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Thursday, October 18, 2012

UPDATE: FCMAT » Cali Education Headlines Thursday, October 18, 2012

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'Drop, cover and hold on' for national quake drill



Education Headlines

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Cypress schools drop lawsuit against city

About a year ago, to clear their path, Cypress School District officials sued the city of Cypress, which had made overtures that it would disrupt the district's plans to lease or sell vacant properties in the city. Now both parties have publicly ended the spat, with the district dropping the lawsuit and city officials promising to work with the district on future plans.

Retiree catches glitch in SDUSD Prop Z voter guide

After a careful review of the San Diego Unified School District $2.8 billion Proposition Z bond measure in the sample ballot that landed in M.L. Zeddies’ mailbox, a couple of things caught his eye. The campus-by-campus inventory of bond projects included work at some schools on nonexistent facilities.

School president's email pushes tax measures

San Diego school board President John Lee Evans has been using his district email to coordinate a news conference with the region’s school board presidents to advocate for the passage of two statewide tax increases.

Future of solar power looking bright for Chico schools

Wednesday night, after hearing a report on the success of five solar power facilities, four at schools and one at the district's corporation yard, the Chico USD trustees voted unanimously to investigate putting solar arrays at other school sites.

Families try to adjust as Horizon charter school closes in Rocklin

Horizon Charter Schools gave parents just five days' notice before shuttering the campus and offering a home-school option.

Each $1 from bonds to cost schools $18

Rancho Cordova taxpayers eventually will pay $9.1 million to retire just $514,000 in capital appreciation bonds issued by the Folsom Cordova Unified School District – about $18 in payments for every $1 borrowed.

LAUSD, L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center join forces to stop sexual bullying

With nearly 200 incidents of sexual bullying reported last year in Los Angeles Unified, the school district and L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center on Wednesday announced a campaign designed to curb harassment and prevent youth suicides.

LAUSD says talks with UTLA on teacher evaluations are at impasse

Los Angeles Unified has filed a declaration of impasse in its negotiations with UTLA over teacher evaluations, seeking mediation from the state Public Employee Relations Board, officials said Wednesday.

Livermore school board rejects Tri-Valley Learning Corp.'s charter school petition

For the second time in 12 months, the Tri-Valley Learning Corp. has had its petition to open a third charter school rejected by the Livermore school board.

Lawsuit: Lafayette School District knew of teacher fondling students before 2010 arrest

Lafayette School District employees received complaints of a popular Stanley Middle School teacher fondling female students before the teacher's 2010 arrest for sexually abusing a 14-year-old girl, according to a civil suit filed in Contra Costa Superior Court.

Riley: Deschooling California - Postmodern theory meets Props 30 & 38

Make no mistake, like everyone else who cares about California’s schools and students, I hope the voters pass Proposition 30 to prevent further fiscal Armageddon. Should California voters decide otherwise, however, my hope is that the resulting crisis might finally provoke a serious effort to dramatically rethink and redesign every aspect of our education system.

Freedburg: Preschool math curriculum faces significant challenges

Despite research showing the crucial importance of math at a preschool level for future academic success, preschool programs face significant obstacles in implementing an effective math program, according to interviews with early childhood instructors and preschool administrators.

State to investigate SF’s handling of special education services

The California Department of Education said it would investigate whether the San Francisco Unified School District violated federal regulations by improperly denying summer school services to students with special needs in order to cut costs.
Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Stockton USD pilot sites fill gaps for needy

This year, south Stockton's Taylor and Roosevelt Elementary in southeast Stockton are operating extended-hours programs to provide social services to children and their families.

Lodi Unified School District trustees upset by lack of enrollment in general-level courses

A lack of students enrolled in general courses at one Lodi Unified School District high school caused members of the board of trustees to grow visibly agitated during Tuesday's board meeting.

Special ed teachers say e-mail broke law

A San Francisco Unified School District administrator raised the possibility of not offering summer school to some special education students as a way to cut costs, a move that special education teachers and attorneys say violates federal law.