CFT In the Media: 3/31/09

Sacramento Bee Capitol Alert
Assembly Speaker Karen Bass, the California Federation of Teachers and the California Labor Federation will not be resting on Chavez's laurels. At 11:15 a.m. today, they'll launching labor history week in the Capitol rotunda.

Events in the Sacramento area
Ventura County Star - ‎14 hours ago‎
11:15 a.m., LABOR WEEK - Assembly Speaker Karen Bass and Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg join leaders from the California Federation of Teachers and the California Labor Federation in launching labor history week in the Capitol rotunda.  Contact: Steve Hopcraft, 916-457-5546.

Education news: 3/31/09

As economy sinks, more schools doing social work -- As the recession squeezes more Sacramento area families, school counselors, psychologists and teachers say children are feeling the pressures. And schools are increasingly being called upon to calm their anxieties, to counsel their parents and to help some families find places to live. Robert Faturechi in the Sacramento Bee -- 3/31/09

Audit: LAUSD must cut spending on consultants -- Los Angeles Unified officials should adopt tough measures to rein in the power of costly private consultants or face "a loss of government control" of the district's massive $27billion school construction project, according to an audit released Monday. George B. Sanchez in the Torrance Daily Breeze -- 3/31/09

'Overcrowding' isn't the problem - Victorville Daily Press -
Regarding facts and California's public education system, one of today's letter writers says among the problems California teachers face is "overcrowded ...

Teaching teachers: What's the best way?
KIVI-TV - ‎1 hour ago‎
... to create good teachers, it's penny-wise and pound-foolish," says Linda Darling-Hammond, an education professor at Stanford University in California. ...

Secret Ballot Does Not Exist Now in Union Elections -California Progress Report

UC Irvine Provides Free Online CSET Test Preparation Courses ...
PRLog.Org (press release) - ‎18 hours ago‎
"It is essential that California's teachers receive the education, tools and support they need to better educate our state's K-12 mathematics students," ...

CalPERS & CalSTRS: On to regulatory reform -- To avoid another financial crisis, a group of public employee pension funds led by CalPERS and CalSTRS proposed regulatory reforms earlier this month that include an independent agency to monitor "systemic risk." Ed Mendel Calpensions.com -- 3/31/09

State News: 3/31/09

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CFT In the Media:

Sac Bee Capitol Alert 3/30/09
THIS WEEK AT THE CAPITOL: Democratic Assembly Speaker Karen Bass of Los Angeles, labor leader Maria Elena Durazo and others will kick off the commemoration of Cesar Chavez Day and the launch of Labor History Week with a news conference Tuesday.

Education news: 3/30/09

L.A. Unified cuts spark protests, finger-pointing -- In an attempt to redirect the school district's budget ax, parent groups, unions and other organizations have rallied their members to make calls and write e-mails and letters to the board. Raja Abdulrahim in the Los Angeles Times -- 3/30/09

Charter school opens at Cal State L.A. -- Stern Math and Science School is L.A.'s first charter school on a university campus. Howard Blume in the Los Angeles Times -- 3/30/09

Diversity Will Be a Casualty of Teacher Layoffs
New California Media - ‎7 hours ago‎
This month, California school districts gave pink slips to nearly 27000 teachers because of steep budget cuts to education. Although public schools are in ...

California schools' risks rise as vaccinations drop -- A Times analysis finds hundreds of campuses, which tend to be in more affluent areas, at risk for childhood disease outbreaks. Parents seem to fear shots more than mumps or measles. Rong-Gong Lin II and Sandra Poindexter in the Los Angeles Times -- 3/29/09

Commentary: Our schools get lousy grades
CNN - ‎6 hours ago‎
Greg in California wrote, "My daughter starts high school next year. Can they build one out here in Southern California by then?"

PROMISES, PROMISES: Saving teacher jobs tough
The Associated Press - ‎1 hour ago‎
In their applications, states must show improvement in teacher quality, data systems, academic standards and tests and supporting struggling schools. ...

3/29/09

USC marketing class helps CIA recruitment -- Looking to hire recent graduates, Central Intelligence Agency turns to university students nationwide for help developing ad campaigns. The economic downturn increases the jobs' appeal. Larry Gordon in the Los Angeles Times -- 3/29/09

L.A. Unified to observe Chavez Day -- Board will honor birthday of the late United Farm Workers leader, exchanging it for another holiday in the school year. Ruben Vives in the Los Angeles Times -- 3/29/09

Surge of college students pursuing 'clean energy' careers -- Climate change is a concern among undergraduates, driving a surge of interest in science and engineering on campuses nationwide. Jim Tankersley in the Los Angeles Times -- 3/29/09

Teachers give $2 million toward Proposition 1B
Sacramento Bee - ‎Mar 29, 2009‎
The California Teachers Association wasted little time in backing up its ballot endorsements last week with a $2 million investment in Proposition 1B, ...

State News: 3/30/09

California to get $17.5 billion in federal aid -- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed five bills Friday that will allow California to receive more than $17.5 billion in federal economic stimulus aid. Matthew Yi in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 3/29/09

Weintraub: Steinberg's strong start about to come in handy -- Darrell Steinberg is neither as entertaining nor as intriguing as his recent predecessors as leader of California's state Senate. But he brings a style and substance to the job that might eventually make him the most successful person to hold that post in a generation. Daniel Weintraub in the Sacramento Bee -- 3/29/09

3/29/09

Riordan slams ballot measures -- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger can't be happy that the ballot measures he and leading Democrats are pushing for the May 19 special election took a gut punch in this morning's Los AngelesTimes from former LA Mayor Richard Riordan. Dan Smith SacBee Capitol Alert -- 3/29/09

Lawmakers spent campaign cash freely in '08, thanks to lack of competition -- Lawmakers proved again last year that spending hundreds of thousands of dollars in campaign cash doesn't require a campaign - even in an election year. Steven Harmon in the Contra Costa Times -- 3/29/09

Getting voters to polls for budget measures will be tough -- Voters streamed to the polls in November, lining up from before dawn until after nightfall, a tableau of involvement that cheered fans of democracy whether or not they supported the winners. Cathleen Decker in the Los Angeles Times -- 3/29/09

CFT in the News: 3/27/09

Teacher becomes part of cyber history
Pittsburgh Post Gazette - ‎12 hours ago‎
... for the Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers, was recommended by the union when Mr. Obama put out the call for teachers to participate in the event. ...

Education news: 3/27/09

PVUSD cuts 222 jobs amid news of potential additional losses in ...
San Jose Mercury News - ‎9 hours ago‎
They join the nearly 200 teachers who received pink slips two weeks ago. Leticia Oropeza, a child welfare and attendance specialist, said she works with ...

Contingent from Tracy Unified takes message to Sacramento
Stockton Record - ‎11 hours ago‎
Lois Wolk and Assemblywoman Cathleen Galgiani on California's ongoing economic debacle. The chance to be heard was the catalyst for the field trip. ...

Colton school district approves early retirement plan
Press-Enterprise - ‎11 hours ago‎
The board weighed two plans, one for all eligible employees and the other for teachers and other nonmanagement certificated staff. ...

UC Continues to Disrespect Taxpayers, Students - Senator Leland Yee in the California Progress Report

Calif. Senator Tom Torlakson Presses Governor To Help Beleaguered Schools-in the California Progress Report

District cuts 11 positions
Lake County Record-Bee - ‎12 hours ago‎
Upper Lake Teachers Association President Paulette Alcouffe said the association and the California Teachers Association would be trying to raise public ...

Opinion: Redevelopment programs shortchange California schools
San Jose Mercury News - ‎14 hours ago‎
... funded organizations such as the California Redevelopment Association and Californ

Sac Bee AM Alert: 'Unintended consequences'
With Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and legislative leaders pressing their case for the six budget-related propositions on the May 19 ballot, the poll numbers and the reports are sure to pile up. March 27, 2009
The latest is a California Budget Project report on Proposition 1A.

Report: 30,000 more California college students would benefit under Obama proposal -- Nearly 30,000 additional college students in California will be eligible for federal grant money under President Barack Obama's budget proposal, according to a report released Thursday by a coalition of groups dedicated to making college affordable. SEAN NEALON in the Riverside Press -- 3/27/09

State News: 3/27/09

Arnold on politics, a "Terminator" film and going independent: "I can do anything I want" -- Asked if he has taken a position to ''never again'' run for political office, the Republican governor told us that if he can finish the job by delivering on tough issues like the state budget, the water supply and then environment, then ''I think I can do anything I want.'' Carla Marinucci Chronicle Politics Weblog -- 3/27/09

Education news: 3/26/09

Follow Obama's lead: Invest in teachers
Los Angeles Times - ‎11 hours ago‎
In 1992, during another of California's fiscal crises, I received a pink slip shortly after winning the California Teacher of the Year award. ...

PACE hosts teacher pay conferences
UC Berkeley - ‎1 hour ago‎
"California is rightly known as a center of innovation in many fields," said Jeff Camp, who heads up the Education Circle at Full Circle Fund, ...

School Beat: SFUSD and the Stimulus Package
Beyond Chron - ‎7 hours ago‎
26‚ 2009 Schools across California are facing layoffs and cutbacks of all sorts, including schools in the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD). ...

The waiting game
Pasadena Weekly - ‎49 minutes ago‎
Like every other California school district, PUSD has been hit hard by $8 billion in cuts included in the recently adopted state budget, with $13 million ...

Student teachers fret over future -- After spending six years in college to get a teaching credential, Karynne Ishino said she isn't worried about her long-term employment. DAYNA STRAEHLEY in the Riverside Press -- 3/26/09

San Jose State University rejects 4,400 prospective freshmen -- For the first time in its history, San Jose State University is turning away qualified students from its incoming freshman class, citing the state budget crisis. Lisa M. Krieger in the San Jose Mercury -- 3/26/09

Students collect 8.5 million pennies to form 100-mile chain
CNN - ‎11 hours ago‎
The nonprofit program provides free after-school care for students at more than 200 elementary and middle schools in at-risk communities in four California ...

Late news: 3/25/09

Jack O'Connell Talks About Future Of Public Schools
KCBA - ‎Mar 25, 2009‎
O'Connell adds that federal stimulus package money is a lifeline for California's schools. He says it provides $8 billion over the next two years.

Education expert warns against big classes abc7.com

LAUSD board to study 8400 layoffs today Los Angeles Daily News

State News: 3/26/09

Ballot measures on California budget in trouble, poll finds -- Five proposals are falling short of the support needed to pass. Only a plan to block pay raises for elected officials when the state is running a deficit has strong support. Michael Finnegan in the Los Angeles Times Kevin Yamamura in the Sacramento Bee Mike Zapler in the San Jose Mercury -- 3/26/09

Poll: Congress improving, Sacramento worsening -- While California voters remain disenchanted with how the state is being run, they are gaining confidence when it comes to national leaders and policies, according to the new poll by the Public Policy Institute of California. Martin Wisckol in the Orange County Register -- 3/26/09

Education news: 3/25/09

Cal State L.A. ponders switching to semesters -- The school says the change from shorter quarters would benefit its students, but not everyone agrees. The debate is on. Larry Gordon and Gale Holland in the Los Angeles Times -- 3/25/09

Even in recession, UC spends big on top brass --- The University of California's worst financial crisis in years has not prevented the hiring of high-salaried administrative talent or the awarding of pay raises, promotions and perks to a dozen executives, university records show. Jim Doyle in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 3/25/09

Capistrano cuts could boost classes to more than 30 students -- Capistrano Unified School District officials on Tuesday recommended that trustees eliminate the popular 20:1 class-size reduction program in first to third grades as well as the block music program in fourth and fifth grade. The item is in the Orange County Register -- 3/25/09

Merced City School District to cut 7 preschool teachers
Merced Sun-Star - ‎7 hours ago‎
Countless districts across California have been forced to make similar cuts in the face of the recent recession and an unprecedented state budget crisis. ...

Schools hope for stimulus money amidst budget cuts, declining ... Lake County News

When Teachers Stay, Schools Save Money
Rocklin and Roseville Today - ‎2 hours ago‎
SACRAMENTO - In uncertain times for education there is positive news about California's beginning teachers. Reform that created a learning to teach system ...

LAUSD reaches tentative contract deal with teachers -- The Los Angeles school district has reached a tentative contract deal with its teachers union, resolving a number of lingering issues affecting professional development, school safety and other matters, officials confirmed Tuesday. Rich Connell in the Los Angeles Times -- 3/25/09

Lopez: Seniority, not quality, counts most at United Teachers Los Angeles -- Here's what I did: I went to the website for United Teachers Los Angeles, clicked on the union contract and hit "print." The job laid waste to a small forest of trees, producing a 347-page document the size of a fat phone book. So why am I telling you this? Steve Lopez in the Los Angeles Times -- 3/25/09

American Workers Would Become Too Big To Fail Under EFCA - California Progress Report, by Byron Williams

Money seals the deal between Schwarzenegger and CTA -- In the movies, the hero often signs off on a major agreement by slashing his hand or thumb and sharing blood with his new partner. In politics, it's a lot less messy, since the partners just share money. John Wildermuth Chronicle Politics Weblog -- 3/25/09

State News: 3/25/09

Abel Maldonado: Republicans Urged "Bankruptcy" for California -- State Senator Abel Maldonado says that during the epic budget battle in Sacramento, some of his fellow Republicans urged him to withhold his vote so that the stalemate would bankrupt California. Jerry Roberts and Phil Trounstine CalBuzz -- 3/25/09

'I'm not running for anything,' Schwarzenegger says -- The governor says that is why he felt more comfortable breaking his promise not to raise taxes. He has been mentioned as challenging Boxer, but he indicated he had no such plans. Michael Rothfeld in the Los Angeles Times -- 3/25/09

CFT In the News: 3/24/09

State GOP putting money where their mouth isn't
San Francisco Chronicle - ‎17 hours ago‎
Just this weekend, the California Teachers Association voted to back all six budget measures while the California Federation of Teachers opposed five of the ...

CFT will support only Proposition 1B
Sacramento Bee - ‎19 hours ago‎
While the large and powerful California Teachers Association has declared its support for all six budget-related measures on the May 19 special election ...

Education news: 3/24/09

Opinion: Flexible spending for schools is a positive change
San Jose Mercury News - ‎13 hours ago‎
California's Education Code is 2161 pages long. It imposes hundreds of requirements on our public schools - so much so that some contend the multitude of ...

School class sizes growing
Ventura County Star - ‎9 hours ago‎
But it's hard to attribute those gains solely to smaller classes, because other reforms were introduced in California schools at the same time, ...

Schools hope for stimulus money amidst budget cuts, declining ...
Lake County News - ‎8 hours ago‎
LAKE COUNTY - The threat to schools across California due to deep budget cuts has prompted members of California's Congressional Delegation to send a letter ...

District superintendents rally in Sacramento to stop school cuts
Ventura County Star - ‎11 hours ago‎
"Every time we go through this, the members get a little bit angrier," said Bob Wells, executive director of the Association of California School ...

Principals, Superintendents Rally At State Capitol Fox40

L.A. district to end high-profile dropout-prevention program -- The $10-million Diploma Project, which assigns counselors to schools to keep students on track, is a victim of budget cuts. Officials say it will be replaced. Howard Blume in the Los Angeles Times -- 3/24/09

Cal, Stanford labs get millions from stimulus -- Energy Department laboratories at UC Berkeley and Stanford University have been awarded more than $184 million for new research and laboratory construction as part of the $1.2 billion the department will spend on science under the Obama administration's economic stimulus program, Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced Monday. David Perlman in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 3/24/09

LAUSD to weigh layoffs -- About 8,400 L.A. Unified employees - more than half of them teachers and campus staff - would be laid off and class sizes would balloon under a cost-cutting plan the school board will review today. Connie Llanos in the Torrance Daily Breeze -- 3/24/09

Deal saves RBUESD jobs
Red Bluff Daily News - ‎2 hours ago‎
California School Employees Association Co-President Barbara Ramey said for classified employees the impact could be as much as 7 percent. ...

Alpaugh school district looks at short week
Visalia Times-Delta - ‎5 hours ago‎
Hudson was in Sacramento for a rally and lobbying day on the state budget organized for superintendents by the Association of California School ...

Reverse the Trend: Respect Teachers and California's Future
The Women's International Perspective - Monterey,CA,USA
Dwindling and threatened classroom resources further intensify the burden placed on California teachers. In his March 8th column, LA Times' Steve Lopez ...

ProjectFirstJob.com - Paying Students to Stay in School? It's Their First Job!
BlackNews.com (press release) - Columbus,OH,USA
The following Southern California schools are being targeted by ProjectFirstJob.com: Locke High School, Crenshaw High School, Washington Preparatory, ...

Saying 'When' On DC School Voucher Program
Washington Post - United States
The margin against them was 2 to 1 in California and Michigan in 2000. Conservatives, who tend to support vouchers as a way to rescue education from ...
See all stories on this topic

State Budget News: 3/24/09

Editorial: California Legislature spending cuts should be mandatory
Contra Costa Times - ‎9 hours ago‎
What is mandatory are pink slips going to teachers, state workers enduring many furlough days, and many services cut. But our Legislature can make its own ...

Late news from 3/20/09:

Education allies mobilize in Sacramento to protest over 26 thousand teacher layoffs
March 20, 2:58 PM · 6 comments
Hundreds of educators and administrators, members of the California Federation of Teachers (CFT) gathered today at the Sheraton Grand Hotel in Sacramento to respond to the more than $11 billion in budget cuts to California’s public schools and thousands of layoffs to state schoolteachers and support staff. CFT President Marty Hittelman said at a news conference that educators across the state are appalled that the legislature and governor have once again approved what he called a “horrible” budget for public schools and other important public services. Hittelman said the more than 26 thousand layoffs will deeply affect the ability of the state’s school system to deliver a quality education to millions of students...Watsonville elementary school reading teacher, Allison Friedman, is a recipient of one of the 26 thousand pink slips delivered to California teachers.

Education news:

3/23/09:

Education leaders should communicate plans to the public
The Salinas Californian - ‎4 hours ago‎
By Sam Farr - This massive influx of education funds is intended to boost California's education budget to its 2006 level, helping compensate for the governor's cuts. ...
The Associated Press

Immigrants fearful English classes could be cut
The Associated Press - ‎22 hours ago‎
In California, those cuts are a reality. Adult education there is run through two systems, community colleges and programs administered by school districts, ...

Should school volunteers be given background checks?
Examiner.com - ‎4 hours ago‎
As the language reads now, those volunteering in schools do not have to be screened for criminal convictions under California law or the present San Diego ...

Districts struggle with state PE requirement
Press-Enterprise - ‎14 hours ago‎
By SHIRIN PARSAVAND School districts are debating the best way to teach California high school students about physical fitness, more than a year after the ...

Use Tax Reality
California Progress Report - ‎4 hours ago‎
or "don't cheat our schools - pay your use tax!" The message should link visitors to information on the use tax including how to compute it and pay it. ...

3/22/09:

Even as they're firing, Santa Clara County school districts are hiring teachers -- Fresh from pink slipping a record number of teachers, school districts from Santa Clara County were out hustling for more dynamic and inspiring instructors to hire for next school year. Sharon Noguchi in the San Jose Mercury -- 3/22/09

Andy Shapiro, It Takes a Village: Changes needed to be made to ...
Santa Cruz Sentinel - ‎Mar 22, 2009‎
In addition to the terribly demoralizing pink slips handed out to an estimated 26500 teachers, cuts to vital programs including art, music, sports, ...

Some schools are cutting back on homework -- When is homework just busywork? Weighing stress against learning, some districts are cutting back on academic work outside the classroom. Seema Mehta in the Los Angeles Times -- 3/22/09

Lopez: Surge in Highland Park violence terrifies students -- Reading, writing, and diving to the floor when gunshots are heard are all part of the routine for second-graders. Steve Lopez in the Los Angeles Times -- 3/22/09

3/21/09:

3/19/09:

We All Need to Stand Up and Fight against Further Student Fee Increases
All Reports by John Garamendi
March 19, 2009 3:09:30 PM
During the University of California Board of Regents meeting today in Riverside, I explained to the Board why I think it's time all of us --

State News: 3/21-23/2009:

Editorial: California voters should approve 4 of 6 measures on May ...
Contra Costa Times - ‎22 hours ago‎
1B would commit the state to spending billions more than it can afford on education in coming years. The billions in borrowing from future lottery revenues ...

Presenting the Magical Mystery Majority Budget - Sheila Kuehl in the Calif. Progress Report

Schwarzenegger says federal government should consider higher gas tax -- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said the federal government has to look at raising the gasoline tax to pay for public works improvements if the public supports paying for them, according to a "Meet the Press" interview that aired Sunday. Kevin Yamamura in the Sacramento Bee -- 3/22/09

Walters: Economy taking toll on California budget -- When a record-long stalemate on the state budget ended last September, supposedly closing a whopping deficit, it was clearly out of date and out of balance. Dan Walters in the Sacramento Bee -- 3/22/09

California Federation of Teachers in the news: 3/20/09

CONVENTION: The California Federation of Teachers meets today at Sacramento's Sheraton Grand Hotel to talk about teacher and staff layoffs, cuts to school funding, and the May 19 special election.

Education news: 3/20/09

Schools Across the State Brace For Another Hit - California Progress Report

California schools have had to go begging for years
Modesto Bee - ‎13 hours ago‎
My children have been enrolled in California's public school system for nine years. Each of those years has involved an urgent need for additional money to ...

Sac Bee- letters to editor in response to Dan Walters' Sudent fees a bargain

Obama: "No profession that is more important than teaching" - Smart Brief

Late released news 3/19/09

Education officials: Don't count on federal stimulus
By SCOTT MARTINDALE THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
When schools across Orange County pink-slipped more than 3,000 educators last week in response to state budget shortfalls, parents and teachers held out some hope - millions of dollars from the $787 billion federal stimulus package would trickle down to local campuses and soften the blow of the cuts.

Fremont educators protest layoffs through "Pink Friday"
by Wes Bowers
Hundreds of Fremont Unified School District teachers were out in front of schools last Friday to protest layoff notices handed out by a state-mandated March 15 deadline.

CFT Locals in the News: 3/19/09

Freedom of choice
Sacramento News & Review - ‎9 hours ago‎
At the Rite Aid protest in West Sacramento, Ramirez; Dean Murakami, president of the Los Rios College Federation of Teachers Local 2279, AFT/CFT; ...

School District Faces $3 Million Shortfall
Berkeley Daily Planet - ‎14 hours ago‎
Cathy Campbell, president of the Berkeley Federation of Teachers, said the board was able to save at least $600000 through the hiring freeze that was put ...

Berkeley Teachers Protest Layoffs; District Rescinds 49 Pink Slips
Berkeley Daily Planet - ‎14 hours ago‎
School districts were required to notify teachers of impending layoffs by March 13, prompting the California Federation of Teachers to label the day "Pink ...

Education news: 3/19/09

University Workers Across California Step Out on Picket Line
California Progress Report 3/19/09

Schools vs. health care in stimulus trigger -- Uncertainty over the flow of federal stimulus money into California is fueling a confrontation between education and health-care interests over a device at the heart of the state budget that could affect some $3 billion in spending, perhaps more. John Howard in Capitol Weekly -- 3/19/09

TEACHERS PINK-SLIPPED
Santa Ynez Valley Journal - ‎42 minutes ago‎
Solvang School Education Foundation board member Linda Burrows called state legislators "irresponsible," adding she has seen a decline in California's ...

UC president says furloughs, pay cuts being considered -- University of California President Mark G. Yudof said this week that furloughs or salary cuts are likely for UC employees because of dire economic conditions. SEAN NEALON in the Riverside Press -- 3/19/09

Cal chancellor drops major UC tuition revision -- UC Berkeley Chancellor Robert Birgeneau has dropped his proposal to allow the University of California's nine undergraduate campuses to deviate from one standard tuition and instead determine their own fees. Patricia Yollin in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 3/19/09

Low-income students get hope college is doable -- State and local education officials made San Francisco middle school students a simple promise Wednesday: Qualify for college and you'll have a reserved seat as well as financial aid when you get there. Jill Tucker in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 3/19/09

ACLU sues Corona del Mar High School for cultivating 'homophobic' environment -- The complaint cites the brief cancellation of a production of 'Rent' and a Facebook video in which football players threaten a female student. The district says the suit contains factual errors. Susannah Rosenblatt in the Los Angeles Times -- 3/19/09

Obama Town Hall: Small banks and love-struck teachers with pink slips Los Angeles Times

Education news: 3/18/09

When You're in a Hole, Aren't You Supposed to Stop Digging?
All Reports by Robin Swanson March 18, 2009 @ 6:50 AM
Education Coalition Calls on the Governor and Legislature to NOT Divert Billions in Federal Stimulus Money Intended for California's Schools and Students
California, like other states around the country, awaits billions in federal stimulus dollars that could partially mitigate the devastating impact of the state's $11.6 billion in funding cuts to schools.

Schools hold out their hands for help
Modesto Bee - ‎20 hours ago‎
Also, if a school district has an education foundation, people are encouraged to find a way to participate in one of its projects. Some California schools ...

Kernville Union School District faces drastic cuts
Kern Valley Sun - ‎18 minutes ago‎
Not to be outdone, a large group of teachers, attired in pink (think pink slips) to show their support for state educators, also turned out for the meeting. ...

School board votes to lay off 10 teachers
Patterson Irrigator - ‎23 minutes ago‎
The problems began when the latest California budget started being drafted. The epic battle between state lawmakers to either raise taxes or slash billions ...

Walters: Clash looms for two big political blocs -- Public education is the largest single chunk of the deficit- ridden state budget, but health and welfare programs represent the next largest piece of the fiscal pie. Dan Walters in the Sacramento Bee -- 3/18/09

Race OK as factor in enrollment, court says -- A state appeals court breathed new life Tuesday into campus integration efforts,ruling that Berkeley does not violate California's ban on racial preferences when it considers the makeup of students' neighborhoods in deciding where they will go to school. Bob Egelko in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 3/18/09

Filipino teachers exchange homeland for jobs in America -- More than 100 school districts, including at least 20 in California, are recruiting in the Philippines to fill teacher shortages in math, science and special education. Teresa Watanabe in the Los Angeles Times -- 3/18/09

Students urged to take spring break outside Mexico -- Heeding a State Department warning about escalating violence along the Mexican border, area universities are urging students to take their spring break vacations elsewhere. Ed Fletcher in the Sacramento Bee -- 3/18/09

SDSU's Cox Arena to be called 'Viejas' -- San Diego State University has sold the naming rights of its sports arena to the Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians, which operates a casino, an outlet center and other businesses at its reservation 22 miles east of campus. Onell R. Soto in the San Diego Union-Trib -- 3/18/09

State News: 3/18/09

California budget: Higher taxes, more cuts likely -- If a hearing in the Capitol on Tuesday is any indication, Californians will not be spared an additional income tax surcharge and nearly $1 billion in cuts to the social safety net that were part of the recently enacted state budget. Mike Zapler in the San Jose Mercury -- 3/18/09

Budget: No new fixes till May vote -- The Republican governor insisted that if voters approve Proposition 1A, a long-term spending limit accompanied by temporary tax extensions, California would never again face a budget problem comparable to the $40 billion deficit it grappled with this winter. Kevin Yamamura in the Sacramento Bee -- 3/18/09

State fiscal leaders skeptical stimulus funds will avert cutbacks -- Two state fiscal leaders sounded skeptical Tuesday that California will receive at least $10 billion in direct budget relief from the federal stimulus package, the amount necessary to reduce state income taxes and social service cuts under the spending plan enacted last month. Kevin Yamamura in the Sacramento Bee -- 3/18/09

Herdt: Bulk of federal stimulus to pay for human services -- Today in Modesto, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger will stage a photo-op to call attention to a $47 million freeway overpass project that will soon begin construction. It will be among the first California highway projects to be funded through the federal stimulus package. Timm Herdt in the Ventura Star -- 3/18/09

Rally Coverage from Monday 3/16:

Rescue Higher Education: Students, Faculty March & Rally to Protest Cuts - Marty Hittelman in the California Progress Report

Thousands Rally for Education
Daily Californian - ‎7 hours ago‎
By Tess Townsend Thousands of California public education students and staff swarmed the state capitol Monday to protest cuts to education in the state ...... UC, CSU and grade school students and staff were present at the rally, said Dean Murakami, vice president of the California Federation of Teachers. ...

College students and staff protest budget cuts, proposed fee hikes -- Students and staff from colleges across the state marched from West Sacramento to the state Capitol on Monday, protesting budget cuts and proposed fee increases at California's universities. Laurel Rosenhall in the Sacramento Bee -- 3/17/09

Educators and students march at state Capitol San Jose Mercury News

Educators and students march at state Capitol
Alameda Times-Star - ‎2 hours ago‎
Education supporters hold a rally Monday at the state Capitol to protest cuts to state universities and community colleges. ) SACRAMENTO ...

College cuts, fee increases, layoffs protested
Enterprise-Record - ‎8 hours ago‎
The protest included students and staff from the University of California, California State University and community colleges. ...

Teachers protest on ‘pink slip Friday'
Santa Ynez Valley News - ‎7 hours ago‎
... a protest against the "pink slips" being received by teachers because of California's less than rosy economic situation. About 300 teachers, students, ...

Education news: 3/17/09

Walters: In bleak budget year, colleges remain very low-cost -- Several thousand college students descended on the state Capitol on Monday, but their purpose was a little unclear. It was not exactly a protest, although some speakers complained about college budget hits. It was more a collective fear that higher education would lose in the budget jousting. Dan Walters in the Sacramento Bee -- 3/17/09

State News: 3/17/09

Foes of budget measures close purse strings -- It's a bit more than two months - nine weeks, as of today - before the May 19 special election and opponents of six budget-related measures have yet to put their money where their mouths are. John Wildermuth in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 3/17/09

State faces new budget shortfall, new tax ideas -- Less than a month after the Legislature approved more than $12 billion in tax increases to help bridge a $41 billion budget deficit, Democratic lawmakers have proposed more tax and fee measures they say would curb devastating cuts to state programs. Matthew Yi in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 3/17/09

CFT In the News: 3/14/09

Marchers to protest education cuts at Capitol
ShareThis
By Niesha Lofing
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Published: Monday, Mar. 16, 2009 - 7:01 am
College educators, staff and students are planning to march from West Sacramento to the Capitol this morning to protest cuts to higher education.

The march is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. at Raley Field, ending on the steps of the Capitol, where a rally is scheduled for noon today, according to the California Federation of Teachers' Web site.
... The California Federation of Teachers is comprised of 135 local unions and chartered by the American Federation of Teachers, the Web site states.

Berkeley Teachers Protest Layoffs; District Rescinds 49 Pink Slips
By Riya Bhattacharjee
Sunday March 15, 2009
Pink balloons, pink bow-ties, pink arm bands and even pink toilet seats marked a rally organized by the Berkeley Federation of Teachers Friday. The "Pink Friday" event was part of a statewide protest of teacher layoffs in response to state education budget cuts.
...
Cathy Campbell, president of the Berkeley Federation of Teachers, said she was outraged that the state was laying off teachers at a time when California ranks 47th nationally in per-pupil spending.

Campbell called on the community to lobby their legislators to release the federal stimulus dollars immediately to prevent further layoffs and cuts to programs.

Community Protests School District Layoffs Daily Californian
Many from the Berkeley Unified School District community donned pink on Friday in a demonstration protesting cuts to education and supporting California teachers who received tentative pink slips last week.  ... building for the protest-part of a day of action declared by the California Federation of Teachers and the California Teachers Association. ...

More than 300 parents, students, board members and staff rallied outside the district's administration building for the protest-part of a day of action declared by the California Federation of Teachers and the California Teachers Association.
...
According to Cathy Campbell, president of the federation's Berkeley division, the protest was just the beginning of activism against cuts in education funding across the state.

Berkeley Teachers Protest Layoffs; District Rescinds 49 Pink Slips
Berkeley Daily Planet - ‎12 hours ago‎
School districts were required to notify teachers of impending layoffs by March 13, prompting the California Federation of Teachers to label the day "Pink ...

Protecting Workers' Rights Is Critical For California's Economic ...
California Progress Report - ‎5 hours ago‎
... Rosa Junior College, serves on the Executive Board of the North Bay Labor Council, and is a member of the California Federation of Teachers Local 1946.

Education news: 3/14-16 2009

More Rally Stories:

Fresno City College Students Protest Budget Cuts
ABC30.com - ‎1 hour ago‎
By Christine Park Fresno, CA, USA (KFSN) -- College students are marching at the State Capitol Monday to protest budget cuts to community colleges. ...

Hundreds To Protest Education Cuts At Capitol CBS 13

Students Protest Community College Fees In Sacto
CBS 5 - ‎32 minutes ago‎
Read more in our Privacy Policy AP Hundreds of community college
students left their campuses across California Monday to drive to Sacramento by bus, ...

Students Bus to Sacramento in Protest KCBS

REGIONAL: BAY AREA STUDENTS WILL RALLY IN SACRAMENTO CBS 5

Valley Students Plan March at State's Capital KMPH Fox 26

3/15/09:

Tough times ahead for area educators -- In her third-grade classroom at Rio Vista Elementary School, Jennifer Hynes urges her students to be respectful, responsible and safe. It is a message Hynes fears will be lost, along with many others that make a difference in the lives of California's children, with thousands of teachers slated to lose their jobs this year. Debbie Pfeiffer Trunnell and Josh Dulaney in the San Bernardino Sun -- 3/15/09

O'Connell fears many state teachers will leave the profession soon -- With bills to pay, families to take care of and the threat of layoffs, many teachers may soon leave the profession, said state Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell. Canan Tasci in the Inland Daily Bulletin -- 3/15/09

State News: 3/14-16

It's taxing just keeping up with budget-fix ideas -- Less than a month after the Legislature approved more than $12 billion in tax increases to help bridge a $41 billion budget deficit, Democratic lawmakers have proposed more tax and fee measures they say would curb devastating cuts to state programs. Matthew Yi in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 3/16/09

No new taxes? GOP dollars support campaign Republicans abhore -- It's safe to say California Republicans weren't pleased with the tax increases approved as part of the budget fix last month. Of the 44 Republicans in the State Legislature, only six voted for the plan - and at least three of them already are the subjects of recalls while a fourth was ousted from his spot as Senate Republican Leader before his vote was even cast. BRIAN JOSEPH in the Orange County Register -- 3/16/09

3/15/09:

More tax hikes, spending cuts for California? -- After all the drama in the capital early this year, you might think the state was done with its budget debate for a while. But there's one more big decision to make this month about how much to hike income taxes and how deeply to cut higher education and programs for the poor. Mike Zapler in the San Jose Mercury -- 3/15/09

CFT Locals take ACTION:  3/13/09

California Teachers Rally To Protest “Pink Friday” PNS
Marty Hittelman, with the California Federation of Teachers, says California has the money to properly support schools, but the Legislature has chosen not ...

Education Cuts Spawn Rallies Throughout SF
KTVU.com - ‎22 hours ago‎
The San Francisco Unified School District sent out 453 layoff notices to teachers across the city on Monday. United Educators of San Francisco spokesman ...

Deadline for teacher layoff notices looms
The San Francisco Examiner - ‎15 hours ago‎
The San Francisco Unified School District sent out notices to 453 employees earlier this week, according to the teachers’ union the United Educators of San ...

Same time, same place, different cause
San Francisco Chronicle - ‎Mar 11, 2009‎
The United Educators of San Francisco initially planned the event to urge foot-dragging city officials to give the schools $23 million from the city's Rainy ...
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/cityinsider/detail?&entry_id=36850

State cuts, district raid could spell deep slashing for adult ...
San Jose Mercury News - ‎10 hours ago‎
The state budget approved last month made an immediate 15 percent cut in adult education, school safety and other programs funded through restricted cash ...

Rescue Higher Education: UC, CSU, Community Colleges Students, Faculty to March & Rally to Protest Cuts, Dean Murikami, VP, CFT, VP Los Rios Federation ... California Progress Report

Monday march on Capitol planned to protest cuts in higher education
Sacramento Business Journal - ‎3 hours ago‎
... and hold a rally in Sacramento on Monday to protest budget cutbacks, fee increases and layoffs, the California Federation of Teachers said Thursday. ...

Professor encourages students to join the fight
Cosumnes Connection (subscription) - ‎21 hours ago‎
However, he also holds the position of President of the Los Rios College Federation of Teachers. This second role has been giving him an increased workload ...

REGIONAL: BAY AREA 'PINK FRIDAY' RALLIES PROTEST TEACHER LAYOFFS
CBS 5 - ‎45 minutes ago‎
The Berkeley Federation of Teachers is hosting a rally to oppose the layoffs of about 170 permanent and temporary teaching employees from the Berkeley ...

$3.6 million in district reductions not going to cut it
Morgan Hill Times - ‎18 hours ago‎
For Morgan Hill Federation of Teachers Union President Donna Ruebusch, who served on the district's nine-member budget committee, holding a budget hearing ...

El Camino College chief in line for 13% raise
Contra Costa Times - ‎12 hours ago‎
... of the El Camino College Federation of Teachers, said the pay hike plan is the wrong idea at the wrong time, considering California's budget problems. ...

District Sends Layoff Notices to Berkeley Teachers
Berkeley Daily Planet - ‎Mar 11, 2009‎
The California Federation of Teachers estimates that nearly 18000 teachers statewide will get pink slips this week—almost twice as many as last year—because ...

University Won’t Budge in Librarian Salary Talks
The UCSD Guardian Online - ‎22 hours ago‎
By Sarah Smith The American Federation of Teachers, on behalf of University of California librarians, has reached an impasse with the university after a ...

Late News:  3/12/09 Adult Education:

School layoffs begin as budget hits home
Mountain View Voice - ‎Mar 12, 2009‎
Locally this means $2 million from the high school district through 2010, mostly in adult education cuts; and $500000 from LASD, although trustees there ...

Parents, students protest teacher layoff notices, cuts to Torrance ...
Contra Costa Times - ‎Mar 12, 2009‎
On April 20, the Torrance Unified board will also have to decide on plans to make some cuts to district programs like athletics, preschool, adult education ...

El Rancho Federation of Teachers News:  3/6/09 & 3/11/09

'Stand Up for Schools' rally attracts 500 to Fullerton -- Commuters give thumbs up to pickets one day after 180 layoff notices are distributed. BARBARA GIASONE in the Orange County Register -- 3/13/09

Rethinking Federal Student Aid for the Common Good Calif. Progress Report 3/13/09

Charter Teachers, Fearful of Firings, Push to Unionize a Shaken School -- Less than a year after a Barrio Logan charter school discarded its director and cut loose nearly all of its teachers with little warning, teachers in its system of schools are taking their first steps toward forming a union. EMILY ALPERT Voiceofsandiego.org -- 3/13/09

State News: 3/13/09

CFT Locals in the news:  3/12/09

District Sends Layoff Notices to Berkeley Teachers
Berkeley Daily Planet - 15 hours ago
The California Federation of Teachers estimates that nearly 18000 teachers statewide will get pink slips this week—almost twice as many as last year—because ... Cathy Campbell, president of the Berkeley Federation of Teachers, said that newer teachers who have been with the district for less than two years were the most vulnerable, since they had the least seniority.
http://www.berkeleydailyplanet.com/issue/2009-03-12/article/32426?headline=District-Sends-Layoff-Notices-to-Berkeley-Teachers

Education News: 3/12/09

Teachers, students protest cuts to adult education -- Scores of adult education teachers, students and young children gathered in front of the Oakland school district administration building Wednesday to protest deep cuts to adult education. Katy Murphy in the Oakland Tribune -- 3/12/09
http://www.insidebayarea.com/oaklandtribune/localnews/ci_11890961?source=rss

Dos Palos High students stage a sit-in to protest job cuts
Fresno Bee - 2 hours ago
Dos Palos High School students staged a sit-in Wednesday to protest job cuts announced the day before by the Dos Palos Oro Loma Joint Unified School ...
http://www.fresnobee.com/564/story/1256127.html

Hundreds rally to protest school layoffs
Martinez News-Gazette - 8 hours ago
“They are only getting [pink slips] because the State is ripping us apart, and its time for California school districts to say enough is enough. ...
http://www.martinezgazette.com/news/story/i267/2009/03/12/hundreds-rally-protest-school-layoffs

Lack of direction on state budget confuses school districts Press-Enterprise
http://www.pe.com/localnews/inland/stories/PE_News_Local_S_flex12.37ca768.html

District is eyeing furloughs, school closure, larger classes Modesto Bee
http://www.modbee.com/education/story/626926.html

A Merced Union High school district lets some teachers go
Merced Sun-Star - 10 hours ago
Probationary teachers are in their first two years of service to a district and can be removed at any time, under California education hiring rules. ...
http://www.mercedsunstar.com/167/story/732874.html

PI performing schools fight for teachers
abc7news.com - 10 hours ago
By Alan Wang FREMONT, CA (KGO) -- There have been many sleepless nights and stressful days for California teachers lately. 26000 pink-slips are expected to ...
http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/education&id=6705566

School's In
San Francisco Chronicle - 10 hours ago
So states and municipalities with struggling students had an incentive to lower their standards, while states with higher standards - like California ... So it will be interesting to see what Obama does with the power he does have to influence education - namely the bully pulpit and the federal grant programs to "encourage" states and municipalities into certain educational pathways.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/03/12/ED0D16CQ1L.DTL

Schools Chief Jack O'Connell Applauds President Obama's Education ... Imperial Valley News
http://www.imperialvalleynews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4680&Itemid=1

My Word: Hayward school board needs to use common sense
By Bruce Roberts  Guest commentary  Inside Bay Area
Posted: 03/11/2009 12:01:00 AM PDT
THE HAYWARD school board is not using common sense.
The school board oversees Hayward teachers, who also belong to the California Teachers Association (CTA), a professional educators' association with much experience evaluating school district budgets. In Hayward's case, they regularly find more money than the district admits to. In September, for example, the district projected an $18 million deficit, even though CTA explained to the board that Hayward had, in fact, a $22 million surplus. The board ignored CTA, deciding instead to lay off teachers and increase K-3 class sizes based upon highly questionable information. Apparently they would rather send out teacher pink slips than investigate to see who's right. Sensible? No!
http://www.insidebayarea.com/dailyreview/localnews/ci_11879615


State News: 3/12/09

Strategists wrestle with selling the special election -- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has been the chief advocate and fundraiser for the six measures on the May 19 special election ballot. But the governor, who has prided himself on being a populist spokesman, may play a limited role in the paid media campaign that is about to begin. Anthony York in Capitol Weekly -- 3/12/09
http://www.capitolweekly.net/article.php?xid=xttwxyqfwy9mw9

What if voters reject the May 19 props? -- Uncertainty over a May 19 special election in which California voters will be asked to approve six measures to balance the state budget has raised a crucial question: What if the measures are turned down? John Howard and Anthony York in Capitol Weekly -- 3/12/09
http://www.capitolweekly.net/article.php?xid=xtttn2zeozxf52

The latest on California politics and government
March 12, 2009 – Capitol Alert, Sac Bee
Schwarzenegger: Reform budget so state is 'never again (in)...Valley of Doom'
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger hits the campaign trail today for the package of budget ballot measures calling them critical to ensuring the state never returns to such a budgetary "Valley of Doom."
http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/capitolalertlatest/020597.html

Obama Outlines Education Reform
U.S. News & World Report - ‎Mar 11, 2009‎
Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, said, "We finally have an education president." NEA president Dennis van Roekel ...

CFT locals in the news: 3/10/09:

As You See It: March 10, 2009
Santa Cruz Sentinel - ‎Mar 10, 2009‎
We can start by joining the Greater Santa Cruz Federation of Teachers' call to wear pink on Friday, March 13. Pink is the color of pink slips. ...

Education News: 3/11/09

Public education in U.S. falls short, Obama says
Los Angeles Times -
‎10 hours

L.A. Unified board OKs layoff notices to about 9,000 employees -- The letters will go out to 5,500 teachers, and the rest will go to workers such as counselors and administrators. Any job cuts would have to be approved in June. Jason Song in the Los Angeles Times -- 3/11/09

UC Berkeley leaders warn of cuts -- UC Berkeley leaders warned today of drastic cuts to campus operations, including layoffs and other staffing reductions. Matt Krupnick in the San Jose Mercury -- 3/11/09

Preliminary Layoff Notices Go Out to Castro Valley Teachers
CastroValleyForum.com - ‎14 hours ago‎
"The potential layoff of so many educators will hurt our communities and California's future." Under the California Education Code, school districts must ...

LAYOFF NOTICES BEING SENT TO LOCAL TEACHERS
1590 KLIV Silicon Valley News - ‎3 hours ago‎
Cuts in education in California's budget have been impacting schools in Silicon Valley. San Jose's East Side Union High School District is anticipating a ...
http://kliv.com/LAYOFF-NOTICES-BEING-SENT-TO-LOCAL-TEACHERS/3999213

$100M in Cuts May Save Teachers
NBC San Diego - ‎4 hours ago‎
"Today, we dealt with a problem created by the State of California" said Sheila Jackson, school board president. "They put our district in a position where ...

San Diego School Budget Balance Hinges on Unions -- The plan hinges on San Diego Unified being able to negotiate with its unions to boost class sizes, furlough employees for four days, and increase what workers pay when they go to the doctor's office. EMILY ALPERT Voiceofsandiego.org -- 3/11/09

Tentative teacher contract reached for San Carlos Elementary School District
Daily Journal Staff Report

March 15 is the legal deadline for layoff notices for teachers ...
Examiner.com - ‎4 hours ago‎
However, Randi Weingarten, President, American Federation of Teachers (union), cautions: "As with any public policy, the devil is in the details, ...

Video: Layoffs Approved For King City Schools KSBW -

Local educators hail Obama's support for preschool, teacher quality -- Barack Obama's vision of education received hearty support Tuesday from area educators, who applauded the president's call for more preschool programs, recruiting and rewarding good teachers and extending the school year. Tracy Garcia in the San Gabriel Tribune -- 3/11/09
http://www.sgvtribune.com/news/ci_11881498?source=rss

Late Education News: 3/10/09

Antioch district, teachers reach tentative deal San Jose Mercury News

State News: 3/11/09

Stimulus unlikely to prevent California tax hike, legislative analyst says -- California likely will not receive enough federal stimulus money to avoid higher taxes and deeper spending cuts from the new budget deal, the Legislature's nonpartisan fiscal analyst said Tuesday. Jim Sanders in the Sacramento Bee Matthew Yi in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 3/11/09

Education News: 3/6/09.

Districts estimating teacher layoffs
San Diego Union Tribune - ‎7 hours ago‎
San Marcos trustees will decide Monday how many cuts to make, and Tuesday the Oceanside school board is expected to consider 74 job cuts. The California ...

Teachers who receive layoff notices may request hearings
San Bernardino Sun - ‎9 hours ago‎
With March 15 approaching, school districts around the state are analyzing their financial situations and trying to determine if they will have to lay off ...

Konocti Unified hears from parents, teachers; moves closer to ...
Lake County News - ‎Mar 5, 2009‎
The audience members offered very different viewpoints on what was best for the district. Carl Stewart, himself a middle school teacher at one time, ...

District OKs potential layoffs
San Mateo Daily Journal - ‎9 hours ago‎
Statewide, 17800 pink slips are estimated to be sent out, according to the Burlingame-based California Teachers Association. It is a far greater number than ...

Teachers among 25 employees pink-slipped by San Carlos district
By Mike Rosenberg
Daily News Staff Writer
Posted: 03/06/2009 12:00:49 AM PST
The San Carlos School District will send pink slips to 25 teachers, administrators and other staff who could become victims of "ugly" across-the-board spending cuts before next school year, officials announced Thursday.

LASD to send out 45 pink slips
Mountain View Voice

Reckless elimination of school funding
Times-Standard - ‎8 hours ago‎
It has come to our attention that the general public may not know the state of emergency that has gripped California public schools, particularly those ...
http://www.times-standard.com/othervoices/ci_11850893

Daily Digits: college enrollment
San Francisco Chronicle - ‎3 hours ago‎
The 110 schools in the California Community Colleges system registered 3 out of 4 public postsecondary students, and the California State University system ...

State News: 3/6/09

Federal funds could ease state budget cuts -- State financial officials could announce today when they will begin mailing income tax refunds and payments for social services that were held up last month as a result of the budget stalemate. Wyatt Buchanan in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 3/6/09

UCAFT News: 3/5/09

UC Librarians Fight For Pay Increase
Alyssa Jarrett
UCSC City on a Hill Press Reporter
There are many things that people might not know about UC librarians. For one thing, a master's degree is a requirment. They're also as tech-savvy as they are book-smart. And they make about $10,000 to $19,000 less per year than librarians at CSUs, said reference librarian Ken Lyons.
...Lyons is shop steward for Unit 17 of the University Council, American Federation of Teachers (UCAFT). UCAFT represents all librarians on each UC campus. The union is currently involved in an ongoing struggle to negotiate their salaries to equal their colleagues' at CSUs and community colleges.
..."Our contract was due to expire in March of last year," Lyons said. "We negotiated with the University of California Office of the President (UCOP) in December 2007, and that went really well...

Education News: 3/5/09

Open enrollment: A key to excellence in California education
Capitol Weekly - ‎10 hours ago‎
Knowing that all parents have the right of exit if schools don't deliver means schools in these countries work harder. But here in California, schools have ...

Livermore District to Send First Round of Layoff Notices
Livermore Independent - ‎1 hour ago‎
... the California budget on Feb. 20, the District was preparing to lose $3.9 million in revenue in the current school year and over $7 million ongoing. ...

School districts eye layoffs, program cuts
Petaluma Argus Courier - ‎6 hours ago‎
By DAN JOHNSON, For months, local school districts prepared for various possible scenarios that could emerge once bills were passed to address California's ...

For college students, Obama offers a long-awaited boost for financial aid -- At a time of economic hardship, college students have gotten an unexpected surprise: more federal money. Lisa M. Krieger in the San Jose Mercury -- 3/5/09

Hiltzik: Cutting school? When will the state learn? -- As they starve the university system of funds, budget authorities are undermining California's investment in its economic future. Michael Hiltzik in the Los Angeles Times -- 3/5/09

Latino enrollment in schools, colleges rising -- Roughly one-fourth of the nation's kindergartners are Hispanic, evidence of an accelerating trend that now will see minority children become the majority by 2023. Hope Yen AP -- 3/5/09

Palo Alto foundation raises record $2.57 million for schools -- After a dramatic last few weeks of fundraising in a tough economy, Palo Alto Partners In Education handed the Palo Alto Unified School District a check for the record amount of $2.57 million Tuesday night. Diana Samuels in the San Jose Mercury -- 3/5/09

'If They Pull This One Off, It's a Miracle' -- Led by a new school board, San Diego Unified is trying to do what was once called impossible: balancing its thinning budget without laying off a single employee. EMILY ALPERT Voiceofsandiego.org -- 3/5/09

Budget crisis spawns uneasy election alliance between governor, teachers -- The California Teachers Association, which more than three years ago led the charge against Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's special-election bid to slash state spending, has changed its tune - dramatically. Anthony York in Capitol Weekly -- 3/5/09

State News: 3/5/09

Capitol dance intensifies as flood of federal funds looms -- Legislative leaders are expecting Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to call a special session of the Legislature to begin doling out billions in federal stimulus dollars expected to begin pouring into California within weeks. John Howard in Capitol Weekly -- 3/5/09

Misplaced Priorities in California State Budget Saga (Again)
Willie Pelote, AFSME in the California Progress Report

Most experienced teachers will be encouraged to retire -- San Diego's most experienced teachers will be encouraged to retire early this year, under a plan approved by the school board on Tuesday that could save the district millions of dollars and avoid layoffs. Maureen Magee in the San Diego Union-Trib -- 3/4/09

State teachers union launches campaign against pink slips -- Peeved that almost 18,000 California teachers will get pink slips next week because of state budget cuts, the California Teachers Association has launched an ad campaign decrying the layoffs. Kimberly S. Wetzel in the Contra Costa Times -- 3/4/09

San Joaquin, Calaveras school districts trying to prepare for worst-case scenario; 1,000 layoffs feared -- The number of layoffs in San Joaquin County and Calaveras County schools for 2009-10 is fast approaching 1,000 jobs as districts scurry to balance budgets with shortfalls nearing $100 million. Keith Reid in the Stockton Record -- 3/4/09

School Districts Expect Major Losses in Revenue
Posted: March 3, 2009 04:52 PM Fox 35 Monterey Salinas Santa Cruz
School districts across the Central Coast are bracing for what's expected to be the worst loss in state education funding in decades.

Santa Rosa classes may be getting bigger
Santa Rosa Press Democrat - ‎39 minutes ago‎
Steele Lane Elementary School kindergarten teacher Kristen Ott helps her students Max Uli and Michelle Rivera clean up their classroom Tuesday. ...

Pink slips coming to schools next week
By Heather Murtagh San Mateo Daily Journal 3.4.09
More than 17,000 school employees throughout California are expected to receive preliminary pink slips next Friday to prepare for massive losses in school funding next year.

Stop testing second graders?
Contributed by Kerry Benefield - Posted: March 3, 2009 11:16:16 AM
The California Teachers Association and Sen. Loni Hancock, D-Berkeley, are backing legislation that would stop second grade testing.

State News: 3/4/09

Assembly speaker strips 3 Democrats of committee chairmanships -- Sandre Swanson, Warren Furutani and Tony Mendoza lose their leadership positions -- as well as key staff assistance, fundraising power and policy clout -- after voting against the state spending cap. Eric Bailey in the Los Angeles Times Peter Hecht SacBee Capitol Alert -- 3/4/09

Field Poll: Voters back budget propositions -- California voters, though unhappy with the state's new budget, support a slate of ballot measures in May's special election that state officials are depending on to make the spending plan work, according to a Field Poll survey released today. Matthew Yi in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 3/4/09

Optimism growing in California, poll finds -- According to a new state Field Poll, 42 percent of California voters believe the country is headed in the right direction - a 27 percentage-point jump from July. Meanwhile, two-thirds of voters approve of the job Obama is doing to date. Peter Hecht in the Sacramento Bee -- 3/4/09

CFT Local in the News: 3/3/09

Cut to the Quick
Written by Chris J. Magyar
Tuesday, 03 March 2009 Good Times Weekly Santa Cruz
pvusd Why PVUSD's teachers are up in arms
Business hasn't been smooth in the Pajaro Valley Unified School District (PVUSD) for years, but even for the tumultuous district, which serves half of the county's school children, being accosted by the fire marshall was a new one.

Education News: 3/3/09

Tentative Layoffs Set For Sweetwater Schools
News 10 San Diego  POSTED: 8:40 am PST March 3, 2009 UPDATED: 9:09 am PST March 3, 2009
SAN DIEGO -- More than 100 South County middle and high school educators may lose their jobs this fall, it was reported Tuesday.
Sweetwater Union High School District's board voted 3-2 Monday night to send tentative layoff notices to 25 social studies teachers, 24 English teachers, 22 physical education teachers, 15 counselors, 13 Spanish teachers, eight art teachers and a school nurse, The San Diego Union-Tribune reported.

San Lorenzo Unified School District board to vote on layoffs
By Jason Sweeney The Daily Review
Posted: 03/02/2009 07:34:49 PM PST
Updated: 03/02/2009 09:52:46 PM PST
SAN LORENZO - The San Lorenzo Unified School District board of education will vote tonight on whether to eliminate 77 full-time positions in order to close a $7 million budget gap for the next school year.

Coastside school districts mull budget cuts
By Julia Scott San Mateo County Times
Posted: 03/02/2009 07:45:15 PM PST Updated: 03/02/2009 11:01:18 PM PST
HALF MOON BAY - Coastside school districts' financial outlook is grim this month, as they hold final meetings to decide on midyear staffing cuts and other cost savings in light of a reduced state budget for education.
Facing cutbacks of $1 million or more through 2009-10, some of the districts - which include Cabrillo Unified School District in Half Moon Bay, Pacifica School District and La Honda-Pescadero Unified School District - have until March 15 to notify employees of layoffs or reduced hours, which could include the loss of heath insurance.

Reality sets in for teachers facing the ax
By J.M. Brown - Sentinel staff writer
Posted: 03/03/2009 01:30:19 AM PST
SOQUEL -- Since August, Chris Carey-Stronck has been living a dream. But the moonscape that California lawmakers have made of education funding this year -- more than $7 billion in cuts statewide -- could bring Carey-Stronck crashing back to earth.
...As a junior teacher in his district of just 1,768 students, he expects to receive a pink slip next week. His wife, Sharon, a lawyer for the county who is six months pregnant, may also be laid off due to the recession, which would mean both could lose their health insurance and the ability to afford their home.

March 3, 2009
Few Latinos at SVHS are on track for four-year colleges
Sierra Jenkins | Sonoma Valley Sun
This year, only five of the 75 students in freshman honors English class at Sonoma Valley High School are Latino. The high school student population is 37 percent Latino, but that ratio doesn't hold in the Advanced Placement (AP) and honors classes that are critical to gain entrance to four-year universities. In the most advanced English, math and science classes, there are usually only one or two Latino students out of the 30 to 45 students taking that particular class.

Want a future? Fund education
Staff Writer
Posted: 03/02/2009 08:23:01 PM PST
As state legislators and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger wend their way through seemingly endless budget negotiations, with more due to begin in May, it would behoove all of them to read a 2008 book by two Harvard economists called "The Race Between Education and Technology."
If they do, they'll see that authors Claudia Goldin and Lawrence Katz establish a clear link between the number of high school and college graduates produced in any modern society and its economic growth.
Businesses move to areas where the corps of educated workers exceeds the supply of jobs, the economics professors found. Surprisingly, it's places with the most generally educated and least specialized work forces that do the best. For a general education teaches future workers to think, which allows them to adapt to new developments in an era of steady changes while specialized vocationally oriented training ties them to existing technology.