Williams

Lawsuit Settlement

Williams T-T-T

Teachers (Credentials)

Textbooks

Toilets (Facilities)

Williams Settlement

All students have access and can take home standards-aligned instructional materials and textbooks.

All students have access to school facilities that are clean, safe, and functional.

Teachers are assigned and have the proper certification or training for their assignment, especially those in classrooms with 20 percent or more English learners.

Senate Bills

Senate Bill 550 spelled out the responsibilities of the county offices of education to

inspect the schools that were the special focus of the Williams settlement. It detailed

the basis for determining that schools whose base API from 2003 fell in deciles 1, 2

or 3 would be at the center of the legislation. It set aside money for improving the

facilities of those schools that needed repairs, and for buying textbooks as needed.

Senate Bill 6 created a special pool of funds to pay for a special, one-time needs

assessment of the condition of buildings in schools that were in the bottom three

deciles of the API base scores in 2003. That needs assessment would be conducted

only by qualified professionals, following the strict guidelines of the Office of Public

School Construction. Districts that have schools on this decile 1-3 list would also be

entitled to draw on a statewide funding source to make the repairs the assessments

recommended

Assembly Bills

Assembly Bill 2727 gave parents greater rights to complain to school and district

leadership. The range of problems that parents could complain about was expanded

considerably. And county offices of education were tasked with the responsibility of

summing up those complaints four times a year.

Assembly Bill 1550 called for strict limits on, and the eventual phasing out of, one

category of year-round schools, the Concept 6 group. This type of multi-track school

is used in Los Angeles Unified, and includes just 163 school days.

Assembly Bill 3001 did many things. Among the more important are these three.

First, it gave schools whose APIs were in the lowest three deciles the first priority

when the district assigned teachers hired by the district. Second, it gave the Fiscal

Crisis Management and Assistance Team expanded powers to review how districts

recruit and retain principals and teachers. Third, it called for districts to report the

extent of teacher misassignments and vacancies in all schools. This included specific

attention to the qualifications of teachers whose classes included lots of English

learners (more than 20 percent was the threshold).

Education Code

California Education Codes (EC)

These Education Codes pertain to the Williams Legislation for

Instructional Materials.

Ed Code Section 60119

This code describes the responsibilities of a school district

governing board to ensure that each pupil has sufficient textbooks or

instructional materials, or both

Ed Code Section 1240

This code describes the responsibilities of the county superintendent

of schools in providing oversight of each school district

Impact for County Offices,

Districts and SchoolsCounty office meetings for districts

County office monitoring teams for facilities

County office monitoring teams for textbooks

County office monitoring credentials

Uniform complaint procedures (Revision of school board policies,

forms, etc…)

School Accountability Report Cards (Additional fields added)

Short and immediate timeline to implement

Districts quarterly reporting of complaints

Districts required to submit documents the beginning of each school

year to county offices for monitoring teams

Teacher questionnaires for textbooks

Two Types of Visits

Announced

Unannounced

For Baldwin Park Unified School District there is a THIRD type:

Unannounced Supervisor

Supervisor of Williams Inspectors

Facility Inspection Tool - FIT1. GAS

There is an odor that would indicate a gas leak. (x)

Gas pipes are broken and do not appear to be in good working order.

(X)

2. MECHANICAL SYSTEMS

The HVAC system is inoperable. (X)

The facilities are not ventilated (via mechanical or natural ventilation).

The ventilation units are obstructed and vents and grills have excessive

dirt or dust.

There appears to be inadequate air supply to all classrooms work

spaces, and facilities (i.e. strong odor is present, air is

stuffy).

Interior temperatures do not appear to be maintained within normally

accepted ranges.

The ventilation units are generating excessive noise or vibrations.

3. WINDOWS/DOORS/GATES/FENCES

There is exposed broken glass accessible to pupils and staff. (X)

Exterior doors and gates are not functioning and pose a security risk.

(X)

Windows are not intact or have cracks.

Windows or doors are not functional and do not open, close, and lock

as designed.

Doors are not intact.

Gates and fences do not appear to be functional.

Gates and fences are not intact and have holes and other conditions that

could present a safety hazard to pupils, staff, and others.

4. INTERIOR SURFACES

Walls have tears and holes.

Flooring has torn carpeting, missing floor tiles, holes.

Ceiling is missing ceiling tiles and has holes.

There is evidence of water damage (e.g. condensation, dampness,

staining, warping, peeling, mineral deposits, etc.).

5. HAZARDOUS MATERIALS

Hazardous chemicals, chemical waste, and flammable materials are

stored improperly (e.g. not locked and labeled

properly). (X)

Paint is peeling, chipping, or cracking.

There are damaged tiles or other circumstances that may indicate

asbestos exposure.

Surfaces (including floors, ceilings, walls, window casings, HVAC

grills) appear to have mildew, mold odor, and visible

mold.

6. STRUCTURAL DAMAGE

Severe cracks are evident. (X)

Ceilings and floors are sloping or sagging beyond their intended

design. (X)

Posts, beams, supports for portable classrooms, ramps, and

other structural building members are not intact,

secure and functional as designed. (X)

There is visible evidence of severe cracks, dry rot, mold, or

damage that undermines the structural

components. (X)

7. FIRE SAFETY

The fire sprinklers do not appear to be in working order (e.g.

there are missing or damaged sprinkler heads). (X)

Emergency alarms do not appear to be functional. (X)

Emergency exit signs do not function as designed, exits are

obstructed. (X)

Majority of fire extinguishers are expired. (X)

Fire extinguishers are not current and placed in all required

areas, including every classroom and assembly

area inspected.

Fire alarms pull stations are not clearly visible.

8. ELECTRICAL

There is evidence that a portion of the school has a power

failure. (X)

There are exposed electrical wires. Electrical equipment is not

properly covered and secured from pupil access.

(X)

Outlets, access panels, switch plates, junction boxes, and

fixtures are not properly covered and secured from

pupil access.

Lighting is inadequate or flickering.

There is an unusual hum or noise from the light fixtures.

9. PEST/VERMIN

There is evidence of a major pest or vermin infestation. (X)

There are holes in the walls, floors, or ceilings.

Rodent droppings or insect skins are evident.

Odor caused by a pest or vermin infestation is evident.

There are live rodents observed.

10. SINKS/FOUNTAINS

Drinking fountains are inaccessible.

Water pressure is inadequate.

A leak is evident.

There is moss, mold, or excessive staining on the fixtures.

The water is not clear and has unusual taste or odor.

11. RESTROOMS

Restrooms are not maintained and cleaned regularly.

Restrooms are not fully operational

Restrooms are not stocked with toilet paper, soap, and paper

towels.

Restrooms are not open during school hours.

12. SEWER

There are obvious signs of flooding caused by sewer line back-

up in the facilities or on the school grounds. (X)

The sanitary system does not control odors as designed.

13. ROOFS/GUTTERS

Roofs, gutters, roof drains, and down spouts have visible

damage.

Roofs, gutters, roof drains, and down spouts are not intact.

14. PLAYGROUNDS/SCHOOL GROUNDS

Significant cracks, trip hazards, holes, and deterioration are

evident.

Open “S” hooks, protruding bolt ends, and sharp points/edges

are found in the playground equipment.

Seating, tables, and equipment are not functional and show

significant cracks.

There are signs of drainage problems, such as flooded areas,

eroded soil, water damage to asphalt, or clogged

storm drain inlets.

15. OVERALL CLEANLINESS

Area(s) evaluated have accumulated refuse, dirt, and grime.

Area(s) evaluated have unabated graffiti.

Restrooms, drinking fountains, and food preparation or serving

areas do not appear to have been cleaned each

day that school is in session.

16. UCP/OTHER

UCP is not visible or improperly posted.

UCP form is not available in the office.

Other

FIT Percentage RatingsImplemented July 2007 – June 2009

Percentage Rating Rating

98% - 100%% Exemplary

85% - 97.99% Good

67% - 84.99% Fair

0 - 66.99% Poor

“NEW” FIT “Sections”Implemented in July 2009

Areas Section

1 Gas; Mechanical/HVAC; Sewer Systems

2 Interior Surfaces

3 Overall Cleanliness; Pest/Vermin Cleanliness

4 Electrical Components

5 Restrooms; Drinking Fountains Restroom/Fountains

6 Fire Safety; Hazardous Materials Safety

7 Structural Damage; Roofs/Gutters Structural

8 Windows/Doors/Gates/Fences;

Playgrounds/School GroundsExternal

“NEW” FIT Percentage RatingsImplemented in July 2009

OVERALL RATING

RatingPrevious Overall

Percentage

Revised Overall Percentage

2009-2010

Exemplary 98% - 100% 99% - 100%

Good 85% - 97.99% 90% - 98.99%

Fair 67% - 84.99% 75% - 89.99%

Poor 0 - 66.99% 0 - 74.99%

Facility Thoughts

UCP notices and complaint forms on office counters

No electrical cords running through classroom

Outlet covers not cracked or covered with butcher paper

No paper decorations on doors

No boxes and other objects stored on top of cabinets

Emergency exits are not blocked

All lights working

Air conditioning and heaters working

Covers on “old” heater thermostats (mercury)

No water spots on ceiling tiles

No missing ceiling tiles

UCP signs posted

No peeling paint

Water pressure on water faucets and drinking fountains

No dripping toilets

No home products (i.e. Raid, Pledge, Windex)

Hand sanitizers under control of teacher

Science chemicals labeled and locked

Paper cutters have finger guards and are not left out

Ripped carpet unsecured

Fire extinguisher pressure

Signature on fire extinguisher tag up-to-date

“Quotes by Williams Inspectors”

“Clean well maintained campus and facility.”

“School site very clean and very well maintained.”

“School well maintained and clean. Bathrooms very clean.”