Monthly Archives: June 2016

Hundreds of students say goodbye to Benicia High – Times Herald

Posted on by

By Matthew Adkins

The bleachers and track surrounding the football field of Benicia High School were completely full as thousands turned up to watch their loved ones graduate from high school.

Nearly 400 students in the class of 2016 graduated Saturday afternoon in what would be the last ceremony held on the school’s field before its renovated.

As the graduates formed a long line and slowly filed into the stadium, crowds of people cheered and hollered when their students took their seats in the center of the field.

Principal Brianna Kleinschmidt was first to the microphone and broke the ice by addressing the massive crowd about what it means to have “Panther pride.”

Source: Hundreds of students say goodbye to Benicia High

Budget, LCAP on TUSD agenda – The Reporter

Posted on by

By Richard Bammer

The 2016-17 budget and the school district’s LCAP are on the agenda when Travis Unified leaders meet tonight in Fairfield.

Trustees are expected to approve a $54 million budget, one that exceeds revenues by $1.7 million, with an ending balance of $3.4 million.

Ken Forrest, the chief business officer, and Jamie Metcalf, the incoming CBO, will make the presentation after a public hearing.

The board also likely will approve the district’s Local Control Accountability Plan, or LCAP, the document that guides virtually all of the district’s spending, especially for programs that affect ethnic minorities, low-income students and foster youth.

via: Budget, LCAP on TUSD Agenda, The Reporter

Travis district to get energy-saving award – Daily Republic

Posted on by

By Daily Republic Staff

A national energy conservation company will present the Travis School District with an award Wednesday for its decade-long energy-saving effort.

The district has saved nearly $4.8 million over the past 11-plus years through its alliance with Cenergistic, the company that will present the Chairman’s Sustainability Award to district Superintendent Kate Wren Gavlak, according to a press release about the award presentation.

Source: Travis district to get energy-saving award

Tassles are turned at Liberty High School – Times Herald

Posted on by

By Matthew Adkins

For the 2016 graduates of Liberty High School, Thursday marked the beginning of a new chapter in their lives.

Twenty-eight students celebrated their graduation Thursday evening at the Marina Green in Benicia.

The ceremonies were preceded by a dinner put on by the Yacht Club. Afterwards, students in full graduation garb took their seats on the lawn as they waited to receive their diploma.

After pledging allegiance to the flag, school principal JoAnn Severson took the time to thank the hundreds of friends, family and community members who showed up to support the graduates in their final moments as high-schoolers.

Severson explained it was a tough road for many of the students, but that she was thrilled to recognize the culmination of their hard work.

Source: Tassles are turned at Liberty High School

Benicia High’s top of class heads to UC Berkeley – Times Herald

Posted on by

By Irma Widjojo

His message at graduation is “no regrets,” but this year’s Benicia High School valedictorian is still trying to tell himself to listen to his own advice.

“These past few months I’ve been thinking way too much about the things that I’ve missed out,” Hoyoung “Austin” Lim, 18, said. “I’ve haven’t really worked that hard at school too.”

Even without his full effort, Lim is graduating high school with a 4.565 GPA, and is heading to University of California, Berkeley, to study mechanical engineering. It also helped that Lim was involved in many school clubs and activities, including cross country, Key Club, chess and ping pong clubs, as well as co-creating the math club.

The middle son of three came to the United States with his older brother and parents when he was 7 years old, and it was a culture shock.

via: Times Herald Benicia High’s top of class head to UC Berkeley

 

Vacaville USD leaders hear caution about future budgets – The Reporter

Posted on by

By Richard Bammer

While in the next few weeks Vacaville Unified officials will file a “positive certification” of its 2016-17 budget, the financial picture in future years “doesn’t really look that great,” the school district’s chief business officer said Thursday.

During a meeting in the Educational Services Center, Deo Persaud, using a slide presentation, told the governing board that the district will spend $108.5 million in the coming academic year, with revenues of $107.9 million, creating nearly $660,000 in red ink. The ending balance is expected to be $16.5 million, with 14 percent of the budget in prudent reserves, he told trustees during the sparsely attended meeting.

While that figure, a little more than $15 million, including 3 percent for economic uncertainties, may seem like a large amount, Persaud, at previous board meetings, projected that the 12,300-student district will face increased deficit spending in the 2017-18 and 2018-19 years as expenses significantly exceed revenues and the robust state funding of the last several years is expected to soften.

 

Source: Vacaville Unified School District leaders hear caution about future budgets

Free meals program underway in Vacaville – The Reporter

Posted on by

By Richard Bammer

Schools may be out for the summer, but lunch, always popular, is still in.

Vacaville Unified’s summer feeding program began this week, with free nutritious meals available Monday through Friday for children at three sites across the city.

They are Markham Elementary, 11:30 a.m. to noon; Public Library-Town Square, 1 Town Square Place, noon to 12:30 p.m.; and Fairmont Charter Elementary, 1355 Marshall Road, 12:30 to 1 p.m.

Lunches will continue through the summer months until the first week of school in mid-August. Classes begin Aug. 18.

District officials believe some 17,000 sack lunches will be served while the program — in its fifth year and funded largely by the USDA and in-kind donations from local charities — is in effect.

 

Source: Free meals program underway in Vacaville

Fairfield-Suisun School District STEM camp helps dreams take flight – Daily Republic

Posted on by

By Bill Hicks

With graduation season in the rear view mirror, the school year for the Fairfield-Suisun School District is over – but that doesn’t mean the learning has stopped.

A group of 40 sixth- and seventh-graders returned, Friday night, from a five-day Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics camp, which included a trip to Vacaville-based ICON Aircraft, the Senate and Assembly chambers at the State Capitol and culminated with a trip to Vandenberg Air Force Base outside of Lompoc in Southern California.

This was the inaugural year for the program, which was developed in part thanks to a pre-existing connection Superintendent Kris Corey had with staff at Vandenberg AFB.

Source: Fairfield-Suisun School District STEM camp helps dreams take flight

Gov. Brown agrees to add money for child care, preschool in budget | EdSource

Posted on by

By John Fensterwald

Advocates for expanding early childhood education and for better preparing low-income high school students for state universities wrested substantial money in the compromise state budget, announced Thursday, that legislative leaders and Gov. Jerry Brown have negotiated. The Legislature will vote next week on the $122 billion plan for the fiscal year starting July 1.

Although less than they wanted, members of the Legislative Women’s Caucus got a down payment on a half-billion dollar increase for child care and state-funded preschools over the next four years. By 2019-20, that will include ramping up to an additional 8,877 slots for full-day state preschool and increases in reimbursement rates for child-care providers to reflect increases in the state minimum wage. The first 2,969 preschool slots will open up in March 2017.

“This is going to be the biggest appropriation in a decade,” Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia, D-Bell Gardens,vice chairwoman of the Women’s Caucus, told the Los Angeles Times, referring to the increased costs in future years. “We’re trying to be progressive and think about the future.”

Source: Gov. Brown agrees to add money for child care, preschool in budget | EdSource

Cayangyang seeks to continue work on Vallejo school board – Times Herald

Posted on by

By John Glidden

Ruscal Cayangyang wants to continue serving on the Vallejo City Unified School District Board of Education.

The incumbent trustee announced Wednesday that he is seeking to fill a short two-year term this November. Cayangyang, who currently serves as vice president, was appointed to the board in January 2015.

Elected in November 2014, Vallejo resident Richard Porter declined to be seated for the position. The board then selected Cayangyang, who came in fourth place during that election.

Cayangyang said he intends to hold the district more accountable on the implementation of School Safety Plans after the Vallejo school board passed the plans in December 2015, according to a campaign news release.

Source: Cayangyang seeks to continue work on Vallejo school board

Jesse Bethel High School graduates about 350 students – Times Herald

Posted on by

By John Glidden

Adult life now looms large for about 350 seniors in the Jesse Bethel High School class of 2016.

Friends, family members, and “play cousins” were on hand Thursday afternoon at Corbus Field to welcome the graduates into adulthood.

Class salutatorian Maya Miller thanked her parents for helping her reach her goals.

“Through every step of the way, they were there, watching from a distance, waiting to catch me when I stumbled along the way,” Miller said. “Without them, I would not be here today.”

She also addressed all the parents in the packed stands:

“You sit there proud of us, (but) I stand here proud of you,” Miller said.

 

Source: Jesse Bethel High School graduates about 350 students

Teacher Recruitment and Training Bills – Year 2016 (CA Dept of Education)

Posted on by

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson announced today that legislation is advancing at the state Capitol to help address a growing shortage of teachers in California.

Several bills moved forward last week as the Legislature faced a bill deadline. Torlakson spoke in favor of the legislation at a Capitol news conference earlier in the year, when legislators introduced new measures to recruit more educators and help them earn teaching credentials.

“I will continue to work with all members of the Legislature who want to help talented and committed people enter this rewarding profession,” said Torlakson, who started his career as a science teacher and coach. “I am spreading the message when I speak at the state Capitol and at schools and events all around the state: California needs more teachers. Teaching is a wonderful profession with challenges—but also great rewards. Teachers have the opportunity to have a profound positive impact in a young person’s life.”

Source: Teacher Recruitment and Training Bills – Year 2016 (CA Dept of Education)

“Blessed” graduation at Vallejo High School – Times Herald

Posted on by

By John Glidden

Apologies to the cities and residents of American Canyon and Benicia are probably in order after all the noise Wednesday night.

After all, there was a party going on at Corbus Field.

The stands were packed with friends, family members, and loved ones on hand to celebrate Vallejo High School’s commencement.

Both the 240-plus graduates and those in the stands took time to dance, yell, and smile during the ceremony.

Three student speakers set the mood for night, as each offered advice for the future, while also acknowledging the support from family.

Voters reject sales tax hike for road fixes; FSUSD bond ekes out approval – The Reporter

Posted on by

By Richard Bammer

With a few more California Primary ballots to count in the coming days, Solano transportation measures G and H drew mixed results, passage and rejection, respectively, and the $249 million Fairfield-Suisun Unified school bond, Measure J, passed by a razor-thin margin.

In an early Wednesday website posting, the County Registrar of Voters indicated 54,935 votes, or nearly 64 percent, favored Measure G, the Solano County Transportation Improvement Advisory; and 48,795, or 56 percent, opposed H, the Solano County 2016 Transactions and Use Tax. Under state law, a simple majority, 50 percent plus 1, was required for passage.

Also in the early Wednesday posting, 13,874 votes, or 55.4 percent, were cast in favor of the school bond. Under state law, the measure had to meet a 55 percent, plus 1, threshold to pass.

Source: Voters reject sales tax hike for road fixes; FSUSD bond ekes out approval

New budget, several LCAPs, charter renewals on VUSD agenda tonight – Daily Republic

Posted on by

By Richard Bammer

A presentation about the 2016-17 district budget, several LCAPs, and a public hearing on charter renewals for a pair of charter schools are on the agenda when Vacaville Unified leaders meet tonight in Vacaville.

Like other California school district trustees will this month, Vacaville’s seven-member governing board will hear a dollars-and-cents report from its chief business official.

Deo Persaud will tell the board that the district will spend $108.5 million in the coming academic year, with revenues of $107.9 million, creating nearly $660,000 in red ink. The ending balance is expected to be $16.5 million, with 14 percent of the budget in prudent reserves.

While that figure, a little more than $15 million, including 3 percent for economic uncertainties, may seem like a large amount, Persaud, at previous board meetings, has projected that the 12,300-student district will face increased deficit spending in the 2017-18 and 2018-19 years as expenses exceed revenues.

 

Source: New budget, several LCAPs, charter renewals on VUSD agenda tonight

Fairfield-Suisun district awaits tax plan’s destiny – Daily Republic

Posted on by

By Todd R. Hansen

The fate of Measure J – the $249 million Fairfield-Suisun School District bond measure – is still undecided after the second full day of ballot counting in Solano County.

Measure J carried a slight lead of 14,191 to 11,343 (55.58 percent) with an estimated 2,000 or more provisional ballots left to count, and whatever number of properly postmarked ballots the elections office receives in the mail Thursday and Friday.

There is a small area of Napa County that is in the district as well, bringing the most current numbers to 14,209 to 11,371 for a 55.55 percent lead, election offices reported. The measure requires 55 percent support to pass.

Source: Fairfield-Suisun district awaits tax plan’s destiny

Parents of Students With Disabilities Seek Vouchers Despite Risks, Report Says – Education Week

Posted on by

By Christina Samuels

Some parents of students with disabilities see a clear benefit to voucher programs to escape public schools that are a poor fit, even though the vouchers rarely pay the full cost of private school tuition and, in some cases, accepting one means giving up rights under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

The Council for Parent Attorneys and Advocates, a group that supports the legal and civil rights of students with disabilities, surveyed the landscape of voucher and other school choice programs in a June 8 report called School Vouchers and Students with Disabilities: Impact in the Name of Choice. (COPAA has organized a panel on the report for Congressional staffers that I am moderating.)

The Friedman Foundation for Educational Choice says that 11 states have voucher programs that are explicitly for students with disabilities, or that include students with disabilities among other targeted student groups (for example, students in schools deemed to be failing, or from low-income families). They are: Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Utah and Wisconsin.

Source: Parents of Students With Disabilities Seek Vouchers Despite Risks, Report Says – On Special Education – Education Week

Voters split on trans measures; FSUSD school bond lagging – The Reporter

Posted on by

By Richard Bammer

In early tallies of California Primary ballots in Solano County, transportation measures G and H appeared headed toward mixed results, passage and rejection, respectively, and voters appeared to give a tentative thumbs down to the $249 million Fairfield-Suisun Unified school bond, Measure J.

At 10:55 p.m. Tuesday, the County Registrar of Voters indicated 44,000 votes, or 663.5 percent, favored Measure G, the Solano County Transportation Improvement Advisory; and 39,683, or 56.81 percent, opposed H, the Solano County 2016 Transactions and Use Tax. Under state law, a simple majority, 50 percent plus 1, is required for passage of the county transportation measures.

Also at 10:55, nearly 11,976 votes, or nearly 54.84 percent, were cast in favor of the school bond. Under state law, the measure must meet a 55 percent, plus 1, threshold to pass.

Source: In early returns, voters split on trans measures; FSUSD school bond lagging

Measure J just above threshold in late count – Daily Republic

Posted on by

By Ryan McCarthy

Measure J, the $249 million Fairfield-Suisun School District bond measure, was with a bit more than half the precincts counted early Wednesday just above the 55 percent needed for passage.

A total of 55.3 percent of voters backed the bond, while 44.7 percent were opposed as of deadline.

Measure J opponents in an argument against the bond had said, “This is not a school construction measure. It’s a maintenance measure. It’s here because the district has not taken proper care of its facilities for years.”

Source: Measure J just above threshold in late count

Solano County Voters Narrowly Pass School Bond Measure – Benicia Patch

Posted on by

Solano County Supervisor Skip Thomson was in a close race for his Fifth District seat but appears to have won re-election, according to complete unofficial results from Tuesday’s primary election.

Thomson had about 55 percent of the vote and challenger Mike Reagan, a businessman and retired member of the U.S. Air Force, was trailing with a little under 45 percent.

Source: Solano County Voters Narrowly Pass School Bond Measure