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Friday, June 21, 2013

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Fensterwald: Duncan grants relief to some schools facing two sets of standardized tests next year





Education Headlines

Friday, June 21, 2013

Upland school district, employees to discuss health plan cuts

Negotiations will continue Thursday between the Upland Unified School District and its classified employees, who are protesting proposed increases to their health care contributions.

Lodi Unified School District denies conflict of interest

A consulting firm that employs the spouse of Lodi Unified School District’s top business officer has been hired to audit aspects of the district’s special education program, leading some parents to question whether the contract presents a conflict of interest.

River Delta Unified chooses superintendent from Woodland

River Delta Unified named Don Beno superintendent at its regular board meeting Tuesday night. Beno was assistant superintendent of human resources for Woodland Joint Unified. He will replace River Delta Superintendent Rick Hennes, who is retiring.

Fountain Valley school bond election committee fined $5,000

The state's political watchdog on Thursday fined a Fountain Valley school bond campaign committee $5,000 for failing to report who gave it money before last year's bond election.

Charter school, Capo Unified sign facilities agreement

Oxford Preparatory Academy will get an upgraded science laboratory and more books for middle school students in deal with Capistrano Unified School District.

Cops called after board member, citizen clash over sign

A Sweetwater Union High School District board meeting was disrupted Monday when Trustee John McCann abruptly left the dais to call police, alleging a citizen stole his private property. The item: A 2010 campaign sign.

Hayward school trustees approve contract with Stanley Dobbs as interim superintendent

Hayward school trustees early Thursday took the final step to hire Stanley Dobbs as interim superintendent, after a discussion prolonged by one trustee's repeated questioning of the candidate's qualifications.

After-school programs hit hard by cuts

One after-school program in San Andreas will close later this year and another in Rail Road Flat will be trimmed due to cuts in state funding.

West Contra Costa schools ponder next move on property values

In the wake of county Assessor Gus Kramer canceling a scheduled appearance at a special West Contra Costa school board meeting Wednesday night, district trustees began looking into strategies to encourage Kramer to reassess properties to reflect a rebounding housing market.

LAUSD studying new curriculum plans

Los Angeles Unified's incoming freshmen class will be the first that will have to pass a rigorous college-prep curriculum with a "C" in order to get a diploma, which has district officials scrambling to identify and replicate successful programs that can get and keep students on track to graduation, Superintendent John Deasy said Thursday.

Fensterwald: Duncan grants relief to some schools facing two sets of standardized tests next year

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan has just made the challenge of transitioning to the Common Core standards less burdensome for about one in five schools in California.

Adams: Task force recommends including mental health training in teacher credential

Sweeping national reforms in children’s mental health care have yet to materialize in the wake of the Newtown, Conn., school shootings, but a group of high-profile educators and policy analysts in California is mapping a plan to transform student mental health services in the state.

Freedbug: After passage of school finance plan, focus shifts to implementation

Less than a week after the state Legislature approved a sweeping school finance reform plan that will funnel additional funds to low-income students and English learners, the state’s finance chief says school districts will have to spend the extra funds in a way “that shows improved outcomes” among their students.
Thursday, June 20, 2013

Conejo School District accepts bid for surplus property

The Conejo Valley Unified School District's Board of Education accepted a $3.286 million bid for surplus property it owns in the Rancho Conejo Industrial Park in Thousand Oaks.

Moorpark schools fill budget gap with general fund money

The Moorpark Unified School District on Tuesday adopted a budget for the next fiscal year, with questions raised by board members on whether the district should have to share the cost with the city for a full-time school police officer.

Trustees optimistic of state's budget share

Lodi Unified officials expressed optimism in the district's financial outlook for the first time since 2007, as trustees approved a 2013-14 fiscal year spending plan of $224 million - roughly $8 million above last year's general fund.