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CalPERS decides to speed up rate increases for state

CalSTRS financial reforms could hit districts hard

Education Headlines

Wednesday, February 19, 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.

Desert Sands Unified School Board approves 5 percent raises

The Desert Sands Unified School Board has approved raises for three employee groups, but the mid-valley school district continues negotiation with teachers, its largest group of employees.

CalSTRS financial reforms could hit districts hard

Orange County schools are bracing for a possible spike in pension contributions as the state inches closer to tackling an $80 billion funding shortfall threatening the state’s teacher retirement program.

New computer testing boosts technology in Sacramento area schools

California schools are racing to add computers and improve Internet access in preparation for the debut next school year of state computerized assessments for students.

CalPERS decides to speed up rate increases for state

In a victory for Gov. Jerry Brown and his get-tough approach, the CalPERS board on Tuesday set the stage for a rate increase that will cost the state treasury around $400 million beginning July 1.

Alpine teachers to strike

Teachers in Alpine say they will strike beginning Thursday after talks between the teachers union and the school district broke down Tuesday afternoon.

Public to board: You let the time run out

A deadline for Sweetwater Union High School District board members to fill a vacant seat either by appointment or through a special election has come and gone, leaving community members upset that the seat will remain unfilled for months.

Palo Alto schools superintendent to resign

aying that he needed to take a break, Superintendent Kevin Skelly sent an email to parents and community members on Tuesday, informing them that he will resign at the end of the school year from the Palo Alto Unified School District. Skelly, 53, who has weathered successive controversies in the K-12 district, wrote that he wants to spend more time with loved ones and contemplate on his next move.

Contra Costa County trustees may pursue conversion of superintendent to appointed position

Contra Costa County trustees expect to vote Wednesday on a plan to convert the county schools superintendent from an elected position to an appointed one.

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Voter apathy costs Centinela Valley Union High School District

Election turnout has typically hovered around 10 percent of the more than 50,000 registered voters who live in the district, which encompasses the working-class communities of Hawthorne, Lawndale, Lennox, Del-Aire and nearby areas.

District, teachers duel with website surveys at Rowland Unified

Each side has launched its own online survey asking how the district is performing and how it can do a better job.

Bassett Teachers Association asks for three percent bonus, increased work days

The leadership in the Bassett Teachers Association has presented few demands in this year’s negotiations in the hopes of a pay bump next year.

Long Beach area parents choose cyberschooling for their kids

The Copelands belong to the roughly 200 families in Long Beach with children in California Virtual Academies.

Bellflower teachers lock horns with district over pay raise

Hundreds of teachers, students and parents came to the Bellflower Unified school board meeting Thursday night to request a pay raise for educators as negotiations between the district and union stall.

Centinela Valley breaks silence on superintendent's $663K compensation package

The district’s official response took the form of a letter to the editor, signed by school board President Maritza Molina, spelling out the 54-year-old leader’s accomplishments at the district since he arrived six years ago.

Santa Ana dual-immersion charter school gets some breathing room

In January, dual-immersion charter school El Sol Science and Arts Academy of Santa Ana on 1010 N. Broadway opened its first multiclassroom building. Students in second, fourth and fifth grade moved into the new two-story 19,000-square-foot building after winter break on Jan. 13, said Monique Daviss, executive director of El Sol.

Old disciplines, new tech help top elementary school soar

Math movies. Yoga. Thanksgiving e-books. Don’t expect the typical at Stonegate Elementary, where teachers are told to try anything that might kindle the flame of student success.