Monthly Archives: July 2024

Student Custodial Program expands in 2nd year at F-S Unified | dailyrepublic.com

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By Todd R. Hansen

Shivnita Prasad and Haley Saechao got a big surprise when they arrived to work at Anna Kyle Elementary School on Tuesday.

A fire extinguisher had been knocked off the wall of one of the portable classrooms, and had sprayed its contents all over the room.

“Oh, my God, this is really bad,” was Prasad’s first reaction when seeing the room. “I had to clean off every little Lego they had in there.”

Source: Student Custodial Program expands in 2nd year at F-S Unified | News | dailyrepublic.com

More candidates complete nomination filings for Nov. 5 | dailyrepublic.com

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By Todd R. Hansen

The ballot puzzle continues to add pieces with 11 days left in the nomination period, but there are still a lot of holes to fill.

The filing deadline is Aug. 9. It is extended to Aug. 14 if the incumbent in any particular office does not seek re-election.

City races posted by the Solano County Registrar of Voters on Monday show only Manveer Sandhu having completed his paperwork for a run at the District 4 seat on the Fairfield council, though there are a number of individuals who have announced their candidacies. City Treasurer Arvinda Krishnan also has qualified for the ballot.

Source: More candidates complete nomination filings for Nov. 5 | Politics | dailyrepublic.com

Child Support Services has back-to-school, back-to-work events this month | dailyrepublic.com

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The Solano County Department of Child Support Services, with the county Office of Education, will distribute 125 back-to-school-ready backpacks “to children in foster care, and to children who are experiencing homelessness.”

Additionally, Child Support Services, in partnership with the county Family Justice Center, will distribute back-to-work professional clothing for parents entering or re-entering the workforce.

The giveaways are part of the county’s recognition of August as Child Support Awareness Month. This year’s theme is Shelter, Safety and Solutions.

Source: Child Support Services has back-to-school, back-to-work events this month | News | dailyrepublic.com

For Child Support Awareness Month, Solano County officials lend a hand – The Vacaville Reporter

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By Richard Bammer

With public school classes to resume in a few short weeks, Solano County officials are on board with back-to-school and some parental needs in August.

The Department of Child Support Services, in recognition of Child Support Awareness Month, will join the Solano County Office of Education to donate 125 back-to-school backpacks for children.

Additionally, the department, in partnership with the Solano County Family Justice Center, will distribute back-to-work professional clothing for parents entering or reentering the workforce.

Source: For Child Support Awareness Month, Solano County officials lend a hand – The Vacaville Reporter

Solano County teachers sought for field trip-based water institute – The Vacaville Reporter

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By Richard Bammer

For some Solano County educators, the ABCs of water may be part of their preparation for the coming academic year.

If they wish during the Solano Water Institute for Teachers, they will participate in three days of field trip-based professional development, from July 31 to Aug. 2, learning about Solano County water resources. They will join the Solano Resource Conservation District and local experts in unique outdoor settings throughout the county.

The goal is to “enhance teachers’ knowledge of our local water resources and open spaces, while providing them with curriculum and activities they can take back into their classrooms,” Shea Kinser, education program manager for the Dixon-based RCD, wrote in a press statement.

Source: Solano County teachers sought for field trip-based water institute – The Vacaville Reporter

VCUSD undergoes summer construction projects funded by Measure S – Times Herald Online

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By Thomas Gase

It may be summer, but the Vallejo City Unified School District is busy with construction crews working on numerous projects at its schools.

The projects, part of the district’s ongoing efforts to improve and modernize school facilities for better learning environments for our students, come largely as a result of the 2018 passing of Measure S, a $194 million bond that funds the acquisition, construction, renovations, furnishing and equipping of school facilities.

Source: VCUSD undergoes summer construction projects funded by Measure S – Times Herald Online

Fairfield-Suisun Unified resource fair set for Aug. 19 | dailyrepublic.com

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Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District’s 13th annual Back to School Resource Fair is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 19 at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church.

The fair offers school supplies, access to school and community resources, refreshments and live entertainment.

“To receive supplies, students must be present at the event,” the district said in a statement.

Source: Fairfield-Suisun Unified resource fair set for Aug. 19 | News | dailyrepublic.com

Syar Foundation donates $1 million to Early Learning Center | dailyrepublic.com

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The Syar Foundation has made its $1 million commitment to the Vallejo Early Learning Center a reality.

Susan and Jim Syar this week presented Solano County Supervisor Erin Hannigan with the check.

“The Syar family and their philanthropic foundation has a strong history of supporting Vallejo. Their early support of the First 5 Center on Sonoma Boulevard and now their very generous contribution to the Early Learning Center in south Vallejo cements their family’s legacy to our community, especially to the children and young families,” Hannigan said in a statement released Wednesday through the county administration.

Source: Syar Foundation donates $1 million to Early Learning Center | News | dailyrepublic.com

County, schools respond to grand jury book banning report | dailyrepublic.com

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By Todd R. Hansen

Solano County supervisors this week approved their response to a 2023-24 civil grand jury report on a new law addressing banning books in school and public libraries.

The law, signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom in September 2023, “bans rejecting public school library materials based on content. It focuses on the contributions of people from different cultures, racial backgrounds, sexual orientation, or gender identities.”

The grand jury looked into the procedures public and school libraries have for how to request banning a book.

Source: County, schools respond to grand jury book banning report | News | dailyrepublic.com

4-H programs growing again after pandemic | dailyrepublic.com

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Membership in the 4-H program is rebounding from the Covid-19 pandemic, boosting one of the longest running youth programs in Solano County.

Jennifer Henkens and Michael Ryan, with the UC Cooperative Extension Capitol Corridor staff, on Tuesday made a presentation to the Solano County Board of Supervisors.

“We have emerged (from the pandemic) and growing in all areas,” Jennifer Henkens, a Cooperative Extension supervisor, told the board.

Source: 4-H programs growing again after pandemic | News | dailyrepublic.com

Contested races for Fairfield-Suisun school district emerging | dailyrepublic.com

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Ballot choices for a host of school district elections are filling out.

There were no changes with the county on completed nominations for the city races.

There is one contested race among the five open seats on the Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District board of trustees – and one other that is possible.

Trustee Area 2 incumbent Helen Tilley is being challenged by Audrey Jacques, a teacher, while a second challenger, Quentin Crawford, has started the paperwork process, the Solano County Registrar of Voters reported Monday.

Source: Contested races for Fairfield-Suisun school district emerging | News | dailyrepublic.com

FSUSD trustees told gradual ‘landing pattern’ is best budget approach | dailyrepublic.com

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By Todd R. Hansen

Trustees for the Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District on Thursday offered general ideas about how Superintendent Jennifer Sachs and her staff are expected to land a plane with a heavy debt load.

The projected deficit for 2024-25 is nearly $20.7 million, climbing to $23.26 million in 2025-26, district documents stated.

The discussion during a special budget study session, which preceded the regular board meeting, was largely one about what each board member felt were the highest priorities against an uncertain financial landscape.

Source: F-S Unified trustees told gradual ‘landing pattern’ is best budget approach | Politics | dailyrepublic.com

DUSD leaders to mull $1 million in budget reductions for 2026-27 year – The Vacaville Reporter

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By Richard Bammer

Dixon Unified School District governing board members will use Thursday’s meeting to discuss how to achieve nearly $1 million in budget reductions for the 2026-27 academic year.

Brett Barley, the eastern Solano County rural school district’s new superintendent, will lead the discussion about a third-party firm hired to explain opportunities for savings and possible revenue.

In the agenda documents, however, Barley did not name the firm, but he noted a report “should be ready” before a September trustees meeting. The report will be used to help in making decisions to comply with a resolution requiring the district to draft a “detailed plan” for $943,000 in budget reductions for the 2026-27 fiscal year. He expects to announce a timeline to carry it out at the governing board’s Oct. 3 meeting.

Source: DUSD leaders to mull $1 million in budget reductions for 2026-27 year – The Vacaville Reporter

Vacaville Unified board to consider a one-time payment to teachers – The Vacaville Reporter

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By Richard Bammer

Vacaville Unified trustees are likely to approve a one-time payment of $619 to full-time teachers during a meeting on Thursday.

David Robertson, the assistant superintendent of human resources, recommends approval of the agenda item, a memorandum of understanding, or MOU, between the school district and the Vacaville Teachers Association, the teacher’s union.

According to a tentative wage agreement for the 2024-25 year, the one-time, off-schedule “bonus” is permitted under the annual budget resolution if the district is over the local 10 percent cap on reserve cash.

Source: Vacaville Unified board to consider a one-time payment to teachers – The Vacaville Reporter

Early filers qualify for Nov. 5 local school elections | dailyrepublic.com

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By Todd R. Hansen

Three trustees of the Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District board have qualified for the Nov. 5 ballot as of Wednesday – and they will have company.

Two members of the Solano Community College District board, one Travis Unified incumbent, one Solano County Board of Education trustee, one Vallejo City board member and a Benicia Unified incumbent and a challenger also have qualified for the ballot, the Solano County Registrar of Voters reported on Wednesday.

Helen Tilley, representing Trustee Area 2 for Fairfield-Suisun Unified, Ana Petero, Trustee Area 6, and Perry Polk, the appointed trustee for Area 7, will have their names on the ballot. Judi Honeychurch, Trustee Area 3, and Trustee Area 7 challenger Nikki Parr, had their paperwork filed and were waiting for final confirmation, the county Elections Office reported.

Source: Early filers qualify for Nov. 5 local school elections | News | dailyrepublic.com

Cub Scouts leading local youths in literacy | dailyrepublic.com

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Cub Scouts at Pack 720, based at Fairview Elementary School in Fairfield, took an urban hike from their school to the Fairfield Civic Center Library downtown in order to take a tour, learn about the library, get their first library card and sign up for the library’s Summer Reading Program.

This was the first of two visits to the library in July. The next visit will be on Tuesday, July 30, in order to submit their summer reading results, and participate in the library’s programs: a live animal show at 3 p.m. Both visits were organized in cooperation with children’s librarian, Joan Parker.

Source: Cub Scouts leading local youths in literacy | News | dailyrepublic.com

Newsom signs bill banning schools from notifying parents about student gender identity | dailyrepublic.com

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Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill on Monday that prohibits mandating that teachers notify families about student gender identity changes, capping a year-long battle between conservative school boards concerned about “parental rights” and LGBTQ+ activists worried about vulnerable youth.

The new law shields teachers from retaliation for supporting transgender student rights and prohibits K-12 “forced disclosure” rules. It comes in response to school board decisions in some red pockets of California to notify parents if their child changes their name or pronouns, or if students request to use facilities or participate in programs that don’t match their gender on official records.

Source: Newsom signs bill banning schools from notifying parents about student gender identity | State-Nation-World | dailyrepublic.com

SPI Celebrates Signing of AB 1955: The SAFETY Act – Year 2024 (CA Dept of Education)

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Following outcry from LGBTQ+ students and families whose local districts enacted “forced outing” policies over the past year, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond today celebrated the signage of AB 1955: Support Academic Futures and Educators for Today’s Youth Act (SAFETY Act) into law by Governor Newsom.

The signing of AB 1955, the SAFETY Act, comes nearly one year to the date after Superintendent Thurmond was forcibly removed from a school board meeting External link opens in new window or tab. after speaking during public comment to oppose a proposed forced outing policy that LGBTQ+ students and families had said would threaten students’ safety at school and at home.

Thurmond supported AB 1955 to ensure all students have access to safe and supportive learning environments regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. The SAFETY Act was introduced by Assemblymember Chris Ward External link opens in new window or tab. (D-San Diego) and co-authored by State Senator Susan Talamantes Eggman External link opens in new window or tab., Vice-Chair and Chair of the California Legislative LGBTQ+ Caucus, along with co-authors and Assembly Members Al Muratsuchi External link opens in new window or tab., Sabrina Cervantes External link opens in new window or tab., Corey Jackson External link opens in new window or tab., Alex Lee External link opens in new window or tab., Evan Low External link opens in new window or tab., and Rick Chavez Zbur External link opens in new window or tab., and State Senators Toni Atkins External link opens in new window or tab., John Laird External link opens in new window or tab., Caroline Menjivar External link opens in new window or tab., Susan Rubio External link opens in new window or tab., Scott Wiener External link opens in new window or tab. and Steve Padilla External link opens in new window or tab.. Superintendent Thurmond supported the bill as part of efforts to push back against extremist attacks on the privacy rights of LGBTQ +students.

Source: SPI Celebrates Signing of AB 1955: The SAFETY Act – Year 2024 (CA Dept of Education)

F-S Unified trustees to discuss future budget shortfalls | dailyrepublic.com

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The projected 2024-25 budget for the Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District has an $18 million deficit and the 2025-26 budget is in the red at $20.6 million.

The district board of trustees will hold a budget review session on Thursday.

“The board study session will include a presentation of the critical aspects of the approved California state budget, the revised multi-year projections, and a review of the approved list of reductions for the 2024-25 school year,” the agenda states.

Source: F-S Unified trustees to discuss future budget shortfalls | News | dailyrepublic.com

Diplomas in hand, at last – The Vacaville Reporter

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By Richard Bammer

They kept their eyes on the prize —a piece of paper, about 8 by 6 inches, with their name on it. It was an emblem of adulthood and a figurative ticket to a new life.

One by one, 24 Vacaville Unified seniors who recently completed the school district’s summer school picked up that high school diploma during a ceremony Thursday at Will C. Wood High.

Four graduates did not attend the 2 p.m. event held in the Catwalk Theater at the Marshall Road campus, said Jordyn Adcock, the school district’s dean of Learning Support.

Source: Diplomas in hand, at last – The Vacaville Reporter