Friday, January 10, 2014

FCMAT » Cali Education Headlines Friday, January 10, 2014

FCMAT » Fiscal Crisis & Management Assistance Team:

Torlakson: Proposition 30 tax increases should be extended






Education Headlines

Friday, January 10, 2014
FCMAT provides links to California K-12 news stories as a service to the industry. However, some stories may not be accessible because of newspapers' subscription policies.

Monterey Peninsula USD bond projects put in hands of contractors from start to finish

When Monterey Peninsula Unified School District trustees put the brakes on a construction project scheduled to cost twice what was originally proposed, they also turned the spotlight on the construction method they had chosen to build all their bond projects.

Activists want voting data in Anaheim School District

With Anaheim Union High School District officials prepared tonight to issue a formal request to state officials for a waiver to institute new maps designed to create more racially balanced district board elections, activists are calling for a delay and demanding more information about polarized voting.

Fresno Unified board hires former PR head as a contractor

A contract with a New York-based communications group owned by Fresno Unified's former public information head stirred the district's school board Wednesday night, with three trustees vocally assailing the move that ultimately passed.

Schools could cut borrowing with state's catch-up billions

O.C. school leaders on Thursday praised Gov. Jerry Brown’s plan to inject $9.7 billion more into public schools next year, speeding them toward restoration of 2007-08 spending and eliminating an annual delay in delivery of a big chunk of funding.

Long Beach Unified estimated to receive $60 million more under proposed state budget

Long Beach Unified school officials estimate that the district would receive $60 million more for the 2014-15 fiscal year than it did this year under the proposed state budget Gov. Jerry Brown released Thursday.

Denair hopes rise with deal close, leader hired

With news of a new superintendent and state plans to pay more to schools than expected, Denair Unified School District trustees were met with an upbeat crowd Thursday night. By unanimous vote, trustees confirmed Mariposa County Unified School District Superintendent Aaron Rosander as the next Denair superintendent.

State school board seeks compromise on spending rules

The state Board of Education appears to be playing King Solomon — splitting the baby — as it contends with competing demands on how to implement the state's new program of giving extra money to school districts with large numbers of poor and/or English-learner students.

Torlakson: Proposition 30 tax increases should be extended

As California begins to see budget surpluses in the wake of a 2012 statewide tax increase, state schools chief Tom Torlakson is already calling for an extension of Proposition 30 beyond its full expiration in 2018.

Number of major math changes for California studen

By fall, traditional textbooks mostly will be tossed aside in California classrooms. What's taught in each grade will get shuffled around and, often, merged. First-graders will get tiny tastes of algebra while learning to add, and middle school students will be exposed to statistics and geometry while still solving for X.

Mongeau: Transitional kindergarten expansion, early education not included in governor’s budget proposal

While Democratic leaders in both houses of the state Legislature have cited expanding transitional kindergarten as a top priority in the coming year, Gov. Jerry Brown’s proposed 2014-2015 budget did not mention the program – or include additional funding for early education of any kind.

State budget plan includes $10 billion more for schools

An improving economy and a voter-approved tax increase will pay faster dividends for California schools than expected, resulting in a $10-billion funding boost over last year under the governor’s proposed budget.
Thursday, January 9, 2014

Mariposa superintendent is Denair Unified’s pick for new schools leader

Mariposa County Unified School District Superintendent Aaron Rosander is Denair’s choice for its new schools chief. A former science teacher, Rosander, 57, is the elected head of the Mariposa County Office of Education and its countywide unified school district. He is expected to take the reins at Denair Unified on Feb. 8, assuming the board confirms the selection at its meeting tonight.

New school discipline guidelines aim to improve school climates

Guidelines released jointly on Wednesday by the U.S. departments of Education and Justice could help districts such as West Contra Costa find a reasonable balance between coming down hard on misbehavior and letting students get away with transgressions with few repercussions.

Fresno Unified set to buy almost 15,000 tablets

Fresno Unified students could get their hands on almost 15,000 tablets this year, following a ramp-up in technology at schools across the state as California districts prepare for new state computerized tests.

Fensterwald: Gates Foundation considers major Common Core grant program in California

Having largely steered clear of making education grants in California over the last half-decade, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is weighing whether to invest substantially in helping California’s teachers successfully put the Common Core standards into practice.

State leaders demand heat repairs at Twin Rivers

State leaders are calling on Twin Rivers Unified School District officials to ensure that all of their students have heat in their classrooms.

Transgender rights could be overturned

A referendum drive to block a new law giving transgender students more choice in the restrooms and locker rooms they use cleared a key hurdle Wednesday but there is no guarantee that it will qualify for the November ballot.