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Teacher Dismissal Bill: No Added Concern for Predators
The teacher dismissal bill awaiting Gov. Jerry Brown‘s signature includes no specific language for streamlining the process of removing teachers for sexual and physical abuse, which had been the focus of earlier bills. The final version simply creates protocols to govern any dismissal case. Brown has until Oct. 13 to sign it. Assembly Bill 375,...
By Hillel Aron | September 19, 2013
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District Allocates Over $27 Million to 58 of the Miramonte Victims
LA Unified said today that more than $27 million has been allocated for 58 settlements with the parents of children who were suing the school district over allegations of sexual misconduct by teachers at Miramonte Elementary. That brings to 61 the number of financial settlements with two more awaiting final paperwork and 68 other cases...
By Hillel Aron | September 17, 2013
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LA Unified Board Finally Gives Deasy His Common Core Budget
The LAUSD School Board today finally approved a $113 million budget for transitioning to the Common Core curriculum. The 6-1 vote marked the end of a tumultuous and seemingly directionless process that led to the resignation of Deputy Superintendent of Instruction Jaime Aquino, an LA Times editorial calling the Board “dysfunctional,” and finally to Mayor Eric Garcetti wading in to Board...
By Hillel Aron | September 17, 2013
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Garcia Lends Support to Parent Group Supporting Deasy
If there were ever any doubt where LA Unified board member Monica Garcia stands with regard to Superintendent John Deasy, it’s gone now. A group called Parent Partnership for Public Education has renewed its call to support Deasy — with a big boost from Garcia’s email list. In a message sent on Monday, the group asked...
By Hillel Aron | September 17, 2013
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Analysis: Aquino’s Resignation Turns a Spotlight onto Deasy
Jaime Aquino‘s surprise announcement Friday that he’ll resign from Superintendent John Deasy‘s staff at the end of the year has sent shockwaves throughout LA Unified. Tomorrow, the district school board will take up the matter in closed session. It’s unclear what they’ll discus – but his impending departure has exposed the district and its fractured...
By Hillel Aron | September 16, 2013
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Deasy Deputy Jaime Aquino Resigns (Updated)
Jaime Aquino, LA Unified’s Superintendent of Instruction has resigned, according to Superintendent John Deasy and School Board President Richard Vladovic. “Dr. Aquino served the students of LAUSD admirably for the past few years, Vladovic said today in an email. “He made a decision to leave the District and pursue other endeavors. I wholeheartedly thank him for...
By Hillel Aron | September 13, 2013
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Monica Garcia Takes a Job, Becomes Part-Timer on Board
In an under-the-radar move, Monica Garcia has taken a job in LA County Supervisor Gloria Molina‘s office, which means she’s now a part-time member of the LA Unified school board. “For seven years, I did the LAUSD Board member job full time,” Garcia told LA School Report. “While I appreciated that intense focus on education,...
By Hillel Aron | September 12, 2013
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Vladovic Leadership Style Suggests Slower Pace is Best
When Richard Vladovic was elected by his colleagues as President of the LA Unified school board in July, observers predicted a much slower moving agenda. Judging by Tuesday’s board meeting, that’s exactly what’s happened. The meeting lasted about 8 hours and wrapped up a bit after 9 pm. That’s not an unheard of duration; some...
By Hillel Aron | September 12, 2013
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School Board Wants CA to Clarify Co-Location Rules
The School Board yesterday approved a motion by Steve Zimmer to ask state lawmakers to clarify the use of Proposition 39, a 2000 law mandating that public school space be shared equitably with charter schools. That law has lead to legal disputes between district schools and charters forced to share campuses as well as a...
By Hillel Aron | September 11, 2013
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Common Core Budget Approval Put Off for Another Week
The LA Unified school board voted, again, to delay its final decision on crafting and approving the $113 million Common Core budget for at least another week. The money comes from the state and is intended to help school districts transition over the next two years to the new curriculum. It appeared to be a...
By Hillel Aron | September 10, 2013