Monday, September 10, 2012

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Education Headlines

Monday, September 10, 2012

Galt school districts team for request of federal funds

The school districts in Galt have joined up to apply for $10 to $20 million in federal money commonly known as Race to the Top funds, but only 20 to 25 applications will be selected nationwide.

O.C. schools see $1.3 billion construction boom

Eleven of the county's 27 school districts are currently renovating aging campuses and adding other features like new gymnasiums, performing-arts complexes, playgrounds, and other improvements. Since 2008, voters have approved about $1.3 billion for school construction. In the past four years, only one bond measure has failed at the ballot, a $54 million proposal in Brea-Olinda Unified.

Paperwork lacking on administrator pay hikes

The San Diego Unified School District was unable to document or justify pay raises awarded to 29 managers before their retirement, a situation that led the State Controller’s Office last week to determine the district is at high risk of pension spiking.

LAUSD board member Steve Zimmer wants to tackle AGT, charter schools oversight

School board member Steve Zimmer is taking aim at two of the most contentious issues facing Los Angeles Unified, with separate proposals to exclude high-stakes test scores from teacher evaluations and to strengthen the oversight of charter schools.

Teachers union wants a say in L.A. Unified's classroom breakfast program

A new program aims to make sure hunger doesn't impede students' learning. But as the district begins expanding the classroom breakfast program to 279 schools this year, United Teachers Los Angeles has asked for the matter to be brought to the bargaining table.

Charter schools call proposed L.A. moratorium illegal

Charter school advocates are mounting a campaign against a proposed moratorium on new charters in the Los Angeles Unified School District. The moratorium is one provision of a resolution, by school board member Steve Zimmer, that is scheduled for discussion on Tuesday.

Baron: Study finds little uniformity in CA school discipline

There’s little consistency in the way California schools deal with expelling and suspending students, according to a new survey of 315 of the state’s largest school districts.

Cohen: Post-AB 5 - Focus on substantial areas of agreement on evaluations

Last month’s legislative drama involving Assembly Bill 5 provided a snapshot of the dysfunctional politics of education policy, with distrust and division inflaming what should be worked out in a calm and straightforward manner.
Friday, September 7, 2012

Fontana Unified School District superintendent survives another challenge

Fontana Unified School District Superintendent Cali Olsen-Binks, who for the second time this summer has been slated for "discipline, dismissal or release" on the Board of Education's meeting agenda, has survived apparently unscathed again.

The Academy Charter High School gets Santa Ana's backing

A new opportunity for foster and at-risk teens to pursue their educations came a step closer to reality when the Santa Ana City Council gave its approval to The Academy Charter High School.

Alvord looks at contingency plans

Alvord Unified School District could shorten this school year up to three weeks if voters reject tax initiatives on the November ballot under one contingency plan presented to the school board Thursday night, Sept. 6.