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Tuesday, July 2, 2013

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Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Monterey County trying to prevent 'summer learning loss'

Although he doesn't know it, George is a lucky boy. He's one of only a few hundred in the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District who gets to participate in summer classes, perhaps avoiding a much discussed dilemma now facing public education in the United States.

Alisal superintendent cleared in credit card audit, but district encouraged to increase controls

An audit into charges by Alisal Union District Superintendent John Ramirez to a district-issued credit card has cleared him of wrongdoing but also found the district needs to beef up its internal control policies.

New Upland Unified superintendent wants to enhance student programs

Nancy Kelly was not planning on starting her position as Upland Unified School District superintendent until this month. But, when the district's budget troubles became evident, she decided to step in early.

Westminster superintendent put on leave

The Westminster school board on Monday placed Superintendent Richard Tauer on an indefinite paid leave, sparking vocal complaints from members of a crowd of 170 and a push to recall the board's president and clerk.

County community schools program graduates troubled teens

It’s often said that everyone deserves a second chance, but what about a third or fourth? Students enrolled in the Juvenile Court and Community Schools program run by the San Diego County Office of Education are given the opportunity to earn it.

Schools focus on science, math fields

The fastest-growing career fields require education in science, technology, engineering or math, so Inland school districts are bumping up those classes or starting academies to delve more deeply into the topics.

Union City New Haven Unified sells former school site for $14 million

New Haven Unified has sold a former school property for more than $14 million, bolstering the district's coffers and illustrating further that the region's once-dormant real estate market is rebounding.

Gov. Jerry Brown signs bill for education funding

Gov. Jerry Brown signed sweeping education legislation Monday that changes the state funding formula for K-12 schools in a way that he hopes will help boost the academic achievement of disadvantaged students.

Marwell: Districts must plan carefully to make most of state, federal money for technology

California’s education leaders must take responsibility for ensuring that every district in California has the information it needs to make the most of this opportunity to upgrade classrooms for the 21st century. In an era of scarce resources, it is imperative that California’s school districts do their homework before committing the one-time funding that the governor and Legislature have had the vision to provide.

Judge rejects claim that yoga in schools is religious instruction

A San Diego Superior Court judge Monday rejected a claim by parents in the Encinitas elementary school system that teaching yoga in the schools is an improper attempt at religious indoctrination.

L.A. County must pay millions to LAUSD

An appeals court has ordered Los Angeles County to refund the Los Angeles Unified School District millions of dollars in redevelopment area property tax revenues that it had inaccurately withheld for years, and avoid shortchanging the LAUSD in the future.

Jerry Brown signs school funding overhaul

Gov. Jerry Brown ushered in the most sweeping changes to the way California funds its public schools in 25 years on Monday, signing into law a new funding formula that was the centerpiece of his legislative agenda for the year.

Governor Jerry Brown signs pension reform law exception for new leader of Inglewood Unified

Gov. Jerry Brown signed a little-known bill Monday that allows the new state-appointed leader of the troubled Inglewood Unified School District to collect his pension while getting paid by the K-12 district.

Fensterwald: Infusion of money for career education in new state budget

Programs that prepare students for college and careers are about to get a jolt of one-time state money that supporters are counting on to lead to a permanent and sustainable expansion of programs.
Monday, July 1, 2013

S.F. City College's finances in disarray

Money management at City College of San Francisco is rife with problems - from payroll headaches to infighting to poorly trained staff - even after a year of transformation, concludes a new analysis of how the troubled school manages its $343 million budget.

The face of Stockton USD's finances

Wayne Martin, whose demeanor is the very embodiment of the cautious and serious budgeting wonk, is retiring from Stockton Unified this week, and those who know him may find his first after-career destination to be both ironic and counterintuitive.

Grand jury: Marin schools safe, but could be better prepared for emergencies

The grand jury, in a report released last week, found there is a lack of solid and consistent training when it comes to preparing school employees for emergencies. It said schools in the county's 18 districts struggle with evaluating their safety plans, keeping safety teams intact when there are staff turnovers and maintaining adequate emergency supplies.