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Tuesday, March 26, 2013

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California voters split on Jerry Brown school plans



Education Headlines

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Former Santa Ana principal, parents, seek new charter school

A former Santa Ana charter school principal is seeking approval to open a new K-8 school in the city. The Santa Ana Unified School District board is scheduled to hold a public hearing on Odyssey Charter Academy's petition on Tuesday. It will vote on the proposal by May.

Somis School could move because of gas pipelines on campus

The Somis Union School District may move its elementary school because gas pipelines have been found on campus.

School crisis teams ready to respond

Most schools have counselors or psychologists ready to help students cope with personal trauma. But when a large number of students is affected by a violent act or natural disaster, schools may seek reinforcements with counselors from other districts, local agencies and the county office.

San Joaquin education office names assistant superintendent

The San Joaquin County Office of Education has promoted administrator Jane Steinkamp to assistant superintendent of educational services.

Sylvan school district names new superintendent

Debra Hendricks is the choice to lead Sylvan Union School District, stepping into the shoes of John Halverson, who retires June 30. The district announced her selection Monday morning, pending final contract negotiations and ratification of her appointment at the April 16 board meeting.

California voters split on Jerry Brown school plans

Fifty percent agree with the governor's proposal to give more funds to school districts that serve low-income children. A separate Brown plan to give local districts more funding control is favored by 59%.

LAUSD salvages summer school, but classes will be limited

Despite fears that Los Angeles Unified would have to cancel summer school this year, officials say they'll be able to hold a limited number of credit-recovery classes at 16 high school campuses across the sprawling district.

Mt. Diablo school board approves contract extensions for top administrators

Despite statements by two Mt. Diablo school district trustees earlier this month that they wanted to seek new administrative leadership, the school board voted Monday to approve amended contract extensions for the superintendent, general counsel, chief financial officer and two assistant superintendents.

California Education Department clarifies ban on school fees and on required supplies

Spelling out a state law that prohibits public schools from charging fees for supplies and activities, the California Department of Education has issued a memo detailing what students and families can and can't be required to pay or provide for school.

Sacramento-area schools face cuts from federal sequester

Across the region, school districts are considering how to trim programs because federal cuts known as the sequester took effect March 1 when federal leaders could not agree on a spending plan.

Parents: Chino High desperately needs repair

Parents have voiced concerns about theChino High School facility. They did so initially in a meeting with school officials and then later by filing a complaint.

Hesperia Unified to ACLU: We need more time to investigate alleged campus homophobia

Officials at the High Desert's largest school district take complaints of homophobia seriously, they say, but need more time to address allegations made last week by the American Civil Liberties Union.

Fensterwald: Poll finds the less you make, the more you like Brown’s school finance reform

More California voters favor than oppose Gov. Jerry Brown’s sweeping plan to reform school finance, and most are against the idea of lowering the threshold for approving local school parcel taxes from two-thirds to a 55 percent majority, according to a new statewide poll.
Monday, March 25, 2013

Teacher layoff notices see notable slowdown

Several recent years of March sadness came to a quiet end this month for Stockton Unified and numerous other school districts in California. With the state regaining fiscal health, what had been a deluge of teacher layoffs slowed to a trickle.

Rosenblat: Proposed restrictions on school bonds would harm districts

Often the cure is worse than the disease. Such may be the case regarding the recent legislative proposals on Capital Appreciation Bonds (CABs). The lack of critical thinking and thoughtful dialog on this issue has been scary, and we are in serious danger of doing more harm than good to both taxpayers and responsible school districts across the state.

Coachella Valley High School assistant principal Jose Ramirez faces removal

Management shakeups continue at Coachella Valley Unified School District, where one assistant principal has quit in protest of leadership decisions and another may lose his position next week.