Reopened Ventura County schools returning to normal

Students returned to class Wednesday as three Ventura County schools closed by swine flu reopened, and officials said things started to return to normal.

Value of state tests for second-graders debated

Proponents say the exams keep schools accountable to the public and provide a snapshot of student progress. But the emphasis on testing has been challenged by critics who say too much time is spent preparing for the exams in a culture that can crush kids’ enthusiasm for learning, particularly in the early grades.

Alisal board cuts 16 nonteaching jobs

The Alisal Union School District board of trustees voted to cut 16 non-teaching staff positions at its regular meeting Wednesday night.

Judge halts drug testing at two NorCal high schools

A Northern California school district must temporarily stop a sweeping drug-testing program that included students involved in band and other after-school activities, a judge ruled Wednesday. Shasta County Superior Court Judge Monica Marlow issued a preliminary injunction against the Shasta Union High School District, finding that the district's drug-testing policy is likely to violate the state Constitution.

Students return to Mission Hills after swine flu scare closes school

It was the end of a surprise vacation for some, a happy reunion with friends for others and business as usual for all at Mission Hills High School on Wednesday after students returned from a mandated campus closure.

Judge rules to open Preserve school as neighborhood school

An arbitrator on Wednesday ruled that a school in The Preserve must open this fall. Lewis Group of Companies filed a lawsuit in December against the Chino Valley Unified School District a month after the Board of Education voted to open the school as a districtwide school.

YUSD school board criticizes grand jury

Two weeks after the Madera County Grand Jury blasted a school district board in the Sierra foothills for failing to rein in its troubled superintendent, the board has replied with its own criticisms of the grand jury.

Elk Grove schools lead the way in green cleaning

Custodians in the Elk Grove Unified School District went green before it was trendy. The district started using healthier cleaners 10 years ago.

Latino charter schools in San Jose and Gilroy under investigation

One of San Jose's oldest, largest and most politically powerful Latino community organizations is under investigation for improperly diverting tens of thousands of dollars in retirement funds for employees at its two charter schools in San Jose and Gilroy.

San Ramon Valley schools say despite parcel tax win, they're not in the clear

San Ramon Valley school district officials say they can rest easier with Tuesday's passage of parcel tax Measure C, but they are not in the clear yet.

Board of Education does not act to nullify large administrator raises

The Contra Costa County Board of Education on Wednesday failed to act on a resolution to nullify the raises of three associate superintendents, after an attorney advised trustees they did not have the power to overturn the unpopular salary increases granted by the superintendent.

Drug tests for chess club? Judge says no

A Northern California high school district's drug testing of students taking part in competitive, nonathletic activities - such as the chess club, math team or school band - is an unjustified invasion of privacy, a judge ruled Wednesday in the first case of its kind in the state.

L.A. schools chief critical of unfit teachers 'milking the system'

The top administrator for L.A.'s schools said this morning he was frustrated by unfit teachers "milking the system" by contesting justified dismissals for years. Supt. Ramon C. Cortines was reacting this morning to an article in the Los Angeles Times on how difficult it is to fire teachers for gross misconduct. Today's article, part of an investigative series by reporter Jason Song, detailed how 160 instructors and others remain on the payroll, without any job duties, while their fitness is being evaluated or their dismissals move through due process, which can stretch for years. The in-limbo employees cost the district about $10 million a year.

'Housed' teacher tells his side of the story

The teacher whom the Los Angeles school district has spent seven years and nearly $2 million trying to fire spoke publicly for the first time Wednesday, saying he did not sexually harass students and is the target of discrimination.