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Outside panel says LAUSD needs to act quickly to remain solvent
LA Unified is on the brink of a severe financial crisis and if officials don’t act now, the whole district could go bankrupt. That’s the overall conclusion of a report by an outside panel asked to look at the financial situation of LAUSD. Its findings are scheduled to be presented at the regular school board meeting...
By Mike Szymanski | November 6, 2015
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LAUSD relying on credit recovery to halt steep decline in graduation rate
After years of rising graduation rates, LA Unified is facing a stunning reversal this year, with recent estimates showing that no more than 49 percent of seniors are on pace to receive a diploma in 2016. But there may be a chance to avoid the sudden drop. With graduation rates growing steadily over the last four...
By Craig Clough | November 5, 2015
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LA Times gives Villaraigosa ‘medium chance’ to succeed Cortines
The Los Angeles Times today listed former LA Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa as having a “medium chance” of becoming a finalist for the job of next superintendent of LA Unified. As the district’s search moves into a phase for identifying potential finalists, the story features a list of 43 possible candidates, based on what it called “interviews...
By Craig Clough | November 4, 2015
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Cortines ‘proud’ of MiSiS team’s big turnaround of troubled system
As he reaches what may be his final weeks with the district, LA Unified Superintendent Ramon Cortines sent a message Friday to all employees, congratulating the district personnel who have helped make improvements to MiSiS. “I am extremely proud of everyone who has been involved in this important work during the past 12 months,” Cortines...
By Craig Clough | November 3, 2015
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High-powered secret panel examining LAUSD finances
* UPDATED A blue-ribbon panel of leading figures in education, politics and finance has been working behind the scenes to help LA Unified identify financial challenges and solutions as the district faces budget deficits in the near future. The panel includes people who have worked with the district in the past, and many have...
By Mike Szymanski | October 23, 2015
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JUST IN: LAUSD slapped with $1 billion lawsuit to end teacher jails
Following up on a months-long threat, high-profile attorney Mark Geragos today slapped LA Unified with a class action lawsuit, calling for an end to the practice of “teacher jails” and asking for more than $1 billion in damages. The suit was filed in state superior court on behalf of Rafe Esquith, a well-known teacher who was dismissed...
By Mike Szymanski | October 15, 2015
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JUST IN: In reversal, Cortines says cameras can roll at LAUSD campuses
Take two? LA Unified Ramon Cortines has amended his decision yesterday to halt all film and TV productions on LA Unified campuses. In a statement just released by the district, Cortines said he will allow several projects in the works to move forward. He also said the district will approve new projects on a case-by-case...
By Craig Clough | October 9, 2015
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Community groups remain skeptical on LAUSD superintendent search
Some community groups deeply involved with Los Angeles education have raised skepticism over how they will be involved in the search and selection of the next LAUSD school superintendent and whether their views will count for anything. Nearly a dozen groups contacted by LA School Report said they have been unimpressed or uninvolved in efforts...
By Mike Szymanski | October 9, 2015
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Commentary: NBC probes (?) value of TV, film shoots at LAUSD schools
Oh my, where to begin with this recent NBC Los Angeles “expose” on LA Unified allowing campuses to be used for film and television shoots. There are two angles to this story, the first is the accusation that production crews are disrupting learning and causing problems on campuses, leading NBC to conclude that the district...
By Craig Clough | October 8, 2015
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Search for new LAUSD leader well underway, open meetings planned
The search team hired to find a new LA Unified superintendent is already receiving applications and is putting together a list of potential candidates, while arranging to canvass school board members and the community for what they want in the new district boss. Hank Gmitro, president of Hazard, Young, Attea and Associates based in Rosemont,...
By Mike Szymanski | October 1, 2015