Thursday, March 20, 2014

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Petition for charter school draws uproar









Education Headlines

Thursday, March 20, 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.

Desert Sands teachers set for raises

Negotiation teams in the Desert Sands Unified School District have agreed on a 2 percent raise for teachers, retroactive to Aug. 29. The deal includes an additional 1 percent raise effective from the beginning of May through the end of the school year, according to a joint news release issued by the district and the union.

Petition for charter school draws uproar

Representatives from local school districts barraged the San Joaquin County Board of Education with requests to deny a proposed charter school petition Wednesday in a public hearing that resulted in the Academy of Arts and Sciences withdrawing its request to open its World Language Academy as a countywide benefit.

Sweetwater board member pleads out

Sweetwater Union High School District board member Pearl Quiñones pleaded guilty in the South County political corruption case on Tuesday, in a deal that will remove her from office.

Trustee, interim leader stepping down

A longtime trustee of the beleaguered San Ysidro School District has resigned and the interim superintendent will step down from the role she has held for the past eight months. The announcements came at a special board meeting Wednesday night.

Bond measure could benefit each district school

If the Corona-Norco school board asks voters to approve a bond measure in November, almost every school – even the newest – would get upgrades to expand Internet capacity. A proposed $386 million bond would also build two new schools in Eastvale, improve buildings at 21 schools, modernize four more and replace portable classrooms with permanent buildings at 20 schools.

Tamalpais superintendent acknowledges misstep in reporting board vote

The superintendent of the Tamalpais Union High School District acknowledged Wednesday officials likely erred in not announcing a vote tally immediately after a closed-door session in which the board agreed to dismiss several teachers last week.

Kentfield School District loses key rulings in lawsuit over school for disabled

A property dispute between the Kentfield School District and the Marin County Board of Education swung in the county's favor Wednesday with a series of rulings by a Marin Superior Court judge.

Frey: Districts will get extra funding for foster students, but state has to find them first

Under the state’s new school finance law, districts for the first time will receive additional funds based on the number of foster students enrolled in their schools. The law also requires that, by July, districts set academic goals for those students. But just identifying them by then is a problem.

Student's alleged 'hit list' prompts armed guard at O.C. campus

A Santa Ana charter school said it would keep an armed guard on campus at least until spring break after a student allegedly created a "hit list" of schoolmates and threatened to carry out a campus attack.

U.S. Education secretary praises L.A. program

Tucked in the corner of a grimy East Hollywood strip mall is a shining hope of public education. Or so U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan said Wednesday in an event that showcased a comprehensive program to boost academic achievement by supporting students and their families with job training, health services, after-school tutoring and other help.
Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Concerns about Brown Act raised in Tamalpais teachers' dismissal

A closed-door decision by the Tamalpais Union High School District Board of Trustees to dismiss three Tamalpais High School math teachers came on a 4-1 vote, with newly elected board member Chuck Ford dissenting.

Long Beach school board revises non-discrimination policies to include transgender youth

The Long Beach Unified school board voted unanimously Tuesday to enact policies to protect transgender youth from discrimination.

Bellflower Unified finalizes agreement with teachers, will reduce class sizes

The Bellflower school board approved a new contract with the teachers union, agreeing to raises and to reduce class sizes for students in primary grades.

Alleged lunch money embezzler Judith Oakes will wait on bail reduction

Former Rialto Unified accountant Judith Oakes will sit in jail 11 more weeks before her next chance to ask a judge to lower her bail from $1.8 million — the same amount she’s accused of embezzling from her former school district.

Superintendent hands over Rialto Unified audit to DA

Citing possible “fraud, misappropriation of funds or other illegal activities,” San Bernardino County’s top educator has sent a copy of an audit of Rialto Unified’s purchasing services to the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office.

Twin Rivers approves adult charter school after years of cuts

Twin Rivers Unified trustees unanimously voted this month to approve Highlands Community Charter School in an attempt to resuscitate their district’s once-expansive adult education program.

Sacramento area school budgets on firmer ground as California finances improve

Increased state funding has brought relief to most California schools, with 76 districts reporting they are no longer in financial peril, the California Department of Education announced this month.

Fensterwald: Los Angeles charter schools record among the biggest learning gains in nation

Students in independent charter schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District significantly outperform similar students in traditional schools in the district, according to a report released last week by the Center for Research on Education Outcomes (CREDO) at Stanford University.

Mongeau: Lawmakers call for more computer science in California schools

Half a dozen bills before the state Legislature address the growing concern that California students don’t have the computer science skills necessary to thrive in the modern workforce.