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LA Unified search goes into next week, but end is close
After meeting five hours today to discuss candidates for the next LAUSD superintendent, the school board adjourned until next Monday with no decision made. The school board members began a closed session at 9 a.m. and returned at 2:15 p.m. to say they will resume the search discussions on Monday, Jan. 11 at 4 p.m., with...
By Mike Szymanski | January 5, 2016
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Playa Vista dispute reflects classism as major issue facing LAUSD
The school board vote was simple, but the matter is far more complex, drawing a focus to an issue many within LA Unified find uncomfortable to talk about: classism. The issues involved in the Playa Vista Elementary School dispute are a microcosm of complexities within the second largest school district in the country. They involve...
By Mike Szymanski | January 5, 2016
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Some LAUSD charter schools reopening this week
While a majority of LA Unified’s traditional schools scheduled to reopen next Monday, Jan. 11, about 75 district charters are starting this week. Some of the independent charter schools elected to truncate their winter break by one week, limiting the winter break to two weeks while opting for a longer spring break or an earlier...
By Mike Szymanski | January 4, 2016
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LAUSD readies 2 sites for students escaping Porter Ranch gas leak
Two new school sites are expected to be completely ready by Wednesday for 1,850 LA Unified students relocated from the methane gas leak in Porter Ranch. That will give the district time to work out any last-minute glitches before the students and faculty move in next week. School board member Scott Schmerelson, Local District Northwest Superintendent...
By Mike Szymanski | January 4, 2016
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LAUSD board ends another session with no superintendent yet
The LA Unified school board dragged in at 9:27 p.m. Friday night, adjourning another closed meeting aimed at finding a new superintendent. After eight hours, they left with nothing to report to the public. The closed session items included the possibility of naming an acting superintendent now that Ramon Cortines is finishing off vacation days prior...
By Mike Szymanski | December 18, 2015
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Email threat. Schools closed. Finals coming! Petition drive? Nice try
A Van Nuys High School student mounted a petition drive to avoid taking finals this week after an emailed threat of violence closed down all LA Unified schools. It didn’t work. Final exams went on, as they did at all other schools. Still, the organizer got more than 1,300 students to sign it over the past...
By Mike Szymanski | December 18, 2015
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LAUSD board votes to shut 2 Valley schools because of gas leak
Citing an “abundance of caution” for children the second time this week, the LA Unified school board voted today to move two Valley schools to another location until June because of toxic fumes from a leaking gas storage facility. The unanimous vote by the seven-member board cleared the way to move 1,870 students in the...
By Mike Szymanski | December 17, 2015
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AmeriCorps saved from federal cuts, keeps 309 mentors in LAUSD
Congressional agreement on a omnibus spending package will include $1.1 billion for the Corporation for National and Community Service, the federal agency that administers service programs, including AmeriCorps. That will save the proposed cutting of 20,000 AmeriCorps positions that provide help to schools in unprivileged communities. City Year, which has 309 AmeriCorps members in Los Angeles, says that Christmas came early...
By Mike Szymanski | December 17, 2015
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JUST IN: LA police say Esquith could face one juvenile crime charge
The Los Angeles police department is moving toward charging celebrated teacher Rafe Esquith with one count of inappropriate touching of a juvenile, LA School Report has learned. The single charge could come within a few weeks after being reviewed by the city attorney and U.S. district attorney’s offices, said LAPD Captain Julian Melendez, head of the...
By Mike Szymanski | December 17, 2015
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LAUSD board meeting to discuss gas leak, new superintendent
The LA Unified school board is drawing closer to the end of the search for a new with another closed door meeting scheduled for tomorrow, just after a special open session to discuss the on-going gas leak affecting two nearby schools in the Valley. The board is considering a move to declare emergency conditions at Porter Ranch Community...
By Mike Szymanski | December 16, 2015