FCMAT » Cali Education Headlines Tuesday, January 14, 2014

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Mothers deny role in Adelanto school vandalism in parent trigger case

Education Headlines

Tuesday, January 14, 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.

Stockton USD audit cost could be on the rise

Stockton Unified could pay a consultant as much as $100,000 to audit its police force operations, a process that is expected to expose to district officials the "good, the bad and the ugly" of the Police Department and provide a clear path on any needed reforms.

Corona del Mar students in hacking scheme may not be expelled

Despite an administrator's recommendation that the students involved in a computer hacking scheme be expelled, there's a possibility that none of the students will receive that punishment as a result of a recent policy that favors interventions over expulsions and suspensions.

Rialto school board meets behind closed doors after state audit

The Rialto Unified School Board met behind closed doors Monday afternoon in the wake of a state audit that showed a failure to adhere to district purchasing policies extended to the highest levels of the organization.

Emeryville school superintendent on unexplained leave

School board members told confused Emeryville parents last week that the superintendent is on leave and the board has brought back a former administrator to guide the tiny, two-school district over the coming months.

Mothers deny role in Adelanto school vandalism in parent trigger case

Two mothers pleaded not guilty Monday to charges they vandalized a classroom at a Mojave Desert school after losing a battle to keep it from being transformed into a charter campus under the controversial parent trigger law.

LAO commends Brown's budget, predicts even more money for schools

California may take in at least "a few billion dollars" more in revenue this year than Gov. Jerry Brown forecast a week ago, the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst's Office wrote Monday in an analysis of the governor's proposed state budget.

Monday, January 13, 2014

School Watch report: Closing schools to save money not a simple equation

When districts consider closing schools, they're usually trying to save money. But how much they actually save depends on a variety of factors, primarily what they do with the closed campus.

California Democrats push for transitional kindergarten for all students

If the head of the state Senate has his way, every 4-year-old in California will have the chance to attend a year of school before starting kindergarten.

School district settles sex abuse case

Pajaro Valley Unified School District will pay $3 million to settle a lawsuit brought by the family of a child molested by a former teacher at Aptos Junior High School.

San Juan Unified trustees to consider censure of member who ignored complaints about superintendent

San Juan school trustees Tuesday night will consider censuring board member Larry Masuoka as a result of findings that he had acted improperly by failing to take action after learning of allegations involving the superintendent's treatment of some employees.

Denair Unified at a pivot point

Denair Unified has called a special meeting of its board for Wednesday to consider a next step with its teachers. A formal bargaining session is slated for Thursday.

Marin educators question state proposal for universal preschool

California lawmakers are proposing a plan to create a universal free preschool for 4-year-olds in an attempt to enroll more children from immigrant and low-income families, but some Marin County education officials aren't in unanimous support of the proposal.

Education funds raise concerns in Fresno-Clovis area

After months of waiting for directions from the state, California school districts soon will get guidance on how to use millions of new state dollars for low-income kids and English learners. But concerned civil rights groups say that while the state's proposed rules are well-intentioned, they may be too little, too late.

Read more here:http://www.fresnobee.com/2014/01/11/3709582/education-funds-raise-concerns.html#storylink=cpy

Feds issue guidelines against bias in school discipline

Federal officials kicked up their campaign against discriminatory school discipline policies last week, issuing first-ever guidelines for school districts on how to avoid racial disparities in student punishment.