Friday, January 18, 2013

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Charter schools see largest boom since their inception 20 years ago





Education Headlines

Friday, January 18, 2013

Schools wage battle against bullying

Two major conferences are coming to town to address bullying on school campuses, and Compton Jr. High School is looking to partner with other schools to bring in singer Keenan West next month.

Paso Robles school district's budget situation improving, official says

Once on the brink of a state takeover due to its financial difficulties, the Paso Robles school district is now on a path to fiscal stability, the county schools superintendent said Thursday, though he added that the situation is still “very fragile.”

Charter schools see largest boom since their inception 20 years ago

Charter schools across the United States are proliferating and expanding at a record pace, with the trend particularly pronounced in California and Los Angeles County.

Two districts ban costly bonds

San Diego County Treasurer-Tax Collector Dan McAllister has been trying to get school districts to swear off costly capital-appreciation bonds, and he has had two successes.

State asks schools to stop issuing high-debt bonds; officials call for regulations

State officials are warning local school districts to stay away from capital appreciation bonds -- high-interest bonds that districts often relied on to build and modernize schools across California.

Parents question Sacramento City district school closure plans at emotional meeting

Sacramento City Unified school board members on Thursday listened to the public's reaction to the district's proposal to close 11 under-enrolled schools next year. Hundreds of parents attended the school board meeting, filling the main board room where the capacity is 350 people, and leaving many others to sit in an overflow room.

Growth in Romoland School District spurring change

A boost in enrollment figures over the last year in the Romoland School District is spurring all kinds of change in the entity governing the middle and elementary schools in northern Menifee.

Teacher who appeared in porn films waits for word on pay

The Ventura County middle school teacher who lost her job for previously appearing in pornographic movies is waiting for word on whether her pay will be revoked.

Green Dot charter group to reorganize Locke High

In a move to address the slumping academic performance of incoming ninth-grade students, charter school operator Green Dot Public School is proposing to reorganize Locke High School in Watts.

San Leandro pulls back program cuts after passage of Prop. 30

Some $2.65 million in personnel and program cuts are off the table in the San Leandro Unified School District after the November passage of Gov. Jerry Brown's statewide Proposition 30 tax initiative.

California schools asked to put moratorium on controversial bonds

State's treasurer and schools chief ask districts to avoid capital appreciation bonds until governor and lawmakers can weigh proposals to restrict their use.

Parents demand charter in LAUSD’s first parent trigger campaign

A high-spirited group of nearly 100 parents descended on the Los Angeles Unified district office Thursday and turned in petitions demanding sweeping changes at their failing school in the first use of the controversial parent trigger law in the city.

Fensterwald: Legislative leaders assert role in shaping school finance plan

Gov. Jerry Brown hasn’t yet presented the substance of his plan to reform K-12 school finance, but already he’s in a disagreement with the Legislature over its form.
Thursday, January 17, 2013

Monterey County school districts at work on safety plan updates, drills

Included in President Barack Obama's plan to curb gun violence are proposals to help schools develop and implement safety plans. Monterey County school districts — like many throughout California — were working on updates before the president's announcement.

Board nixes legal fees for schools boss

Not only did the San Ysidro school board reject a plan Tuesday night to pay criminal defense fees for Superintendent Manuel Paul, the board also placed him on administrative leave for 45 days.

Alliance of big city school districts aims for more healthful meals

The Los Angeles Unified School District and five others are striving to make wholesome food a national standard. They're working on biodegradable trays and utensils as well. Each district has been assigned a specific project.