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Friday, November 15, 2013

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Fensterwald: Special education now on Sacramento’s radar; task force to take long look



Education Headlines

Friday, November 15, 2013

Moorpark school board approves more raises

The Moorpark Unified School District board unanimously approved a 2.5 percent increase for certain classified employees, including assistant principals, school counselors and psychologists, and classified directors.

Simi Valley graduations will take place a week before school ends

The Simi Valley Unified School District board agreed this week to eliminate seven furlough days and lengthen the current school year calendar.

Educators cheer bill to further fund preschools

Advocates for young children in Monterey County and across the United States are applauding Wednesday's introduction of a bill that would significantly expand access to early childhood education.

California sees growth in charter schools

Despite a statewide increase in charter school enrollment, Aspire Public Schools' Vincent Shalvey Academy in Lodi Unified School District remains steady with a waitlist of 700 students.

Twin Rivers Unified trustee arraigned, waits to enter plea

Twin Rivers Unified School District trustee Cortez Quinn walked into Sacramento Superior Court on Wednesday morning with his lawyer and a minister. Quinn, 46, was arraigned on felony charges after he allegedly falsified his paternity test and accepted illegal gifts from a district employee.

Jenkins: School yoga protest tests flexibility in Encinitas

For several weeks, Craig Nordal has been showing up outside Encinitas Union School District elementary campuses. He was photographed holding up this sign: "PROTECT YOUR CHILDREN OPT OUT OF YOGA! Luke 17:2.”

LAUSD OKs $17M to replace ‘green’ air-conditioner at Byrd Middle School in Sun Valley

Just because something is “greener” doesn’t necessarily mean it’s better. That’s a lesson Los Angeles Unified learned the hard way, after it experienced an array of problems with a state-of-the-art air-conditioning system at 5-year-old Byrd Middle School in Sun Valley.

Teachers union impasse discussed at Mt. Diablo school board meeting

Hundreds of teachers rallied before the Mt. Diablo school board meeting Wednesday, seeking raises and increased benefits contributions.

Hercules: Fight at school may have involved transgender student

A vicious fight at Hercules High School on Wednesday has drawn attention after it was learned that one of the students involved may possibly identify as transgender.

McRae: Education reform through the courts and why it’s necessary

Vergara v. California, the lawsuit filed last year against the State of California by nine public schoolchildren and sponsored by the nonprofit organization Students Matter, challenges the outdated teacher tenure, dismissal and layoff system in California that entrenches grossly ineffective teachers in classrooms while pushing highly effective, but less senior, teachers out.

Fensterwald: Special education now on Sacramento’s radar; task force to take long look

Special education, a multi-billion-dollar operation long viewed in Sacramento as too big and confounding to reform, may finally grab policymakers’ attention.
Thursday, November 14, 2013

Ventura schools look to broaden ban on tobacco products

Ventura schools are taking steps to expand their anti-tobacco policies to prevent students from getting hooked on devices that mimic smoking, such as electronic cigarettes.

Simi Valley school board approves first step toward bond measure

As bond-funded work at Simi Valley schools starts winding down, school board members agreed Tuesday night on a first step toward launching a bond campaign.

Linden Unified set to begin interviewing candidates

Interim Superintendent Leo Zuber said the district has identified four finalists who will be interviewed today and Friday by district trustees and a community panel.

Tracy Unified superintendent to call it a career

James Franco, superintendent of the 17,000-student Tracy Unified School District since 2002 and a district employee for 26 years, announced his retirement this week effective at the end of the school year in June.