THE AUGUST, 1997 REPORT OF THE GRAND JURY'S INVESTIGATION OF THE SAUSALITO SCHOOL DISTRICT, STATED THE CHILDREN IN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT ARE IN URGENT NEED OF HELP.
THE REPORT STATES THAT DESPITE AN AVERAGE CLASS SIZE OF 18 PUPILS AND AN ANNUAL INVESTMENT OF $12,276 PER STUDENT (ALMOST THREE TIMES THE MARIN COUNTY AVERAGE), STUDENT PERFORMANCE IN THE SAUSALITO SCHOOL DISTRICT IS WOEFULLY BELOW THAT OF MOST MARIN ELEMENTARY GRADE STUDENTS. THE GRAND JURY VISITED OTHER CULTURALLY DIVERSE SCHOOLS IN SAN FRANCISCO AND SAN RAFAEL, WHICH ARE SUCCEEDING " BECAUSE THEY HAVE STRONG LEADERSHIP, HAVE IMPLEMENTED SOUND TEACHING METHODS AND MAINTAINED GOOD CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR". THE GRAND JURY FOUND STRONG LEADERSHIP TO BE SERIOUSLY LACKING IN THE SAUSALITO SCHOOL DISTRICT. TEACHER MORALE IS LOW. CLASSROOM DISCIPLINE HAS DECLINED SHARPLY AND STUDENT VIOLENCE IS COMMONPLACE. AS A SAD CONSEQUENCE, MOST OF THESE CHILDREN ARE BEING DEPRIVED OF A SOUND EDUCATION. THOSE STUDENTS WHO MANAGE TO TOUGH IT OUT AND MOVE ON TO HIGH SCHOOL FIND THEMSELVES ILL-TRAINED AND ILL PREPARED, OFTEN WITHOUT EVEN THE MOST BASIC ACADEMIC AND SOCIAL SKILLS THEY WILL NEED IF THEY ARE TO LEAD PRODUCTIVE LIVED.
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