This is the Executive Summary, Conclusion, Findings and Recommendations only. For the entire report go to : Grand Jury 2014 -2015 Report
Executive Summary
Like the municipality defining it, the Emery Unified School District (EUSD) is comparatively small; it consists of two schools: one elementary school and one secondary school. Within the last dozen years, Emeryville voters approved school parcel tax initiatives. The current one (Measure K) passed in 2007 and more recently was extended until 2037. Measure K authorizes the expenditure of funds earmarked for defined EUSD educational programs. In addition, the measure mandates the formation of a citizens’ oversight committee that is charged with monitoring district compliance with Measure K purposes.
In June 2014, the Grand Jury received a complaint alleging that EUSD revenue from Measure K was not being spent according to the measure’s intended purpose. The complainant also questioned whether an oversight committee existed to monitor the disbursements of Measure K funds. As a result of its investigation, the Grand Jury found that the EUSD is in compliance in its spending of parcel tax revenue as intended by Measure K and a citizen’s oversight committee does exist, but it has not followed the Brown Act and its transparency guidelines.
Conclusion
The Grand Jury recognizes that the measure does not specify how its particular parcel tax funds are to be allocated, and the Grand Jury did not find that the Emery Unified School District improperly used those funds. The district is in compliance as described in the measure.
The Grand Jury strongly suggests that the oversight committee follow the guidelines of the Brown Act for noticing and conducting public meetings, which includes publicizing agendas and reporting to the public the results of meetings.
Alameda County Grand Jury Association 