March 1, 2010
Desperate times may call for desperate measures, but they should be taken only after careful thought and planning. Collaboration between Pueblo County’s two school districts may have seemed unthinkable a few years ago, but combining some functions could improve services and each district’s bottom line. That was the consensus Friday during a congenial […]
March 1, 2010
President Obama plans Monday to outline a get-tough str ategy for turning around persistently struggling schools, offering increased federal funding to local school systems that shake up their lowest-achieving campuses. Obama was expected to promote his initiative in a 10 a.m. appearance Monday before an organization called America’s Promise Alliance, founded by former secretary of […]
March 1, 2010
Once again, facts are getting in the way of those who would question the success of charter schools. Critics often claim that charter schools are more effective than district-run public schools only because they are better funded. In fact, according to a new report, New York City’s chart er schools are thriving despite receiving fewer […]
March 1, 2010
The mass firing of teachers at Central Falls High School in Rhode Island on Tuesday, February 23, was greeted with predictable enthusiasm by the Obama administration. Education Secretary Arne Duncan, declared, “I applaud Commissioner Gist and Superintendent Gallo for showing courage and doing the right thing for kids.” Duncan was referring to events at the […]
March 1, 2010
Joyce Haldeman, the district’s associate superintendent of government relations, could not provide figures on potential teacher layoffs but said the number would not be many if teachers union officials would agree to salary reductions of 2 percent to 4 percent. "We have talked about the need for a ‘shared sacrifice,’" Haldeman said. "We could save […]
March 1, 2010
The Lucia Mar school district is planning to issue layoff notices for 80 full-time-equivalent teaching, counseling and administrative posts that could be cut in the next academic year to help close a $5 million budget gap. Three full-time management positions, plus three that are now vacant, could also be cut. The separate plans are up […]
March 1, 2010
LOCKPORT — When Robert Leiser, a father of two children at DeWitt Clinton Elementary School, stood up before the Lockport School Board, rumors had been swirling for a week. He was full of questions: Is De- Witt Clinton closing? Why does a school have to close at all? What happens next? What can parents do? […]
March 1, 2010
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Missouri’s budget troubles have reopened divisions among public schools, which after uniting in a quest for more money now are splintering over who should bear the brunt of state funding cuts. The budding disagreement at the Missouri Capitol comes down to a difference of opinion about what is fair — an […]
March 1, 2010
TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Legislature faces a health care crisis disguised as budget crisis. As leaders in Congress wrestle with health insurance reform, the consequences of millions of uninsured Floridians looms starkly over the 2010 Florida legislative session, which begins Tuesday. The state faces a $3 billion budget shortfall, and Medicaid is one of the […]
March 1, 2010
ASHEVILLE — When Mikaela Bartow wasn’t feeling well one recent morning, the sixth-grader visited the health center at Erwin Middle School. Health center workers were able to do a test for strep throat, get the results back right away and call in a prescription that would be waiting for Mikaela’s mom. “It’s wonderful,” said Mikaela’s […]