OCDE Education in the News

Friday, January 29, 2021

OCDE NEWSROOM

Orange County School Boards Association honors coalition of OC superintendents

The county’s 28 public school superintendents received top honors this week from the Orange County School Boards Association. During a virtual seminar on Jan. 27, the superintendent group was surprised with the prestigious Maureen DiMarco Award “in recognition of exemplary leadership for youth and the education community amidst a global health pandemic.”

https://newsroom.ocde.us/ocsba-honors-oc-superintendents-with-prestigious-service-award/

LOS ANGELES TIMES

DAILY PILOT

CdM adds two turf fields, new track with athletics facilities upgrade

Corona del Mar High School has added two artificial turf fields with lighting and a new track following construction on a project that had a $14.6 million budget. Ground was broken for the project in June of 2019.

https://www.latimes.com/socal/daily-pilot/sports/story/2021-01-28/cdm-athletics-facilities-receive-upgrade

DAILY PILOT

Irvine Unified receives $2 million contribution for arts and science education

As part of a $45-million commitment, the Irvine Co. donated $2 million to Irvine Unified School District’s arts education.

https://www.latimes.com/socal/daily-pilot/entertainment/story/2021-01-28/irvine-unified-receives-2-million-contribution-for-arts-and-science-education

DAILY NEWS LOS ANGELES

Reaction mixed on idea that LA County’s elementary schools can reopen soon

District officials throughout Los Angeles County offered up a mixture of guarded optimism and skepticism on Thursday, Jan. 28, in response to the idea that elementary schools may start to reopen in a few weeks if COVID-19 cases continue falling at its current pace.

https://www.dailynews.com/2021/01/28/reaction-mixed-on-idea-that-la-countys-elementary-schools-can-reopen-within-weeks/

SAN DIEGO UNION TRIBUNE

San Diego Unified’s federal lobbying efforts come under scrutiny by parent group

A parent watchdog group is criticizing San Diego Unified for spending tens of thousands of dollars — including some coronavirus relief money — on a federal lobbying firm instead of spending it on students.

https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/education/story/2021-01-29/sdusd-lobbying

SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE

Newsom's $2 billion plan to reopen schools fizzles

Gov. Gavin Newsom’s widely touted $2 billion proposal to give California schools up to $750 per student to reopen by mid-February has stalled in Sacramento, with no timeline for when the money might be available.

https://www.sfchronicle.com/education/article/Newsom-s-2-billion-plan-to-reopen-California-15906799.php

Superintendent gets vaccine before some teachers, angering staff

Novato Unified School District's Kris Costa — who does not work in a classroom — got his shot. This left many teachers and staffers angry and unvaccinated, reports the Marin Independent Journal.

https://www.sfgate.com/news/editorspicks/article/Bay-Area-school-boss-gets-vaccine-before-teachers-15902674.php

SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS

Alameda County advises schools to file re-opening paperwork

Alameda County’s public health officials are advising schools and school districts to get their safety-measures paperwork filed for a potentially imminent return of in-person learning.

https://www.mercurynews.com/2021/01/28/alameda-county-advises-schools-to-file-re-opening-paperwork-for-in-person-classes/

EDSOURCE

All aspects of his return-to-school plan are negotiable, Gov. Newsom tells superintendents

In an online meeting with school superintendents Thursday, Gov. Gavin Newsom said he’s willing to negotiate with the Legislature all aspects of the $2 billion incentive program he proposed to encourage school districts to send their youngest students back to school, starting in-mid February.

https://edsource.org/2021/all-aspects-of-his-return-to-school-plan-are-negotiable-gov-newsom-tells-superintendents/647813

SAN GABRIEL VALLEY TRIBUNE

Pasadena Unified starts vaccinating teachers and staff

Pasadena Unified appears to have been the first district to start vaccinating its teachers and staff.

https://www.sgvtribune.com/2021/01/28/pasadena-unified-starts-vaccinating-teachers-and-staff/

OTHER NEWS OUTLETS

Newsom: California schools won't reopen 'if we wait for the perfect'

A frustrated Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday said school administrators and teachers unions should agree as soon as possible to reopen schools for younger students — or else be clear with families that they will not return to classrooms at all this academic year. Newsom was responding to growing demands that all teachers receive vaccines first, but also a long list of conditions that go beyond what the governor has proposed as safe to reopen schools that have been shut for nearly a year.

https://www.politico.com/states/california/story/2021/01/28/newsom-california-schools-wont-reopen-if-we-wait-for-the-perfect-1360877

California Teachers Association wants vaccines before schools reopen

The California Teachers Association has added vaccine access to its list of demands for school reopening. In a Wednesday letter to Gov. Gavin Newsom, the state's largest teachers union said that "vaccines for employees are a key element to safe in-person school reopening."

https://www.politico.com/states/california/story/2021/01/27/california-teachers-association-wants-vaccines-before-schools-reopen-1360602

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