Author Archives: lmreyes

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Lisa Reyes, Human Resources, Solano County Office of Education

Travis Unified leaders may OK ending special taxes within district – The Vacaville Reporter

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By Richard Bammer

Travis Unified School District governing board members may vote to approve the end of special taxes and facilities districts if a proposed $65 million bond measure passes on Election Day.

A vote on a resolution to do so is on the trustees’ agenda when they meet Tuesday in Fairfield.

Should Measure R pass on Nov. 5, the governing board will direct district staff to prepare an agenda item to permanently stop the collection of special taxes within the district’s two so-called “community facility districts.”

Source: Travis Unified leaders may OK ending special taxes within district – The Vacaville Reporter

VCUSD pays the last of its $60 million receivership loan – Times Herald Online

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By Matthew Brown

Vallejo City Unified School District has paid off its state receivership loan of $60 million as it looks to end two decades of financial turmoil, the district previously announced last week before holding a press conference Thursday.

According to VCUSD Superintendent Rubén Aurelio, the district had “no choice” but to take out the massive loan from the state, which came with years of financial oversight, budget cuts, constraints and fiscal oversight. Factoring in interest, the district had to pay back $68 million total over 20 years.

Source: Vallejo City Unified School District pays the last of its $60 million receivership loan – Times Herald Online

FSUSD launching Parent Leadership Training Institute | dailyrepublic.com

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A kickoff event for the 2024 Parent Leadership Training Institute of Solano is set for Sept. 21.

“The Parent Leadership Training Institute is more than just a program, it’s an opportunity to be the voice your community needs. Participants will gain invaluable tools to create positive change and drive meaningful impact within Solano County. Whether you’re passionate about advocating for your child’s education, improving local policies, or fostering community engagement, PLTI provides the platform to make a real difference,” the Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District said in a statement.

Source: FSUSD launching Parent Leadership Training Institute | News | dailyrepublic.com

A crucial skill: SCOE to offer ‘STOP THE BLEED’ training sessions – The Vacaville Reporter

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By Richard Bammer

It could be a shooting at a shopping mall. Or a serious vehicle collision. Or someone slipping off a stool and cutting their head at home.

Are you prepared to help the victim or victims and stop the bleeding until paramedics arrive?

The Bay Area Urban Areas Security Initiative has provided funding to offer free “STOP THE BLEED” trainings to the public and organizations in Solano and Napa counties.

The hands-on trainings provide essential skills to help participants recognize and respond to life-threatening bleeding emergencies, a crucial skill that can save lives before professional help arrives, said Jennifer Leonard, a spokeswoman for the Solano County Office of Education, where three sessions will be held in the coming days.

Source: A crucial skill: SCOE to offer ‘STOP THE BLEED’ training sessions – The Vacaville Reporter

SPI Applauds Groundbreaking Nutrition Legislation – Year 2024 (CA Dept of Education)

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State Superintendent Tony Thurmond today celebrated a significant milestone in California’s commitment to student health and safety with the passage of Assembly Bill (AB) 2316 (Gabriel) External link opens in new window or tab. by the California State Legislature.

Co-sponsored by Superintendent Thurmond, this legislation, effective December 31, 2027, will prohibit public schools from offering, selling, or otherwise providing food and beverages containing six potentially harmful substances. The bill now heads to the Governor’s desk to be signed into law.

Once the bill is signed, California public schools would be required to eliminate food and drinks that contain Blue 1, Blue 2, Green 3, Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6.These substances, often used as food dyes and additives, have raised health concerns and are being removed from school environments to safeguard students’ well-being.

Source: SPI Applauds Groundbreaking Nutrition Legislation – Year 2024 (CA Dept of Education)

Dixon Unified School District Secures Temporary Power Solution | Independent Voice

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The Dixon Unified School District (DUSD) is excited to announce that Anderson Elementary students will be able to return home to Anderson Elementary this fall. DUSD has secured a power panel from the San Juan Unified School District (SJUSD), enabling Anderson Elementary School to receive temporary power until its new electrical panel is delivered. This critical development allows DUSD to plan for the return of Anderson Elementary students to their campus from their temporary locations at Tremont Elementary and Gretchen Higgins Elementary.

Source: Dixon Unified School District Secures Temporary Power Solution | Independent Voice

Rotary Club Welcomes New Administrators and Teachers | Independent Voice

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On Aug. 2, the Dixon Rotary Club welcomed the new school administrators and teachers from the Dixon Unified School District, including Dixon Montessori Charter School and Maine Prairie School. Fifty-dollar Wal-Mart gift cards were presented to the 30-plus new teachers to start their new classrooms and approximately 10 new administrators were presented boxes of candy. About 70 people attended the luncheon at Dixon High School, hosted by Dixon Rotary, catered by Food and Familia, 171 West A St.

Source: Rotary Club Welcomes New Administrators and Teachers | Independent Voice

Office of Education to Host Annual Early Childhood Education Conference | Independent Voice

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Solano County Office of Education (SCOE) will host the 2024 Quality Counts Solano Early Childhood Education (ECE) Conference on Saturday, Sept. 14 at the Solano Community College, 4000 Suisun Valley Road, Fairfield, beginning at 7:30 a.m. This year, conference organizers invite teachers to join in an educator wellness event, including a full day of workshops from professionals skilled in early childhood education.

The Quality Counts Solano Early Childhood Education Conference has been an annual event in Solano County for over 30 years hosted at Solano College every September and welcomes the attendance of all educators supporting children from birth to age eight years.

Source: Office of Education to Host Annual Early Childhood Education Conference | Independent Voice

Sole candidate for Vallejo school board seat may be ineligible – Vallejo Sun

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By Zach Haber

The sole candidate who registered to run for a Vallejo school board seat to represent North Vallejo in November may be ineligible for the position as he said he lives outside of the area.

Dean Hodges is slated to serve as the next representative of Trustee Area 2, as he was the only person who registered to run. He would replace Trustee Christy Gardner, who declined to seek reelection.

Source: Sole candidate for Vallejo school board seat may be ineligible

VCUSD announces formation of  7-11 Committee – Times Herald Online

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By Thomas Gase

In response to a strong decline in student enrollment, the Vallejo City Unified School District has formed a 7-11 committee to evaluate potential school closures and consolidations.

The district says it is part of an effort to ensure long-term financial stability and deliver high-quality education to all students.

Since the 2018-19 school year, the district has experienced a 21 percent decrease in student enrollment. Among the reasons cited are rising housing costs, smaller family sizes and increased educational options. These changes have left the district with more school sites than students, necessitating a the review of how to best use its facilities.

Source: VCUSD announces formation of  7-11 Committee – Times Herald Online

Kairos gets OK from council – The Vacaville Reporter

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By Nick McConnell

The Vacaville City Council voted unanimously Tuesday evening to allow Kairos Public Schools, a charter school, to develop a parcel of land originally zoned for schools in order to fund the creation of a high school.

Parcel M in the Roberts Ranch Area is 16.2 acres, originally intended for a Vacaville Unified School District school. The district never purchased the land, however, after negotiations with the developer broke down. Kairos would use 3.65 acres for a high school campus and would use the rest along with a developer to create 82 single-family lots zoned for low-medium density.

Source: Kairos gets OK from council – The Vacaville Reporter

BIA Bay Area Weekly Report – FSUSD

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The Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District is proposing an increase in its Level II school impact fee by 84 cents per sq. ft., or from $4.01 to $4.85. The higher rate is reflected in the district’s updated school facility needs analysis. Click here to view and download the report. The district is accepting public comment on the fee proposal until 4:30 p.m. on Sept. 8, 2016. Send comments to: Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District Facilities & Construction Dept., 2490 Hilborn Road, Fairfield, CA 94534. The district’s governing board will hold a public hearing on the fee adjustment on the evening of Sept. 8, 2016. If adopted, the new fee will be effective immediately.

Source: BIA Bay Area Weekly Report

SPI Convenes Hearing on Smartphone Use in Schools – Year 2024 (CA Dept of Education)

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Today, August 27, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond reconvened the Closing the Digital Divide Task Force to address smartphones, social media, and youth wellness from 8:30 a.m. in the Legislative Office Building in Sacramento.

The Superintendent’s Closing the Digital Divide Task Force initially came out of California’s urgent need to bridge technology resource gaps at the beginning of the pandemic, and it is the work of this task force that helped California’s students and families access affordable internet connectivity during distance learning. Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia (D-36) and Assemblymember Miguel Santiago (D-54) joined Superintendent Thurmond for Tuesday’s Task Force hearing, officially reconvening the group in light of urgent conversations about smartphone addiction, social media, and youth wellness.

At the hearing, Superintendent Thurmond gathered testimony from educators, parents, and students who have experienced a range of smartphone and social media policies on school campuses—from policies that remove smartphones from the educational environment by placing them in secure, locked pouches to policies that simply disincentivize smartphone use.

Source: SPI Convenes Hearing on Smartphone Use in Schools – Year 2024 (CA Dept of Education)

A new chapter comes to Vacaville – The Vacaville Reporter

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BY Nick McConnell

The Vacaville Cultural Center Library will close its doors for at least the next year Friday at 5 p.m. for a major renovation and expansion project, its first in over 20 years. Adding on 3,600 square feet and improving the amenities, the $24.5 million project funded through the Vacaville Libraries District will take about 15 months to complete, according to Solano County Libraries.

The library hosted a groundbreaking ceremony Wednesday afternoon, inviting county, city and school board officials to visit the site and commemorate the beginning of the renovation efforts.

Source: A new chapter comes to Vacaville – The Vacaville Reporter

Fitch Affirms Vacaville USD, CA’s GOs at ‘AAA’ and IDR at ‘AA’; Outlook Stable; Removed from UCO

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Fitch Ratings – New York – 26 Aug 2024: Fitch Ratings has affirmed Vacaville Unified School District, CA’s unlimited tax general obligation bonds (GOs) at ‘AAA’ and Issuer Default Rating (IDR) at ‘AA’.

The Rating Outlook is Stable. The IDR has been removed from Under Criteria Observation.

Source: Fitch Affirms Vacaville USD, CA’s GOs at ‘AAA’ and IDR at ‘AA’; Outlook Stable; Removed from UCO

VCUSD marks completion of $60 million state loan repayment – Times Herald Online

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By Thomas Gase

The Vallejo City Unified School District says it has paid the final repayment of the $60 million state loan issued two decades ago, marking a major milestone in the district’s financial recovery.

“This is a monumental moment for Vallejo City Unified School District,” said VCUSD Superintendent Rubén Aurelio in a Friday news release. “Completing the repayment of this loan is a testament to our staff’s dedication, our community’s resilience, and the collaborative efforts that have guided us to this point. We are excited to share this achievement and discuss the promising future ahead for our district.”

Source: VCUSD marks completion of $60 million state loan repayment – Times Herald Online

Griffin Technology Academies receives approval to build new gym – Times Herald Online

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By Thomas Gase

The location at 1 and 2 Positive Place is finally getting some positive news.

Griffin Technology Academies and its four public schools announced Thursday the breaking of ground on a new gymnasium, after receiving approval from the Vallejo City Unified School District and signing a construction contract with a local general contractor.

Source: Griffin Technology Academies receives approval to build new gym – Times Herald Online

Nearly 1,500 backpacks passed out at FSUSD Resource Fair | dailyrepublic.com

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Volunteers distributed 1,492 backpacks stuffed with school supplies at the Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District’s School Resource Fair.

The event, featuring more than 50 vendors, was held Aug. 10 at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Fairfield.

It also provided 152 vision screenings, free haircuts to 32 students and more than 1,300 hot dogs, chips and waters were served.

Source: Nearly 1,500 backpacks passed out at FSUSD Resource Fair | News | dailyrepublic.com

Sabathia again backing up Vallejo’s first graders – Times Herald Online

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By Thomas Gase

CC Sabathia may or may not get a phone call in January saying he’s headed to Cooperstown, but he’s already a hall of famer in the eyes of Vallejo first graders.

Knowing how important it is to get ahead in the count early, the Vallejo native, former MLB pitcher and Cy Young Award winner — along with his wife Amber and the PitCCh In Foundation — donated free backpacks and school supplies to Vallejo City Unified School District first graders on Tuesday morning. Monday was the first day of school in the district.

“Not long ago a man sat here on the floor just like you are today,” Hazel Wilson told first graders at Solano Widenmann Leadership Academy. “He went on to go to Vallejo High School and pitched for the Yankees in Major League Baseball. But he’s never forgotten the children in Vallejo. He hands out scholarships, money and puts on baseball camps. He also gives out free backpacks and supplies like he’s doing today. So on the count of three, can we say, ‘Thank you’ to CC?”

Source: Sabathia again backing up Vallejo’s first graders – Times Herald Online