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Wednesday, June 19, 2013

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EdSource: Critical report on teacher preparation programs sparks debate






Education Headlines

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Principal to oversee Tracy district expansion

The Jefferson Elementary School District in Tracy has selected a new superintendent. The Board of Trustees is expected to approve the hiring of longtime Jefferson Elementary School Principal James Bridges at tonight's meeting.

Monterey Peninsula USD budget approved

Monterey Peninsula Unified School District trustees late Monday approved a $58 million spending plan for the upcoming fiscal year that they'll have to revise again in six weeks.

Lodi Unified School District employees request restoration of salaries

With Lodi Unified School District employees enjoying the news that the district stands to gain an estimated $28 million in Proposition 30 funds, union representatives asked the board of trustees on Tuesday to restore some of the wages employees gave up during the recession.

Upland Unified School District employees protest against proposed cuts

Upland Unified School District employees Tuesday marched from the district office on Euclid Avenue to Upland Elementary School bringing public attention to looming cuts in compensation.

Funding increase for Coachella Valley schools not clear

All three desert school districts will see boosted funding if Gov. Jerry Brown signs a compromise budget bill, but the magnitude of the these budget increases are difficult to estimate.

Group vows to continue recall effort against Coachella Valley Unified board

The Coachella Valley Unified school board briefly emptied a public board meeting Tuesday night after bubbling tension sparked a shouting match between a union representative, a former board member and disgruntled parents who hope to recall the current school board.

Chico school district to benefit from new state budget

The state Legislature has approved a budget that will add an estimated $3.2 million to Chico Unified School District's budget for 2013-2014 fiscal year.

Fresno Unified Superintendent Michael Hanson's pay perks to end

A year and a half after lawmakers made sweeping changes to the way government executives are compensated, Fresno Unified School District's superintendent will likely see a cut to his contractual perks, including yearly salary increases.

Panorama City school to be named after Michelle Obama

With a focus on the healthy-eating agenda advocated by the first lady, a year-old elementary school in Panorama City was named Tuesday in honor of Michelle Obama.

Saugus school board removes controversial member Stephen Winkler for living outside district

The Saugus Union School Board has removed board member Stephen Winkler for living outside the district -- without addressing allegations that he is a Nazi sympathizer.

Oakland teachers approve contract

The school district teacher's union approved a new contract that gives them a 1.5 percent raise and a one-time payment of 2.35 percent based on their salary.

Contra Costa County grand jury finds disparities in school solar projects

School districts throughout Contra Costa County have turned to solar energy to reduce utility costs and generate revenues through credits or rebates. But in a recently released report, the Contra Costa County grand jury found a wide disparity in how districts approached projects, estimated costs and savings, planned for future expenses, monitored production and reported the costs and savings to the public.

EdSource: Critical report on teacher preparation programs sparks debate

California’s teacher training programs were excoriated as among the worst in a nation of poor-quality programs in a report released Tuesday, immediately sparking a debate about the validity of the report’s methodology and findings.

L.A. school board OKs $30 million for Apple iPads

Apple Inc. won a $30-million contract Tuesday from the L.A. Unified School District, paving the way for the company to provide every student with an iPad in the nation's second-largest school system.

LAUSD board passes $6.2 billion budget

The Los Angeles Unified school board passed a $6.2 billion budget for 2013-14 on Tuesday, the first time in five years that deep cuts and gut-wrenching layoffs haven't been part of the financial plan.
Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Oxnard teacher negotiations bog down on health benefits

The Oxnard School District and its teachers are negotiating their 2012-13 contract, and retiree health benefits continue to be the sticking point.

Horizon Charter School faces board vote amid complaints

The fate of Horizon Charter School and its 2,700 students is in the hands of Western Placer Unified's school board after allegations of fiscal mismanagement and complaints from parents.

Capo Unified prepares for influx of students

A new campus serving kindergartners through eighth-graders is likely to be the first school built by the Capistrano Unified School District to accommodate students growing up in Rancho Mission Viejo, a large housing development under construction east of Ladera Ranch and San Juan Capistrano.