#GivingTuesday comes only days after many of us have stuffed ourselves silly (Thanksgiving), so maybe it's appropriate that we think about the people who often don't have enough to eat — like some Fresno City College students. Listen to this article: The FCC Ram Pantry, which started in 2015, provides...
Walters: Newsom Wheels and Deals on Big Issues
Gavin Newsom wasn’t born when the TV game show “Let’s Make a Deal” began its run but he’s channeling its host, Monty Hall, during the final days of his first legislative session as governor. Every few days, it seems, Newsom announces that he and legislative leaders have agreed on one...
At Least 2 Handguns Used in Charter School Shooting near Columbine
HIGHLANDS RANCH, Colo. — Two high school students used at least two handguns in the shooting at a charter school that killed one of their classmates and injured eight others in a Colorado community that just weeks ago marked the 20th anniversary of one of the nation's worst school shootings,...
Charter-Mageddon: Lawmakers Advance a Raft of Union-Backed Charter School Curbs
As charter school advocates rallied en masse and California’s teachers’ unions flexed their political muscle, a cluster of bills that would dramatically curb the growth of charters in the state cleared the Assembly Education Committee on Wednesday. The votes were the first in what figures to be a lengthy, high-stakes...
‘Common Sense Regulations’ or ‘an Extended Middle Finger’? How Far Will California Go on Charter Schools?
With new fast-tracked transparency rules for charter schools in California, Gov. Gavin Newsom has fulfilled a January pledge to bring “long overdue” accountability measures to this growing sector of public schools. But the open meeting and disclosure law Newsom signed — after Gov. Jerry Brown vetoed similar bills twice in prior years...
Walters: School Reformers Lose Big, so Now What?
Donald Trump and his Republican Party were obviously big losers in this month’s California election. But so was a loose confederation of civil rights, public school reform and charter school advocates, most of whose leaders are Democrats. The reformers, at times dubbed the “Equity Coalition,” pumped many millions of dollars...
With Board's Blessing, Kepler Neighborhood School Stays Open
The educational mission of Kepler Neighborhood School continues. By a 4-1 vote Thursday, the Fresno County Board of Education granted the school’s appeal to continue operations for another three years. Last month, the Fresno Unified school board denied Kepler’s request for its charter renewal, based mainly on poor test scores....
It's Now Looking Good for Kepler Charter School
In a reversal of fortune, it appears that Kepler Neighborhood School in downtown Fresno will live to teach another day. Meanwhile, things aren't looking good for One & Only Academy proposed within Clovis Unified's boundaries. Fresno County Board of Education trustees will officially decide the fate of the two charter schools...
Beware of the Open Mic! Clovis School Board Member Calls Councilman 'Obnoxious'
An open mic and elected officials are never a good mix. Ask George W. Bush. Or Clint Olivier. Now, some Clovis Unified school board members can join the list of saying things not meant to be heard, but picked up when the microphone remained hot. The latest case happened at...
Thumbs Up or Thumbs Down Tonight for Proposed Clovis Charter School?
A proposed Clovis charter school based on the principle of “mindfulness” could be DOA before getting off the ground if Clovis Unified trustees follow a staff recommendation. One of the school's goals is to provide a safe space for Sikh students who are subjected to bullying and harassment in public...