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Friday, April 11, 2014

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EdSource: Southern California districts seeking parent input on funding plans


Education Headlines

Friday, April 11, 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.

Kern High School District approves last group of raises

The Kern High School District board approved a last round of 5 percent raises for union members -- this time transportation workers -- during a special board meeting Thursday.

Preliminary deal reached in Oxnard Union contract talks

The Oxnard Union High School District and employee union leaders have reached a tentative deal, ending a contract negotiation process that led to several packed school board meetings. Reached on Wednesday, the deal calls for at least a 2 percent raise and the elimination of five furlough days.

California Department of Education: Colton Joint Unified ‘now in compliance’ on financial issues

Eight months after issuing a report that harshly criticized how Colton Joint Unified used the district’s cafeteria fund and the failure of staff to obey state and federal regulations, the California Department of Education said Thursday that the district is “now in compliance” with required regulations.

FBI initiates probe into Centinela Valley school district activities

The FBI is beginning to probe the activities of the Centinela Valley high school district at a time when the board has vowed to do a full investigation in the wake of Superintendent Jose Fernandez’s placement on paid leave this week.

Fresno County educators, Sikh leaders vow to work against bullying

Valley Sikh leaders and Fresno County educators at a public forum addressing the bullying of Sikh American students say they are willing to work together to resolve the problem.

Sweetwater talks yield tentative deal

The Sweetwater Union High School District and its teachers union reached a tentative contract agreement Thursday night after a year of contentious negotiations and a strike authorization vote just last month.

Legislation to strengthen mandated reporting by teachers makes gains

Two bills -- one to strengthen teachers' mandated reporting requirements and the other to provide additional funding for new state education standards -- were approved by the Assembly Education Committee.

Mt. Diablo trustees approve administrator raises, leave out top managers

The Mt. Diablo school board on Wednesday approved about $1.1 million in administrator raises and bonuses, but in a 4-1 vote excluded four top managers covered by contracts.

High-paid South Bay schools superintendent is put on leave

A South Bay schools superintendent who attracted scrutiny for his $674,559 pay was placed on administrative leave this week, pending an internal investigation.

EdSource: Southern California districts seeking parent input on funding plans

Making parents partners in the state's new school funding process and encouraging them to share their ideas and opinions is a complex and delicate task that has taken many forms in three of the school districts
Thursday, April 10, 2014

Preliminary deal reached in Oxnard Union contract talks

The Oxnard Union High School District and its union leaders have reached a tentative deal, ending a contract negotiations process that packed a couple of school board meetings.

Contract approved for new Tracy Unified chief

A three-year contract naming Brian Stephens as the next superintendent for Tracy Unified schools was approved Tuesday night by the district school board, with one abstention and one absence.

Embezzle charge for ex-district worker

The District Attorney's Office filed charges against a former school district bookkeeper Wednesday for allegedly embezzling from Linden Unified.

El Monte school district censures board member for buying booze, meals for others with district credit card

The El Monte Union High School District school board voted Monday to censure one of their colleagues for using district funds to buy booze, pay for friends’ meals and get reimbursed for meals that came free.

Alisal teachers get raise

Teachers in the Alisal Union School District received a long-awaited pay raise from the school board Wednesday night but not without getting an earful from two of their biggest adversaries.

Teachers want better wages, district says it can't afford it

After years of going without salary increases, teachers at the North Monterey County Unified School District say it's time for a raise. But after years of grappling with decreased funding, district officials say they're not ready to grant big hikes just yet.

POLA High executive director reinstated after being placed on paid leave

In the latest development of what has been a murky personnel matter, the governing board of the Port of Los Angeles charter high school in San Pedro has reinstated the executive director who has been on paid leave for several weeks.

Department of Education blasts Colton Unified over gifts, ‘unreasonable’ spending

Colton Joint Unified officials used the district’s cafeteria fund to illegally pay for more than $730,000 in utilities, salaries and benefits, and accepted inappropriate gifts from vendors, according to a scathing report from the California Department of Education.

Fresno Unified board continues budget talks

Fresno Unified trustees on Wednesday continued discussions over next school year's budget, including a measure to boost operations funding by $3.6 million and spend an additional $1.3 million on special education services.

Video prompts use-of-force investigation in Santa Ana

The Santa Ana Unified School District Police Department has launched an investigation into video footage apparently showing a school police officer restraining a sobbing 14-year-old boy with a headlock.

Sacramento City Unified to abandon high-profile consortium plan

 The Sacramento City Unified School District announced Wednesday it will abandon a plan to work with seven other California school districts on employing new performance standards that were intended to satisfy federal education officials.

Former trustee gets fine, probation

A former Sweetwater schools trustee was sentenced on Wednesday to probation and community service and fined $4,500 for not reporting gifts she received from a contractor while on the board.

Embattled Centinela Valley Superintendent Jose Fernandez placed on paid leave

The Centinela Valley school board on Wednesday night placed Superintendent Jose Fernandez on paid administrative leave, saying an investigation needs to be conducted with regards to his extraordinary compensation package.

Antioch school board votes to close RAAMP Academy

Antioch school trustees decided Wednesday night not to renew RAAMP Academy's charter, citing its underachieving academic performance.

Quake-damaged school was on state seismic-warning list

The Brea elementary school damaged by a 5.1 earthquake March 28 has never been upgraded for seismic safety despite years of warnings by state and district experts that it doesn’t meet current building codes.