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DISTRICTS TO GET $1.25 BILLION THIS FALL TO IMPLEMENT COMMON CORE - BY JOHN FENSTERWALD

by John Fensterwald

Payola Continues to Work Well For Corporate Education Reform 

Education Headlines

Monday, June 24, 2013

Charter school petition denied

Soulsbyville School District's Board of Trustees voted unanimously Thursday to deny a petition for a new charter school that would focus on leadership and the arts.

Hacienda La Puente USD uses $12M in reserves to balance budget

The Hacienda La Puente Unified School Board approved a $190 million spending plan Thursday that includes drawing $12 million from reserves to balance the 2013-14 budget.

Monterey Peninsula schools will see salad bars again

Administrators with the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District pulled out the salad bars in their schools about two weeks before the school year ended because cafeteria workers were having difficulty keeping up with the new job requirements.

Palm Springs Unified to put tablets into the hands of more students

The Palm Springs Unified school district will introduce no less than 1,000 mobile computer devices into classrooms this fall, allowing students who once had to share computers to handle a technological tool of their own.

Judge rules Los Alamitos Unified can hire firms without bidding

A Superior Court judge has ruled against a contractor who had challenged the legality of decisions by Los Alamitos Unified to award more than $100 million in no-bid construction contracts.

More money headed to local schools

In a welcomed reversal following five years of consecutive cuts, Capistrano Unified and Saddleback Valley Unified school districts are projected to receive at least $230 more per student this year under Gov. Jerry Brown's school funding overhaul.

Upland Unified School District, 2 unions see agreement on horizon

Upland Unified School District officials and its employees may be getting somewhere. After filling the Upland Elementary School auditorium and protesting outside during Tuesday's board of trustees meeting, Upland employees have made progress during two day-long negotiation sessions with district officials over concessions. 

What can schools expect from Cindy Marten?

Unlike many of the big-name superintendents who preceded her — Alan Bersin and Terry Grier, among them — Cindy Marten was not hired to shake things up or stamp her brand of reform on the San Diego Unified School District. Even so, San Diego wants to know: What are Marten’s plans for the district’s 118,000 students and 7,000 teachers?

Court decision on parcel tax has San Leandro rethinking school budget

Hopes the San Leandro schools will ever see the $12 million in parcel tax revenue approved by voters in November dimmed last week, prompting school officials to rethink their budget plans and legal options.

Data security is a classroom worry, too

Like many privacy-minded parents of elementary students, Tony Porterfield tries to keep close tabs on the personal information collected about his two sons. So when he heard that their school district in Los Altos, Calif., had adopted Edmodo, an online learning network connecting more than 20 million teachers and students around the world, he decided to check out the program and found some security concerns.

Long Beach Unified wins $2.6 million over false rape accusation

The Long Beach Unified School District has won a $2.6-million judgment in its lawsuit against a former student who falsely accused classmate and football player Brian Banks of rape, officials said.

L.A. Unified's change in school for the blind draws outrage

Larchmont school will be different come fall. The beloved special school for the blind will join with neighboring Van Ness Elementary to create what's called "an integrated learning community," Los Angeles Unified School District officials said.

Parents fight Rowland Unified over transportation fees

Are student transportation fees legal? That's the contentious issue dividing the Rowland Unified School District and the Boosters Club at Nogales High School.

Are teachers getting the right training?

A new report said most teacher-credentialing programs in San Diego County do a poor job of preparing future educators — and three are deficient enough that students should consider avoiding them.

Fensterwald: Districts to get $1.25 billion this fall to implement Common Core

With uncommon speed, school districts and charter schools this fall will receive substantial money they didn’t foresee coming their way a few months ago to prepare for the Common Core standards. The catch: They first have to tell the public how they plan to use it.

Friday, June 21, 2013

Upland school district, employees to discuss health plan cuts

Negotiations will continue Thursday between the Upland Unified School District and its classified employees, who are protesting proposed increases to their health care contributions.

Lodi Unified School District denies conflict of interest

A consulting firm that employs the spouse of Lodi Unified School District’s top business officer has been hired to audit aspects of the district’s special education program, leading some parents to question whether the contract presents a conflict of interest.

River Delta Unified chooses superintendent from Woodland

River Delta Unified named Don Beno superintendent at its regular board meeting Tuesday night. Beno was assistant superintendent of human resources for Woodland Joint Unified. He will replace River Delta Superintendent Rick Hennes, who is retiring.