DEPARTMENT MANAGERS’ REPORTS were held during the Sierra County Board of Supervisors’ meeting held August 6th in Downieville. Chief Probation Officer Chuck Henson reported that thebuilding housing the Probation office at 105 Beckwith in Loyalton, is in sale negotiations with the school district and City. He feels the location is a matter of public safety, adding most of the population is on the east side. Henson stated having an office in Loyalton helps with response time and helps to be hands on with the community and keeps the crime rate low. Currently located in the social hall building at the City park, they are walking distance to schools. They are first responders for critical incidents at schools because of where their office is located. Henson stated he will be ramping up his effort with continued discussions with the school district and City of Loyalton.Sheriff Mike Fisher reported the Sierra County bear issues continue, with over 100 calls to the Sheriff’s Office. In Sierra County 5 bears have been euthanized and have had very little impact in calls. They are still seeing daily calls over bears.Fisher stated with the Tahoe National Forest going into Stage 3 fire restrictions this triggers the county fire ordinance. Deputies will be making sure people are firesafe within the county. Public Works Director Bryan Davey reported that the Calpine Community Hall plans are ready to go out for bid. He hoped to bring bids for review by next meeting on August 20th in Loyalton. Davey stated the underground storage tank in Downieville has been remediated and closed. Results are still pending. Costs were less than projected.
SIERRA COUNTY received 100% on its 2023/2024 Safety Audit as reported by Risk Manager, Van Maddox to the Board of Supervisors at its regular meeting held August 6th in Downieville. He stated this shows the hard work of county staff, especially Judi Behlke, Assistant Personnel Director, in keeping the county safe and saving residents of Sierra County lots of money. Maddox reported in Worker’s Compensation the County only had $8,420 in losses, General Liability had $0 and Property had $9,398 in losses which he stated was one of the lowest years in his time.Sierra County was the only county to get 100%.In a letter sent to Maddox by Rachael Hartman, Director of Risk Control at Trindel, Risk Management for Rural Counties states in part: “Sierra County received 100% on the audit for a full subsidy total in the amount of $60,000. Sierra County will also receive the additional funding to the LSTP/Safety Fund account in the amount of $2,500 plus an extra $1,000 for scoring above 95% in the audit for a total of $3,500.“Throughout the past year, Judi Behlke’s dedication, expertise, and unwavering commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of Sierra County’s employees have been exemplary. Her meticulous efforts identifying potential risks, and implementing robust safety measures have significantly contributed to your organization’s overall safety culture and compliance.”
SIERRA COUNTY SCHOOLS start Wednesday, August 21st. Summer facilities projects were discussed during the Sierra County Office of Education and Sierra Plumas Joint Unified School District Board meeting held August 13th in Downieville. Asphalt sealing will be completed at Loyalton High School before the first day of school. Carpeting in the schools was almost finished and hoped to done with Downieville by Friday. District Superintendent Sean Snider will have a walk through for all carpet installed. A new swing set for Loyalton Elementary will go in this weekend. Snider wasn’t sure if it would be ready in time for the first day of school, but was hopeful. He reported they are still working with FEMA for storm damage reimbursements. The District is “penciled in” with the roofing company to do roofs, just awaiting the funding breakdown for who is responsible for what. A community meeting for a girls’ softball field will be held on September 4th at 6 p.m. in the Loyalton High School gym. This is an opportunity for people to look at proposed plans and provide input.The previous week, they had an active shooter drill at both Loyalton Elementary and High School. Snider called it a great learning experience. Downieville School had one scheduled the following day.Grizzly Day at Loyalton High School is tonight at 6 p.m.On Monday, August 19th an all staff kickoff will be held at Loyalton Elementary School in the multi-purpose room to get ready for the first day of school.
COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT James Berardi reported on advocacy work at the Sierra County Office of Education and Sierra Plumas Joint Unified School District Board meeting held in Downieville on August 13th. Berardi stated he met with Congressman Kevin Kiley and talked about unfunded mandates and special education issues. They also talked about the need for creating a national credential so teachers can work in any state, as requirements in California are much greater than other states. Berardi mentioned Board President, Kelly Champion had been taking Masters of Government classes, as well as other training on advocacy work. He encouraged other board members to take advantage, calling it a great opportunity for training to be the best board members they could be and to advocate for the things we need in a small rural frontier county.District Superintendent Sean Snider presented his 2024/25 goals for the year. 1. Provide instructional leadership and support for increased academic achievement. 2. Maintain positive working relationships with school staff, community agencies, and the school community as a whole. 3. Make progress on the facilities needs of the district. 4. Continue to reduce deficit spending, with the goal of presenting a balanced budget for the 2025-2026 school year. 5. Provide mentoring and support for new Director of Student Improvement and two new principals. An update on goals will be provided in October, January, March, and May in order to establish two-way feedback on the progress of each goal.
SIERRA COUNTY received 100% on its 2023/2024 Safety Audit as reported by Risk Manager, Van Maddox to the Board of Supervisors at its regular meeting held August 6th in Downieville. He stated this shows the hard work of county staff, especially Judi Behlke, Assistant Personnel Director, in keeping the county safe and saving residents of Sierra County lots of money. Maddox reported in Worker’s Compensation the County only had $8,420 in losses, General Liability had $0 and Property had $9,398 in losses which he stated was one of the lowest years in his time.Sierra County was the only county to get 100%.In a letter sent to Maddox by Rachael Hartman, Director of Risk Control at Trindel, Risk Management for Rural Counties states in part: “Sierra County received 100% on the audit for a full subsidy total in the amount of $60,000. Sierra County will also receive the additional funding to the LSTP/Safety Fund account in the amount of $2,500 plus an extra $1,000 for scoring above 95% in the audit for a total of $3,500.“Throughout the past year, Judi Behlke’s dedication, expertise, and unwavering commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of Sierra County’s employees have been exemplary. Her meticulous efforts identifying potential risks, and implementing robust safety measures have significantly contributed to your organization’s overall safety culture and compliance.”
SIERRA COUNTY SCHOOLS start Wednesday, August 21st. Summer facilities projects were discussed during the Sierra County Office of Education and Sierra Plumas Joint Unified School District Board meeting held August 13th in Downieville. Asphalt sealing will be completed at Loyalton High School before the first day of school. Carpeting in the schools was almost finished and hoped to done with Downieville by Friday. District Superintendent Sean Snider will have a walk through for all carpet installed. A new swing set for Loyalton Elementary will go in this weekend. Snider wasn’t sure if it would be ready in time for the first day of school, but was hopeful. He reported they are still working with FEMA for storm damage reimbursements. The District is “penciled in” with the roofing company to do roofs, just awaiting the funding breakdown for who is responsible for what. A community meeting for a girls’ softball field will be held on September 4th at 6 p.m. in the Loyalton High School gym. This is an opportunity for people to look at proposed plans and provide input.The previous week, they had an active shooter drill at both Loyalton Elementary and High School. Snider called it a great learning experience. Downieville School had one scheduled the following day.Grizzly Day at Loyalton High School is tonight at 6 p.m.On Monday, August 19th an all staff kickoff will be held at Loyalton Elementary School in the multi-purpose room to get ready for the first day of school.
COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT James Berardi reported on advocacy work at the Sierra County Office of Education and Sierra Plumas Joint Unified School District Board meeting held in Downieville on August 13th. Berardi stated he met with Congressman Kevin Kiley and talked about unfunded mandates and special education issues. They also talked about the need for creating a national credential so teachers can work in any state, as requirements in California are much greater than other states. Berardi mentioned Board President, Kelly Champion had been taking Masters of Government classes, as well as other training on advocacy work. He encouraged other board members to take advantage, calling it a great opportunity for training to be the best board members they could be and to advocate for the things we need in a small rural frontier county.District Superintendent Sean Snider presented his 2024/25 goals for the year. 1. Provide instructional leadership and support for increased academic achievement. 2. Maintain positive working relationships with school staff, community agencies, and the school community as a whole. 3. Make progress on the facilities needs of the district. 4. Continue to reduce deficit spending, with the goal of presenting a balanced budget for the 2025-2026 school year. 5. Provide mentoring and support for new Director of Student Improvement and two new principals. An update on goals will be provided in October, January, March, and May in order to establish two-way feedback on the progress of each goal.
