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Thursday, December 20, 2012

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Education Headlines

Thursday, December 20, 2012

Marine calls himself to duty as guard of California elementary school

Marine Sgt. Craig Pusley was on duty Wednesday. Desert camo fatigues, knees slightly bent, the young father stood a self-imposed watch at Hughson Elementary School. One man. No rifle. No pay. No breaks.

California teachers fund reviewing firearm holdings

The nation's largest teachers' pension fund announced Tuesday that it was reviewing its firearms holdings after determining that its investment in a gun maker was linked to one of the weapons used in last week's Connecticut school massacre.

Oakland school board election dispute remains unresolved

Two weeks after he is sworn in as an Oakland school board member, James Harris goes to court to defend his right to the seat. Harris defeated Oakland school board incumbent Alice Spearman by a 14-point margin in November, but the contest isn't over. Spearman has filed a legal challenge, arguing Harris isn't eligible to serve on the board because he lives in a part of Oakland that belongs to the San Leandro school district.

$2.4 million in health grants go to East Bay students

Public schools in Alameda, Oakland and San Leandro received $2.4 million in health care grants from President Obama's Affordable Care Act, according to a nonprofit that advocates on behalf of student health in California.

Camp: Local-state funding should sync like a tandem bike

In 2013, most California education-watchers expect two policy debates about school finance. Two is not enough; there will need to be three.

Appeals court imposes restrictions on parcel taxes

Democrats in the Legislature are poised to help make it easier for school districts to pass parcel taxes, but a court ruling this month – if it withstands an appeal – will narrow the scope of what parcel taxes can tax.

Let teachers carry guns, San Juan councilman says

In the wake of the Connecticut school massacre, San Juan Capistrano’s Derek Reeve urges the Capistrano Unified School District to allow "willing staff, teachers and/or parents" to help protect schools by arming themselves. The district superintendent says that won’t happen.
Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Schools reexamine safety plans

The tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut is spurring Mother Lode educators to refresh their memory on safety plans, but it has also left them wondering if they can do more to protect students.

New superintendent named for El Monte City School District

As a former Columbia Elementary School student, Maribel Garcia fondly remembered her principal Jeff Seymour, a man who would later become superintendent of the El Monte City School District. As Seymour enters retirement following 25 years in the position, Garcia is preparing to take the reins.

Novato school officials reject charter school proposal

The Novato Unified School District board voted unanimously Tuesday to reject a petition for a new charter school, paving the way for a possible appeal to the Marin County Office of Education.