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Thursday, May 2, 2013

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Duncan says it’s still possible for state to get NCLB waiver | EdSource Today





Education Headlines

Thursday, May 2, 2013

Linden Unified parents address dysfunction

Parents of Linden Unified students continued to make emotional pleas Wednesday night that the district Board of Trustees relieve Superintendent Michael Gonzales of his duties, extending what has amounted to months of distrust and angst districtwide.

Teachers to vote on contract May 14

After working for nearly two years without one, the 700 members of the Salinas Valley Federation of Teachers will decide the fate of a tentative agreement that was negotiated last week between their union negotiators and district officials.

Report: Galt elementary school district is underfunding retirement

An outside audit has recommended the Galt Joint Union Elementary School District contribute more than $300,000 to its retirement account annually to make up for a lack of funding in years past and plan for future costs.

Upland school board to review negative certification and budget gap Thursday

The Upland Unified School District Board of Trustees is holding a special meeting on Thursday to discuss ways to mend an $8 million budget shortfall for the next fiscal year.

Twin Rivers school district hires police chief, if he clears review

Harvey Woo, a retired lieutenant with the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department, has been conditionally hired to lead the embattled police department of the Twin Rivers Unified School District, two trustees said Wednesday.

Capo 'rights a wrong' for taxed homeowners

Communities that have paid more than their "fair" share to fund the construction of Capistrano Unified School District's headquarters are off the hook. Trustees have approved a plan to fix disparities in payments from a handful of Mello-Roos districts made toward a bond used to finance the construction.

SD Unified gets $18.5M offer for property

La Jolla developers have offered the San Diego Unified School District $18.5 million for the old Mission Beach Elementary School, 2.23 acres of prime coastal real estate that is the centerpiece of a controversial land sale.

Mt. Diablo school board meeting in closed session

A special meeting by the Mt. Diablo school board went into overtime late Wednesday, with no immediate decision on selecting a new leader for the troubled district.

Using technology to fight cheating in online education

Finding ways to thwart the ingenuity of computer-savvy students is crucial to proving Internet courses and diplomas are valid. Webcams and keystroke monitoring are among tools in use.

California teachers sue unions to stop dues

Ten California teachers — several of them from Orange County — are suing in federal court to stop mandatory union dues. The lawsuit seeks to expand last year’s U.S. Supreme Court decision involving union activity in a California special election.

Duncan says it’s still possible for state to get NCLB waiver

California remains interested in receiving a waiver from sanctions under the No Child Left Behind law, and U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan said Wednesday it remains possible for the state to get one.
Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Five local schools could face closure

Siskiyou County Superintendent of Schools Kermith Walters has jumped into the fray to save five local small school districts from becoming defunct as a result of the language in a trailer bill attached to Governor Jerry Brown’s proposed 2013-14 budget.

Linden principal files complaint

A Linden Unified School District principal filed a Complaint of Discrimination and Retaliation with the Department of Fair Employment and Housing against Superintendent Michael Gonzales on Monday.

New classrooms and swimming pool taking shape at Diamond Bar High

While everything looks peaceful at the front of Diamond Bar High School, the back is abuzz as construction workers rush to complete the new aquatics center and math wing.