Laytonville Unified School District

The Grand Jury responded to a complaint alleging Brown Act violations in the Laytonville Unified School District. Discrepancies in noticing agenda items were found and recommendation made for continuing Brown Act training.

REASON FOR INVESTIGATION

A complaint was received alleging that the Laytonville Unified School District Board of Trustees (Board) violatec the Brown Act by taking action in Closed Session on an item of personnel business that had not been properly placed on the agenda.

PROCEDURES

Interviews were held with the complainant, Board members. and school district counsel. Documents reviewed were agendas. minutes, and correspondence from legal counsel and interested citizens.

FINDINGS

1. The agenda for Special Meeting/Closed Session of August 21. 1997. was "Public Employee Discipline/DismissalfRelease." No action was taken.

2. The agenda for Special Meeting/Closed Session of September 2, 1997, was "Public Employee Appointment" No action was taken.

3. The agenda for Special Meeting(Clarify special vs. regular)/Closed Session of September

4, 1997, was "Public Employee AppointmentlEmployment." An announcement was made after this closed session of the actions taken.

4. A more appropriate way to identify the item on the September 4, 1997, Closed Session agenda would have been to list it as "Public Employee Discipline/Dismissal/Release," as it was on August 21, 1997, Closed Session.

5 The alleged Brown Act violation of mislabeling the agenda item is not a grievous one. Complainant agreed that the Board was not trying to hide anything from the public.

6. The Board is now adhering to the Brown Act under Government Code Section 54960.1(f) to cure alleged defects.

RECOMMENDATIONS

1. Interested citizens and all of the members of the Laytonville Unified School District Board of Trustees should continue to attend available Brown Act seminars.

COMMENTS

1. Continued re-examination of the case is not in the public interest.

2. An extremely difficult personnel situation was handled well.

3. The media should be reminded that the members of the Board are citizens trying to help their school district.

4. School boards in this County should maximize public input regardless of advice gi\en to the contrary.

RESPONSE REQUIRED

None

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