Current Civil Grand Jury Reports
“Grand juries devote hours of time and attention to city, county, school district and special district administration and governance in an effort to secure effectiveness, governmental efficiency and understanding of taxpayer expenditures and public office holder and entity integrity.”
— Superior Court Judge Quentin L. Kopp (Ret.).
All current and previous San Mateo County Civil Grand Jury final reports and recommendations are available on the San Mateo County Superior Court website. Below, we’ve highlighted the most recent.
Who you gonna call? (July 2025)
Is Career Technical Education Preparing High School Students to Fill the Skilled Trade Gap
This report, based upon twenty-four investigative interviews and extensive research, identifies new findings and additional recommendations to the entities in the County that serve our high school students. The effectiveness of the CTE programs in preparing students for potential careers or selecting a college major is questionable. Pathway completion rates are extremely low. Gaps still exist between school-business partnerships.
Will the Next Big One Leave You High and Dry? (July 2025)
To what extent are water providers in San Mateo County prepared to supply water to customers in the event of a major catastrophe such as an earthquake, wildfire, tsunami, etc.?
We found a big weakness in disaster planning. Although every provider had done tabletop exercises, only a few did hands-on drills, and none had run full-scale emergency exercises. This raises serious concerns about whether they are ready for a real crisis.
Can taxpayers have confidence that their Measure K tax dollars are being spent effectively and with full transparency? (July 2025)
For more than a decade, a portion of San Mateo County’s sales tax revenue has been dedicated to
maintaining and enhancing the quality of life for its residents. To provide or augment some
services, the County contracts and partners with non-profit organizations. Taxpayers should have
the ability to know that these organizations are spending money allocated to them properly and
effectively.
Summary of Responses to the Final Reports of the 2023 - 2024 San Mateo County Civil Grand Jury (July 2025)
California Penal Code Section 933(c) requires a response and comments from the governing body, elected county officers, or agency heads to the presiding judge of the superior court on the findings and recommendations within the required period of time. Governing bodies of public agencies are required to respond no later than 90 days after the Grand Jury submits a final report, elected county officers and agency heads no later than 60 days.