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Thursday, January 23, 2014

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Freedburg: Gov. Brown reemphasizes local control of state’s public schools











Education Headlines

Thursday, January 23, 2014
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.

Report: Fresno Unified health board saved $100m since 2006

Fresno Unified has saved more than $100 million since 2006 in health care costs and kept employee costs nearly flat as statewide costs spiked, members of the district's health management board said Wednesday.

Natomas trustee fined for not reporting free meal

Natomas Unified School District board member Lisa Kaplan has joined a list of California school officials who have been fined for receiving free meals from a bond advisory firm without disclosing them, according to the California Fair Political Practices Commission.

Pulling Mountain View School from closure list, Simi Valley district to look at other cost cuts

Mountain View School, the only campus that remained targeted for closure in Simi Valley, will stay open.

Tracy Unified targets April to hire superintendent

Tracy Unified school board members hope to have a new superintendent hired by April to allow time for a smooth transition with retiring Superintendent James Franco, who announced his intentions in November effective at the end of the school year.

Cayucos superintendent announces run for head of county schools

Cayucos Elementary School District Superintendent Jim Brescia officially announced his candidacy for San Luis Obispo County schools superintendent Wednesday, a day after he received an endorsement from the current office holder.

Alpine teachers moving toward strike

The 91 teachers who staff five campuses are officially poised to go on strike. At the same time, a movement is afoot to yank local children from the Grossmont Union High School District in an attempt to add a high school to Alpine’s cash-strapped public education system.

SDUSD budget: big deficit with some good news

Amid the $75 million deficit to next year’s San Diego Unified School District’s $1.1 billion operating budget is good news: lower class sizes in the earliest grades; high school graduation coaches; and new math textbooks for secondary schools.

What should schools spend money on? They’re asking you B

Over the next few months, districts will be seeking your opinion on how schools should spend their money. The extra taxes you pay under Proposition 30 require community input in budgeting.

Local agriculture education programs may lose funds under governor’s budget

State funding for agriculture education has been dropped from the governor’s proposed budget, eliminating an estimated $4.1 million dollars that goes directly to agriculture-related programs for thousands of students in California.

Brentwood school district to pay $8 million in child abuse settlement

School district leaders announced Wednesday that Brentwood Union School District has settled a second child abuse lawsuit with an $8 million payout.

Transgender students get new options in California

School districts in California are grappling with a newly enacted, first-of-its-kind law that spells out rights for those students who don't identify as being the gender of their birth.

Nothing certain, but Chico school budget brighter

Just days after an interim financial report suggested Chico schools could be facing tight budgets down the road, a much brighter projection came forward.

Freedburg: Gov. Brown reemphasizes local control of state’s public schools

In his State of the State speech on Wednesday, Gov. Jerry Brown made it clear again where he thinks the action should be when it comes to school reform – at the local level.

Baron: Brown touts education accomplishments, priorities in upbeat State of the State

Gov. Jerry Brown highlighted his education accomplishments in an upbeat State of the State on Wednesday that marked the final address of his current term and laid out priorities for the coming year and his likely reelection campaign.
Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Positive behavior support pays off

Positive behavior and character reinforcing programs are gaining popularity - and apparent results - in Mother Lode schools.

Julian Crocker, San Luis Obispo County superintendent of schools, to retire

After 16 years supporting San Luis Obispo County's school districts and advocating for public education, county schools Superintendent Julian Crocker announced Tuesday that he will retire when his term ends next January.

Concerns mount about number of school nurses in Long Beach

Long Beach Unified students are being put at risk because of a lack of funded nursing positions, according to the districtรข€™s head nurse.

Sacramento City Unified holds school spending forum

Sacramento-area school districts are soliciting ideas on how to spend new state money intended to aid disadvantaged students.

Denair district, union reach deal; contract will end fears of takeover

Denair Unified School District and its teachers have reached a deal, ending fears of a state takeover, district and union spokesmen said Tuesday.

California schools compete for $250 million in job training grants

California's economy and retiring baby boomers are stoking a growing demand for trained workers the state hopes to fill by handing out $250 million in grants for job training programs at the high school and community college level.

The charter school tipping point

The San Diego Unified School board recently shot down a proposed charter school, opening the door to questions about how many charter schools are