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Thursday, March 6, 2014

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Fensterwald: Former superintendent backs tenure, layoff laws as defense opens in ‘Vergara’ lawsuit


Education Headlines

Thursday, March 6, 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.

Temple City School Board elects interim superintendent

After unanimously voting to put the school superintendent on administrative leave last week, the city’s school board unanimously agreed on a replacement.

Rowland USD Superintendent Ruben Frutos to step down, search for new leader begins

After a tumultuous year, Superintendent Ruben Frutos has indicated he is willing to step down into his old position while the district searches for a replacement.The school district directed its staff Tuesday night to send out proposals for search firms to begin the process.

Bellflower teachers agree to tentative deal for raise

The Bellflower Teachers Association has reached a tentative contract agreement with the school district, ending months of contention between the two sides, union officials said this week.

Lodi Unified School District employees seek safer home visits

Child Welfare and Attendance advisers work diligently behind the scenes at Lodi Unified School District, knocking on doors to try to make contact with parents when phone calls and letters fail to reach them.However, CWA advisers say danger may lie behind those doors — especially those who work at district schools in North Stockton and make these home visits alone.

Chico school board decides to keep Citrus open

A divided Chico Unified School District board of trustees voted 3 to 2 to keep the school, located at Citrus and West Fourth avenues, open.

Baron: Proposed bill would provide $1.5 billion more for Common Core implementation

California school districts would receive another year of Common Core implementation funds under a bill introduced Wednesday by Assemblywoman Susan Bonilla, D-Concord.

Fensterwald: Former superintendent backs tenure, layoff laws as defense opens in ‘Vergara’ lawsuit

A former superintendent of three school districts defended the current laws for granting teachers tenure, dismissing ineffective teachers and conducting layoffs based on seniority as the defense began in the Vergara vs California trial, the lawsuit putting employment protections for teachers on trial.

Newport-Mesa moves toward magnet-like schools

The Newport-Mesa Unified School District has rolled out a plan that will set up its four high schools more like magnet schools, each with a different academic and artistic emphasis.

Report: Talega taxpayers benefiting from bond refinancing

Thousands of property-tax payers in San Clemente’s Talega community were not shortchanged when the Capistrano Unified School District refinanced $44.9 million in Mello-Roos bonds more than seven years ago, according to a new report by a consulting firm.

Sweetwater community favors waiver of election

The San Diego County Board of Education adopted criteria Thursday for changing the election system in the Sweetwater Union High School District and heard public comments about whether the issue should be put to voters.

Alvord to vote on assistant principals

A vote on restoring assistant principal positions for elementary schools is on the agenda for the Alvord school board when it meets at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 6, in the district office at 10365 Keller Ave., Riverside.

Come Back Kids charter opens doors for dropouts

Evelyn Mendoza, 18, plans to become a nurse. But as a recent immigrant, she said, she struggled with English and could not complete all the courses she needed in time to get a diploma with her class at Davis High. Now she comes three times a week to the Come Back Kids campus to work on a classroom computer and get help as needed from her teacher.

L.A. County Supervisors approve deploying crossing guards at certain middle schools

Weeks after a mother was killed walking her daughter to school, the county Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to deploy crossing guards at certain middle schools in unincorporated areas.

West Contra Costa school district approves bond measure for June ballot

The West Contra Costa school board voted unanimously Feb. 26 to put a $270 million school construction bond measure on the June ballot.

Santa Clara County superintendent of schools is named to lead Texas school district

Xavier De La Torre, the embattled Santa Clara County superintendent of schools, was chosen Wednesday night to lead a school district in El Paso.

California survey shows ready availability of alcohol, tobacco and sugary drinks near schools

The Bay Area mirrored statewide statistics that showed high concentrations of stores selling tobacco products, alcohol, sugary drinks and other unhealthy products near schools and in low-income areas.
Wednesday, March 5, 2014

New Kern HSD superintendent salary to start at $225,000

The incoming superintendent of the Kern High School District will earn a base annual salary of $225,000, which is $17,718 a year less than the current salary of the outgoing superintendent.

Layoffs to hit Simi Valley teachers

Simi Valley school officials plan to lay off 38 teachers— one step in balancing their budget for the coming fiscal year.

Stockton USD to issue six layoff notices

Stockton Unified officials will send layoff notices to three high school teachers, one high school counselor and two early childhood education teachers this year.

Two out of three valley school districts offering teachers raises

Two of the three school districts in the Coachella Valley have offered 4 to 5 percent raises to the teachers, but the third district is cutting costs by laying off dozens of teachers.

Ceres alternative education programs getting new home on Mitchell Road

A $9 million Stanislaus County Office of Education school for alternative education students is going up on Mitchell Road in Ceres, designed to replace an older site on Memorial Drive.

Turlock Unified to let go 17 single-year teachers, gets better budget news

Turlock Unified School District trustees voted unanimously Tuesday night to notify 17 teachers hired for one-year assignments that their jobs will end in May. There were no layoffs of permanent teachers, however, because of enrollment moving slightly up this year and better budget news.

Hercules transgender student recants story

A day after telling police he was viciously attacked in a campus restroom, a transgender high school student recanted his report to police, admitting that he fabricated an incident that fit a troubling pattern of violence on the campus and raised concerns about a groundbreaking state transgender rights law.

Report looks at ways to address discipline, morale at Antioch middle school

Implementation with fidelity. Whether it's enforcing the student uniform policy, cracking down on tardies or consistency in enforcing discipline, that philosophy is a key part of what is needed to improve Black Diamond Middle School, according to longtime educator John Bernard.

Mt. Diablo school district teachers reach tentative contract agreement

The Mt. Diablo school district teachers' union announced Tuesday it has reached a tentative three-year contract agreement that would provide for salary hikes and increased benefits contributions through 2016.