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Monday, March 4, 2013

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Election 2013: Reform at center of LA Unified race




Education Headlines

Monday, March 4, 2013

Too much candy at school? Not everyone agrees

Classroom snacks, incentive prizes and the goodies parents provide for holidays and birthdays are at the discretion of individual school districts, and there are very different rules among school boards about how to handle them.

Sacramento region rural schools see rapid enrollment declines

Sacramento City Unified captured headlines last month with its decision to close seven schools because of declining enrollment, but it's not the fastest-shrinking district in the region. It's not even in the top 20.

Sacramento Unified likely to grant Tahoe, Twain schools reprieve from closure

The last of two Sacramento City Unified schools slated for closure this year are likely to remain open. Superintendent Jonathan Raymond is no longer recommending school board members decide this Thursday night between closing either Tahoe Elementary or Mark Twain Elementary.

Templeton School District cuts to help fill nearly $1 million deficit

Templeton students may feel fewer budget cuts this fall compared to previous years after the school district’s leaders hashed out ways to buffer state shortfalls.

Schools chief became citywide advocate

The San Diego school board looked no further than its own backyard last week when it plucked principal Cindy Marten from her inner-city campus to succeed Bill Kowba as superintendent of California’s second-largest school district.

Faith, church/state at heart of yoga case

After a week of national media exposure that brought condemnation, accusations and some old-fashioned name calling, Escondido attorney Dean Broyles half-jokingly said he feels like the most hated man in the country. The “vicious and nasty” comments began after he filed a lawsuit against the Encinitas Union School District.

Salida Union to weigh election shift

At a special meeting Tuesday, Salida Union School District board members will vote on extending their terms by a year to lower election costs and accommodate a switch to voting by trustee areas.

Election 2013: Reform at center of LA Unified race

The race for three seats on the LAUSD board has shaped up into a pitched battle for control of the city's public schools, with reform-minded candidates hoping to maintain the momentum of Superintendent John Deasy and union-backed rivals trying to halt it.

Schools must set up fee complaint systems

California school districts must have procedures in place by Friday for students and parents to file complaints if they feel their schools are improperly charging fees for educational activities.

Sacramento focuses on school security

California lawmakers have introduced nearly two dozen school safety measures that have been largely overshadowed by the more divisive debate on gun control.

California's ban on fees for school supplies causes confusion

A new state law banning public school fees has teachers scrambling for supplies, parents in a tizzy over suddenly unaffordable activities and PTAs confused about how to help families.

Goldrick: Keep promise to California’s new teachers and their students

California’s recognized national leadership on developing and supporting new teachers is at risk. That’s bad news for beginning teachers—and for the students they teach. Here’s why—and how we can fix it.

Frey: Cities and schools collaborate on summer programs

It may still be chilly outside, but that’s not stopping school districts from planning for summer. Some districts that want to increase their summer offerings are stretching their dollars through collaborations with cities, corporate funders and foundations.

Standardized testing becomes the great divide in schools policy

The growing use of standardized tests to assess students and teachers is sparking a push-back nationwide in what has become one of the greatest divides in educational policy. Even as the federal government and major school districts in Chicago, New York and elsewhere continue to promote testing, counter-pressure is growing to step back from it.

Candidates for mayor take different tacks on education

Eric Garcetti has the backing of the teachers union and wants to unite the union and reformers. Wendy Greuel wants local decision-making. Jan Perry wants a non-voting seat on the board.
Friday, March 1, 2013

Oxnard Union board approves site near Camarillo Library for new school

Oxnard Union High School District trustees are in agreement that a piece of land near the Camarillo Library is the best spot to build a new high school.

Lincoln bond refinance will save $1.9M in taxes

Lincoln Unified announced late Wednesday it has refinanced $21.4 million in outstanding general obligation bonds, a move officials say will save district property owners $1.9 million in taxes.
STOCKTON - Lincoln Unified announced late Wednesday it has refinanced $21.4 million in outstanding general obligation bonds, a move officials say will save district property owners $1.9 million in taxes. - See more at: http://www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130301/A_NEWS/303010320#sthash.Z2QYPO7G.dpuf
Lincoln Unified announced late Wednesday it has refinanced $21.4 million in outstanding general obligation bonds, a move officials say will save district property owners $1.9 million in taxes. - See more at: http://www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130301/A_NEWS/303010320#sthash.Z2QYPO7G.dpuf
Lincoln Unified announced late Wednesday it has refinanced $21.4 million in outstanding general obligation bonds, a move officials say will save district property owners $1.9 million in taxes. - See more at: http://www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130301/A_NEWS/303010320#sthash.Z2QYPO7G.dpuf
Lincoln Unified announced late Wednesday it has refinanced $21.4 million in outstanding general obligation bonds, a move officials say will save district property owners $1.9 million in taxes. - See more at: http://www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130301/A_NEWS/303010320#sthash.Z2QYPO7G.dpuf
Lincoln Unified announced late Wednesday it has refinanced $21.4 million in outstanding general obligation bonds, a move officials say will save district property owners $1.9 million in taxes. - See more at: http://www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130301/A_NEWS/303010320#sthash.Z2QYPO7G.dpuf

Audit slams migrant education oversight

A state audit report released Thursday takes the California Department of Education to task for inadequate oversight of its Migrant Education system.