Three new members of the Travis Unified School District governing board took their oaths of office.
Brenda A. DaPrato and Suzanne Schwartz were the only candidates for two open seats in Trustee Area 2.
Tierra Ekstrom was appointed by the board during a special meeting filling the District 1 post vacated by Melinda Beyer, who resigned.
Two trustees who have stepped away from the board were recognized.
Source: Bidou, Wade head up different looking TUSD board | News | dailyrepublic.com
By Richard Bammer
Tonight will mark the Vacaville Unified governing board’s last meeting of 2024, and two newly elected women will be sworn in as the school district’s newest trustees — just in time to hear the school district’s 2024-25 first interim budget numbers and see some projected red ink.
Audra Orr, a retired state Department of Justice special agent and retired Air Force Reserve lieutenant colonel representing Trustee Area 4, and Michele Guerra, chairwoman of the Solano County Republican Central Committee representing Trustee Area 7, will take the oath of office.
Source: On VUSD agenda: New trustees, board reorganization, budget report – The Vacaville Reporter
H. Glenn Richardson’s Dynamic Education Linked to Achievement program is up for discussion at Thursday’s Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District’s governing board meeting.
No action will be taken on the program at the meeting.
The kindergarten through 12th grade program is for students with disabilities who need moderate to significant support needs.
Source: Options for DELTA program on Thursday’s school board agenda | News | dailyrepublic.com
Solano Community College is recognizing Trustee Amanda Lopez-Lara for her dedicated service to the college and the communities of Winters, Dixon and parts of Vacaville. Appointed to represent Area 7 in 2022, she will conclude her tenure this month, leaving behind a legacy of commitment to student success, equitable access and academic excellence, the college said in a press release.
Source: Lopez-Lara recognized for work on SCC governing board | News | dailyrepublic.com
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond is sponsoring Senate Bill 48 External link opens in new window or tab., legislation that aims to keep U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents off California campuses by establishing a one-mile radius safe zone around schools, as well as protect against the use of school data for deportation efforts. The bill, introduced by Senate Majority Leader Lena Gonzalez (D-33) on Monday, December 16, will prevent schools from experiencing a drop-off in student attendance due to immigration concerns, which would directly and negatively impact critical funding. The bill also doubles down on the commitment by the California Department of Education to safeguard students and families, maintaining schools as spaces where everyone has the right to an education.
Source: SPI Supports SB 48 to Keep ICE Off School Campuses – Year 2024 (CA Dept of Education)
By Richard Bammer
They’ll likely raise their right hands and take an oath of office.
Three new people will take their seats tonight and join the five-member governing board when the Travis Unified trustees meet for their annual cabinet realignment meeting. Two won elections on Nov. 5, the other was appointed.
Brenda A. DaPrato and Suzanne Schwartz were the only candidates for two open seats in Trustee Area 2, and, thus, automatically elected.
Source: TUSD board to tap new president at Tuesday’s meeting – The Vacaville Reporter
By Sarah Rodriguez
For a kid — and most adults — stepping foot into unknown territory, having to chat it up with random strangers, and being expected to forge lifelong friendships can sound like a nightmare.
For others, that nightmare is more like an improbable dream.
Source: Vallejo Special Education teacher wants to make students thrive – Times Herald Online
Vacaville is one of 10 recipients honored with a League of California Cities Helen Putnam Award for Excellence.
Vacaville was recognized for its commitment to youth engagement and community service with the Ruth Vreeland Award. This award celebrates the city’s Summer at City Hall program, which empowers high school students by blending classroom learning with hands-on internships in local government.
Source: Vacaville honored for ‘Summer at City Hall’ program | News | dailyrepublic.com
The Audit Committee of the Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District board is set to meet on Dec. 19.
The lone agenda item is a discussion on the 2023-24 audit.
The committee meets at 4:15 p.m. in Conference Room 301 on the third floor of the district office, 2490 Hilborn Road, in Fairfield.
Source: F-S School’s 2023-24 audit topic of committee meeting | News | dailyrepublic.com
Three large bowls were filled with apples after a long line of Dixon Unified School District (DUSD) teachers placed apples, one or two at a time, in front of the Dixon Unified School Board to represent 96 teachers who have left Dixon for higher pay in the past four years.
Each apple represented a teacher by name, when and why they left, and from what school. Dixon Unified School District President Julian Cueva respectfully called for order a few times so that the board could continue with their meeting.
Nearing the two-year mark is the conflict between teachers and the district over a “mass exodus” of teachers from Dixon, blamed on local salaries failing to keep up with surrounding districts.
Source: Teachers, District Still Disagree | Independent Voice
The Solano County Office of Education is starting a new mini-grant program for prevention of alcohol, tobacco and other drug misuse.
SCOE will offer mini-grants up to $500 for each project.
“These mini-grants … are designed to support creative, student-driven initiatives that build awareness and offer prevention strategies within Solano County communities. SCOE is accepting grant applications through January, or until all available funds have been allocated. Educators and youth leaders are encouraged to apply soon,” the county Office of Education stated.
Source: Mini-grants available for fighting alcohol, tobacco drug use | News | dailyrepublic.com
California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond met with members of the California Democratic Congressional Delegation today to discuss strategies to block efforts to abolish the U.S. Department of Education (ED). Federal education funds provide $7.9 billion annually to support California’s public schools, including critical programs that support low-income students, students with disabilities, and other underserved populations.
Approximately 20 members of the U.S. Congress attended Wednesday’s meeting with Superintendent Thurmond, including Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi (CA-11) and Rep. Zoe Lofgren (CA-18), Chair of the California Democratic Congressional Delegation. During the meeting, delegation members reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to protecting public education and ensuring federal funding remains intact for California’s students.
Source: SPI Leads Effort to Protect U.S. Education Dept. – Year 2024 (CA Dept of Education)
An Early College High School senior at Rodriguez High has been selected as the second alternate in the 63rd annual United States Senate Youth Program.
Sriya Srinivasan is one of four students that include delegates Sarah Gao, of Canyon Crest Academy, in San Diego, and Bode Gower, of Ukiah High School, in Ukiah. The first alternate is James Miller, of Westlake High School, in Westlake Village.
“Our four students have demonstrated strong leadership and a passion for making positive changes through advocacy work on issues such as environmental science, rural education, equity, mental health awareness, health education, and social justice,” State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond said in Wednesday’s announcement.
Source: Early College senior at Rodriguez High is Senate Youth Program alternate | News | dailyrepublic.com
Solano County Probation is one of five agencies to receive a $50,000 Arts Program grant for justice-involved youth.
“As part of this initiative, Solano County Probation will launch the “Today’s Future Sound” project … which will provide both in-custody and out-of-custody youth with a 12-week workshop featuring therapeutic and social interventions through music,” the staff report to the Board of Supervisors states.
“This project is part of the Solano County Probation’s Therapeutic Beat Making Arts Program, designed to serve justice-involved youth through culturally relevant and effective interventions.”
Source: Probation receives $50,000 grant for music program | News | dailyrepublic.com
The Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District will host its second Grandparent Café of the 2024-25 school year on Dec. 6.
“The Grandparent Café has been a wonderful resource. I’ve connected with other grandparents who truly understand my situation, and each time I leave with new energy, confidence and practical tools to help me navigate the challenges of raising my grandchildren. It’s comforting to know I’m not alone,” Betty Jo Ortiz, a grandparent who has attended several cafés.
Source: F-S Unified hosting 2nd Grandparent Café on Dec. 6 | News | dailyrepublic.com
The Dixon Teachers Association members have voted in favor of calling a strike, if necessary.
More than 90% of ballots cast authorized the action. It was not immediately clear how many of the association’s members voted.
“This overwhelming vote of approval reflects that Dixon teachers are committed to their cause, believing that Dixon students deserve the best – highly qualified and experienced educators, who will invest in Dixon students for years to come,” the association stated.
Source: Dixon teachers authorize call for a strike, if needed | News | dailyrepublic.com
By Amy Maginnis-Honey
Parents of special needs children in the Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District made pleas at a recent board meeting to keep the DELTA special education program at H. Glenn Richardson.
The K-12+ program is for students with disabilities that have moderate to significant support needs.
“More often than not, DELTA (Dynamic Education Linked to Achievement Program) students are referred to our program when they need more support to thrive in a Functional Academics or Solano County Office of Education class on a comprehensive campus,” reads the H. Glenn website.
Source: Parents of special needs students plead to keep DELTA program | News | dailyrepublic.com
The Vallejo City Unified School District’s 7-11 Committee presented its final report at Wednesday’s Board of Education meeting, sharing three recommendations regarding district properties, although no vote was made on designating five proposed properties for surplus.
The five properties proposed for surplus are Mare Island Health and Fitness Academy, Loma Vista Environmental Sciences Academy, Vallejo Charter School, Steffan Manor Elementary and Pennycook Elementary.
Source: Vallejo school district’s 7-11 Committee shares final report
The two school boards representing the Fairfield area are going to have different looks in the coming weeks.
Three new members will be seated in the five-member Travis Unified School District board, and three new members replace incumbents on the seven-member Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District board as well.
Two F-S Unified incumbents did survive the Nov. 5 election.
Source: Education boards, special districts solidified by election | News | dailyrepublic.com
By Richard Bammer
The Solano County Office of Education is seeking volunteers for the Academic Decathlon, scheduled for Feb. 1 at Solano Community College in Fairfield.
The event, starting at 8 a.m., brings together high school students from across the region for an activity-filled day of academic excellence.
Volunteers are needed for various roles, including speech and interview judges; room monitors; runners; and Super Quiz proctors, among others.
Source: SCOE seeks volunteers for 2025 Bay Region Academic Decathlon – The Vacaville Reporter