issued identification badge.
18 Consent Decree Consent Decree 19
Standard Implemented: Fully Implemented - Sustained
February 1999 Rating: 4
August 1999 Rating: Not Reviewed
February 2000 Rating: 6
August 2000 Rating: 6
February 2001 Rating: 6
August 2001 Rating: 7
February 2002 Rating: 8
August 2002 Rating: 9
February 2003 Rating: 9
August 2003 Rating: 10
Implementation Scale:
Not Fully
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
18 Consent Decree Consent Decree 19
20 Consent Decree Consent Decree 21
CONSENT DECREE
III. School Conditions and Instructional Materials
Section 13. Homework
a. The CUSD has adopted a homework policy.
b. The State Administrator shall ensure that the homework policy is implemented at
every school site. The State Administrator shall require that the principal of each
school certify in writing on a monthly basis that the homework policy is being
followed at each school, or if it is not being followed, that disciplinary proceedings
have been commenced against personnel not complying with the homework policy.
c. At the beginning of each semester, parents shall receive information on the homework
policy and shall be requested to sign an acknowledgement of the receipt of such
policy. If the parent fails to return the acknowledgement form to the district, the
district will make one attempt to contact the parent by telephone regarding the
homework policy.
FCMAT Pupil Achievement Standards 1.2 and 1.11 were the standards used to monitor the
district’s compliance with Section 13.
20 Consent Decree Consent Decree 21
Pupil Achievement Standard 1.2
Student Objectives - Core Curriculum Content
Professional Standard
The district has clear and valid objectives for students, including the core curriculum content.
Consent Decree Stipulation
This standard was identified in the Consent Decree in the action Serna v Eastin, Case No. BC
174282, as needing to reach a rating of 8 to be deemed compliant.
Additional related stipulations (Section 13) include a monthly certification from the site principal
that a homework policy is implemented at each site, and that information about the policy is sent
to parents each semester and parents acknowledge receipt of the notification.
Progress on Recommendations and Recovery Steps
This standard is fully implemented and the Consent Decree stipulations have been met.
• The district’s homework policy is included in the Parent Handbook distributed at
the beginning of each school year. The district complies with Section 13 of the
Consent Decree by sending notification home to parents twice per year, through the
Parent Handbook and through a letter disseminated at the second semester. Parents
must acknowledge receipt of the Parent Handbook. Parent acknowledgements of
receipt of the handbook are maintained at the site. A monthly certification by site
principals that the homework policy is being implemented continues to be a re-
quired submission to meet compliance.
• The district has clear goals and objectives for student performance and improve-
ment.
• The district’s governing board has revised its mission statement and goals and
developed a new district logo. The mission statement and goals are reiterated on
district documents.
• The ELD curriculum guide has been completed and K-12 ELD performance
benchmarks have been developed.
• All curriculum guides are aligned to content standards.
• Open Court Pacing Guides have been used to insure full implementation of the
reading program across the district in grades K-5.
• The number of students in the Advanced Placement (AP) program increased and
course offerings were increased to eleven subjects.
• A $25,000 Boeing grant was granted to the district to work with high school sci-
ence and math programs in collaboration with Compton College.
• The UC Irvine FOCUS project, funded by the National Science Foundation, assists
Compton USD in improving math and science instruction.
22 Consent Decree Consent Decree 23
Standard Implemented: Fully Implemented - Substantial
February 1999 Rating: 0
August 1999 Rating: 2
February 2000 Rating: 3
August 2000 Rating: 5
February 2001 Rating: 6
August 2001 Rating: 6
February 2002 Rating: 7
August 2002 Rating: 8
February 2003 Rating: 8
August 2003 Rating: 9
Implementation Scale:
Not Fully
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
22 Consent Decree Consent Decree 23
Pupil Achievement Standard 1.11
Students Engaged in Learning
Professional Standard
Students are engaged in learning and they are able to demonstrate and apply their knowledge and
skills.
Consent Decree Stipulation
This standard was identified in the Consent Decree in the action Serna v Eastin, Case No. BC
174282, as needing to reach a rating of 8 to be deemed compliant.
Additional related stipulations (Section 13) include a homework policy implemented at each
site with a monthly certification from the site principal that this is occurring, information sent to
parents each semester and parent acknowledgment of the notification.
Progress on Recommendations and Recovery Steps
This standard is fully implemented and the Consent Decree stipulations have been met.
• The district’s homework policy is included in the Student and Parent/Guardian
Handbook distributed at the beginning of each school year. The district complies
with Section 13 of the Consent Decree by sending notification home to parents
twice per year, through the Parent Handbook and through a letter disseminated at
the second semester. Parents must acknowledge receipt of the Parent Handbook.
Parent acknowledgements of receipt of the handbook are maintained at the site. A
monthly certification by site principals that the homework policy is being imple-
mented continues to be a required submission to meet compliance.
• Students have several opportunities in which to demonstrate their accomplish-
ments through family-oriented district sponsored exhibitions and programs such as
MESA, the math and science fair, and oratorical contests.
• The number of students participating in Advanced Placement (AP) courses in the
district’s three high schools continues to increase.
• Several students have enrolled in on-line courses, primarily in Pre-Calculus and AP
Calculus.
• The college-going rates for seniors continues to improve. Approximately 150
graduating seniors from the class of 2002 were accepted to four-year colleges and
universities. More than $250,000 in scholarships were awarded to these students.
Scholarship students and their parents are recognized by the district at a Senior
Banquet in their honor.
• All three high schools participated in the LACOE Academic Decathlon program.
24 Consent Decree Consent Decree 25
Standard Implemented: Fully Implemented - Substantial
February 1999 Rating: 0
August 1999 Rating: Not Reviewed
February 2000 Rating: 3
August 2000 Rating: 4
February 2001 Rating: 5
August 2001 Rating: 5
February 2002 Rating: 6
August 2002 Rating: 7
February 2003 Rating: 7
August 2003 Rating: 8
Implementation Scale:
Not Fully
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
24 Consent Decree Consent Decree 25
26 Consent Decree Consent Decree 27
CONSENT DECREE
III. School Conditions and Instructional Materials
Section 14. Security Plan
a. The State Administrator shall develop a district-wide security plan which addresses
both the safety of students and employees and the protection of District property.
In developing the security plan, the Statewide Administrator shall form a Security
Committee consisting of (a) a member of the Advisory Board, (b) a teacher selected
by the Compton Education Association, (c) a principal selected by the State
Administrator, and (d) four parents nominated by counsel for the plaintiffs and
approved by the State Administrator. In addition, the State Administrator shall consult
with local law enforcement agencies regarding the security plan and invite such
agencies to participate in the Security Committee.
b. The Security Committee shall review the implementation of the plan and make
recommendations for is improvement. It will meet with the State Administrator on a
quarterly basis. An annual public hearing will be held before the Advisory Board to
review the plan.
c. The plan developed by the State Administrator shall include a program to encourage
the voluntary participation of parents in school security patrols. The program will
include the training of parents and appropriate provisions to indemnify and hold
participants harmless from any personal liability for their participation in the school
security patrols.
FCMAT Facilities Management Standard 1.3 was the standard used to monitor the
district’s compliance with Section 14.
26 Consent Decree Consent Decree 27
Facilities Management Standard 1.3
School Safety - Plan for Protection of People and Property
Legal Standard
Demonstrate that a plan of security has been developed which includes adequate measures of
safety and protection of people and property. [EC 32020, 32211, 35294-35294.9, 39670-39675]
Consent Decree Stipulation
This standard was identified in the Consent Decree in the action Serna v Eastin, Case No. BC
174282, as needing to reach a rating of 8 to be deemed compliant.
Additional related stipulations (Section 14) include the development of a district-wide security
plan, the establishment of a district security committee that reviews implementation of the secu-
rity plan, providing an annual public hearing before the board, the encouragement of voluntary
participation of parents in school security patrols and training for parents.
Progress on Recommendations and Recovery Steps
This standard is fully implemented and the Consent Decree stipulations have been met.
• The district has a district-wide security plan, and the district-wide safety committee
continues to meet to review school safety issues.
• Parent volunteers continue to be solicited to participate on district and site com-
mittees. School site safety committees continue to determine site safety concerns
and recommend remedial action to the school administrator and the district office.
Documentation of committee meetings and agendas are verified.
• Security alarms are in place in all district schools. The security alarms are moni-
tored by Advance Alarm. The company notifies district Police Services whenever
an alarm is triggered. The number of property crimes has decreased.
• The governing board has established a Finance sub-committee and a Risk Manage-
ment sub-committee, aimed at reducing district liability and loss.
• Signs are posted on each campus warning against trespassing, and directing visi-
tors to report to the administration office.
• The district participates in the WE-TIP program, an anonymous telephone tip line
for community members to report property crimes against the district. Information
on the WE-TIP program is posted, along with the number 1-800-78-CRIME. The
WE-TIP program provides rewards up to $1,000.
28 Consent Decree Consent Decree 29
Standard Implemented: Fully Implemented - Sustained
February 1999 Rating: 5
August 1999 Rating: 6
February 2000 Rating: 7
August 2000 Rating: 7
February 2001 Rating: 8
August 2001 Rating: 8
February 2002 Rating: 9
August 2002 Rating: 9
February 2003 Rating: 10
August 2003 Rating: 10
Implementation Scale:
Not Fully
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
28 Consent Decree Consent Decree 29
30 Consent Decree Consent Decree 31
CONSENT DECREE
III. School Conditions and Instructional Materials
Section 15. Emergency Drills
a. By September 1, 1999, the State Administrator shall certify that every school site has
the fire warning system required by Education Code Section 32001.
b. The State Administrator shall certify that every school site has an earthquake
emergency procedure system in accordance with Education Code Sections 35296 and
35297.
c. In accordance with Education Code Section 32001, monthly fire drills shall be
conducted at the elementary and intermediate school levels and not less than twice
yearly at the secondary level.
d. In accordance with Education Code 35297, earthquake drop procedures shall be
practiced at least once each school quarter in elementary and intermediate school
levels and at least once a semester at the secondary level.
e. The State Administrator shall require that each principal maintain a written log of fire
drills and earthquake drop procedures. The written log shall be on the form developed
by the State Administrator. The written log shall be available for inspection by the
public. The State Administrator shall periodically conduct reviews to ensure that the
log is being maintained.
FCMAT Facilities Management Standard 1.9 was the standard used to monitor the
district’s compliance with Section 15.
30 Consent Decree Consent Decree 31
Facilities Management Standard 1.9
School Safety - School Site Emergency Procedures Plan
Legal Standard
Each public agency is required to have on file written plans describing procedures to be em-
ployed in case of emergency. [EC 32000-32004, 32040, 35295-35297, 38132, 46390-46392,
49505, GC 3100, 8607]
Consent Decree Stipulation
This standard was identified in the Consent Decree in the action Serna v Eastin, Case No. BC
174282, as needing to reach a rating of 8 to be deemed compliant.
Additional related stipulations (Section 15) include that each school site has a fire warning sys-
tem by September 1, 1999, that each school site has earthquake emergency procedure system,
that fire drills and earthquake drop procedures are conducted according to education code, that
written logs of fire and earthquake drop drills are maintained, that the written logs are available
for public inspection and that the State Administrator conduct periodic reviews to ensure the log
is being maintained.
Progress on Recommendations and Recovery Steps
This standard is fully implemented and the Consent Decree stipulations have been met.
• Written emergency plans are available at the school sites for earthquakes and other
disasters. School site safety plans include fire evacuation plans, bomb threats or
disturbances, and staff assignments in cases of emergencies. The availability of the
school’s site plans are checked during site visitations by district personnel.
• Schools are required to conduct emergency drills according to Education Code
and to maintain records of drills conducted. The school’s records are reviewed by
district personnel. Periodic, unannounced site visits are conducted by FCMAT to
review the written logs of the scheduled drills held on the campus.
• All schools have a fire alarm system in place. Most of the schools have converted
to a strobe fire alarm system.
• The district has worked with the city to establish a community level disaster re-
sponse team to operate out of a centrally located emergency operations center. The
district and city have established the district police department as the Emergency
Operations Center (EOC). The EOC is operational.
• The district responds to site emergencies that are called in to the district office on
the emergency hot line as rapidly as possible.
32 Consent Decree Consent Decree 33
Standard Implemented: Fully Implemented - Sustained
February 1999 Rating: 3
August 1999 Rating: 3
February 2000 Rating: Not Reviewed
August 2000 Rating: 5
February 2001 Rating: 6
August 2001 Rating: 7
February 2002 Rating: 8
August 2002 Rating: 9
February 2003 Rating: 10
August 2003 Rating: 10
Implementation Scale:
Not Fully
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
32 Consent Decree Consent Decree 33
34 Consent Decree Consent Decree 35
CONSENT DECREE
III. School Conditions and Instructional Materials
Section 16. Litter
a. All schools will remain clean and operational and free from graffiti.
b. All playground equipment that is currently unusable will either be repaired or
removed within thirty (30) days of the effective date of this Consent Decree.
Playground equipment that becomes unusable in the future shall be repaired or
removed within thirty (30) days of it becoming unusable.
c. At the start of each school week, the school shall be free of litter. All litter will be
removed on a daily basis while school is in session.
d. Each school site shall develop a community service program in which all children are
encouraged to perform five hours per semester of community service in supervised
litter removal or recycling programs on school facilities or in the neighborhood
surrounding the school site.
FCMAT Facilities Management Standards 1.8 and 1.14 were the standards used to monitor
the district’s compliance with Section 16.
34 Consent Decree Consent Decree 35
Facilities Management Standard 1.8
School Safety - Graffiti and Vandalism Abatement Plan
Professional Standard
The district has a graffiti and vandalism abatement plan. The district should have a written graf-
fiti and abatement plan that is followed by all district employees. The district provides district
employees with sufficient resources to meet the requirements of the abatement plan.
Consent Decree Stipulation
This standard was identified in the Consent Decree in the action Serna v Eastin, Case No. BC
174282, as needing to reach a rating of 8 to be deemed compliant.
Additional related stipulations (Section 16) include that all schools are clean and free from graf-
fiti, that unusable playground equipment is removed or repaired, that schools are free of litter and
that a community service program of five hours per semester has been developed for students.
Progress on Recommendations and Recovery Steps
This standard is fully implemented and the Consent Decree stipulations have been met.
• The district’s graffiti abatement program is one of immediate removal and remains
a major district priority. Monitoring by on-site staff remains key to eliminating
graffiti.
• A district maintenance employee is assigned to remove graffiti at district schools,
visiting each high school every day.
• School custodial staffs target graffiti as a priority for removal every day.
• The district has established an emergency “hot line” (310-639-4321, extension
55377) for the reporting of graffiti that the school custodians cannot handle.
• The district responds speedily to reports of vandalism. The maintenance depart-
ment works cooperatively with the district’s police services to provide cost esti-
mates of any damage to district property to seek restitution from the perpetrators.
• Periodic, unannounced school visits continue to be conducted by FCMAT to moni-
tor compliance with the stipulations. The elementary and middle school campuses
are clean and graffiti-free. The high school campuses remain a constant challenge
for staff.
• The district has changed the high school graduation requirements to include a
required 2.5 credits of community service for students to meet prior to graduation.
The course requirement is the equivalent of 45 hours, or one quarter of a year’s
credits. Students who graduate in 2006 will need to meet this graduation require-
ment. In other community service activities, students are engaged in numerous
campus beautification projects.
36 Consent Decree Consent Decree 37
Standard Implemented: Fully Implemented - Sustained
February 1999 Rating: 6
August 1999 Rating: 6
February 2000 Rating: Not Reviewed
August 2000 Rating: 7
February 2001 Rating: 7
August 2001 Rating: 8
February 2002 Rating: 9
August 2002 Rating: 9
February 2003 Rating: 9
August 2003 Rating: 10
Implementation Scale:
Not Fully
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
36 Consent Decree Consent Decree 37
Facilities Management Standard 1.14
School Safety - Sanitation is Maintained and Fire Hazards are Corrected
Legal Standard
Sanitary, neat and clean conditions of the school premises exist and the premises are free from
conditions that would create a fire hazard. [CCR Title 5 ¤633]
Consent Decree Stipulation
This standard was identified in the Consent Decree in the action Serna v Eastin, Case No. BC
174282, as needing to reach a rating of 8 to be deemed compliant.
Additional related stipulations (Sections 16 and 18) include that all schools are clean and free
from graffiti, that unusable playground equipment is removed or repaired, that schools are free
of litter and that a community service program of five hours per semester has been developed for
students; other stipulations include establishing site committees to inventory and prioritize repair
and maintenance needs, and reporting to the State Administrator and board at least once a semes-
ter.
Progress on Recommendations and Recovery Steps
This standard is fully implemented and the Consent Decree stipulations have been met.
• Plant managers are instructed to perform daily inspections of their site to ensure a
clean, sanitary and safe environment for staff and students.
• School site safety committees continue to make site inspections, and monitor fa-
cilities needs at the school.
• Site inspections are conducted by the Facilities Compliance Coordinator.
• Random, unannounced site inspections continue to keep staff focused on maintain-
ing the cleanliness of the school sites.
• Principals, or their designees, are required to inspect student restrooms three times
a day and to take action to remedy any problems.
• A FCMAT site inspection checklist is used in the site inspection process, and a let-
ter grade is given to a school based on the number of checklist criteria met.
• Two mobile maintenance teams do routine maintenance at school sites.
• Sites are free from fire hazards. Hazardous conditions have already been addressed
by the district. If a random site inspection turns up any potential new hazard, it is
addressed by the district right away.
• All schools have an operational fire alarm system in place.
• Any unusable playground equipment was long ago removed or repaired by the
district in response to the Consent Decree.
• Custodial staffs receive structured monthly training to improve site safety and
cleanliness, and are directed to keep storage areas clean and exits free of obstruc-
tions.
• Training workshops are conducted in collaboration with the district’s Risk Manager.
• Both classified and certificated staff remain responsible for addressing the daily
removal of litter.
• The district has established a district-wide Beautification Committee to approve
site beautification plans and work with sites to support their beautification efforts.
38 Consent Decree Consent Decree 39
Standard Implemented: Fully Implemented - Sustained
February 1999 Rating: 0
August 1999 Rating: 4
February 2000 Rating: Not Reviewed
August 2000 Rating: 6
February 2001 Rating: 6
August 2001 Rating: 7
February 2002 Rating: 8
August 2002 Rating: 9
February 2003 Rating: 10
August 2003 Rating: 10
Implementation Scale:
Not Fully
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
38 Consent Decree Consent Decree 39
40 Consent Decree Consent Decree 41
CONSENT DECREE
III. School Conditions and Instructional Materials
Section 17. Drinking Water
a. Drinking water will be readily available to all school children.
FCMAT Facilities Management Standard 8.10 was the standard used to monitor the
district’s compliance with Section 17.
40 Consent Decree Consent Decree 41
Facilities Management Standard 8.10
Facilities Maintenance and Custodial - Adequate Repair and Supervision of
School Buildings
Legal Standard
The governing board shall keep the school buildings in repair and supervised. [EC 17593]
Consent Decree Stipulation
This standard was identified in the Consent Decree in the action Serna v Eastin, Case No. BC
174282, as needing to reach a rating of 8 to be deemed compliant.
An additional related stipulation (Section 17) includes that drinking water will be readily avail-
able to all students.
Progress on Recommendations and Recovery Steps
This standard is fully implemented and the Consent Decree stipulations have been met.
• Ongoing, random, unannounced site inspections keep staff focused on campus
cleanliness and the safe condition of school site facilities.
• The Facilities Compliance Coordinator visits the sites and uses the FCMAT in-
spection checklist to monitor compliance with Consent Decree stipulations. Exit
conferences are held with the site administrators. Schools are given a letter grade
based on the monitoring checklist.
• Drinking water is readily accessible to students. The condition of student drink-
ing fountains is checked during monthly site inspections. Inoperable fountains are
reported to maintenance staff for correction.
• The district maintains contracts for annual water service to check all water lines
and test for toxic substances.
• Repair work on site facilities is continuous.
Standard Implemented: Fully Implemented - Sustained
February 1999 Rating: 2
August 1999 Rating: Not Reviewed
February 2000 Rating: Not Reviewed
August 2000 Rating: 6
February 2001 Rating: 6
August 2001 Rating: 7
February 2002 Rating: 8
August 2002 Rating: 9
February 2003 Rating: 9
August 2003 Rating: 10
Implementation Scale:
Not Fully
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
42 Consent Decree Consent Decree 43
CONSENT DECREE
III. School Conditions and Instructional Materials
Section 18. Site Committees
a. At each school site, a committee shall be established for the purpose of conducting
an inventory and prioritization of repair and maintenance needs and for performing
other obligations required by this Consent Decree. Existing school site committees
may be used for this purpose so long as their membership is augmented to meet the
requirements of this Section.
b. Composition of the committee.
i. At least sixty percent parents of students attending the school. Such parents
will be selected randomly from among those parents expressing an interest in
participation after notice of the opportunity has been distributed to all parents
at the school.
ii. The remainder shall be composed of administrators, teachers, classified
employees, and interested members of the surrounding community.
c. The site committee shall be constituted at each school within sixty (60) days of the
effective date of this Consent Decree.
d. At least once each semester, the site committee shall prepare a report to the State
Administrator and Advisory Board concerning repair and maintenance needs at the
school.
e. The site committees shall be chaired by a parent who has been trained in committee
and meeting management.
FCMAT Facilities Management Standards 1.12, 1.14, and 9.11 were the standards used to
monitor the district’s compliance with Section 18.
42 Consent Decree Consent Decree 43
Facilities Management Standard 1.12
School Safety - Inspection and Correction of Unsafe Conditions
Legal Standard
Building examinations are performed, and required actions are taken by the governing board
upon report of unsafe conditions. [EC 173679(a)]
Consent Decree Stipulation
This standard was identified in the Consent Decree in the action Serna v Eastin, Case No. BC
174282, as needing to reach a rating of 8 to be deemed compliant.
Additional related stipulations (Sections 9 and 18) include replacing boarded up windows, re-
placing broken windows within 72 hours, affixing a date and time to temporary material placed
on broken windows; establishing site committees to inventory and prioritize repair and mainte-
nance needs, and reporting to the State Administrator and board at least once a semester.
Progress on Recommendations and Recovery Steps
This standard is fully implemented and the Consent Decree stipulations have been met.
• Facilities examinations are regularly performed and required action taken upon any
report of unsafe conditions.
• District personnel conduct periodic, unannounced school site visitations on a
monthly basis to monitor conditions of school facilities. Schools receive a letter
grade based on a criteria checklist.
• The district continues to comply with the speedy replacement of broken windows.
The General Obligation Bond for facilities improvements will allow the district to
replace older windows and frames.
• Schools have organized parent safety committees at each site. The committees
perform site inspections for unsafe or hazardous conditions and forward repair
requests to the maintenance department to address.
• Plant managers are instructed to conduct daily inspections of the site and to imme-
diately report any unsafe condition.
• The district continues to utilize a maintenance request flow chart and forms to
track all maintenance requests from the sites. Logs of the maintenance requests are
kept for each school. Individual sites receive copies of all responses to the requests
generated by the site.
• The district continues to utilize the two mobile maintenance teams for routine
maintenance.
• The maintenance department continues to immediately address emergency calls to
the maintenance hot line (310-639-4321, extension 55377).
• Plant managers have been directed to conduct electrical inspections of their site on
a daily basis and to report in writing, any potentially hazardous electrical condi-
tion. A monthly form for the documentation of these reviews was developed, and
records of the reports from the sites are being maintained.
• Monthly training meetings are held with the plant managers on district procedures
and/or on improving employee skills.
• The district has established a district-wide Beautification Committee to approve
site beautification plans and work with sites to support their beautification efforts.
44 Consent Decree Consent Decree 45
Standard Implemented: Fully Implemented - Sustained
February 1999 Rating: 6
August 1999 Rating: 6
February 2000 Rating: Not Reviewed
August 2000 Rating: 6
February 2001 Rating: 7
August 2001 Rating: 8
February 2002 Rating: 9
August 2002 Rating: 9
February 2003 Rating: 10
August 2003 Rating: 10
Implementation Scale:
Not Fully
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
44 Consent Decree Consent Decree 45
Facilities Management Standard 1.14
School Safety - Sanitation is Maintained and Fire Hazards are Corrected
Legal Standard
Sanitary, neat and clean conditions of the school premises exist and the premises are free from
conditions that would create a fire hazard. [CCR Title 5 ¤633]
Consent Decree Stipulation
This standard was identified in the Consent Decree in the action Serna v Eastin, Case No. BC
174282, as needing to reach a rating of 8 to be deemed compliant.
Additional related stipulations (Sections 16 and 18) include that all schools are clean and free
from graffiti, that unusable playground equipment is removed or repaired, that schools are free
of litter and that a community service program of five hours per semester has been developed for
students; other stipulations include establishing site committees to inventory and prioritize repair
and maintenance needs, and reporting to the State Administrator and board at least once a semes-
ter.
Progress on Recommendations and Recovery Steps
This standard is fully implemented and the Consent Decree stipulations have been met.
• Plant managers are instructed to perform daily inspections of their site to ensure a
clean, sanitary and safe environment for staff and students.
• School site safety committees continue to make site inspections, and monitor fa-
cilities needs at the school.
• Site inspections are conducted by the Facilities Compliance Coordinator.
• Random, unannounced site inspections continue to keep all staff focused on main-
taining the cleanliness of the school sites.
• Principals, or their designees, are required to inspect student restrooms three times
a day and to take action to remedy any problems.
• A FCMAT site inspection checklist is used in the site inspection process, and a let-
ter grade is given to a school based on the number of checklist criteria met.
• Two mobile maintenance teams do routine maintenance at school sites.
• Sites are free from fire hazards. Any hazardous conditions have already been
addressed by the district. If a random site inspection turns up any potential new
hazard, it is addressed by the district right away.
• All schools have an operational fire alarm system in place.
• Any unusable playground equipment was long ago removed or repaired by the
district in response to the Consent Decree.
• Custodial staffs receive structured monthly training to improve site safety and
cleanliness, and are directed to keep storage areas clean and exits free of obstruc-
tions.
• Both classified and certificated staff remain responsible for addressing the daily
removal of litter.
• The district has established a district-wide Beautification Committee to approve
site beautification plans and work with sites to support their beautification efforts.
46 Consent Decree Consent Decree 47
Standard Implemented: Fully Implemented - Sustained
February 1999 Rating: 0
August 1999 Rating: 4
February 2000 Rating: Not Reviewed
August 2000 Rating: 6
February 2001 Rating: 6
August 2001 Rating: 7
February 2002 Rating: 8
August 2002 Rating: 9
February 2003 Rating: 10
August 2003 Rating: 10
Implementation Scale:
Not Fully
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
46 Consent Decree Consent Decree 47
Facilities Management Standard 9.11
Instructional Program Issues - Facilities Reflect Community Standards and
Expectations
Professional Standard
Facilities within the CUSD reflect the standards and expectations established by the community.
Consent Decree Stipulation
This standard was identified in the Consent Decree in the action Serna v Eastin, Case No. BC
174282, as needing to reach a rating of 8 to be deemed compliant.
Additional related stipulations (Section 18) include establishing site committees to inventory and
prioritize repair and maintenance needs, and reporting to the State Administrator and board at
least once a semester.
Progress on Recommendations and Recovery Steps
This standard is fully implemented and the Consent Decree stipulations have been met.
• The district continues to involve community members and parents in various facili-
ties decisions. A representative community committee assisted in the development
of the district’s Comprehensive Facilities Master Plan.
• The district facilities committee was involved in the new elementary school proj-
ect, and in promoting passage of the district’s general obligation bond.
• The district continues to keep parents and the community informed of projects and
improvements in the schools.
• The facilities division has initiated a newsletter to update the community and staff
on the status of facilities projects.
• Site safety committees have been established at each school site. The composi-
tion of the committees are specified in the consent decree and should be composed
largely of parents (60%). The committees are responsible for periodically inspect-
ing their school sites and identifying repair and maintenance priorities. Copies of
agendas and minutes are checked during periodic, unannounced visits to the school
sites.
48 Consent Decree Consent Decree 49
Standard Implemented: Fully Implemented - Substantial
February 1999 Rating: 0
August 1999 Rating: Not Reviewed
February 2000 Rating: 2
August 2000 Rating: 4
February 2001 Rating: 4
August 2001 Rating: 5
February 2002 Rating: 7
August 2002 Rating: 8
February 2003 Rating: 9
August 2003 Rating: 9
Implementation Scale:
Not Fully
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
48 Consent Decree Consent Decree 49
50 Consent Decree Consent Decree 51
CONSENT DECREE
III. School Conditions and Instructional Materials
Section 19. Student Promotion
a. The State Administrator shall develop a draft policy concerning the retention and
promotion of students (“promotional policy”).
b. In drafting the policy, the State Administrator shall consult with the Advisory Board
and with the site committees.
c. Upon completion of the draft promotional policy, one or more public meetings will be
convened to secure the input of parents. Plaintiffs’ counsel shall assist the CUSD in
securing broad parental participation at the public meeting(s).
d. Plaintiffs’ counsel shall provide the State Administrator with written comments on the
draft promotional policy prior to the first public meeting required by subdivision (c).
FCMAT Pupil Achievement Standards 1.5 and 1.16 were the standards used to monitor the
district’s compliance with Section 19.
50 Consent Decree Consent Decree 51
Pupil Achievement Standard 1.5
Preparation of Students - Expectations and Practices
Professional Standard
Expectations and a practice exist to improve the preparation of students and to build a school
structure with the capacity to serve all students.
Consent Decree Stipulation
This standard was identified in the Consent Decree in the action Serna v Eastin, Case No. BC
174282, as needing to reach a rating of 8 to be deemed compliant.
Additional related stipulations (Section 19) include the development of a district policy on stu-
dent promotion and conducting parent meetings to obtain input to the policy.
Progress on Recommendations and Recovery Steps
This standard is fully implemented and the Consent Decree stipulations have been met.
• The promotion/acceleration/retention policy, Policy No. 5123, was revised and ad-
opted on April 11, 2000. Information on the policy is distributed to parents through
the Student and Parent/Guardian Handbook.
• The district has implemented several intervention programs to address low student
performance. Students at the high school who fail a first semester course have to
repeat the failed portion of the course before moving on to the second semester
level. After school tutorials and Saturday school are provided at all high schools
for students who did not pass the CAHSEE high school exit exam.
• Bell schedules for schools have been revised to include banked time for twenty
minimum days for faculty professional development.
• Summer school was made mandatory for students during the summer.
• All professional development activities have focused on the improvement of in-
struction and student achievement.
• New and inexperienced teachers meet regularly with mentor teachers and person-
nel staff members to assist them with classroom management and curriculum and
instruction.
• District graduation requirements were revised to align them to the high school exit
exam.
• Principals continue to be required to spend 40 percent of the school day in class-
rooms or working with teachers on instructional improvement.
• Central office administrators provide assistance in the monitoring of curriculum
delivery. Key Results Visitation teams monitor the quality of instruction provided.
• Students are honored for their academic achievements at Board meetings.
• The district provides a supportive network of supplemental services for students
having academic difficulties. After school and Saturday programs are available
to students and extended summer school programs of eight weeks instead of six
weeks are available.
52 Consent Decree Consent Decree 53
Standard Implemented: Fully Implemented - Substantial
February 1999 Rating: 0
August 1999 Rating: 3
February 2000 Rating: Not Reviewed
August 2000 Rating: 5
February 2001 Rating: 5
August 2001 Rating: 5
February 2002 Rating: 6
August 2002 Rating: 6
February 2003 Rating: 7
August 2003 Rating: 8
Implementation Scale:
Not Fully
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
52 Consent Decree Consent Decree 53
Pupil Achievement Standard 1.16
Common Vision - Practice
Professional Standard
A common vision of what all students should know and be able to do exists and is put into prac-
tice.
Consent Decree Stipulation
This standard was identified in the Consent Decree in the action Serna v Eastin, Case No. BC
174282, as needing to reach a rating of 8 to be deemed compliant.
Additional related stipulations (Section 19) include the development of a district policy on stu-
dent promotion and conducting parent meetings to obtain input to the policy.
Progress on Recommendations and Recovery Steps
This standard is fully implemented and the Consent Decree stipulations have been met.
• The promotion/acceleration/retention policy, Policy No. 5123, was revised and
adopted on April 11, 2000. Information on the policy is distributed annually to
parents through the Student and Parent/Guardian Handbook.
• Each school plan has a mission statement and delineates instructional goals of what
all students should know and be able to do.
• Staff development training in the curricular standards for each core subject focuses
teachers on what they are expected to do in teaching the instructional content.
• Each site has developed a Single Site Plan for Student Achievement to delineate all
support and supplemental services provided to the students.
• The district technology plan has been approved by the state and is being imple-
mented by the district.
• A district library plan has been approved by the school board.
• A Master Plan for English Language Learners has been approved by the governing
board and the state department. The English Language Development curriculum
has been completed for K-12.
• All curriculum guides are being aligned with the content standards.
• Report cards for grades K-5 reflect content and performance standards.
• High School graduation requirements are clearly defined in the Student and Parent/
Guardian Handbook.
• Central office administrators serve as mentors and facilitators for newly hired ad-
ministrators.
54 Consent Decree Consent Decree 55
Standard Implemented: Fully Implemented - Substantial
February 1999 Rating: 0
August 1999 Rating: Not Reviewed
February 2000 Rating: 4
August 2000 Rating: 5
February 2001 Rating: 6
August 2001 Rating: 6
February 2002 Rating: 6
August 2002 Rating: 6
February 2003 Rating: 7
August 2003 Rating: 8
Implementation Scale:
Not Fully
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
54 Consent Decree Consent Decree 55
56 Consent Decree Consent Decree 57
CONSENT DECREE
III. School Conditions and Instructional Materials
Section 20. CBEST
a. Any teacher hired after November 20, 1997 will be employed for no more than two
years without passing CBEST.
b. Each year the State Administrator will produce a public report which will identify
every teacher employed by the CUSD who does not have a clear credential and how
long the employee has been employed.
c. No new teacher will be retained for more than three years if he or she does not obtain
a preliminary credential.
d. The State Administrator shall develop and implement an incentive program to
encourage teachers to obtain a clear credential and to continue their employment with
CUSD once they have obtained such credential.
FCMAT Personnel Management Standard 3.10 was the standard used to monitor the
district’s compliance with Section 20.
56 Consent Decree Consent Decree 57
Personnel Management Standard 3.10
Certificated Recruitment and Selection
Legal Standard
The district limits the number of certificated persons on CBEST waiver. [EC 44252.5]
Consent Decree Stipulations
Section 20 of the Consent Decree in the action Serna v Eastin, Case no. BC 174282, includes the
following stipulations: the district is to identify teachers without clear credentials, produce a pub-
lic report, monitor teachers who have not passed CBEST, release teachers who have not passed
CBEST after two years or who have not obtained a preliminary credential after three years, pro-
vide an incentive program to teachers to obtain an appropriate credential.
Progress on Recommendations and Recovery Steps
This standard is fully implemented and the Consent Decree stipulations have been met.
• The district continues to limit the number of teachers on CBEST waivers.
• The percent of total teaching staff with clear credentials continues to increase.
• The number of teachers in the Pre-Intern and Intern programs continues to expand.
• All new, non-credentialed teachers who have not met the subject matter requirement are
required to participate in the district’s Pre-Intern program as a condition of employment,
or are required to provide, within six months of employment, documentation that they
are participating in another intern program working towards a credential, and ongoing
evidence of completion of a minimum of six units per year toward their credential.
• The district provides a differentiated salary schedule, paying credentialed teachers at a
higher level than non-credentialed teachers, providing a strong incentive for teachers to
become credentialed as quickly as possible.
• The district is complying with the Consent Decree to release teachers who have not
passed CBEST after two years. To minimize the disruption to student instruction, the
parties to the Consent Decree have agreed that teachers may be released at the end of the
school year.
• The district has utilized Teaching as a Priority Program (TAP) funds to provide incen-
tives for recruiting and retaining credentialed teachers in the district.
• The district continues to provide preparation for the CBEST exam prior to each adminis-
tration of the exam during the school year. Staff training is provided at no expense to the
teachers, and the district provides support and coaching from experienced teachers.
• The Beginning Teacher Support and Assessment Program (BTSA) provides coaching
support to first and second year probationary teachers.
• The district provides support to teachers through the Peer Assistance and Review Pro-
gram (PAR).
• The district continues to comply with the Consent Decree stipulations to identify teach-
ers without clear credentials, to monitor teachers who have not passed the CBEST, and
to release teachers who have not passed CBEST or obtained a preliminary credential
after three years. A report dated January 29, 2003 indicated the number and percent of
credentialed and non-credentialed teachers in the district.
58 Consent Decree Consent Decree 59
Standard Implemented: Fully Implemented - Sustained
February 1999 Rating: 8
August 1999 Rating: Not Reviewed
February 2000 Rating: Not Reviewed
August 2000 Rating: 8
February 2001 Rating: 8
August 2001 Rating: 9
February 2002 Rating: 10
August 2002 Rating: 10
February 2003 Rating: 10
August 2003 Rating: 10
Implementation Scale:
Not Fully
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
58 Consent Decree Consent Decree 59
60 Consent Decree Consent Decree 61
CONSENT DECREE
III. School Conditions and Instructional Materials
Section 21. Food Service
The results of any inspection by the Los Angeles County Health Department shall be shared with
the site committee at the school where the food service facility is located.
FCMAT Facilities Management Standard 9.3 was the standard used to monitor the
district’s compliance with Section 21.
60 Consent Decree Consent Decree 61
Facilities Management Standard 9.3
Instructional Program Issues - Lunch Areas are Warm, Healthful and Safe
Legal Standard
The governing board shall provide a warm, healthful place in which children who bring their
own lunches to school may eat their lunch. [EC 17573, CCR Title 5 ¤14030]
Consent Decree Stipulation
This standard was identified in the Consent Decree in the action Serna v Eastin, Case No. BC
174282, as needing to reach a rating of 8 to be deemed compliant.
An additional related stipulation (Section 21) includes that any inspections conducted by the Los
Angeles County Health Department should be shared with the school site committee.
Progress on Recommendations and Recovery Steps
This standard is fully implemented and the Consent Decree stipulations have been met.
• Five cafeterias at the three high schools and Roosevelt and Whaley Middle Schools have
been remodeled to make them more attractive and to increase student lunch participation.
• High schools have been equipped with four outdoor kiosks at each site to provide a vari-
ety of lunch options for students, in addition to the cafeteria lunch.
• Colorfully painted trash barrels have been placed in the lunch courtyards.
• Additional outdoor benches have been provided for students.
• Heating is provided to all cafeterias.
• Shade structures to enhance the outdoor lunch areas have been erected at Roosevelt El-
ementary and Roosevelt Middle Schools.
• Attractive, new marquis messaging boards have been installed at the three high schools to
announce upcoming school activities.
• District modernization projects will provide modernized school lunch rooms and other
areas of campus for students to enjoy their lunches.
• Inspections of site cafeterias by the Los Angeles County Health Department are shared
with the school site administrators to share with the school site councils.
• All district cafeteria managers and cooks participate in the Serve-Safe national certifica-
tion program, and three district food services employees are trainers in this certification
program.
• Training in food safety and service is provided regularly for all employees.
62 Consent Decree Consent Decree 63
Standard Implemented: Fully Implemented - Substantial
February 1999 Rating: 3
August 1999 Rating: Not Reviewed
February 2000 Rating: Not Reviewed
August 2000 Rating: 4
February 2001 Rating: 4
August 2001 Rating: 4
February 2002 Rating: 6
August 2002 Rating: 7
February 2003 Rating: 8
August 2003 Rating: 8
Implementation Scale:
Not Fully
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
62 Consent Decree Consent Decree 63
64 Consent Decree Consent Decree 65
CONSENT DECREE
III. School Conditions and Instructional Materials
Section 22. Central Telephone Number for Facilities Complaints
a. The State Administrator shall establish a central telephone number for the purpose of
receiving complaints about condition of school facilities.
b. The telephone number shall be distributed to all parents at the beginning of each
school semester and shall be posted in prominent places at all school sites.
c. All telephone calls shall be recorded on a form developed by the State Administrator.
The form shall require information that will ensure that the State Administrator can
prepare a quarterly report that provides information concerning the nature of the
calls received, the number of calls received, the school that each call concerned, and
the disposition of any complaints received. The quarterly report shall be provided to
counsel for plaintiffs and defendants and shall be available to the public.
FCMAT Facilities Management Standard 11.2 was the standard used to monitor the
district’s compliance with Section 22.
64 Consent Decree Consent Decree 65
Facilities Management Standard 11.2
Communication - Communication of Actions Taken, Planned, Progress Made
Professional Standard
The district should apprise students, staff and community of efforts to rectify any substandard
conditions.
Consent Decree Stipulations
Section 22 of the Consent Decree in the action Serna v Eastin, Case No. BC 174282, includes the
following stipulations: the district is to establish a central telephone number for complaints about
the condition of school facilities, distribute and post the telephone number for the public, develop
a form for recording calls, record all calls on the developed form, prepare quarterly reports con-
cerning the calls received at the school and district levels.
Progress on Recommendations and Recovery Steps
This standard is fully implemented and the Consent Decree stipulations have been met.
• The district provides ongoing communication about the district’s activities and positive
achievements to its community.
• The Facilities Division provides monthly project status reports to the governing board.
• The district effectively communicated its facilities needs to its community and success-
fully passed an $80 million local general obligation bond in November 2002 with a com-
munity approval rate of more than 80%.
• Complaints can be made through the district’s Emergency Hot-Line, anonymously
through the WE-TIP program, or at open Board meetings.
• The district participates in the WE-TIP hot-line program, which provides a means for
community members to anonymously report facilities concerns or problems to the dis-
trict.
• Public complaints are also received through the district’s central telephone number, the
public information office, or the superintendent’s office. School complaints are generally
referred to the site principal for resolution. Complaints about security issues are made to
the Police Services department. Facilities complaints are made to school principals, board
members or the superintendent.
66 Consent Decree Consent Decree 67
Standard Implemented: Fully Implemented - Substantial
February 1999 Rating: 9
August 1999 Rating: Not Reviewed
February 2000 Rating: Not Reviewed
August 2000 Rating: 7
February 2001 Rating: 7
August 2001 Rating: 7
February 2002 Rating: 8
August 2002 Rating: 8
February 2003 Rating: 8
August 2003 Rating: 9
Implementation Scale:
Not Fully
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
66 Consent Decree Consent Decree 67
68 Consent Decree Consent Decree 69
CONSENT DECREE
III. School Conditions and Instructional Materials
Section 23. Volunteerism
a. The District shall actively recruit parents to volunteer at school sites both during
hours that school is in session and other periods. The State Administrator shall
develop a parent involvement plan that includes strategies for recruiting and utilizing
parent volunteers to carry out the terms of this Consent Decree.
b. Volunteers shall be recruited to assist in security campus patrols, maintenance and
litter removal, and after-school tutoring programs. Plaintiffs’ counsel shall actively
assist in recruiting other parents to do volunteer work. Parents will be encouraged to
perform at least 40 hours of volunteer work per year at their child’s school.
c. The principal of each school, using a form developed by the State Administrator, shall
keep a record of the number of volunteer hours at each school site.
d. The State Administrator shall on a monthly basis present a certificate of appreciation
to the volunteer of the month from each school. The certificate shall be presented at a
public meeting, such as a meeting of the Advisory Board.
FCMAT Facilities Management Standard 10.1 was the standard used to monitor the
district’s compliance with Section 23.
68 Consent Decree Consent Decree 69
Facilities Management Standard 10.1
Community Use of Facilities - Plan to Promote Community Involvement in Schools
Professional Standard
The district should have a plan to promote community involvement in schools.
Consent Decree Stipulations
Section 23 of the Consent Decree in the action Serna v Eastin, Case No. BC 174282, includes
the following stipulations: the district is to develop a parent involvement plan, develop a form to
record voluntarism, recruit parents to volunteer 40 hours per year, keep records of the number of
volunteer hours at the schools, conduct monthly recognition programs and provide a certificate to
the volunteer of the month.
Progress on Recommendations and Recovery Steps
This standard is fully implemented and the Consent Decree stipulations have been met.
• The district continues to promote community involvement in its schools, and continues to
implement the “Volunteers in Public Schools” (VIPS) guide developed in the 1999-2000
school year.
• Schools continue to monitor volunteer participation and the number of parent volunteer
hours with sign-in sheets that are monitored by district staff.
• Training workshops continue to be provided to parents and school volunteers.
• Each school has at least one or more parent coordinators to promote parent involvement
and assist parents in volunteer activities.
• Community input is regularly sought by the district. The district holds parent forums
regularly to hear parents’ concerns and suggestions for improving district programs and
operations.
• The district established a district-wide Beautification Committee to approve site beautifi-
cation plans and work with sites to support their beautification efforts.
• The district continues to provide training workshops to its classified personnel, particu-
larly front office staff, about providing a “customer service” attitude to parents and school
visitors.
• Parent handbooks are updated at the beginning of the school year and distributed to stu-
dents and parents.
• Parent centers are available at 14 of 34 school sites, and all schools have a designated
area for parents to meet. Parent centers are included in the district’s Comprehensive Fa-
cilities Master Plan as part of the planned modernization projects.
• The district conducts an annual volunteer recognition dinner at the end of the school year
to show its appreciation for the many outstanding parent and community volunteers who
have worked with the schools
• Parent involvement is a major component of several grant programs awarded to the dis-
trict.
70 Consent Decree Consent Decree 71
Standard Implemented: Fully Implemented - Sustained
February 1999 Rating: 8
August 1999 Rating: Not Reviewed
February 2000 Rating: Not Reviewed
August 2000 Rating: 8
February 2001 Rating: 9
August 2001 Rating: 10
February 2002 Rating: 10
August 2002 Rating: 10
February 2003 Rating: 10
August 2003 Rating: 10
Implementation Scale:
Not Fully
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
70 Consent Decree Consent Decree 71
72 Consent Decree Consent Decree 73
CONSENT DECREE
III. School Conditions and Instructional Materials
Section 24. Race Relations
a. The State Administrator shall develop a program to incorporate race relations and
nonviolent conflict resolution into the ongoing course of study of all students. In
addition, the plan shall encourage the participation of parents in the course of study.
FCMAT Pupil Achievement Standard 1.10 was the standard used to monitor the district’s
compliance with Section 24.
72 Consent Decree Consent Decree 73
Pupil Achievement Standard 1.10
Variety of Instructional Strategies - Student Diversity
Professional Standard
Teachers use a variety of instructional strategies and resources that address their students’ diverse
needs.
Consent Decree Stipulation
This standard was identified in the Consent Decree in the action Serna v Eastin, Case No. BC
174282, as needing to reach a rating of 8 to be deemed compliant.
Additional related stipulations (Section 24) include the development of a program in race rela-
tions in an ongoing course of study for all students, and the encouragement of parent participa-
tion in the program.
Progress on Recommendations and Recovery Steps
This standard is fully implemented and the Consent Decree stipulations have been met.
• The district purchased instructional materials on the Latino experience and the African-
American experience for use in the classroom.
• District desegregation funds have increased the availability of Spanish supplemental ma-
terials in the school libraries.
• The district is revising the History/Social Science curriculum to include further study of
the various ethnic populations that are reflected in the student population.
• All of the high schools have a student Human Relations Club.
• Programs for students in Conflict Resolution and Peer Mediation are implemented in the
schools. Many schools have an Advisory period, available to work directly on student is-
sues.
• Staff development emphasis is on differentiation of instruction.
• Varied instructional strategies are being observed during classroom observations conduct-
ed. Teachers are observed “checking for understanding.” Teachers are required to prepare
and submit lesson plans that are reviewed by site administrators. High school teachers
prepare a course syllabus for each semester class.
• All staff development activities use student data as the basis for determining teacher
training needs.
• A major professional development thrust is providing training for the implementation of
the Master Plan for English Learners.
• Test scores have improved in the schools, particularly at the elementary and middle
schools where the greatest gains have been made.
74 Consent Decree Consent Decree 75
Standard Implemented: Fully Implemented - Substantial
February 1999 Rating: 0
August 1999 Rating: Not Reviewed
February 2000 Rating: 3
August 2000 Rating: 4
February 2001 Rating: 4
August 2001 Rating: 5
February 2002 Rating: 6
August 2002 Rating: 7
February 2003 Rating: 7
August 2003 Rating: 8
Implementation Scale:
Not Fully
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
74 Consent Decree Consent Decree 75
76 Consent Decree Consent Decree 77
CONSENT DECREE
III. School Conditions and Instructional Materials
Section 25. Additional Compliance Requirements
a. Facilities Plan. A comprehensive facilities plan is currently being developed by
CUSD. Upon completion of that plan, defendants shall submit to the Fiscal Crisis
and Management Assistance Team (“FCMAT”) an implementation plan to implement
all recommendations of the facilities plan including specific timelines. FCMAT shall
solicit comments from plaintiffs’ counsel on the proposed implementation plan prior to
its approval. FCMAT shall approve, with such modifications as it deems appropriate,
the plan within 60 days of its submission. The implementation plan shall provide that
all recommendations of the facilities plan are implemented at the earliest feasible
date, and as part of the approval process, FCAMT shall issue detailed findings setting
forth the reason each timeline was chosen. Defendants shall make a good faith effort
to implement such implementation plan.
c. During the period of this Consent Decree, the proceeds of any local CUSD bonds
or other local CUSD borrowing instruments shall be used solely to implement the
facilities plan required by Section 25(a) until such plan is fully implemented or for
such other capital expenditures determined by FCMAT to be necessary or appropriate
to implement the FCMAT recovery plans until such plans are fully implemented.
FCMAT Facilities Management Standards 2.1 and 3.10 were the standards used to monitor
the district’s compliance with Section 25a and 25c.
76 Consent Decree Consent Decree 77
Facilities Management Standard 2.1
Facility Planning - Maintenance of a Long-Range Facilities Master Plan
Professional Standard
Compton Unified School District should have a long-range school facilities master plan.
Consent Decree Stipulation
This standard was identified in the Consent Decree in the action Serna v Eastin, Case No. BC
174282, as needing to reach a rating of 8 to be deemed compliant.
Additional related stipulations (Section 25) include developing a comprehensive facilities plan
with time lines, submitting the plan to FCMAT for approval, and FCMAT soliciting comments
from plaintiff’s counsel.
Progress on Recommendations and Recovery Steps
This standard is fully implemented and the Consent Decree stipulations have been met.
• The board adopted a long-range Comprehensive Facilities Master Plan on July 13, 1999.
The district completed a Facilities Implementation Plan which was approved by FCMAT
effective August 10, 2001. The implementation plan provides a timeline and priority for
modernization and new construction projects.
• All district facilities projects are based on the long-range Facilities Master Plan. Deci-
sions about the use of the district’s deferred maintenance funds are guided by the Plan.
• All of the district’s modernization and new construction projects were approved by DSA
and OPSC and have awaited the availability of state funds.
• The state’s General Obligation Bond, Proposition 47, was passed in November 2002.
• The district’s local $80 million General Obligation Bond, Measure I, was passed in No-
vember 2002. The district has established a bond oversight committee to ensure that the
bond proceeds are utilized as the voters intended.
• The district approved a Certificate of Participation for $19 million to build the William
Jefferson Clinton Elementary School which opened to students in January 2003 and ac-
commodates 850 students.
• The district has moved excess portables from Roosevelt, Kelly and Foster Elementary
Schools to house students at Centennial High School, the first school targeted for major
modernization work.
78 Consent Decree Consent Decree 79
Standard Implemented: Fully Implemented - Sustained
February 1999 Rating: 0
August 1999 Rating: 5
February 2000 Rating: 6
August 2000 Rating: 7
February 2001 Rating: 8
August 2001 Rating: 9
February 2002 Rating: 10
August 2002 Rating: 10
February 2003 Rating: 10
August 2003 Rating: 10
Implementation Scale:
Not Fully
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
78 Consent Decree Consent Decree 79
Facilities Management Standard 3.10
Facilities Improvement and Modernization - Plan for Maintenance and
Modernization Exists
Legal Standard
The CUSD maintains a plan for the maintenance and modernization of its facilities. [EC 17366]
Consent Decree Stipulation
This standard was identified in the Consent Decree in the action Serna v Eastin, Case No. BC
174282, as needing to reach a rating of 8 to be deemed compliant.
Additional related stipulations (Section 25) include developing a comprehensive facilities imple-
mentation plan with time lines, submitting the plan to FCMAT for approval, and FCMAT solicit-
ing comments from plaintiff’s counsel.
Progress on Recommendations and Recovery Steps
This standard is fully implemented and the Consent Decree stipulations have been met.
• The district developed a Comprehensive Facilities Master Plan, adopted by the Board in
July 1999.
• The district completed a Facilities Implementation Plan, approved by FCMAT effective
August 10, 2001, to implement the district’s Comprehensive Facilities Master Plan. The
plan identifies sources of district general funds and provides a priority for the completion
of construction projects.
• All district facilities projects are based on the long-range Facilities Master Plan. Deci-
sions about the use of the district’s deferred maintenance funds are being guided by the
Plan.
• The district has established a bond oversight committee to ensure that the bond proceeds
from the district’s $80 million local general obligation bond are utilized as the voters
intended.
80 Consent Decree Consent Decree 81
Standard Implemented: Fully Implemented - Sustained
February 1999 Rating: 0
August 1999 Rating: Not Reviewed
February 2000 Rating: Not Reviewed
August 2000 Rating: 6
February 2001 Rating: 6
August 2001 Rating: 7
February 2002 Rating: 8
August 2002 Rating: 9
February 2003 Rating: 9
August 2003 Rating: 10
Implementation Scale:
Not Fully
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
80 Consent Decree Consent Decree 81
82 Consent Decree Consent Decree 83
CONSENT DECREE
III. School Conditions and Instructional Materials
Section 25. Additional Compliance Requirements
b. FCMAT has prepared five recovery plans for CUSD: Pupil Achievement; Financial
Management; Facilities Management; Personnel Management; and Community
Relations. In each of these five plans, FCMAT has identified specific legal and
Professional Standards by which to assess CUSD’s compliance. In connection with
each standard, FCMAT has measured CUSD’s progress using a 10-point scale, with
a scaled score of “0” representing a standard that is not implemented and a scaled
score of “10” representing a standard that is fully implemented. The standards of the
Pupil Achievement recovery plan and Facilities recovery plan are made a part of this
Consent Decree and shall be subject to the compliance requirements of this Consent
Decree.
(i) A list of standards for the Pupil Achievement recovery plan and Facilities
recovery plan, including the current scaled scores is set forth in Exhibit “A”
attached hereto and incorporated by reference. Any standard that has a scaled
score of 8, 9, or 10 shall be deemed to have been implemented. Any standard
that has a scaled score of less than 8 shall be addressed and improved by
defendants. Compliance with a recovery plan’s standards shall be deemed
satisfied when FCMAT certifies that defendants have achieved an average
scaled score for all such standards of 7.5 and no standard has received a
scaled score of less than 4. In addition, compliance shall not be deemed
achieved unless the following standards have received a score of at least 8:
1) Pupil Achievement: 1.2; 1.4; 1.5; 1.10; 1.11; 1.16; 1.20; 1.21; 1.23;
1.25; 2.3; 2.6; 2.9; 2.10
2) Facilities: 1.3; 1.6; 1.7; 1.8; 1.9; 1.12; 1.14; 1.17; 2.1; 2.3; 2.4; 2.5;
2.6; 3.4; 3.8; 3.10; 6.2; 6.3; 8.5; 8.6; 8.8; 8.9; 8.10; 8.12; 9.3; 9.4; 9.7;
9.8; 9.10; 9.11.
(ii) Within 60 days of the approval of this Consent Decree, defendants shall
submit to FCMAT a proposed timeline to implement the Pupil Achievement
recovery plan and Facilities recovery plan. FCMAT shall solicit comments
from plaintiffs’ counsel on the proposed timelines prior to its approval.
FCMAT shall approve, with such modifications as it deems appropriate, the
timelines within 60 days of its submission. The timelines shall provide that
all recommendations of these recovery plans are implemented at the earliest
feasible date, and FCMAT shall issue detailed findings setting forth the reason
each timeline was chosen.
(iii) In the event that defendants are unable to comply with any timeline,
defendants may apply to the Special Master for an extension of time upon
a showing of good cause. Absent an extension, plaintiffs may apply to the
Special Master for specific orders directing particular actions to bring CUSD
into compliance.
82 Consent Decree Consent Decree 83
The FCMAT standards identified in the Consent Decree Section 25b as needing to reach a
rating of 8 to be deemed compliant follow on the next pages of this report.
Charts of the Pupil Achievement and Facilities Management standards are included to provide an
overview of the ratings of the standards over time and the status of their implementation.
84 Consent Decree
Pupil Achievement Standards
The following standards were identified as needing to reach a rating of 8 to be deemed compli-
ant. If not already presented in response to a Section of the Consent Decree, these standards ap-
pear in the following pages. A chart of the Pupil Achievement standards is included to provide an
overview of the ratings of the standards over time and the status of their implementation.
1.2 See Consent Decree Section 13
1.4
1.5 See Consent Decree Section 19
1.10 See Consent Decree Section 24
1.11 See Consent Decree Section 13
1.16 See Consent Decree Section 19
1.20
1.21
1.23
1.25 See Consent Decree Section 8
2.3
2.6
2.9
2.10
Pupil Achievement 1
2 Pupil Achievement Pupil Achievement 3
1.4 Multiple Assessment Tools - Program Adjustment
Professional Standard
The district has adopted multiple assessment tools, including diagnostic assessments, to evaluate,
improve, or adjust programs and resources.
Consent Decree Stipulation
This standard was identified in the Consent Decree in the action Serna v Eastin, Case No. BC
174282, as needing to reach a rating of 8 to be deemed compliant.
Progress on Recommendations and Recovery Steps
This standard is fully implemented and the Consent Decree stipulation has been met.
• The district utilizes multiple diagnostic assessments to measure students’ academic per-
formance. The Assessment Plan has been developed, presented, and disseminated to all
principals and site testing coordinators.
• State required tests and other district assessments, for diagnostic and student placement
purposes, are used in the district.
• Schools receive assessment results for all district and state assessments for use in develop-
ing their individual school plan for student achievement. All schools submit a site testing
plan for administering the STAR and CAHSEE.
• The CAHSEE is administered at least three times to all 11th graders.
• The district has a remediation plan for students who have not passed one or both portions
of the CAHSEE exams. Middle school and high school administrators and teachers par-
ticipate in CAHSEE trainings provided by UC Irvine, the Pulliam Group, Kaplan, Target
Teach, and Riverdeep Math.
• Test results are disaggregated, summarized and presented to Executive Cabinet, princi-
pals and teachers.
• Assessments are also imbedded in adopted curriculum materials such as Open Court, Lan-
guage! and Saxon Math, providing teachers with immediate feedback on students’ perfor-
mance.
• District writing assessments are administered 4 times a year. Teachers score writing as-
sessments using a 4-point rubric that is aligned with the state standards and CAHSEE.
• School Academic Performance Index (API) scores are increasing, although there are
several schools that continue to have difficulty meeting their performance growth targets.
Most district schools participate in a school improvement program such as the CSRD,
II/USP, or Program Improvement program.
2 Pupil Achievement Pupil Achievement 3
Standard Implemented: Fully - Substantial
February 1999 Rating: 0
August 1999 Rating: 2
February 2000 Rating: 4
August 2000 Rating: 6
February 2001 Rating: 6
August 2001 Rating: 6
February 2002 Rating: 6
August 2002 Rating: 7
February 2003 Rating: 8
August 2003 Rating: 8
Implementation Scale:
Not Fully
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
4 Pupil Achievement Pupil Achievement 5
1.20 Administrative Support and Coaching - Teachers
Professional Standard
Administrative support and coaching are provided to all teachers.
Consent Decree Stipulation
This standard was identified in the Consent Decree in the action Serna v Eastin, Case No. BC
174282, as needing to reach a rating of 8 to be deemed compliant.
Progress on Recommendations and Recovery Steps
This standard is fully implemented and the Consent Decree stipulation has been met.
• Coaching of teachers is provided by site administrators, curriculum specialists, UC sub-
ject matter consultants, and outside consultants.
• Principals have been trained in coaching strategies.
• Coaching and classroom support is expected to be consistent and frequent, especially for
newly hired teachers and those with emergency credentials.
• All new district programs implemented include coaching of teachers as a major strategy
to be provided by all service providers.
• The certificated evaluation form has been revised to include the California Standards for
the Teaching Profession as desired teaching outcomes. Principals are still required to be in
the classrooms or engaged in instructional activities for 40% of the day to address instruc-
tional improvement.
• Principals are evaluated by the superintendent, with input from the division associate su-
perintendents. The principal’s evaluation process includes curriculum oversight and time
in the classroom.
• Key Results visitations are conducted at the elementary schools. These are internal re-
views by district administrative teams of the school site and classrooms. Findings and
recommendations are shared with the principal before the review team leaves the school.
• Division associate superintendents meet with site administrators at least once a month,
and visit schools frequently.
• School schedules were modified to include "banked time" for staff development. Late en-
try Mondays or adjusted Mondays provided a block period of time for staff development
and instructional support.
• The Office of Research, Evaluation, and Assessment continues to assist the district and
school sites by providing relevant student information to assist in staff and project devel-
opment.
4 Pupil Achievement Pupil Achievement 5
Standard Implemented: Fully - Substantial
February 1999 Rating: 0
August 1999 Rating: 3
February 2000 Rating: 4
August 2000 Rating: 5
February 2001 Rating: 6
August 2001 Rating: 6
February 2002 Rating: 7
August 2002 Rating: 7
February 2003 Rating: 8
August 2003 Rating: 8
Implementation Scale:
Not Fully
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
6 Pupil Achievement Pupil Achievement 7
1.21 Professional Development - Personnel Evaluation
Professional Standard
Professional development is linked to personnel evaluation.
Consent Decree Stipulation
This standard was identified in the Consent Decree in the action Serna v Eastin, Case No. BC
174282, as needing to reach a rating of 8 to be deemed compliant.
Progress on Recommendations and Recovery Steps
This standard is fully implemented and the Consent Decree stipulation has been met.
• The certificated evaluation form was revised to align with the California Standards for the
Teaching Profession. Principals have been trained to use the revised evaluation form and
to base classroom observations on these standards.
• The district’s Peer Assistance and Review Program (PAR) provides a link between pro-
fessional development and individual teacher performance. The PAR program provides
a plan of assistance to teachers who are performing at a less than satisfactory level, and
provides coaching support to probationary teachers. The district has assigned three teach-
ers as full-time consultants to support teachers who need assistance.
• Principals are expected to spend forty percent of their day in the classroom or in related
instructional activities. Principals’ evaluations include their effectiveness in supervising
faculty and staff, and monitoring curriculum, which includes significant documentation.
• The division associate superintendents work with principals to ensure that they monitor
the delivery of instruction in the classroom.
• Numerous staff development is provided to improve the skills and performance of the
instructional staff.
• Teachers needing assistance can receive appropriate staff development training.
Standard Implemented: Fully - Substantial
February 1999 Rating: 0
August 1999 Rating: 3
February 2000 Rating: 4
August 2000 Rating: 5
February 2001 Rating: 5
August 2001 Rating: 5
February 2002 Rating: 7
August 2002 Rating: 7
February 2003 Rating: 8
August 2003 Rating: 8
Implementation Scale:
Not Fully
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
6 Pupil Achievement Pupil Achievement 7
1.23 Initial Student Placement - Procedures
Professional Standard
Initial placement procedures are in place to ensure the timely and appropriate placement of all
students with particular emphases being placed on students with special needs.
Consent Decree Stipulation
This standard was identified in the Consent Decree in the action Serna v Eastin, Case No. BC
174282, as needing to reach a rating of 8 to be deemed compliant.
Progress on Recommendations and Recovery Steps
This standard is partially implemented and the Consent Decree stipulation has not yet been met.
Special Education:
• A Student Orientation Center was established on September 3, 2002 at 417 West Alondra
Avenue to receive all students new to the district for enrollment, assessment and appropri-
ate placement. Initial Student Placement Procedures and a Tracking Form have been de-
veloped. Training has been provided to site administrators on the process and procedures
of initial placement. The Center provides support services for Special Education; English
Language Learners; Child Welfare and Attendance; Health, Human and Homeless Ser-
vices; and some Alternative Education services such as a district suspension classroom.
• Site administrators continue to assist the student placement process by making sure that
master schedules in the middle and high schools provide appropriate course offerings for
English learners and special needs students.
• The Special Education Handbook of Policies and Procedures has been revised. Special
Education compliance protocols and procedures have been developed for monitoring of
special education services. The protocols summarize the administrative responsibilities of
site administrators in the SST, IEP, and 504 processes.
• District Special Education administrators are located at the New Student Orientation Cen-
ter. The school psychologists have work stations at the New Student Orientation Center
and are assigned to specific school sites to provide services to the students at their as-
signed sites.
• The Special Education administration has developed a Proposed Action Plan in response
to non-compliance issues. The plan is in draft form but implementation has begun.
• The district has developed a Voluntary Resolution Plan in response to OCR concerns to
ensure that it has sufficient numbers of appropriate staff to identify and address the special
education and linguistic needs of English language learners.
• Intervention programs include after school tutorials, additional class periods or an exten-
sion of the student’s day, and mandatory summer school attendance.
• The district’s technology department provides data reports on the status of student IEP’s,
Triennials, and Student Suspensions to support regular monitoring. The district is able to
monitor, by site, any overdue triennial or IEP on a monthly basis to take timely action.
• The curriculum for special education is enhanced by 270 lessons in the Language! Pro-
gram for use with ELD and special education students in grades 6-12. A workability
program resource center has been established at Willowbrook Middle School.
8 Pupil Achievement Pupil Achievement 9
English Language Learners:
• The Master Plan for English Learners is being implemented. The Master Plan was ad-
opted by the governing board on December 10, 2002, and has been approved by the state
department.
• The district has been visited by the Comité during 2002-03, and has worked strenuously
to address the many areas of non-compliance in the English language learner program
cited by the Comité. The district has addressed most of the areas of non-compliance.
• HRED monitors the credentials of staff who work with English learners to ensure that
qualified teachers have been assigned to deliver ELD and core curriculum to English
learners.
• The Center employs eleven language assessors to assess all students who register at the
New Student Orientation Center. All language assessors are trained to conduct CELDT
tests.
• Appropriate assessments are conducted based on the Home Language Survey.
• Board Policy No. 6174 Education for English Language Learners was revised.
• The district developed ELL district benchmarks, and ELL checklists for both elementary
and secondary principals to monitor the ELL programs at their sites.
• The district has developed new program descriptions for program placement. The district
provides Structured English Immersion classes and two Spanish immersion programs
at Emerson and Tibby Elementary Schools. Course descriptions have been written for
Specially Designed Academic Instruction in English (SDAIE) for all courses required for
graduation. English language development (ELD) course descriptions have been written
for English language development classes.
• An ELD Curriculum Guide has been developed and disseminated to teachers. High Point
and Into English are used in grades 4-12 as the textbooks in ELD classrooms. Additional
support materials have been purchased for all levels.
• The district continues to implement a Voluntary Resolution Plan (VRP) to address issues
raised by the Office for Civil Rights. The district hired a Compliance Officer to respond to
complaints or issues.
• The district must maintain and continue its efforts to provide appropriate services to all
students.
8 Pupil Achievement Pupil Achievement 9
Standard Implemented: Partially
February 1999 Rating: 0
August 1999 Rating: 1
February 2000 Rating: 3
August 2000 Rating: 4
February 2001 Rating: 4
August 2001 Rating: 4
February 2002 Rating: 6
August 2002 Rating: 6
February 2003 Rating: 7
August 2003 Rating: 7
Implementation Scale:
Not Fully
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
10 Pupil Achievement Pupil Achievement 11
2.3 Class Time - Protected for Student Learning
Legal Standard
Class time is protected for student learning. (EC 32212)
Consent Decree Stipulation
This standard was identified in the Consent Decree in the action Serna v Eastin, Case No. BC
174282, as needing to reach a rating of 8 to be deemed compliant.
Progress on Recommendations and Recovery Steps
This standard is fully implemented and the Consent Decree stipulation has been met.
• The district has a board policy that addresses student learning time which is sent to the
schools each year.
• The protection of class time for instruction and student learning continues to be a required
element in each school’s improvement plan. Strategies are developed by teachers at each
site, made part of the school improvement plan, and posted in each classroom. Strategies
include ways to reduce classroom interruptions.
• Instructional time for students continues to be extended beyond the regular instructional
day and year with opportunities for Saturday school, after school tutorial programs, and
summer extended year programs.
• In Spring 2003, the Superintendent placed a moratorium on field trips scheduled to be
taken during the instructional day from January to the end of the STAR testing period.
• The Superintendent has also made it a goal for principals to improve their school student
and staff attendance, targeting a 96% attendance rate for elementary students, a 95%
attendance rate for middle school students, and a 94% attendance rate for high school
students.
Standard Implemented: Fully - Sustained
February 1999 Rating: 6
August 1999 Rating: Not Reviewed
February 2000 Rating: Not Reviewed
August 2000 Rating: 7
February 2001 Rating: 8
August 2001 Rating: 8
February 2002 Rating: 9
August 2002 Rating: 9
February 2003 Rating: 10
August 2003 Rating: 10
Implementation Scale:
Not Fully
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
10 Pupil Achievement Pupil Achievement 11
2.6 General Instructional Programs
Legal Standard
The general instructional program adheres to all requirements put forth in EC 51000-52950.
Consent Decree Stipulation
This standard was identified in the Consent Decree in the action Serna v Eastin, Case No. BC
174282, as needing to reach a rating of 8 to be deemed compliant.
Progress on Recommendations and Recovery Steps
This standard is fully implemented and the Consent Decree stipulation has been met.
• The district complies with the mandates of the Education Code 51000 through 52950. The
district updated board policies and has established procedures for reviewing board poli-
cies on a regular basis.
• The district is making progress in bringing special programs for English language learners
and special education students into compliance. See standard 1.23.
• The district completed the Master Plan for English Learners in December 2002. The plan
has been approved by the state department. The state department and the Office for Civil
Rights will continue to work closely with the district on the implementation of the plan.
• The district is implementing a standards-based curriculum. Curriculum guides reflecting
the state standards and identifying benchmarks, are available for all grade levels. Curricu-
lum guides are being further revised to make them user-friendly.
• All textbooks are fully aligned with the California Content Standards. Adoption of text-
books is done at the district level to insure comparability of instruction across the district.
Standard Implemented: Fully - Substantial
February 1999 Rating: 5
August 1999 Rating: 6
February 2000 Rating: 6
August 2000 Rating: 7
February 2001 Rating: 7
August 2001 Rating: 7
February 2002 Rating: 8
August 2002 Rating: 9
February 2003 Rating: 9
August 2003 Rating: 9
Implementation Scale:
Not Fully
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
12 Pupil Achievement Pupil Achievement 13
2.9 Accountability - Maximum Educational Opportunity
Legal Standard
The district shall be accountable for student results by using evaluative information regarding the
various levels of proficiency and allocating educational resources to assure the maximum educa-
tional opportunity for all students. (EC 60609)
Consent Decree Stipulation
This standard was identified in the Consent Decree in the action Serna v Eastin, Case No. BC
174282, as needing to reach a rating of 8 to be deemed compliant.
Progress on Recommendations and Recovery Steps
This standard is fully implemented and the Consent Decree stipulation has been met.
• The district’s multiple assessment tools include the district coordinated writing assess-
ments administered four times a year, and the CAHSEE high school exit exam. Other
assessment tools are discussed in further detail in Standard 1.4.
• Most of the schools have a Curriculum Specialist or Resource Teacher who serves as the
site testing coordinator.
• Schools have been provided comparative test data results for all sub groups of students, to
monitor student progress and plan for student improvement. Schools receive SAT-9,
CAT-6, CELDT, CAHSEE and the California Content Standards test results with instruc-
tions on how to disseminate test results to parents.
• Each school has received a summary of test results to use in developing their school wide
action plan.
• The district has initiated a process of "backward mapping" using the successful passage of
the CAHSEE as the end result and determining what needs to occur in earlier grades and
courses to ensure that this happens.
Standard Implemented: Fully - Substantial
February 1999 Rating: 2
August 1999 Rating: Not Reviewed
February 2000 Rating: Not Reviewed
August 2000 Rating: 5
February 2001 Rating: 6
August 2001 Rating: 6
February 2002 Rating: 7
August 2002 Rating: 7
February 2003 Rating: 8
August 2003 Rating: 8
Implementation Scale:
Not Fully
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
12 Pupil Achievement Pupil Achievement 13
2.10 Measurement of Student Achievement
Legal Standard
Student achievement will be measured using standardized achievement tests and a variety of
measurement tools, i.e., portfolios, projects, oral reports, etc. (EC 60602, 60605)
Consent Decree Stipulation
This standard was identified in the Consent Decree in the action Serna v Eastin, Case No. BC
174282, as needing to reach a rating of 8 to be deemed compliant.
Progress on Recommendations and Recovery Steps
This standard is fully implemented and the Consent Decree stipulation has been met.
• This standard also is discussed in Standards 1.4 and 2.9.
• The district reports that the following assessments are aligned to instruction: AIMS web
(grades 1-5), the district’s Writing Assessments, CAHSEE, CAT-6 and the California
Standards Tests. Assessments that are imbedded in the curriculum include Open Court,
Saxon, Language, and teacher generated tests.
• The English Language Development (ELD) Benchmark Assessment for grades K-12 has
been completed for implementation in fall, 2003. The assessment will be administered
quarterly.
• Test results are available in a variety of formats for school use. Meetings with individual
principals are held to increase understanding and interpretation of test scores. Principals
meet with their staffs at the beginning of the school year to review test scores and identify
areas of instructional focus for the year.
• Assessment results were prepared for all principals to use in completing their school ac-
tion plans as required by the district. Multiple assessments are used to evaluate school
wide improvement required for participation in special programs such as High Prior-
ity School Program (HPSP), Comprehensive School Reform Demonstration Program
(CSRD), and Immediate Intervention/Underperforming School Program (II/USP). Mul-
tiple assessments are also used for academic placement, Student Study Team Reviews and
re-designation of special needs students.
• Training workshops on the district’s assessment tools continue to be provided to adminis-
trators and teachers.
• The district is utilizing all pertinent tests that are required, as well as additional tests, e.g.
course "challenge" tests, to assess student performance.
14 Pupil Achievement Pupil Achievement 15
Standard Implemented: Fully - Substantial
February 1999 Rating: 0
August 1999 Rating: Not Reviewed
February 2000 Rating: Not Reviewed
August 2000 Rating: 5
February 2001 Rating: 6
August 2001 Rating: 6
February 2002 Rating: 7
August 2002 Rating: 8
February 2003 Rating: 8
August 2003 Rating: 8
Implementation Scale:
Not Fully
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
14 Pupil Achievement Pupil Achievement 15
16 Pupil Achievement
Facilities Management Standards
The following standards were identified as needing to reach a rating of 8 to be deemed compli-
ant. If not already presented in response to a Section of the Consent Decree, these standards ap-
pear in the following pages. A chart of the Facilities Management standards is included to pro-
vide an overview of the ratings of the standards over time and the status of their implementation.
1.3 See Consent Decree Section 14
1.6
1.7
1.8 See Consent Decree Section 16
1.9 See Consent Decree Section 15
1.12 See Consent Decree Section 9 or 18
1.14 See Consent Decree Section 16 or 18
1.17
2.1 See Consent Decree Section 25
2.3
2.4
2.5
2.6
3.4
3.8
3.10 See Consent Decree Section 25
6.2
6.3
8.5
8.6
8.8
8.9
8.10 See Consent Decree Section 17
8.12
9.3 See Consent Decree Section 21
9.4 See Consent Decree Section 7
9.7
9.8 See Consent Decree Section 10
9.10
9.11 See Consent Decree Section 18
Facilities Management 1
2 Facilities Management Facilities Management 3
1.6 School Safety - Monitoring of Bus Loading/Unloading Areas for Safety
Professional Standard
Bus loading and unloading areas, delivery areas, and parking and parent loading/unloading areas
are monitored on a regular basis to ensure the safety of the students, staff and community. Stu-
dents, employees and the public should feel safe at all times on school premises.
Consent Decree Stipulation
This standard was identified in the Consent Decree in the action Serna v Eastin, Case No. BC
174282, as needing to reach a rating of 8 to be deemed compliant.
Progress on Recommendations and Recovery Steps
This standard is fully implemented and the Consent Decree stipulation has been met.
• The district has contracted its student busing services to an outside vendor since Sep-
tember 2000. The bus routes and pick up points were established with the transportation
contractor. The district enforces the walking distances included in district policy.
• The district continues to monitor the bus loading and unloading areas, and the traffic pat-
terns around the campuses. Special student loading zones have been created at several
school sites. The architectural plans for new schools in the district include designs for new
bus loading/unloading points.
• The district has worked with the city to conduct traffic studies at various school sites to
assess any safety hazards in school traffic patterns. Remedies have included the installa-
tion of flashing lights, crosswalks, and wider sidewalks in some school areas.
Standard Implemented: Fully- Sustained
February 1999 Rating: 0
August 1999 Rating: 6
February 2000 Rating: Not Reviewed
August 2000 Rating: 6
February 2001 Rating: 6
August 2001 Rating: 6
February 2002 Rating: 7
August 2002 Rating: 8
February 2003 Rating: 9
August 2003 Rating: 10
Implementation Scale:
Not Fully
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
2 Facilities Management Facilities Management 3
1.7 School Safety - Installation and Operation of Outside Security Lighting
Professional Standard
Outside lighting is properly placed and monitored on a regular basis to ensure the operability/
adequacy of such lighting to ensure safety while activities are in progress in the evening hours.
Outside lighting should provide sufficient illumination to allow for the safe passage of students
and the public during after hour activities. Lighting should also provide security personnel with
sufficient illumination to observe any illegal activities on campus.
Consent Decree Stipulation
This standard was identified in the Consent Decree in the action Serna v Eastin, Case No. BC
174282, as needing to reach a rating of 8 to be deemed compliant.
Progress on Recommendations and Recovery Steps
This standard is fully implemented and the Consent Decree stipulation has been met.
• All campuses have outside security lights.
• Energy conservation practices continue to be implemented.
• Many of the lights and systems have been retrofitted to be more energy efficient. The
district’s modernization projects will continue to address this standard.
• The district’s mobile repair teams are assigned to school sites on a rotational basis and
replace lights and light fixtures as needed.
• Improvements to outdoor security lights for campuses are included in modernization
plans.
• Periodic, unannounced school visits continue to be conducted.
Standard Implemented: Fully - Substantial
February 1999 Rating: 0
August 1999 Rating: 4
February 2000 Rating: Not Reviewed
August 2000 Rating: 4
February 2001 Rating: 5
August 2001 Rating: 6
February 2002 Rating: 7
August 2002 Rating: 8
February 2003 Rating: 9
August 2003 Rating: 9
Implementation Scale:
Not Fully
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
4 Facilities Management Facilities Management 5
1.17 School Safety - All Exits are Free of Obstructions
Legal Standard
All exits are free of obstructions. [CCR Title 8 §3219]
Consent Decree Stipulation
This standard was identified in the Consent Decree in the action Serna v Eastin, Case No. BC
174282, as needing to reach a rating of 8 to be deemed compliant.
Progress on Recommendations and Recovery Steps
This standard is fully implemented and the Consent Decree stipulation has been met.
• The district reports that all exit doors are free of obstructions.
• Hazardous conditions have already been addressed by the district. If a random site in-
spection turns up any potential new hazard, it is addressed by the district right away. All
schools have an operational fire alarm system in place.
• Plant managers and site custodial staffs receive structured monthly training to improve
site safety and cleanliness. Staff has been directed to keep storage areas clean and exits
free of obstructions.
• Intrusion alarms at school sites have improved security of district property.
• Illuminated exit signs have been placed at exit doors in gyms, auditoriums and cafeterias
at both a high level and at knee-high level in case smoke forces evacuees to crawl along
the floor toward the exits.
• Random, unannounced site inspections continue to be conducted to monitor the sites.
Standard Implemented: Fully - Sustained
February 1999 Rating: 5
August 1999 Rating: 5
February 2000 Rating: Not Reviewed
August 2000 Rating: 6
February 2001 Rating: 7
August 2001 Rating: 8
February 2002 Rating: 9
August 2002 Rating: 9
February 2003 Rating: 9
August 2003 Rating: 10
Implementation Scale:
Not Fully
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
4 Facilities Management Facilities Management 5
2.3 Facility Planning - Efforts to Seek State and Local Matching Funds
Professional Standard
Compton Unified School District should seek state and local funds.
Consent Decree Stipulation
This standard was identified in the Consent Decree in the action Serna v Eastin, Case No. BC
174282, as needing to reach a rating of 8 to be deemed compliant.
Progress on Recommendations and Recovery Steps
This standard is fully implemented and the Consent Decree stipulation has been met.
• The district has continually sought state and local funding for facilities improvement proj-
ects.
• The district has used district general funds and deferred maintenance funds to address the
safety needs identified in the Facilities Master Plan.
• The state passed a General Obligation Bond in November 2002, and state funds to support
the district’s projects are now available.
• In November 2002 the district passed a local $80 million General Obligation Bond for the
district’s modernization and new construction projects.
Standard Implemented: Fully - Sustained
February 1999 Rating: 5
August 1999 Rating: 6
February 2000 Rating: 7
August 2000 Rating: 8
February 2001 Rating: 8
August 2001 Rating: 9
February 2002 Rating: 10
August 2002 Rating: 10
February 2003 Rating: 10
Implementation Scale:
Not Fully
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
6 Facilities Management Facilities Management 7
2.4 Facility Planning - Existence of a District Facility Planning Committee
Professional Standard
Compton Unified School District should have a facility planning committee.
Consent Decree Stipulation
This standard was identified in the Consent Decree in the action Serna v Eastin, Case No. BC
174282, as needing to reach a rating of 8 to be deemed compliant.
Progress on Recommendations and Recovery Steps
This standard is fully implemented and the Consent Decree stipulation has been met.
• The district established a facilities master plan committee that included a wide represen-
tation of parents and community members to assist in the development of the district’s
facilities master plan. The committee has remained active to address other district facili-
ties concerns.
• The committee was very active in the discussion of the COP for the new elementary
school, and in the work to pass the district’s general obligation bond.
• The district has established a bond oversight committee to oversee the projects to be sup-
ported by the recently passed $80 million General Obligation Bond.
Standard Implemented: Fully - Sustained
February 1999 Rating: 0
August 1999 Rating: 2
February 2000 Rating: 4
August 2000 Rating: 7
February 2001 Rating: 8
August 2001 Rating: 9
February 2002 Rating: 10
August 2002 Rating: 10
February 2003 Rating: 10
Implementation Scale:
Not Fully
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
6 Facilities Management Facilities Management 7
2.5 Facility Planning - Properly Staffed and Funded Facility Planning Function
Professional Standard
Compton Unified School District should have a properly staffed and funded facility planning
department.
Consent Decree Stipulation
This standard was identified in the Consent Decree in the action Serna v Eastin, Case No. BC
174282, as needing to reach a rating of 8 to be deemed compliant.
Progress on Recommendations and Recovery Steps
This standard is fully implemented and the Consent Decree stipulation has been met.
• The position of Chief Facilities Officer is a cabinet level management position.
• Staffing for the Facilities Division was increased to include additional positions in the
trade areas, and several coordinator positions.
• The district has hired construction management firms as project managers to oversee and
assist in the completion of the district’s construction projects.
• Facilities managers have taken classes in the school construction process offered by the
University of California at Riverside and are now certified in Facilities Planning.
• Employees are being evaluated regularly. Numerous training opportunities are provided
for staff to improve their job skills.
• Evaluation of plant managers has been shifted from the site principals to the Chief Facili-
ties Officer and his designee(s).
• The Facilities Division has a good team, they are keeping abreast of projects, and are
receiving and providing appropriate staff training. Staff are being recognized for their ac-
complishments.
Standard Implemented: Fully- Sustained
February 1999 Rating: 4
August 1999 Rating: 5
February 2000 Rating: Not Reviewed
August 2000 Rating: 7
February 2001 Rating: 7
August 2001 Rating: 8
February 2002 Rating: 8
August 2002 Rating: 9
February 2003 Self Rating: 10
February 2003 New Rating: 10
Implementation Scale:
Not Fully
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
8 Facilities Management Facilities Management 9
2.6 Facility Planning - Implementation of an Annual Capital Planning Budget
Professional Standard
Compton Unified School District should develop and implement an annual capital planning bud-
get.
Consent Decree Stipulation
This standard was identified in the Consent Decree in the action Serna v Eastin, Case No. BC
174282, as needing to reach a rating of 8 to be deemed compliant.
Progress on Recommendations and Recovery Steps
This standard is fully implemented and the Consent Decree stipulation has been met.
• The district completed a Facilities Implementation Plan, approved effective August 10,
2001, to implement the district’s Comprehensive Facilities Master Plan adopted in July
1999. The district utilized general fund and deferred maintenance dollars for moderniza-
tion projects until state and local bond funds were available.
• The state passed a General Obligation Bond in November 2002, and state funds to support
the district’s projects are available.
• In November 2002 the district passed a local $80 million General Obligation Bond.
• The funds that will be available from the state and local bonds will allow the district to
implement the facilities projects identified in its Comprehensive Facilities Master Plan.
Standard Implemented: Fully- Sustained
February 1999 Rating: 5
August 1999 Rating: 6
February 2000 Rating: 7
August 2000 Rating: 8
February 2001 Rating: 8
August 2001 Rating: 9
February 2002 Rating: 10
August 2002 Rating: 10
February 2003 Rating: 10
Implementation Scale:
Not Fully
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
8 Facilities Management Facilities Management 9
3.4 Facilities Improvement and Modernization - Determination of Maximum
Eligibility for State Funding
Professional Standard
The CUSD consistently reviews and monitors its eligibility for State funding so as to capitalize
upon maximal funding opportunities.
Consent Decree Stipulation
This standard was identified in the Consent Decree in the action Serna v Eastin, Case No. BC
174282, as needing to reach a rating of 8 to be deemed compliant.
Progress on Recommendations and Recovery Steps
This standard is fully implemented and the Consent Decree stipulation has been met.
• The district consistently reviews and monitors its eligibility for state funding.
• The district continued to submit applications to maintain its hardship eligibility status in
order to receive 100% of state funding, instead of 80% for modernization projects and
50% for new construction. The district lost its hardship status with the passing of the local
GOB and the district will be required to provide its share of matching funds for modern-
ization (20%) and new construction (50%) projects. The district plans to use $61 million
for modernization projects and $20 million for new construction projects.
• Facilities managers have taken classes in the school construction process and are certified
in Facilities Planning.
Standard Implemented: Fully- Sustained
February 1999 Rating: 4
August 1999 Rating: 7
February 2000 Rating: 8
August 2000 Rating: 8
February 2001 Rating: 9
August 2001 Rating: 10
February 2002 Rating: 10
August 2002 Rating: 10
February 2003 Rating: 10
Implementation Scale:
Not Fully
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
10 Facilities Management Facilities Management 11
3.8 Facilities Improvement and Modernization - Approval of Plans and
Specifications Prior to Contract Award
Legal Standard
The CUSD obtains approval of plans and specifications from the Division of the State Architect
and the Office of Public School Construction (when required) prior to the award of a contract to
the lowest, responsible bidder. [EC 17263, 17267]
Consent Decree Stipulation
This standard was identified in the Consent Decree in the action Serna v Eastin, Case No. BC
174282, as needing to reach a rating of 8 to be deemed compliant.
Progress on Recommendations and Recovery Steps
This standard is fully implemented and the Consent Decree stipulation has been met.
• All 28 district modernization projects and 8 new construction projects have long been ap-
proved by both the California Department of Education (CDE) and the Department of the
State Architect (DSA).
• As state funds were not available to initiate the district’s new construction projects, the
district governing board approved a COP for $19 million to construct the William Jeffer-
son Elementary School in January 2003.
• In November 2002 the district passed a local $80 million General Obligation Bond to
modernize its aging facilities but lost its hardship status and will be required to provide its
share of matching funds for modernization (20%) and new construction (50%) projects.
The district plans to use $61 million to support its modernization projects and $20 million
for new construction projects.
• Several construction projects have been initiated. The district’s bid process is well estab-
lished and implemented. Contracts are awarded to the lowest, responsible bidder.
• Facilities managers have taken classes in the school construction process and are certified
in Facilities Planning.
Standard Implemented: Fully - Sustained
February 1999 Rating: 0
August 1999 Rating: Not Reviewed
February 2000 Rating: 3
August 2000 Rating: 6
February 2001 Rating: 7
August 2001 Rating: 8
February 2002 Rating: 9
August 2002 Rating: 9
February 2003 Rating: 10
August 2003 Rating: 10
Implementation Scale:
Not Fully
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
10 Facilities Management Facilities Management 11
6.2 Special Education Facilities - Equity, Appropriate to Educational Program
Professional Standard
The CUSD provides facilities for its Special Education programs which ensure equity with other
educational programs within the district and provides appropriate learning environments in rela-
tion to educational program needs.
Consent Decree Stipulation
This standard was identified in the Consent Decree in the action Serna v Eastin, Case No. BC
174282, as needing to reach a rating of 8 to be deemed compliant.
Progress on Recommendations and Recovery Steps
This standard is fully implemented and the Consent Decree stipulation has been met.
• The district conducted a facilities inventory and assessment to determine the space alloca-
tion for special education programs. The district relocated some special education pro-
grams to more appropriate locations, i.e., Walton Elementary.
• The district has upgraded the special education facilities at various sites with some facili-
ties adjustments.
• The district reports that all school sites are handicapped accessible. The modernized facil-
ity in the Compton High School administration building’s basement is handicapped acces-
sible with ramps and an elevator.
• A new facility was constructed at Caldwell Elementary for students with severe disabili-
ties from the county special education program.
• The Facilities Division considers maintenance requests to meet the needs of the special
education population a high priority.
• Site principals are expected to consider the needs of their students when assigning the
various instructional programs to existing site facilities and classrooms.
• The district has replaced portable classrooms and continues to upgrade permanent class-
rooms through modernization projects.
• Modernization and new construction projects are designed to provide full access for
handicapped students. For example, elevators are scheduled to be installed at Kennedy
and Dickison Elementary Schools as part of the modernization plans.
12 Facilities Management Facilities Management 13
Standard Implemented: Fully - Substantial
February 1999 Rating: 4
August 1999 Rating: Not Reviewed
February 2000 Rating: Not Reviewed
August 2000 Rating: 4
February 2001 Rating: 5
August 2001 Rating: 6
February 2002 Rating: 7
August 2002 Rating: 8
February 2003 Rating: 8
August 2003 Rating: 9
Implementation Scale:
Not Fully
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
12 Facilities Management Facilities Management 13
6.3 Special Education Facilities - Adequacy for Instructional Program Needs
Professional Standard
The CUSD provides facilities for its Special Education programs which provide appropriate
learning environments in relation to educational program needs.
Consent Decree Stipulation
This standard was identified in the Consent Decree in the action Serna v Eastin, Case No. BC
174282, as needing to reach a rating of 8 to be deemed compliant.
Progress on Recommendations and Recovery Steps
This standard is fully implemented and the Consent Decree stipulation has been met.
• The district has upgraded special education facilities at various sites with some facilities
adjustments.
• The learning environments for special education students have been upgraded. The district
has replaced portable classrooms and continues to upgrade permanent classrooms through
modernization projects.
• Attention has been given to providing proper lighting and air conditioning for special
education classrooms, and renovating the restrooms for ease of use by disabled students.
• The district reports that all school sites are handicapped accessible.
• The passage of the district’s local general obligation bond will allow the district to speed-
ily implement its planned modernization projects to provide more appropriate facilities
for all district programs, including special education.
• Modernization and new construction projects are designed to provide full access for
handicapped students. For example, elevators are scheduled to be installed at Kennedy
and Dickison Elementary Schools as part of the modernization plans.
Standard Implemented: Fully - Substantial
February 1999 Rating: 4
August 1999 Rating: Not Reviewed
February 2000 Rating: 4
August 2000 Rating: 4
February 2001 Rating: 5
August 2001 Rating: 6
February 2002 Rating: 7
August 2002 Rating: 8
February 2003 Rating: 8
August 2003 Rating: 9
Implementation Scale:
Not Fully
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
14 Facilities Management Facilities Management 15
8.5 Facilities Maintenance and Custodial - Adequate Maintenance Records
and Inventories
Professional Standard
Adequate maintenance records and reports are kept, including a complete inventory of supplies,
materials, tools and equipment. All employees required to perform maintenance on school sites
should be provided with adequate supplies, equipment and training to perform maintenance tasks
in a timely and professional manner. Included in the training is how to inventory supplies and
equipment and when to order or replenish them.
Consent Decree Stipulation
This standard was identified in the Consent Decree in the action Serna v Eastin, Case No. BC
174282, as needing to reach a rating of 8 to be deemed compliant.
Progress on Recommendations and Recovery Steps
This standard is fully implemented and the Consent Decree stipulation has been met.
• The district utilizes the MC II school-based software, to maintain its supplies records and
inventory.
• The department has established a separate purchase order system for the purchase of tools
to maintain greater accountability over tools and equipment.
• Fridays have been designated for equipment storage and clean-up days.
• The district continues to use the maintenance request flow chart and forms established to
track all maintenance requests from the sites.
• The district utilizes a five-day completion timeline to complete the requested mainte-
nance. If a request is complex and will require more days to complete, the request is
assigned to the facilities division as a project, and sites are informed that the five-day
timeline cannot be met, with an explanation and scheduled date of completion. A Project
Status Report on the project is maintained.
• The utilization of the two mobile maintenance teams provides for better tracking of the
supplies and tools needed for the work conducted at the school sites.
• The maintenance department performs weekly, monthly, and annual material checks.
• The department reports that an adequate inventory of materials and equipment is main-
tained with the maintenance record procedure.
• School site employees are provided with the supplies, materials and tools necessary to
perform their work.
• The maintenance department provides training and regular staff meetings to keep staff
informed and up-to-date. Weekly meetings of plant managers are conducted to provide
training on district processes and procedures, and to improve job skills.
14 Facilities Management Facilities Management 15
Standard Implemented: Fully- Sustained
February 1999 Rating: 0
August 1999 Rating: 6
February 2000 Rating: 6
August 2000 Rating: 6
February 2001 Rating: 6
August 2001 Rating: 7
February 2002 Rating: 8
August 2002 Rating: 9
February 2003 Rating: 9
August 2003 Rating: 10
Implementation Scale:
Not Fully
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
16 Facilities Management Facilities Management 17
8.6 Facilities Maintenance and Custodial - Procedures for Evaluation of Main-
tenance and Operations Staff
Professional Standard
Procedures are in place for evaluating the work quality of maintenance and operations staff. The
quality of the work performed by the maintenance and operations staff should be evaluated on a
regular basis using a board-adopted procedure which delineates the areas of evaluation and the
types of work to be evaluated.
Consent Decree Stipulation
This standard was identified in the Consent Decree in the action Serna v Eastin, Case No. BC
174282, as needing to reach a rating of 8 to be deemed compliant.
Progress on Recommendations and Recovery Steps
This standard is fully implemented and the Consent Decree stipulation has been met.
• Annual evaluations of all permanent employees in the Facilities Division are conducted.
Employees have clear expectations for their work.
• Facilities administrators conduct spot checks of the school sites and note areas that need
improvement.
• The supervision and evaluation of plant managers and staff has been transferred from the
site principal to the Chief Facilities Officer and his designee(s). The site principals share
the supervisory responsibility, and will continue to provide input to the evaluations.
• The district’s personnel office provides ongoing training workshops for supervisory per-
sonnel in evaluation procedures and in properly documenting unsatisfactory performance
of employees. Workshops include discussion on how to monitor an employee’s perfor-
mance, and stress meeting probationary evaluation deadlines.
• Performance evaluations are conducted to assess the work quality of the staff. The up-
dated evaluation form now includes a "quality of work" section. The probation period is
being taken seriously by both supervisor and new employee, and new employees are be-
ing closely monitored.
• The facilities division has provided plant managers with a sample structured work sched-
ule for site maintenance employees for each day and each week. A sample template has
been developed for plant managers to modify for their individual site needs.
16 Facilities Management Facilities Management 17
Standard Implemented: Fully- Sustained
February 1999 Rating: 5
August 1999 Rating: Not Reviewed
February 2000 Rating: 5
August 2000 Rating: 5
February 2001 Rating: 6
August 2001 Rating: 7
February 2002 Rating: 8
August 2002 Rating: 9
February 2003 Rating: 9
August 2003 Rating: 10
Implementation Scale:
Not Fully
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
18 Facilities Management Facilities Management 19
8.8 Facilities Maintenance and Custodial - Availability of Custodial Supplies
and Equipment
Professional Standard
Necessary supplies, tools and equipment for the proper care and cleaning of the school(s) are
available to staff. Operational staff should be expected to keep the campuses clean. In order for
the staff to meet these expectations, they must be provided with the necessary supplies, tools and
equipment as well as the training associated with the proper use of such.
Consent Decree Stipulation
This standard was identified in the Consent Decree in the action Serna v Eastin, Case No. BC
174282, as needing to reach a rating of 8 to be deemed compliant.
Progress on Recommendations and Recovery Steps
This standard is fully implemented and the Consent Decree stipulation has been met.
• School site employees are being provided the supplies, materials and tools necessary to
perform their work.
• Funds to provide the necessary supplies, tools and equipment for the care and cleaning of
the school are allocated to the site by formula.
• The number of custodial staff at a school is allocated by formula based on the number of
students at the site at a ratio of approximately 200:1.
• Funds are allocated to the district’s facilities budget to replace equipment and tools at the
site and to address additional supply needs. Equipment for the sites is purchased by the
maintenance department.
• Continuous training and staff meetings are held to keep staff informed and up-to-date.
Weekly meetings of plant managers are conducted to provide training on district processes
and procedures, and to improve job skills. Managers are expected to provide the training
to site employees.
• Monthly meetings continue to be held with both the principals and plant managers in at-
tendance together to discuss site and facilities issues.
• The supervision and evaluation of plant managers and staff has been transferred from the
site principal to the Chief Facilities Officer and his designee(s). The site principals will
share the supervisory responsibility, and will continue to provide input to the evaluations.
18 Facilities Management Facilities Management 19
Standard Implemented: Fully - Sustained
February 1999 Rating: 4
August 1999 Rating: Not Reviewed
February 2000 Rating: Not Reviewed
August 2000 Rating: 6
February 2001 Rating: 6
August 2001 Rating: 6
February 2002 Rating: 8
August 2002 Rating: 9
February 2003 Rating: 9
August 2003 Rating: 10
Implementation Scale:
Not Fully
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
20 Facilities Management Facilities Management 21
8.9 Facilities Maintenance and Custodial - Implementation of a Preventive
Maintenance Program
Professional Standard
The district has an effective preventive maintenance program. The district should have a written
preventive maintenance program that is scheduled and followed by the maintenance staff. This
program should include verification of the completion of work by the supervisor of the mainte-
nance staff.
Consent Decree Stipulation
This standard was identified in the Consent Decree in the action Serna v Eastin, Case No. BC
174282, as needing to reach a rating of 8 to be deemed compliant.
Progress on Recommendations and Recovery Steps
This standard is fully implemented and the Consent Decree stipulation has been met.
• The district has determined life expectancies of various facilities, such as roofs, asphalt,
painting, etc. and has developed a replacement schedule. The maintenance department
has scheduled regular maintenance for recurring projects such as tree trimming, checking
heating and air conditioning systems, cleaning gutters and drains, boiler checks, etc. Some
projects are scheduled for maintenance during the summer months when school is not in
session.
• The district, with assistance from its architects, has developed maintenance specifications
for all electrical and mechanical work. These specs establish standards that help provide
conservation efficiency. The specs are used in all repair and maintenance work conducted
by the district. Lighting fixtures are being upgraded.
• Two mobile maintenance teams continue to address maintenance requests before they
become major problems.
• The district continues to use its established maintenance request flow chart and forms to
track all maintenance requests from the sites.
• Monthly meetings are held with site principals and plant managers in attendance together.
Weekly training meetings are held with plant managers to provide continual training on
safety procedures, ways of improving work performance, and expectations on complying
with district processes and procedures.
20 Facilities Management Facilities Management 21
Standard Implemented: Fully - Sustained
February 1999 Rating: 5
August 1999 Rating: Not Reviewed
February 2000 Rating: 5
August 2000 Rating: 5
February 2001 Rating: 5
August 2001 Rating: 6
February 2002 Rating: 7
August 2002 Rating: 8
February 2003 Rating: 9
August 2003 Rating: 10
Implementation Scale:
Not Fully
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
22 Facilities Management Facilities Management 23
8.12 Facilities Maintenance and Custodial - Implementation of a Planned
Program Maintenance System
Professional Standard
The district has implemented a planned program maintenance system. The district should have
a written planned program maintenance system that includes an inventory of all facilities and
equipment that will require maintenance and replacement. This program should include purchase
prices, anticipated life expectancies, anticipated replacement time lines and budgetary resources
necessary to maintain the facilities.
Consent Decree Stipulation
This standard was identified in the Consent Decree in the action Serna v Eastin, Case No. BC
174282, as needing to reach a rating of 8 to be deemed compliant.
Progress on Recommendations and Recovery Steps
This standard is fully implemented and the Consent Decree stipulation has been met.
• The district has determined the life expectancies for its roofs, asphalt, painting, equip-
ment, etc. and has developed a replacement schedule.
• The maintenance department schedules regular maintenance for recurring projects such as
tree trimming, checking heating and air conditioning systems, cleaning gutters and drains,
boiler checks, etc. Some maintenance projects are scheduled during the summer when
school is not in session.
• The facilities division continues to use a computer software program to maintain a data-
base of its maintenance equipment inventory. The projected life expectancy of the equip-
ment is included to determine a schedule of maintenance and replacement of items.
• The district, with assistance from its architects, has developed maintenance specifications
for all electrical and mechanical work. These specs establish standards that help provide
conservation efficiency. The specs are used in all repair and maintenance work conducted
by the district.
• Two mobile maintenance teams do routine maintenance at school sites.
22 Facilities Management Facilities Management 23
Standard Implemented: Fully - Substantial
February 1999 Rating: 0
August 1999 Rating: 2
February 2000 Rating: Not Reviewed
August 2000 Rating: 5
February 2001 Rating: 5
August 2001 Rating: 6
February 2002 Rating: 7
August 2002 Rating: 8
February 2003 Rating: 8
August 2003 Rating: 8
Implementation Scale:
Not Fully
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
24 Facilities Management Facilities Management 25
9.7 Instructional Program Issues - Adequate Heating and Ventilation Exists
in All Schools
Professional Standard
All schools shall have adequate heating and ventilation.
Consent Decree Stipulation
This standard was identified in the Consent Decree in the action Serna v Eastin, Case No. BC
174282, as needing to reach a rating of 8 to be deemed compliant.
Progress on Recommendations and Recovery Steps
This standard is fully implemented and the Consent Decree stipulation has been met.
• The district works to update or replace heating units and ventilation systems. The Facili-
ties Division estimates that 90-95% of all heating units are operable. New heaters were
installed at Davis, Centennial, Anderson, and Lincoln schools.
• The district’s modernization and new construction plans address heating and ventilation
for the district schools. HVAC and lighting/electrical systems are included in the scope of
the projects contained within the modernization plans.
• The district has worked with ENVIRON to assess ways to increase energy efficiency in
the district.
• The district has defined district standards for unit brands and types of systems to standard-
ize maintenance and replacement component issues.
• All district modernization and new construction projects identified in the Facilities Master
Plan address energy conservation in proposed equipment, infrastructure, and construction.
• The Facilities Division, along with the district’s architects, has developed master specifi-
cations for the installation of all electrical and mechanical equipment.
Standard Implemented: Fully - Substantial
February 1999 Rating: 0
August 1999 Rating: 2
February 2000 Rating: 2
August 2000 Rating: 4
February 2001 Rating: 5
August 2001 Rating: 6
February 2002 Rating: 7
August 2002 Rating: 8
February 2003 Rating: 9
August 2003 Rating: 9
Implementation Scale:
Not Fully
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
24 Facilities Management Facilities Management 25
9.10 Instructional Program Issues - Environment Conducive to High Quality
Teaching Learning
Professional Standard
The learning environments provided within respective school sites within the CUSD are condu-
cive to high quality teaching and learning.
Consent Decree Stipulation
This standard was identified in the Consent Decree in the action Serna v Eastin, Case No. BC
174282, as needing to reach a rating of 8 to be deemed compliant.
Progress on Recommendations and Recovery Steps
This standard is fully implemented and the Consent Decree stipulation has been met.
• The district is continually upgrading its facilities to improve the learning environment for
students. Much thought is given to color schemes, the use of clear glass blocks for light-
ing, adequate sized walkways, landscaping, safety concerns, etc. to make the learning
environment more attractive.
• The district completed the infrastructure for placing computers in every classroom, and
is constantly upgrading the networking system. Extra conduits have been installed at all
sites.
• The telephone system in the district has been upgraded. Telephones have been placed in
classrooms districtwide.
• The district has benefited from its e-rate applications over the last few years.
• The condition of school site facilities continues to be monitored during periodic, unan-
nounced site visits to school campuses.
Standard Implemented: Fully - Substantial
February 1999 Rating: 0
August 1999 Rating: Not Reviewed
February 2000 Rating: Not Reviewed
August 2000 Rating: 4
February 2001 Rating: 4
August 2001 Rating: 5
February 2002 Rating: 6
August 2002 Rating: 7
February 2003 Rating: 8
August 2003 Rating: 9
Implementation Scale:
Not Fully
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
26 Facilities Management