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Wednesday, March 5, 2014

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Fensterwald: Judge denies motion to dismiss lawsuit challenging teacher job protections


Education Headlines

Wednesday, March 5, 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.

New Kern HSD superintendent salary to start at $225,000

The incoming superintendent of the Kern High School District will earn a base annual salary of $225,000, which is $17,718 a year less than the current salary of the outgoing superintendent.

Layoffs to hit Simi Valley teachers

Simi Valley school officials plan to lay off 38 teachers— one step in balancing their budget for the coming fiscal year.

Stockton USD to issue six layoff notices

Stockton Unified officials will send layoff notices to three high school teachers, one high school counselor and two early childhood education teachers this year.

Two out of three valley school districts offering teachers raises

Two of the three school districts in the Coachella Valley have offered 4 to 5 percent raises to the teachers, but the third district is cutting costs by laying off dozens of teachers.

Ceres alternative education programs getting new home on Mitchell Road

A $9 million Stanislaus County Office of Education school for alternative education students is going up on Mitchell Road in Ceres, designed to replace an older site on Memorial Drive.

Turlock Unified to let go 17 single-year teachers, gets better budget news

Turlock Unified School District trustees voted unanimously Tuesday night to notify 17 teachers hired for one-year assignments that their jobs will end in May. There were no layoffs of permanent teachers, however, because of enrollment moving slightly up this year and better budget news.

Hercules transgender student recants story

A day after telling police he was viciously attacked in a campus restroom, a transgender high school student recanted his report to police, admitting that he fabricated an incident that fit a troubling pattern of violence on the campus and raised concerns about a groundbreaking state transgender rights law.

Report looks at ways to address discipline, morale at Antioch middle school

Implementation with fidelity. Whether it's enforcing the student uniform policy, cracking down on tardies or consistency in enforcing discipline, that philosophy is a key part of what is needed to improve Black Diamond Middle School, according to longtime educator John Bernard.

Mt. Diablo school district teachers reach tentative contract agreement

The Mt. Diablo school district teachers' union announced Tuesday it has reached a tentative three-year contract agreement that would provide for salary hikes and increased benefits contributions through 2016.

Language-immersion programs expand in California’s schools

As ethnic populations have since increased in California, school districts, parents and community groups have launched dual-immersion programs that have gained popularity among both English learners and native English speakers.

Los Angeles teachers union - launches new campaign for smaller classroom sizes

The union representing Los Angeles teachers launched a new campaign Tuesday aimed at reducing classroom size. United Teachers Los Angeles members and parents passed out fliers at campuses, demanding Los Angeles Unified School District leaders focus on smaller classes, said UTLA President Warren Fletcher.

Fensterwald: Judge denies motion to dismiss lawsuit challenging teacher job protections

With the end of intermission, there will now be a second act to the state’s education trial of the year, in which nine students are challenging the constitutionality of laws governing teachers’ job protections.
Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Overflow crowd at KHSD meeting protests pay, superintendent choice

Between activists critical of a superintendent search process and a major show of force by unions vying for raises, the Kern High School District board room was packed beyond capacity Monday night with protesters, many waving signs and wearing their school colors.

Kern High School District names Schaefer new superintendent

The Kern High School District chose a popular, veteran administrator as its 21st superintendent Monday, a decision lauded by many but decried by others who had wanted a wider search.

Lawsuit alleges Oxnard Union school district kept quiet on administrator's sexual misconduct

The Oxnard Union High School District is the target of a lawsuit filed by the attorney of two girls who accused a Camarillo High School administrator of inappropriate touching.

Officials get first look at charter proposal

San Joaquin County school superintendents were briefed on the details of a proposed countywide charter school on Monday morning, a meeting that raised questions by some who fear the petitioners value circumventing the oversight of local school districts over detailed student benefits.

Watsonville school launches into the Cloud with Chromebooks

A Pajaro Valley school has distributed 700 Google Chromebooks to its students, the first public school in Santa Cruz County to provide one-to-one, 24-7 access to computers.

School lifts ban on Rainbow Loom bracelets

Fearing she might have snuffed out opportunities for students to express themselves, Ladera Ranch Elementary School Principal Amy Bryant on Monday reversed a ban on popular rubber band bracelets.

School reorganizes traditional classroom

The kindergarten and second grade teachers at Las Palmas Elementary School are learning this year that bigger is not always better. In fact, small can be a good thing.

June Jordan School for Equity gets a break on testing

This year, the Excelsior neighborhood high school will get a welcome reprieve from the predictable cycle of testing. It's a practice year for California schools as the state transitions to a new computerized testing system based on the new Common Core curriculum adopted by most states.