FCMAT » Cali Education Headlines Friday, March 7, 2014

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Education Headlines

Friday, March 7, 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.

Kern HSD teachers reach deal to get salary raises

The Kern High School District and its teachers union reached a tentative contract agreement Wednesday that would include the first on-schedule salary raise for teachers since pre-recession years, according to an email obtained by The Californian Thursday.

Lincoln teachers, district still at odds

The Lincoln Unified School District and its teachers union are officially at an impasse in their contract negotiations, Superintendent Tom Uslan confirmed Wednesday evening.

Why is traffic at schools so jammed?

A proposed $19 million project across from Aliso Viejo Middle School has sparked new debate about an eternal issue: school traffic.

Teacher's arrest on sex abuse charges raises concerns about hiring practices

As shock spread Thursday about the arrest of a Richmond middle school teacher suspected of child sexual abuse, questions followed about how he landed a new teaching job at a public school even as police were investigating him on allegations that he had abused students from his previous school.

Modesto school board eyes cutting librarian positions, focusing on tech instruction

Modesto City Schools is poised to cut 29 full-time teaching positions for next year, including most elementary school librarians.

California releases child abuse identification and reporting guidelines for parents

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson on Wednesday issued new guidelines to help parents and guardians report suspected child abuse at schools.

California lawmaker wants to stop 'excessive' school superintendent pay

Prompted by reports in the Daily Breeze last month that the Centinela Valley Superintendent was paid $663,365 in total compensation as the top executive of the 6,637 student high school district, Torrance area state assemblyman Al Muratsuchi has introduced a bill that would prevent excessive school superintendent salaries.

Special education needs a ‘do-over,’ state panel told

Eight minutes into a public meeting on how to reform the state’s vast special education system, the woman who ran special education in California for nine years came up to the microphone. Alice Parker was blunt.

California school spending goal would cost $36 billion more

Representatives of the Education Coalition told a state Senate budget subcommittee Thursday that despite increases in school spending in the current state budget and promises of more in the next one, California still needs to spend much more money on education.

New teachers scarce after state funding cut

Young teachers have become far more scarce in California classrooms after school districts slashed their budgets to survive the recession.

Thursday, March 6, 2014

Temple City School Board elects interim superintendent

After unanimously voting to put the school superintendent on administrative leave last week, the city’s school board unanimously agreed on a replacement.

Rowland USD Superintendent Ruben Frutos to step down, search for new leader begins

After a tumultuous year, Superintendent Ruben Frutos has indicated he is willing to step down into his old position while the district searches for a replacement.The school district directed its staff Tuesday night to send out proposals for search firms to begin the process.

Bellflower teachers agree to tentative deal for raise

The Bellflower Teachers Association has reached a tentative contract agreement with the school district, ending months of contention between the two sides, union officials said this week.

Lodi Unified School District employees seek safer home visits

Child Welfare and Attendance advisers work diligently behind the scenes at Lodi Unified School District, knocking on doors to try to make contact with parents when phone calls and letters fail to reach them. However, CWA advisers say danger may lie behind those doors — especially those who work at district schools in North Stockton and make these home visits alone.

Chico school board decides to keep Citrus open

A divided Chico Unified School District board of trustees voted 3 to 2 to keep the school, located at Citrus and West Fourth avenues, open.

Baron: Proposed bill would provide $1.5 billion more for Common Core implementation

California school districts would receive another year of Common Core implementation funds under a bill introduced Wednesday by Assemblywoman Susan Bonilla, D-Concord.

Fensterwald: Former superintendent backs tenure, layoff laws as defense opens in ‘Vergara’ lawsuit

A former superintendent of three school districts defended the current laws for granting teachers tenure, dismissing ineffective teachers and conducting layoffs based on seniority as the defense began in the Vergara vs California trial, the lawsuit putting employment protections for teachers on trial.

Newport-Mesa moves toward magnet-like schools

The Newport-Mesa Unified School District has rolled out a plan that will set up its four high schools more like magnet schools, each with a different academic and artistic emphasis.

Report: Talega taxpayers benefiting from bond refinancing

Thousands of property-tax payers in San Clemente’s Talega community were not shortchanged when the Capistrano Unified School District refinanced $44.9 million in Mello-Roos bonds more than seven years ago, according to a new report by a consulting firm.

Sweetwater community favors waiver of election

The San Diego County Board of Education adopted criteria Thursday for changing the election system in the Sweetwater Union High School District and heard public comments about whether the issue should be put to voters.