Vista To Keep Music In Schools
Written by admin on March 5, 2010
*clap clap clap*
Vista Unified School District trustees voted Thursday to keep music teachers and health technicians at elementary schools next year, but made more than $500,000 in other budget cuts.
District officials are working to slash $15 million in spending from next year’s budget in response to funding cuts at the state level.
The board voted in January to eliminate the music program, but trustees asked district officials to continue looking for money to pay for it. They found that money by cutting magnet school funding by 10 percent, eliminating some administrative spending, and taking $250,000 from money set aside to pay for benefits for retired employees.
For the last three years, the district’s 10,000 or so students in kindergarten through fifth grade have gotten 30-minute music lessons once every three weeks.
At Thursday’s meeting, Chloe Smith, an eighth-grader at Vista Academy of Visual and Performing Arts, sang an a capella version of “Colors of the Wind” from the film “Pocahontas” to thank the board for retaining the music teachers.
Posted in: Education
Teacher Layoff Meeting Thursday
Written by admin on February 22, 2010
The Murrieta Valley Unified School District board will discuss potential teacher layoffs when it meets at 4 p.m. Thursday.
Facing a $14 million budget deficit for 2010-11, the district has asked employees to take a 7.25 percent salary cut.
Without some kind of reduction, more than 225 teachers and support workers could be laid off and class sizes increased, it was reported last month.
At Thursday’s meeting, information will be given regarding potential teacher layoffs, including financial and educational implications. The meeting agenda does not state how many teaching positions are on the chopping block.
The meeting will be at the district office, 41870 McAlby Court.
Posted in: Education
Free Driver Safety Classes in CBad
Written by admin on February 5, 2010
Free driver safety classes will be offered to teenagers and their parents at Carlsbad police headquarters for the next three Tuesdays this month.
The Smart Start classes conducted by the California Highway Patrol are aimed at parents and their children ages 15 to 20 who recently have received a driver’s license, or soon will, CHP Officer Eric Newbury said.
Those interested may make a reservation through Newbury at 760-757-0824 for Feb. 9, 16 or 23. Classes run from 6 to 8 p.m. at police headquarters, 2560 Orion Way.
Murrieta School Board With More Cuts
Written by admin on February 5, 2010
The governing board and top administrators in the Murrieta school district will have their stipends and salaries cut 7.25 percent starting in July —- the same cut they are asking employees to agree to —- it was announced Thursday.
The Murrieta Valley Unified School District board voted unanimously to cut its own stipend as well as the salary and annuity contribution of Superintendent Stan Scheer and the salary and car allowances for the four assistant superintendents and the deputy superintendent.
The moves, effective July 1, are expected to save the district $75,245.50 in the 2010-11 budget year.
Cuts come as the district tries to ease an anticipated $14 million budget shortfall for the next school year.
It’s the second consecutive year the schools have faced large deficits. The current budget was buoyed by federal stimulus funds and by digging deep into reserves.
To me, this is such a shame. If there is anything…any profession that should be making more money in this world, it’s teachers and education. Such a shame.
Posted in: Education
Busby To Be On School Board
Written by admin on January 28, 2010
I know this might rub a few people the wrong way but school officials in Cardiff picked Francine Busby on Wednesday to fill in for the rest of the year on the school board.
Nine people applied for the open seat on the Cardiff Union School District board of trustees, including parents, businessmen, teachers and Busby, who’s running again this year to represent the 50th congressional district.
Busby served on the two-school elementary district’s board before she stepped down to run an unsuccessful campaign in 2006 for the 50th District seat.
Now, I don’t really see much problem with this but I know there are always the Busby haters that will find fault with anything. lol
Posted in: Education
H1N1 Shot Given Despite Orders Not To
Written by admin on January 25, 2010
The San Ysidro School District is investigating how a 13-year-old middle school student received the H1N1 flu vaccination last week over her objections and against the will of her parents.
Jose Gomez, 39, said he signed a form last November stating his daughter, a student at San Ysidro Middle School, was not to get a shot and reaffirmed that position to two people last week. The school provided vaccinations on Thursday.
District Nurse Anita Gillchrest said she investigated the incident and has forwarded a report to Superintendent Manuel Paul, but she said she could not reveal the details.
I can’t help but think this is going to cause quite a stir here locally.
Local Teachers Upset With Pay Decline
Written by admin on January 15, 2010
And I would be too!!
A month after the Vista Unified School District declared an impasse in budget negotiations with its teachers union, hundreds of teachers flooded and slowed down a school board meeting Thursday by asking to speak to every possible item on the agenda.
Most of the teachers who spoke said they were upset with the district’s plan to cut their pay by 2 percent and cut their work year by five days.
I can understand the 5 day thing – but the cut of their entire salary is far too strong, IMO. If anything, teachers should be getting a 2% increase in pay. Such a shame.
Posted in: Education
ADHD A Topic Of Concern
Written by admin on November 9, 2009
Developmental-behavioral pediatrician Dr. Sarita Doyle Eastman will headline The Winston School’s fall Conversation Series “How Parents and Students Succeed with ADHD” at the school’s Del Mar campus Thursday.
The free event is open to the public and will be held from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at the campus at 215 Ninth St. Guests will gather at 4 p.m. for refreshments, followed by Eastman’s presentation and a student panel.
Eastman, a developmental-behavioral pediatrician with a private practice in Carmel Valley, is also one of the school’s founders and a current board member. In her presentation Thursday, she plans to defuse myths about ADHD and give parents and students actionable steps to thrive once the diagnosis is made.
To R.S.V.P. and submit questions to Eastman, e-mail jfarrell@thewinstonschool.com.
Rotary Club To Honor Encinitas Teacher
Written by admin on September 24, 2009
The Encinitas Rotary Club recently honored Sunset High School’s Emily Lawrence as its teacher of the year. Pictured: Student Alexis Kinsmen, left, and Lawrence. Lawrence was instrumental in helping develop her school’s English Learner program and helps run a Latino men’s support group. The Rotary club meets at noon Wednesdays at the Elks Lodge, 1393 Windsor Road in Cardiff. Call 760-930-9336 or visit EncinitasRotary.com.
Posted in: Education
Strike At UCSD
Written by admin on September 24, 2009
UC San Diego students returned to class Thursday amid an animated backdrop of walkouts, teach-ins and an employee strike intended to draw attention to severe state budget cuts.
About 200 students and faculty gathered at an afternoon teach-in to decry the impact of funding cuts, which have prompted student fee hikes, layoffs, unpaid furloughs and numerous other cuts.
Elsewhere on campus, an additional 200 students, faculty and staff rallied in an event billed as a walk-out, marching alongside technical employees on strike over labor negotiations.
Just a pure mess, IMO.
Posted in: Education
