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Thursday, September 27, 2012

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Education Headlines

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Mesa Union names new superintendent

Three weeks after students got back from summer break, Michael Babb, 52, started his first week of school Monday as the superintendent of the Mesa Union School District.

Jittery board cancels arts center plans

The 500-seat performing arts center long promised for the Calaveras High School campus in San Andreas isn't dead - exactly. But following a decision this week by the Calaveras Unified School District Board of Trustees, the chances of the arts center project being built are slim.

County's deputy education chief to retire

Deputy Superintendent Gary Dei Rossi will retire in March, the San Joaquin County Office of Education announced Wednesday.

Mandatory drug tests for Lincoln Unified athletes?

With one administrator saying drugs and alcohol are "a major problem" among sports participants at Lincoln High School, Lincoln Unified's school board is considering instituting mandatory random drug testing of its student athletes.

Immigrants flood schools with transcript requests

School districts in North County and throughout the nation are seeing a surge in requests for transcripts from former students who are taking advantage of a new program that allows illegal immigrants to work legally in the U.S. for two years.

Some local teachers are sharing contracts, classes

For the last seven years, Susan Petersen has only gone to work three days a week. The River Oaks Elementary School teacher spends the other days at home writing lesson plans, taking care of her children or volunteering in their classrooms. She is on one of eight teaching teams in the Galt Joint Union Elementary School District.

Fensterwald: New 2-year lease on life for 163 Partnership Academies

Financially threatened high school career academies will get a lifeline and new career tech programs will get a lift, now that Gov. Jerry Brown has signed legislation committing $68 million for those and related projects over the next two years.

Fresno Unified board clashes over New Millenium charter school

The Fresno Unified School Board erupted with accusations Wednesday night over the district's handling of the troubled New Millennium charter school, prompting one trustee to say the board had shirked its duty to investigate possible staff misconduct.

Concessions, hiring priorities adopted for SD principals

The San Diego school board accepted concessions from 250 principals and vice principals Tuesday under a labor pact long stalled over a provision that limits the district’s hiring pool for new campus administrators.

Oakland's award-winning American Indian charter schools face closure threat

The governing board for Oakland's American Indian Model Schools -- which boast some of the highest test scores in California -- has been put on notice: If they don't make swift changes to the way the organization is run, it could be shut down.

Gov. Jerry Brown vetoes state intervention in student suspensions

Even the leader of the state Senate can’t escape the governor’s veto pen. That was clear Wednesday when Gov. Jerry Brown dismissed a bill on student discipline by Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento).

Fensterwald: Brown signs bill moving API away from standardized tests

Senate Bill 1458, which will shift California’s chief measure of a high school’s performance, from a near exclusive reliance on state test scores to a broader gauge of student accomplishment and preparation for college and the world of work, is now law.

California limits role of student tests in API scores

California's key measure of public school quality will be redefined to lessen the impact of standardized test scores under a bill signed into law Wednesday by Gov. Jerry Brown.

Gov. Jerry Brown stumps for Prop. 30, arguing it's best hope for schools

Admitting that his proposed tax hike will face a tough battle at the polls, Gov. Jerry Brown made a personal pitch Wednesday for Proposition 30 as the best hope for salvaging California's cash-strapped education system.
Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Stockton USD examines 'what if's' of Prop. 30 failure

California school districts have been struggling financially for years because of the state's financial woes, but Stockton Unified Superintendent Steve Lowder says the worst may be yet to come.

Kennedy to be new Menifee superintendent

Steve Kennedy was appointed superintendent of the Menifee Union School District on Tuesday. The current assistant superintendent of personnel will take over April 1, the day after current Superintendent Linda Callaway retires.

Fensterwald: New 2-year lease on life for 163 Partnership Academies

Financially threatened high school career academies will get a lifeline and new career tech programs will get a lift, now that Gov. Jerry Brown has signed legislation committing $68 million for those and related projects over the next two years.