–The Paso Robles Joint Unified School District (PRJUSD) Board of Trustees met in a special meeting Tuesday afternoon and evening to continue the discussion of their response to the San Luis Obispo County Grand Jury report, “Paso Robles School District: A Cautionary Tale” that says poor leadership and management resulted in the district’s financial crisis. The meeting was held for only one purpose, and that was to work on the response to that report.
At the outset, several members of the public called in to provide input. Local resident Dale Gustin talked about the history of the budget problems with the PRJUSD, which he said occurred over several years. Residents Kim La Chance and Peter Byrne each encouraged the school board to turn the report and their response over to the San Luis Obispo County District Attorney for review.
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Paso Robles school district officials are hiring new attorneys to respond to a grand jury report that criticizes the previous board for alleged financial mismanagement between 2015 and 2018.
This is the second time since 2012 the Paso Robles Unified School District has found itself under investigation by the San Luis Obispo County Grand Jury.
The report, titled Paso Robles School District: A Cautionary Tale, outlines failures in leadership and financial oversight.
In a 5-to-1 vote, the board agreed to spend $5,000 to hire outside legal counsel to respond to the report’s findings.
Board member Nathan Williams said legal counsel not connected to the school district is needed to remain unbiased.
–The Paso Robles Joint Unified School District Board of Trustees met for four hours Saturday morning to craft a response to the San Luis Obispo County Grand Jury Report. The report, “Paso Robles School District: A Cautionary Tale”, criticizes the previous board for financial mismanagement during the tenure of former Superintendent Chris Williams and his board of trustees.
–Read the entire grand jury report below the story–
The board agreed 5-1 to hire independent legal counsel to help craft its response. Board President Chris Arend voted no, Trustee Lance Gannon did not attend the meeting. Two former board members called in to the meeting to address their actions while serving on the board. Joel Peterson and Joan Summers called into the special meeting to defend the actions of the previous board.
–The Paso Robles Joint Unified School Board held a special meeting on Saturday to discuss the recent San Luis Obispo County Grand Jury report, entitled, “Paso Robles School District: A Cautionary Tale.” The grand jury says the 28-page report “provides a detailed illustration of how a school district can inadvertently fail its students and the community it serves.” It blames the school district’s financial problems on poor leadership.
The report has three chapters: School District Leadership; District Reserve Management; and The Aquatics Complex. On Saturday, the school board trustees and administrators spent more than five hours discussing the report, point by point. The board discussed findings by the grand jury and decided whether or not they agreed with them. In nearly every case, the board agreed with the grand jury’s findings.
–The Paso Robles Joint Unified School District sent out a special end of year 2020 message and video to the community recently:
Thank you to every single PRJUSD staff member for their contribution to education and safety this past year, you made a difference!
To all of our students and parents for their partnership and patience during this difficult year… To our community for their continued community support and love❤️. Looking forward to 2021 and an eventual safe return for all students.
2020 brought great challenges, yet there are always reasons for gratitude. Our educational community (all staff, students, and parents) showed resilience, creativity, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to caring for each other! #togetherisbetter #pasoschools