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Nevada teacher in kidnapping once worked for LAUSD
Via LA Times | By Stephen Ceasar A former Nevada teacher charged with kidnapping a 16-year-old girl was previously an instructor in the Los Angeles Unified School District — which had moved to fire him and sought to have his teaching credentials revoked after allegations of sexual misconduct with students surfaced. Melvyn Sprowson, 45, appeared...
By LA School Report | December 12, 2013
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In Replacing LaMotte on LAUSD Board, Zimmer is Key
The LA Unified school board will likely decide next week how to fill the seat vacated by the sudden death of Marguerite LaMotte, according to the board meeting agenda posted today. For now, the vote that could determine which way appears to be Steve Zimmer‘s. With a choice of appointing a replacement or calling a...
By Vanessa Romo | December 11, 2013
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LaMotte Funeral Scheduled for Dec. 21, Closed to Public
A funeral service For LA Unified School Board member Marguerite Poindexter LaMotte will be held Dec. 21 at St. Brigid Catholic Church, 5214 S. Western Ave., according to UTLA, the teachers union. The service will be restricted to family and friends only. Visitation hours will be be open to the public, from noon to 5 p.m. on...
By LA School Report | December 10, 2013
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At School, Melendez Talks Computers, Garcetti Jobs Agenda
Since becoming Mayor Eric Garcetti’s top education advisor four months ago, Thelma Melendez de Santa Ana has made few public appearances but, today, for the first time, the 30-year educator took center stage alongside LA Unified officials. She was one of several speakers at the UCLA Community School in the Robert F. Kennedy Complex, kicking-off...
By Vanessa Romo | December 10, 2013
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For 4th Straight Year, LA Unified Has the Most Charter Students
For the fourth straight year, LA Unified has the most students in charter schools of any school district in the country, according to a new report from the National Alliance for Pubic Charter Schools. With 120,000 students enrolled, the district also ranks as the seventh fastest growing charter school community in the nation. Last year, LA Unified added...
By Chase Niesner | December 10, 2013
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Charter Schools Association Pushing Election for LaMotte Seat
The California Charter Schools Association, or CCSA, has become the latest group pushing LA Unified leadership to hold an election to fill the seat left open by the sudden death of board member Marguerite LaMotte. As the school board continues to weigh the options of appointing a replacement or staging a special election — stakeholders around...
By Vanessa Romo | December 10, 2013
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Teachers Union Holding Vigils for 260 ‘Housed’ Members
While American Federation of Teachers affiliates are holding a “National Day of Action” today, UTLA is planning four vigils in support of “housed” LA Unified teachers, those caught between allegations of misconduct and final rulings on their employment status. Currently 260 such teachers are caught in so-called “teacher jails,” the consequence of what UTLA President Warren...
By Chase Niesner | December 9, 2013
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Filling LaMotte Seat by Election or Appointment? Board is Decider
If history is any guide, a school board election is in the offing. As officials at the LA Unified school board scramble to work out options with the city and county on how best to fill the school board seat left vacant last week by the sudden death of longtime member Marguerite LaMotte, they are...
By Jamie Alter Lynton | December 9, 2013
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National Teachers Unions Facing a Moment of Truth
Via Politico Pro | By Stephanie Simon It’s designed to be an impressive show of force: Thousands of unionized teachers plan to rally Monday in cities from New York to San Francisco to “reclaim the promise of public education.” Behind the scenes, however, teachers unions are facing tumultuous times. Long among the wealthiest and most...
By LA School Report | December 9, 2013
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Black Leaders Speak Out on How to Fill LaMotte’s Board Seat
A day after the death of the LA Unified school board’s only African American member, Marguerite LaMotte, community leaders with ties to her south Los Angeles district began speaking out about how to fill the vacancy and who should fill it. “Unfortunately in these moments there is no opportunity to wait,” U.S. Congresswoman Karen Bass...
By Vanessa Romo | December 6, 2013