Friday, May 3, 2013

UPDATE: FCMAT » Cali Education Headlines Friday, May 3, 2013

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Modern School: Robin Hoodwinked by Governor Brown



Education Headlines

Friday, May 3, 2013

Santa Paula school board picks office, meeting location

Santa Paula Unified School District board members moved forward Thursday with plans to convert the current elementary school district office into the unified school district office and also voted to move their meeting location.

Group targets some on CVU school board

A group of disgruntled parents and taxpayers will attempt to recall some members of the Coachella Valley Unified school board, whom they accuse of unjustified spending, destabilizing schools and intimidating critics.

Upland Unified School District faces $9 million deficit

The Upland Unified School District will need to identify $9 million in cuts for the 2013-14 fiscal year budget over the next two months or face insolvency.

Panel schools public on bonds

A panel of four people with different professional backgrounds discussed the challenges, accomplishments and controversies related to school bonds last week in an effort to educate people about the use of billions of dollars in tax money.

Unification details being hammered out in Bonsall

Bonsall is on its way to establishing a new, unified school district, and the process is complex, to say the least, officials say.

Special education: California parents' lawsuit could force expansion of programs

Initiated by dissatisfied Morgan Hill parents, a lawsuit that could vastly expand services for disabled students in California, and greatly increase the costs of educating them, is inching toward trial.

Education chief sees results of extra funds

San Francisco's mayor, the city's schools superintendent and U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan sat around a big table at Everett Middle School and enthusiastically agreed that a huge infusion of federal money made the previously unpopular, low-performing school much, much better.

Mt. Diablo school board selects former Oakland city attorney as interim general counsel

The Mt. Diablo school board has picked a former Oakland city attorney to temporary replace its ousted general counsel, but the search for an interim superintendent continues.

Cyberbullying: Parents, school officials both search for answers

Most schools, overwhelmed by the ever-changing virtual world, struggle to investigate and remove offensive posts, console victims and encourage parents to keep tabs on their children's online activities.

West Contra Costa school district rejects charter application

West Contra Costa school district trustees Wednesday evening denied a petition for sponsorship from the backers of Caliber Schools for a K-8 charter school.

La Costa Canyon High newspaper fights for journalism curriculum

Megan Mineiro, editor of La Costa Canyon’s school paper, said she believes there’s a connection between the school principal's decision to cancel the school’s journalism class and an editorial in the school paper critical of his decision to fire the school's athletic director. Mineiro said she will appeal the decision to San Dieguito Union High School District's Board tonight.

Frey: Bill aims to help expelled and truant students get back on track

The purpose of a complicated bill aimed at preventing students from languishing in alternative schools became much clearer after the testimony of a former student who got stuck in one.

Fensterwald: California looks to Ontario schools’ reformer for guidance

Michael Fullan may be coming soon to a school district near you. The man credited with transforming the Canadian province of Ontario into one of the world’s most effective school systems is ready to help California do the same.
Thursday, May 2, 2013

Linden Unified parents address dysfunction

Parents of Linden Unified students continued to make emotional pleas Wednesday night that the district Board of Trustees relieve Superintendent Michael Gonzales of his duties, extending what has amounted to months of distrust and angst districtwide.

Teachers to vote on contract May 14

After working for nearly two years without one, the 700 members of the Salinas Valley Federation of Teachers will decide the fate of a tentative agreement that was negotiated last week between their union negotiators and district officials.

Report: Galt elementary school district is underfunding retirement

An outside audit has recommended the Galt Joint Union Elementary School District contribute more than $300,000 to its retirement account annually to make up for a lack of funding in years past and plan for future costs.