Opinion
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Lake County Superior Court is seeking volunteers now to apply for service on the Lake County Civil Grand Jury for the 2023-24 session.
While the term “grand jury” brings to mind a “criminal” grand jury that indicts those charged with crimes, California is the last state that empanels a “civil” grand jury in every county, every year, for a one-year term.
The number of jurors seated varies by county population, and, here in Lake County, 19 persons are selected by the presiding judge of the Superior Court to serve a fiscal-year term — July through June — and the judge also selects the foreperson. The anticipated time commitment is approximately 20 hours per week for one year.
The results of most Lake County Grand Jury investigations are contained in reports that set forth findings concerning the problems investigated and make recommendations for solutions.
These documents are published either as interim reports during the year or in the grand jury’s final report at the expiration of its term of office. Once approved by the jurors, all reports are reviewed by the county counsel and the presiding judge for compliance with the law before being released to the public.
By law, the governing body of any agency that is the subject of a grand jury report must comment on the findings and recommendations of the report within 90 days of its publication date, except that every elected county officer or agency head must comment within 60 days.
The comments must be submitted to the presiding judge and must specify what action, if any, has been or will be taken by the department or agency in regard to the recommendations or explain why no action has been taken. This requirement gives the sitting grand jury or its successor the opportunity to track the results of investigations.
The responsibilities and authority of the civil grand jury are specified in the California Constitution, the Penal Code, the Government Code, case law, and Attorney General Opinions.
In general, the predominant functions include:
Civil watchdog responsibilities
a) Examine all aspects of Lake County and Lakeport and Clearlake governments and special districts to ensure that the best interests of County residents are being served and to determine whether the methods and procedures being utilized could be more efficient and cost-effective;
b) Inspect and audit books, records, and financial expenditures to ensure that public funds are properly accounted for and legally spent;
c) Inquire into the conditions of jails and detention centers within the County;
d) Probe allegations of willful misconduct in office by public officials or employees;
e) Investigate complaints from members of the public raising concerns about the function of local government or its officials; and
f) Account for and review for adequacy the Responses of investigated entities in the prior term’s Final Report.
Duties
a) Attend one Plenary session and two committee meetings per week.
b) Schedule and interview committee-specific persons.
c) Conduct research in preparation for the interviews.
d) Take and transcribe notes on the interviews.
e) Conduct inspections of the public prisons.
f) Assist with drafting individual final reports.
g) Assemble the individual final reports by topic into one cohesive Final Report.
h) Arrange for printing and distribution of the Final Report.
Remuneration
Jurors receive a per-diem meeting attendance fee of $15 and a mileage reimbursement of $.39 per mile, payable monthly.
Training
At the beginning of each term, two-day training is provided within Lake County by the California Grand Jurors Association, a statewide group of former grand jurors.
Legal qualifications
a) U.S. citizen, age 18 or older;
b) Resident of Lake County for one year prior to selection;
c) In possession of “natural faculties or ordinary intelligence, of sound mind, and of fair character”;
d) Able to speak and write English;
e) Not a current trial juror;
f) Not a former grand juror within one year;
g) No conviction of malfeasance, felony, or other “high crime”; and
h) Not a current elected official.
Desirable qualifications
a) Active listener;
b) Ability to maintain confidentiality regarding grand jury business;
c) Desire to respect others’ differing opinions and to cooperate to reach common goals;
d) Genuine interest in local community affairs;
e) Computer research and investigative skills; and
f) Facility in writing and editing final reports.
The Superior Court is currently accepting applications for jurors to be seated in July.
The application form can be accessed at https://lake.courts.ca.gov/system/files/grand-jury-application_1.pdf.
Please return the application to Yolanda Blum atThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
Personal comment
I have been honored to serve seven terms on the civil grand Jury over a period of 22 years, including three terms as foreman, and have found this service to be a privilege, a duty, and an opportunity — a privilege to be trusted with the authority accorded civil grand juries by California statute, a duty to investigate issues thoroughly and objectively, and an opportunity to be of service to the residents of Lake County, where I have chosen to live.
Should you be willing to commit to serving as a grand juror, you will come to both understand and appreciate persons with views not your own and recognize the quality of governance within the county and two cities.
As much as you give, you shall receive.
Beverly Hill is a member of the 2022-23 Lake County Grand Jury.
While the term “grand jury” brings to mind a “criminal” grand jury that indicts those charged with crimes, California is the last state that empanels a “civil” grand jury in every county, every year, for a one-year term.
The number of jurors seated varies by county population, and, here in Lake County, 19 persons are selected by the presiding judge of the Superior Court to serve a fiscal-year term — July through June — and the judge also selects the foreperson. The anticipated time commitment is approximately 20 hours per week for one year.
The results of most Lake County Grand Jury investigations are contained in reports that set forth findings concerning the problems investigated and make recommendations for solutions.
These documents are published either as interim reports during the year or in the grand jury’s final report at the expiration of its term of office. Once approved by the jurors, all reports are reviewed by the county counsel and the presiding judge for compliance with the law before being released to the public.
By law, the governing body of any agency that is the subject of a grand jury report must comment on the findings and recommendations of the report within 90 days of its publication date, except that every elected county officer or agency head must comment within 60 days.
The comments must be submitted to the presiding judge and must specify what action, if any, has been or will be taken by the department or agency in regard to the recommendations or explain why no action has been taken. This requirement gives the sitting grand jury or its successor the opportunity to track the results of investigations.
The responsibilities and authority of the civil grand jury are specified in the California Constitution, the Penal Code, the Government Code, case law, and Attorney General Opinions.
In general, the predominant functions include:
Civil watchdog responsibilities
a) Examine all aspects of Lake County and Lakeport and Clearlake governments and special districts to ensure that the best interests of County residents are being served and to determine whether the methods and procedures being utilized could be more efficient and cost-effective;
b) Inspect and audit books, records, and financial expenditures to ensure that public funds are properly accounted for and legally spent;
c) Inquire into the conditions of jails and detention centers within the County;
d) Probe allegations of willful misconduct in office by public officials or employees;
e) Investigate complaints from members of the public raising concerns about the function of local government or its officials; and
f) Account for and review for adequacy the Responses of investigated entities in the prior term’s Final Report.
Duties
a) Attend one Plenary session and two committee meetings per week.
b) Schedule and interview committee-specific persons.
c) Conduct research in preparation for the interviews.
d) Take and transcribe notes on the interviews.
e) Conduct inspections of the public prisons.
f) Assist with drafting individual final reports.
g) Assemble the individual final reports by topic into one cohesive Final Report.
h) Arrange for printing and distribution of the Final Report.
Remuneration
Jurors receive a per-diem meeting attendance fee of $15 and a mileage reimbursement of $.39 per mile, payable monthly.
Training
At the beginning of each term, two-day training is provided within Lake County by the California Grand Jurors Association, a statewide group of former grand jurors.
Legal qualifications
a) U.S. citizen, age 18 or older;
b) Resident of Lake County for one year prior to selection;
c) In possession of “natural faculties or ordinary intelligence, of sound mind, and of fair character”;
d) Able to speak and write English;
e) Not a current trial juror;
f) Not a former grand juror within one year;
g) No conviction of malfeasance, felony, or other “high crime”; and
h) Not a current elected official.
Desirable qualifications
a) Active listener;
b) Ability to maintain confidentiality regarding grand jury business;
c) Desire to respect others’ differing opinions and to cooperate to reach common goals;
d) Genuine interest in local community affairs;
e) Computer research and investigative skills; and
f) Facility in writing and editing final reports.
The Superior Court is currently accepting applications for jurors to be seated in July.
The application form can be accessed at https://lake.courts.ca.gov/system/files/grand-jury-application_1.pdf.
Please return the application to Yolanda Blum at
Personal comment
I have been honored to serve seven terms on the civil grand Jury over a period of 22 years, including three terms as foreman, and have found this service to be a privilege, a duty, and an opportunity — a privilege to be trusted with the authority accorded civil grand juries by California statute, a duty to investigate issues thoroughly and objectively, and an opportunity to be of service to the residents of Lake County, where I have chosen to live.
Should you be willing to commit to serving as a grand juror, you will come to both understand and appreciate persons with views not your own and recognize the quality of governance within the county and two cities.
As much as you give, you shall receive.
Beverly Hill is a member of the 2022-23 Lake County Grand Jury.
- Details
- Written by: Beverly Hill
LOWER LAKE, Calif. — Do you remember middle school? Most of us look back on it with mixed feelings.
It’s an interesting developmental period, a time when kids begin to move away from the safe and familiar ways of childhood into the independence and confusion of adolescence.
According to a slew of studies (and my own experience as an educator), middle school students require a special environment to meet their needs.
Depending on the day, they might need nurturing, encouragement to explore, or a push to test their own limits. They need teachers who can be patient with some shenanigans and also capable of drawing clear boundaries at the same time.
Middle school students are ready to spread their wings more than elementary school students but not quite ready for full immersion into the high school world. In short, they need their own school–and that’s what we are planning to provide.
Next year, the campus that currently houses Konocti Education Center will become Obsidian Middle School, where 650 seventh and eighth graders can prepare for the rigors of high school as they explore who they are becoming.
Opening any school is a big undertaking. Opening a middle school can be especially challenging.
Happily, we have a wonderful principal to lead the charge: Michelle Patterson. Michelle joined our district this year on an interim basis and it was clear from the start that she belonged with us. She has already forged great relationships with many Konocti teachers, and she is enthusiastic about creating just the right environment for our middle school students.
Michelle shared with me the 12 key factors necessary to create a successful middle school, based on a well-regarded book called Taking Center Stage.
Middle schools must focus on rigor; instructional assessment and intervention; time management; relevance; relationships; transitions; access; safety, resilience, and health; leadership; professional learning; accountability; and partnerships. It’s a big list, and she has ideas on every item.
Her first and most important goal is to build relationships with parents, because when schools and families work together, students are far more likely to succeed.
Michelle will provide online access for parents to stay tuned in to their student’s academic workload, and she’ll build agreements with parents so students never feel as though following their parents’ requests compromise their ability to follow school rules. No child should be put in a situation where they are caught between opposing adults — that’s not fair.
We’ve got some logistical work to do, like updating the campus to allow both parents and buses to drop off students at the same time and finishing the construction of the gymnasium. We’re also identifying and working with the new faculty, and planning for them to connect with each student’s current teacher before creating class schedules.
This is not a one-size-fits-all kind of place. Every step is intentional, so that each student has access to the resources and experiences that will help them thrive.
We will certainly have more to share as our preparation progresses, but I wanted to let everyone know about our plans. When our schools improve, our community improves. When we invest in our students, they often grow up and contribute their time and talent to our community. As many of you know, some of our best teachers grew up here. They went through our schools, went away to college, and came back to support this community they love.
As we continue on our journey of getting better at getting better, we find ways to better support each student. Having a middle school will ease students’ transition into high school, paving the way for future success. It will also allow teachers to specialize and collaborate for the good of our kids. Ultimately, I am confident that it will lead to better academic outcomes for our students.
As a school district, we are committed to investing in our students’ development–academic, social, and emotional. We do our best to provide students with experiences and opportunities to build confidence, knowledge, skill, and character. We know that when we do this in partnership with families and community organizations, it can catapult students toward a bright future.
Becky Salato is superintendent of Konocti Unified School District.
- Details
- Written by: Becky Salato
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