Monthly Archives: November 2012

The Educated Guess: What last Tuesday’s vote got us (not much)

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Peter Schrag

It’s amazing how fast we can adjust to an inadequate educational status quo. Somebody in Sacramento called it “re-benching our lowered expectations.”

For months, mostly thanks to Gov. Jerry Brown’s intense campaign, California’s school supporters had been in a state of nerves, swinging from excitement to near-panic: If Proposition 30, the governor’s proposed tax increase, was to fail, the budget trigger would force schools to lop yet more days off the calendar, lay off yet more teachers, and cut still more programs.

via What last Tuesday’s vote got us (not much) – by Peter Schrag.

Dan Walters: California Democrats will propose easing of parcel tax voting rules

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Proposition 30, Gov. Jerry Brown’s sales and income tax hike, was easily the most contentious measure on last week’s ballot.

As they were passing Proposition 30, however, millions of California voters were also deciding whether to impose even more taxes upon themselves to relieve budget pressure on local governments and school districts – and most of them also passed.

Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2012/11/13/4980712/dan-walters-california-democrats.html#mi_rss=Dan%20Walters#storylink=cpy

via Dan Walters: California Democrats will propose easing of parcel tax voting rules.

Vallejo Times-Herald: Vallejo man launches new language program

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A Vallejo man is launching a new language program Friday at the Bayanihan Center.

The six-week program will immerse young children in the Tagalog language, as well as demand parent involvement in order to continue the learning beyond the center, said Marcio Roxas, a program founder.

“The curriculum is designed to always culminate with a celebration,” Roxas said, in this case a Christmas pageant that incorporates Philippine traditions.

via Vallejo man launches new language program.

The Reporter: The VUSD shows will go on, without the booze

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By David Barthelmess

In a 4-3 vote last month, Vacaville Unified School District Governing Board members passed down a ruling that will reshape fundraising by some school groups and parent organizations.

Stated most simply, it mandates that students not be present at any school-related event where alcohol is being sold or served. Working or entertaining at nonschool affairs where alcohol is served may be permitted, but administrative approval must be sought on an event-by-event basis and cleared well prior to such activities.

via The shows will go on, without the booze.

Vallejo Times-Herald: Proposition 30 approval gives relief to Vallejo schools, colleges

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By Lanz Christian Bañes and Sarah Rohrs

Statewide passage of Proposition 30 spread cautious relief across local campuses Wednesdays as schools and colleges avoided millions in threatened cuts.

“I’m really, really relieved,” said Christal Watts, president of the Vallejo Education Association, about the 54 percent statewide approval of the contentious income tax/sales tax hike measure.

Coming only days after Vallejo teachers agreed to take two unpaid days off, the election results triggered a likely reversal of an earlier action requiring three more furlough days, a district official said Wednesday. Other contingency cuts also might be restored.

via Proposition 30 approval gives relief to Vallejo schools, colleges.

The Reporter: Markham Elementary School students raise funds for Hurricane Sandy relief

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By Richard Bammer/RBammer@TheReporter.com

Like many undertakings, this one started with a casual statement, and the power of an idea quickly gained traction, yielding surprises for all involved, including the strength of community.

Seeing images and hearing news reports about Superstorm Sandy, its tragic wake of death, destruction and loss, Markham Elementary sixth-grade teacher Wendy Horsley said one recent day in class, “I really feel like I want to do something” for the storm victims, especially the children in the affected areas of New York City.

via Markham Elementary School students raise funds for Hurricane Sandy ….

The Reporter: Solano County Office of Education continues winter coat drive

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The Solano County Office of Education’s winter wear drive continues until Nov. 16.

The message is, help homeless students stay warm this winter, said Sheldon Reber, a spokesman for the SCOE.

Items needed include jackets, scarves, hats, gloves, socks and shoes, for students aged 4 to 19.

via Solano County Office of Education continues winter coat drive.

FSUSD’s Facebook Wall: The district is considering changing some of our elementary schools into K-8 schools

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The district is considering changing some of our elementary schools into K-8 schools, changing the grades levels at B. Gale Wilson and Suisun Valley Schools, and adjusting the boundaries for Armijo and Fairfield High Schools.

The Governing Board would like to hear your comments and get your input on these very important issues that will affect students and families in our community.

via The district is considering changing some of our elementary schools into K-8 sch….

EdSource Today: Campaign contributors should make matching donations to schools

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By Louis Freedberg and Carl Cohn

The welcome passage of Proposition 30 by voters this week will help avert an immediate fiscal crisis in our schools. But it will not undo the damage of years of underinvestment in public education in the state.

Additional help could come from those who contributed to any number of federal, state or local campaigns during the just-ended electoral season.

While California and  the nation have recorded political contributions in the billions of dollars, schools still face enormous needs, as EdSource’s “Schools Under Stress” report documented.

via Campaign contributors should make matching donations to schools – by Louis Freedberg and Carl Cohn.

EdSource Today: Local votes of confidence: Most bonds, parcel taxes pass

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By John Fensterwald

Proposition 30, raising statewide taxes to support education, was a nail biter, struggling to get a majority of voters behind it. But that wasn’t the case for most K-12 parcel taxes and school construction bonds on the ballot Tuesday. Voters passed 14 of 22 parcel taxes by margins of victory ranging from 67.1 percent – just above the requisite two-thirds majority – to an impressive 77.3 percent, in the Berryessa School District in San Jose (see chart below).

Even in five of the eight districts where they lost, parcel taxes drew at least 55 percent support. Superintendents and school board members in those districts at least can take solace in knowing that help may be on the way in Sacramento.

via Local votes of confidence: Most bonds, parcel taxes pass – by John Fensterwald.

Dixon Tribune’s Facebook Wall: Brian Dolan: Prop 30’s passage is a “big sigh of relief”

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Brianna Boyd
Editor

A giant sigh of relief.

That was Dixon Unified Superintendent Brian Dolan’s first reaction early Wednesday morning when he learned, just after 1 a.m., that Proposition 30 was approved by California voters.

If Governor Jerry Brown’s proposition had failed at the polls, Dixon Unified would have faced a $1.5 million cut in January, a $4 million reduction for next year’s budget and another $5.5 million cut in 2014-15. The cuts would have added “insult to injury” Dolan said for a district that is already operating on a bare bones budget due to the state’s financial crisis.

via Dolan: Prop 30’s passage is a “big sigh of relief”

 

Dixon Tribune’s Facebook Wall: Grant funds will help Dixon High’s garden grow

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Brianna Boyd
Editor

The teenagers in Dixon High School’s Garden Club likely feel as though they have hit a jackpot.

Since the club was formed at the end of the last school year, the 10 members and their advisor, Lisa McClintock, have been trying to find grants and other sources of funding to expand their garden in the high school’s quad area.

via Grant funds will help Dixon High’s garden grow

 

Benicia Patch: Principal and Student Senate Meet to Discuss Open Campus at Benicia High School

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by JB Davis

On Wednesday, November 6, Benicia High’s new principal, Damon Wright, met with members of the student senate to discuss the pros and cons of closing the campus at lunch time.

“I don’t think many of them want the campus closed,” said Wright two days after the meeting.

via Principal and Student Senate Meet to Discuss Open Campus at Benicia High School.

Attendance Works: Ad Council Tackles Middle School Chronic Absence

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by Hedy Chang

A new Ad Council campaign released today targets middle school chronic absenteeism with television and radio ads alerting parents how quickly school absences can lead to academic trouble and dropping out of high school. The public service announcements come as part of the Boost Up campaign, a partnership between the Ad Council and the U.S. Army that aims to increase graduation rates nationwide.

via Ad Council Tackles Middle School Chronic Absence.

SCOE’s Facebook Wall: Solano County Superintendent thanks voters for passage of Proposition 30

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“We are very thankful our schools will not have to face trigger cuts to their budgets this school year,” said Speck. “Revenues generated by Proposition 30 over the next seven years will support K-12 schools and community colleges beginning in the current school year. The passage of Prop 30 means that Solano schools will not have to cut $24.1 million or possibly reduce the school year by up to three weeks.”

via Solano County Superintendent thanks voters for passage of Proposition 30

The Reporter: Voters in Solano County appear to approve Measure Q

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By Richard Bammer/RBammer@TheReporter.com

Measure Q, the countywide bond proposal that would raise $348 million for Solano Community College, appeared headed for a clear victory Tuesday.

With 85 of 191 precincts reporting at 11:30 p.m., the measure had 52,839 yes votes, or 62 percent, and 32,295 no votes, or 38 percent. It was a trend that held steady through several updated vote counts during the evening.

The measure requires a 55 percent threshold to pass and take effect.

via Voters in Solano County appear to approve Measure Q.

The Reporter: Two-way race in Solano Community College Area 5 race between Monica Brown and Frances L. McCullough

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By Richard Bammer/RBammer@TheReporter.com

At press time early today, the four-way race for a Trustee Area 5 seat on the Solano Community College governing board had turned into a close two-way race, with Monica Brown battling Frances L. McCullough

Based on unofficial returns posted at 11 p.m., McCullough had gained 4,450 votes, or 36 percent, and Brown 4,539, or 37 percent.

A retired businesswoman and part-time instructor at Touro University in Vallejo, McCullough said, “I understand there are many, many absentee ballots,” to be counted. “So I’m going to stay optimistic.”

via Two-way race in Solano Community College Area 5 race between Monica ….

The Reporter: Michael Martin garners Solano Community College board seat

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By Richard Bammer/RBammer@TheReporter.com/

Voters in eastern Solano County and southwestern Yolo County opted to send a new representative from the Vacaville-Dixon area to the Solano Community College Governing Board.

Winters City Councilman Michael Martin breezed to victory Tuesday, ousting longtime incumbent Phil McCaffrey Sr. from the District 7 post.

With 11 of 38 precincts counted as of 11 p.m., Martin had 4,898 votes, or 59 percent, while McCaffrey had 3,367 votes, or nearly 41 percent. It was a trend that held up from the earliest returns until nearly midnight.

via Michael Martin garners Solano Community College board seat.

Vallejo Times-Herald: Benicia Middle School ‘voters’ pick Obama in landslide

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By Lanz Christian Banes/Times-Herald staff writer

BENICIA – President Barack Obama handily crushed his opponent Tuesday – or at least, that’d be the case if Benicia middle school students could vote.

About 400 eighth-graders crammed into Benicia Middle School’s multipurpose room for an exercise in democracy as “delegates” from each state cast their votes in the electoral college.

“It helped us feel like we’re part of the rest of society,” said Zach Cherry, a 13-year-old and the delegate from South Carolina.

via Benicia Middle School ‘voters’ pick Obama in landslide.

FSUSD’s Facebook Wall: At the October 25 Board meeting, the Governing Board was addressed by a very famous super hero

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At the October 25 Board meeting, the Governing Board was addressed by a very famous super hero. CST Man congratulated the Governing Board and everyone in the district on the fantastic gains in student achievement. As he exited the board room, CST Man exclaimed, “To proficient…and beyond!”

via At the October 25 Board meeting, the Governing Board was addressed by a very fam….