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Thursday, December 19, 2013

UPDATE: FCMAT » Cali Education Headlines Thursday, December 19, 2013

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iPads in the classroom: Not a bust, but not yet a boon


Education Headlines

FCMAT provides links to California K-12 news stories as a service to the industry. However, some stories may not be accessible because of newspapers' subscription policies.

Thursday, December 19, 2013

Garces coaches file claim against Kern HS district, Central Section

Eight Garces football coaches, including head coach Jim Maples, are pursuing legal action against the Kern High School District, the Kern County Superintendent of Schools and the CIF Central Section.

Linden Unified has new leader

Linden Unified trustees hired Lisa Boje to be its next superintendent, ratifying a 21/2-year contract Wednesday.

Alisal school board gets through meeting - barely

It took two recesses and a silenced microphone but the Alisal Union School District Board of Trustees got through most of its meeting Wednesday night.

Long Beach school okays 3 percent raise for teachers

After five years without a raise, Long Beach Unified teachers have received a 3 percent pay bump.

Lawsuit alleges pervasive racism at Eureka City Schools

The American Civil Liberties Union filed a federal lawsuit Wednesday against Eureka City Schools, alleging pervasive and systemic racism and sexism in the district.

Funding approved to prepare Chico schools for Common Core

During a meeting when the board was one member short, the Chico Unified School District trustees approved a plan to spend $2.4 million to prepare for the academic Common Core, and rearranged their own leadership.

Los Al schools see first effects of Prop 30

The Los Alamitos Unified School District is set to receive a $2 million – or 3.9 percent – increase in state funding this fiscal year, according to the district’s latest budget estimate. It’s the district’s first estimate since it learned what it would receive in new revenue from Prop 30.

Long Beach Unified in the middle of Wi-Fi rollout

Long Beach Unified is taking a step toward that future with its $23 million project to have every classroom at its 84 schools outfitted with wireless technology by the end of the school year, enabling students and teachers to access the resources of the web from anywhere on campus.

Corona del Mar High students, tutor, accused of hacking computers

Students at Corona del Mar High School could face criminal charges after district officials say they hacked into the school’s computers to change grades and access tests, possibly with the help of a private tutor, according to a statement from the district.

Sweetwater trustee pleads guilty

Sweetwater school district trustee Arlie Ricasa will resign her seat from the school board after pleading guilty Wednesday to a misdemeanor charge of accepting gifts above state limits.

Latest revamp sought for Lincoln High

Principal Esther Omogbehin, whom students and teachers call “Dr. O,” will collaborate with San Diego Unified School District superintendent Cindy Marten to bring a middle college to Lincoln High School. It’s part of a broader turnaround effort for a campus that has been plagued with problems for decades.

Stanislaus County public schools expected to continue losing students

Stanislaus County public school enrollments have fallen since the recession began, and state demographers don’t expect student gains anytime soon.

Antioch school district settles student abuse case for $8 million

The Antioch school district announced Wednesday night it has settled with the families of eight kindergarten special education students over a teacher child abuse case and the failure of administrators to report abuse suspicions to the proper authorities

West Contra Costa board to vote Thursday on teachers' contract

West Contra Costa trustees will meet Thursday to ratify a collective bargaining agreement with the district's teachers' union expected to cost $1.5 million this year and $4.2 million in 2014-15.

iPads in the classroom: Not a bust, but not yet a boon

Mistakes made in Los Angeles are now being heeded nationally as a cautionary tale, with school districts halting technology rollouts until rules regarding the use of the devices are finalized and teachers get more training.

L.A. Unified slashes number of iPads deemed needed for student tests

Under pressure from an oversight panel, Los Angeles school officials have sharply reduced the number of iPads they say are needed to carry out new state standardized tests.

Baron: State’s largest urban districts post gains on national assessment

Three of California’s largest school districts showed gains on a national assessment of urban districts that also singled out Los Angeles and Fresno Unified for special recognition from U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan.
Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Common Core is coming to Calaveras

Calaveras Unified School District students will be spending less time learning to select answers on multiple-choice tests and more time learning to think, collaborate and communicate in the coming year.

Sonora El buildings may be lost

Damage from the Nov. 25 fire at Sonora Elementary School will exceed $3 million in costs and will likely result in the school's F building being demolished, Sonora's fire chief said Monday.

California Connections Academy adds staff based on growth

A San Joaquin County virtual school has recently added eight new credentialed teachers to serve students in the Lodi and Galt area.

Exiting Orland school boss to get more than $247,000

According to a summation of the cash settlement, which along with the agreement was originally withheld by the district, von Kleist will receive $247,100.Chris von Kleist, recently exited Orland Unified School District superintendent, didn't leave his post with empty pockets.

Desert Sands Unified Wi-Fi funds OK'd

The Desert Sands Unified School District will use Common Core preparation funds to buy 6,000 Google Chromebooks and install wireless Internet at the six mid-valley schools that do not have it today.