Monthly Archives: July 2014

Polk will seek Fairfield City Council seat – Daily Republic

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By Ryan McCarthy

Perry Polk, a Fairfield-Suisun School District trustee, said Thursday he is running for the Fairfield City Council and won’t seek re-election to the school board.

Polk and school board president David Isom live in the same trustee area and under the school district’s new election by trustee area would have sought the same seat if both men ran Nov. 4 for school board.

“Neither one of us wanted to run against each other,” Polk said. “We’re very close friends.”

Isom has taken out papers to for Trustee Area 7, which includes Clay Bank Road and part of Air Base Parkway, in the school district.

via Polk will seek Fairfield City Council seat Daily Republic.

Vacaville school board to accept applications for vacant seat – Daily Republic

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By Susan Winlow

The Vacaville School District board of education agreed Thursday to receive applications for the position vacated last week upon the resignation of Trustee Jerry Eaton.

By law, the board has the choice of holding a special election or making a provisional appointment.

For the sake of “consistency,” Trustee Michael Kitzes said the board ought to follow the same procedure as was done when Larry Mazzuca left the board last August. The board collected 15 applications at the time – of which the board re-interviewed the remaining two of the top three candidates when Theresa Nutt resigned a month later. Both left because they moved out of the district.

via Vacaville school board to accept applications for vacant seat Daily Republic.

Vallejo school board places $239 million bond measure on November ballot – Vallejo Times Herald

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By Lanz Christian Bañes

Voters will decide in November whether the Vallejo City Unified School District should get $239 million to maintain its aging facilities.

The school board unanimously approved Wednesday placing a bond measure during the general elections this fall, the culmination of about a year and a half of work by the board and district staff.

“It has been 17 years since this same opportunity came along for the community to take,” Assistant Superintendent Mel Jordan said to the board, referencing the district’s last facilities bond measure, the $133 million Measure A in 1997.

 

via Vallejo school board places $239 million bond measure on November ballot – Vallejo Times Herald.

Solano College trustees mull sheriff’s police takeover options – Daily Republic

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By Adrienne Harris

Solano Community College is inching toward the takeover of its law enforcement by the Sheriff’s Office with the completion of a union settlement and a revised memorandum of understanding between the two parties.

The college’s board of trustees briefly addressed the proposed transition at its Wednesday meeting.

The district has been negotiating a contract over the past year to have the Sheriff’s Office offer its services at the college’s three campuses, but had to resolve a dispute with the Stationary Engineers Local 39 before it could move ahead.

via Solano College trustees mull sheriff’s police takeover options Daily Republic.

Pay, benefits top six figures for 87 Fairfield-Suisun school administrators – Daily Republic

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By Ryan McCarthy

Eighty-seven people in Fairfield-Suisun School District administrative positions, ranging from assistant elementary school principal to truancy prevention specialist, make more than $100,000 in salaries and benefits.

The six-figure compensation starts at the $101,117 for Ralph Mateo, network administrator in technology support services, and reaches $270,654 in salary and benefits for Superintendent Kris Corey.

Fairfield-Suisun officials provided the pay and benefit figures after a California Public Records Act request from Suisun City resident George Guynn Jr.

via Pay, benefits top six figures for 87 Fairfield-Suisun school administrators Daily Republic.

No applicants for vacant Travis School District seat – Daily Republic

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By Ryan McCarthy

No one applied for a vacant Travis School District trustee seat representing Travis Air Force Base.

Trustee John Dickerson said he’s surprised at the response to the vacancy created when Dawn Kirby resigned because of a military move that sent her husband John Kirby to Shaw Air Force Base in South Carolina.

“I did think there would be more of a public interest,” Dickerson said of the vacant seat.

via No applicants for vacant Travis School District seat Daily Republic.

Vallejo school board, City Council talk bond measure – Vallejo Times Herald

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By Lanz Christian Bañes

Vallejo City Council members warned Tuesday that the school board would have a difficult struggle ahead as the trustees forge forward with a proposed $239 million bond measure.

“The City Council will need to be on board with the school board if we’re going to have a chance to pass this bond,” said council member Rozanna Verder- Aliga, herself a former Vallejo school board president.

The bond measure, which the trustees will consider placing on the November ballot on Wednesday’s school board meeting, was the only topic on the agenda during the joint meeting between the two agencies at John F. Kennedy Library.

via Vallejo school board, City Council talk bond measure – Vallejo Times Herald.

Solano College incumbents seek re-election – Vallejo Times Herald

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By John Glidden

Both Pam Keith and A. Marie Young are seeking re-election to the Solano Community College District Governing Board this fall.

Keith, first elected to the SCCD Governing Board in 1994, said that she would like to serve one more term on the board to ensure that Measure Q monies are spent appropriately.

Measure Q is a $348 million countywide bond passed in 2012 by Solano County voters to improve SCC buildings and support the expansion of programs at the college.

“I was here for Measure G, helping to make sure the monies were spent appropriately. I want to do the same for Measure Q,” said Keith, who is also the current board president.

Measure G was a similar bond measure, passed by Solano Count

via Solano College incumbents seek re-election – Vallejo Times Herald.

Vacaville school board sets vote on $194M bond – Daily Republic

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By Susan Winlow

From page A1 | July 16, 2014 |

VACAVILLE — The school district is taking the final step this week to get a $194 million school facilities bond on the Nov. 4 ballot.

A resolution ordering the election will come before the Vacaville School District governing board Thursday for a vote. It must pass by a two-thirds vote of the entire board.

The resolution was introduced to the board at the June 26 meeting. Leigh Coop, the district’s facilities department director, said Tuesday that the board did not have any questions at that time and she isn’t “aware of any opposition” to the bond by the board.

“Our board has expressed nothing but support . . . (however), nothing happens until it happens,” she said.

via Vacaville school board sets vote on $194M bond Daily Republic.

Sheriff’s Office takes over Solano College police duties – Daily Republic

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By Susan Winlow

The evolving saga that involves the proposed eventual takeover of the Solano Community College campus police by the county’s Sheriff’s Office is moving forward after a settlement agreement was reached in June between the college district and the Operating Engineers Local 39.

A proposed memorandum of understanding between the college and the Solano County Sheriff’s Office will be presented at Wednesday’s meeting.

Agenda attachments include the memorandum, which outlines the scope and level of services, the administration, assignment and deployment of personnel, length terms, cost of services, billing, termination and a variety of other contractual obligations.

via Sheriff’s Office takes over Solano College police duties Daily Republic.

School board to discuss seat vacancy after Eaton resignation – Daily Republic

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By Susan Winlow

The Vacaville School District board of education on Thursday will discuss the seat vacancy left behind by Trustee Jerry Eaton’s resignation July 11.

Eaton resigned due to his new position on the board of directors with the California Teachers Association. It’s a position that takes him out of the Vacaville area, with a service area that extends from San Francisco to the Oregon border. He indicated Friday that he didn’t feel he could be an effective board member with his new position.

via School board to discuss seat vacancy after Eaton resignation Daily Republic.

Travis district to interview school board candidates – Daily Republic

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By Ryan McCarthy

People applying for the Travis School District seat left vacant with the resignation of Dawn Kirby will be interviewed Wednesday and a new board member appointed – who will then take the oath of office.

Names of people who applied by the 4:30 p.m. deadline Tuesday were not available from the school district.

Kirby resigned because of a military move that sent her husband John Kirby to Shaw Air Force Base in South Carolina.

via Travis district to interview school board candidates Daily Republic.

Teens delve into internship program – The Reporter

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By Kimberly K. Fukfu

Like the Berenstain Bears, teens in the internship program at the Vacaville Neighborhood Boys & Girls Club are learning all about themselves — inside, outside and upside down.

About 30 youths, separated into two clusters this summer, will receive a foundation in finances, career and college planning and goal-setting while also participating in community service projects and supervising younger members at the club.

It’s an intensive four-week program in which teens delve deep, contemplate educational and professional opportunities and learn how to plan to make their dream futures a reality.

via Teens delve into internship program – The Reporter.

Fixing Detached Schools Via Tech | Edutopia

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By Terry Heick

It’s possible that there is no time in the history of education when our systems of educating have been so out of touch with the communities. Growing populations, shifting communities, and increasingly inwardly-focused schools all play a role. In light of the access of modern technology, social media, and new learning models that reconfigure the time and place in which learning happens, it doesn’t have to be that way. Schools can evolve while simultaneously growing closer to the people they serve.

Technology

First, for the purpose of this post, let’s think of technology and social media as distinct.

Technology has many forms, but it is most visible in education by way of computing hardware and software. The hardware is pretty obvious — personal computers, Macs, tablets, Chromebooks, smartphones, graphing calculators, and the like.

via Fixing Detached Schools Via Tech | Edutopia.

Fairfield-Suisun district draws hundreds to job fair – Daily Republic

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By Ryan McCarthy

With an hour left to go, about 500 people had attended Monday’s job fair at the Fairfield-Suisun School District office.

“This has been a great thing,” Robert Martinez, assistant superintendent of human resources for the school district, said of the event that began at 8 a.m.

Martinez said the school district hired eight teachers Monday at the fair that was also held for support staff including cafeteria workers and bus drivers.

“We want to help them start their careers in education,” he said.

via Fairfield-Suisun district draws hundreds to job fair Daily Republic.

E-rate Program Modernized – Year 2014 (CA Dept of Education)

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SACRAMENTO—State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson applauded a ruling by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) today that marks a major step toward preparing students for the global economy by expanding Internet access for schools and libraries.

The FCC voted today to modernize the E-rate program and boost support for wireless connectivity for schools and libraries. This action is designed to expand wireless access, make E-rate dollars go further, and deliver faster, simpler, and more efficient applications and other processes. Known formally as the federal Schools and Libraries Program, E-rate established a surcharge on long-distance telephone bills in 1997 that provides discounts to assist schools and libraries in obtaining affordable telecommunications and Internet access.

“Our schools, society, and economy thrive on interconnectivity,” Torlakson said. “Today’s action will not only help narrow the digital divide among students, but also help us reach and teach every child so they will be prepared for the world that awaits them.”

via E-rate Program Modernized – Year 2014 (CA Dept of Education).

Filing for Fairfield-Suisun School District seats starts Monday – Daily Republic

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By Ryan McCarthy

Filing for three seats on the Fairfield-Suisun School District board of trustees begins Monday and ends Aug. 8, the Solano County Registrar of Voters office says.

No filing fee is required for the school board seats that pay $400 a month and provide the same benefits offered to school district management employees.

Seats representing trustee areas 7, 5 and 4 are up for election Nov. 4.

Trustee Area 7 includes Clay Bank Road and part of Air Base Parkway. Area 5 includes Sunset Avenue and East Kentucky Street. Texas Street and Travis Boulevard are part of Area 4.

via Filing for Fairfield-Suisun School District seats starts Monday Daily Republic.

Vacaville school board member resigns – Daily Republic

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By Susan Winlow

The Vacaville School District added another moving part to its seven-member board with the official resignation Friday of Jerry Eaton, a board member elected in 2011 when the district had elections in odd years.

The district changed to even years in March 2013, effectively adding a year to everyone’s term, thus making Eaton’s term up in 2016 instead of 2015.

Eaton recently began a new position on the board of directors with the California Teachers Association that takes him away from the Vacaville area. He will be serving an area that stretches from San Francisco to Oregon.

via Vacaville school board member resigns Daily Republic.

Education job fair set for Monday – Daily Republic

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By Susan Hiland

Applicants can talk about teaching, operations and substitute work with human resources officials, school site administrators and district managers at a recruitment and hiring fair scheduled for Monday at the Fairfield-Suisun School District central office building.

The school district at the event, which will take place from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., is interested in interviewing credentialed or intern-eligible applicants in special education, mathematics and English. Fairfield-Suisun also seeks to hire speech pathologists, school psychologists, nurses and paraeducators.

via Education job fair set for Monday Daily Republic.

FSUSD Superintendent set for raise in contract extension Daily Republic

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By Ryan McCarthy

A yearlong extension of the contract for Kris Corey, superintendent of the Fairfield-Suisun School District, includes a 1 percent raise for the school district administrator paid $216,300 a year, school district trustees were told Thursday.

Other provisions in the contract reviewed by the school board include the Fairfield-Suisun district contributing $14,500 yearly – rather than $10,000 – to a tax-sheltered instrument of the superintendent’s choice. A provision for the first year of the agreement – that the district pay up to $4,500 for executive leadership coaching services – ends.

via Corey set for raise in contract extension Daily Republic.