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Friday, April 4, 2014

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San Ysidro teachers vote to authorize strike

Education Headlines

Friday, April 4, 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.

State bill seeks repeal of bilingual ed ban

Though California voters approved a state ballot measure in 1998 seeking its ban, bilingual education really never went away. Now, 16 years later, a state bill seeks to set the stage for repealing the ban created by Proposition 227.

Diamond Bar High closed during spring break because of earthquake damage

Diamond Bar High has been closed this week, while work crews repair damage caused by last week’s earthquake. The earthquake caused $150,000 to $200,000 in damages, according to Jeff Bloedorn, director of maintenance and facilities.

No go in McKinleyville school district negotiations

The McKinleyville Union School District and McKinleyville Teachers Association gave their “last, best and final offers” to a mediator Thursday and are now on track to begin a fact-finding process in an effort to come to a contract agreement.

Fensterwald: Ed-Data updates information on districts’ finances

Ed-Data, an Internet site that provides a wealth of accessible education information, has updated  financial data on districts, schools and county offices of education.

EdSource: School officials discuss facilities maintenance as part of new spending plans

As school districts across California work to craft their school spending and accountability plans, one area that has received little notice is a requirement that school facilities are maintained in “good repair.”

From 'gross' to great: Santa Ana students critique foods

The future of Santa Ana school cafeterias was in the hands of students Wednesday morning as they taste-tested everything from turkey sandwiches to fish tacos, voting for the options they would most likely eat.

Parents urge county Board of Education to drop Corona del Mar suit

In an effort to halt the escalating costs associated with the Corona del Mar cheating scandal, a group of parents has set up an online petition, urging the county’s Board of Education to put an end to the matter.

San Ysidro teachers vote to authorize strike

The San Ysidro teachers union has voted resoundingly to authorize its board to call a strike if an agreement over salaries is not reached with the San Ysidro School District.

District, teachers at impasse in Vista Unified

The Vista Unified School District and the teachers union will use a state-appointed mediator to continue with contract negotiations that have reached an impasse.

Austin: Districts must wrestle with school funding choices

How much is too much to spend on computers? What might be enough to spend on upkeep and repairs? Should more help for at-risk students be a higher priority? These were the questions Turlock Unified School District trustees wrestled with Tuesday night, exactly the sorts of discussions that need to go on now that funding has been released to local control.
Thursday, April 3, 2014

Districts report few kinks with new testing method

Some local schools resolved what were minor communication hiccups and computer glitches in early rounds of the testing they administered last week. Others will begin the testing in assessment windows that start Monday and later this month.

Sweetwater-inspired reform bill advances

A bill that seeks to ban school and community college administrators from soliciting or accepting campaign donations for their elected officials cleared its first hurdle Tuesday, passing the state Assembly’s Elections and Redistricting Committee.

Tracking Prop. 30 school money

Californians can now see where their Proposition 30 education tax dollars are going and how the money is being spent thanks to a new online tool launched by the state Controller’s Office Wednesday.

Salinas-area charter schools grind through Common Core testing

Not everyone in the public schools is in a rush to use the technology of the new millennium. Monterey Bay Charter School, for example, does not introduce students to computerized learning until sixth grade. As a result, the first- through eighth-grade school in Pacific Grove has encountered a philosophical clash at the computer as field testing for the Common Core State Standards begins next week.

EpiPen legislation for California schools advances

Senate Bill 1266, by Senate Republican leader Bob Huff, R-Diamond Bar, would require school districts to give EpiPens to trained personnel to provide emergency medical aid to anyone suffering from a severe allergic reaction.

Twin Rivers unveils plan to put heaters, air conditioners in classrooms

Twin Rivers Unified unfurled a five-month plan Wednesday to correct heating and air-conditioning problems at Grant Union High School and Harmon Johnson Elementary School.

Solutions sought to reduce food waste at schools

Federal rules require students to take at least three items each day, but an L.A. Unified manager wants to change the policy to reduce the $100,000 in food thrown away daily.