The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury released a report yesterday detailing the hefty challenges facing Southern Humboldt Unified School District, from mountain budget shortfalls to a lack of stable leadership.

The report, prompted by an apparent laundry list of complaints from families and staff in the district, details how declining enrollment, the formation of a charter school and chronic absenteeism — nearly triple statewide rates — have combined to cause budget deficits while rapid turnover in district leadership positions has left a void and a lack of direction. The report notes the district is in decline, lacking a "short or long-term vision for sustainability."

The Lost Coast Outpost has a detailed report on the grand jury's findings here, and you can find the jury's full report here.