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Monday, April 7, 2014

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Deasy's proposed budget includes 1,200 new staff positions






Education Headlines

Monday, April 7, 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.

Parent claims in lawsuit that Newport-Mesa teacher harassed daughter

Administrators in the Newport-Mesa Unified School District are being accused of violating a student’s civil rights in a lawsuit after a student complained to the district that a teacher and staff at Newport Heights Elementary School harassed her.

Google scans of student emails reboot privacy concerns

Every day, thousands of Orange County students log in to their school-assigned Google accounts to work on lessons and send emails to teachers and classmates. What many parents and teachers don’t know is that Google is scanning and indexing every email that those students send and receive.

Teacher faces possible deportation, Twin Rivers blamed for paperwork goof

Lilian Velazquez Acosta, 54, said she lost her teaching position and a chance at becoming an American citizen because officials at Twin Rivers Unified School District failed to send a letter to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services acknowledging she worked for them. She learned too late that the misstep caused her work visa to expire in September 2012.

What went wrong with Santa Clara County's $300,000 school leader

After bouncing out its third superintendent in seven years, the Santa Clara County Office of Education is now seeking to chart a new course and refocus on its work serving the county's 400 public schools.

Santa Clara County Office of Education sent out at least dozens of incorrect paychecks

Of the problems that beset Xavier De La Torre in his brief tenure as Santa Clara County Office of Education superintendent, the yearlong unraveling of the payroll department may have been his undoing.

New LAUSD budget proposal calls for spending on disadvantaged students

As he offered his 2014-15 budget proposal for Los Angeles Unified, Superintendent John Deasy on Friday also unveiled a three-year plan to help students who are poor, in foster care or learning English.

Deal announced on teacher dismissal bill that governor would support

Signaling the resolution of an acrimonious issue, Assembly Education Committee Chairwoman Joan Buchanan, D-Alamo, introduced a bill Friday to make dismissing teachers charged with severe misconduct quicker, easier and cheaper.

Deasy's proposed budget includes 1,200 new staff positions

Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent John Deasy on Friday proposed spending nearly half of the district's new targeted state money on special education next year - but that's not an increase in the program, rather a recalibrating of where the funds are coming from.

Parents defend Santa Monica teacher who fought with student

Parents of several Santa Monica High School students are coming to the defense of a teacher who was placed on leave Friday after he was recorded on video in a physical altercation with a student.

Tiny Marin County district clings to struggling school

Despite the state's economic recovery, a Marin County school district is struggling to make ends meet and is planning to cut teachers, administrators and special programs in the coming months.

How public health advocates are trying to reach non-vaccinators

Whooping cough made a comeback in California last year, which researchers have linked to vaccine refusals. And with new measles outbreaks in Southern California, New York and British Columbia, the debate over vaccination is also spreading.

Adams: Under new law, school nurses aim to stop rise in vaccination opt-outs

Under a state law that took effect Jan. 1, parents are required to consult with a health practitioner – doctor, naturopath or credentialed school nurse – before they’re allowed to obtain a personal-belief exemption from their child’s required immunizations.
Friday, April 4, 2014

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.