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January 31, 2008

MB Trustee Is Censured

Manhattan Beach school board members on Wednesday night voted to censure one of their own, asking outspoken, polarizing first-termer Bill Eisen to step down.

The move punctuates a recent period of growing strife between Eisen and fellow trustees, whom he has publicly insulted and repeatedly accused — in meetings, in letters to local publications and elsewhere in the community — of collusion, conspiracy and violations of public-meeting law, the Brown Act.

A nearly four-page resolution detailing the myriad complaints about Eisen and highlighting his recent controversial actions stated that he is being censured for “conduct inimical to the interest of the [district], its community, staff and students.”

“His outbursts, disruptions of meetings and the false statements he continues to make at meetings, and his letters to editor are major distractions” to the board, President Amy Howorth said of Eisen after the meeting.
“The rest of us have the students’ interests at heart, we keep students our primary focus,” she added. “Mr. Eisen doesn’t seem to share that focus.”

Stating emphatically during public discussion that he has “no intention of resigning,” Eisen reiterated that point in a Thursday interview, calling the censure “just a charade to silence me.”

For the full story, read Friday's Daily Breeze.

Tell the prez what to do, get $4400

While perusing the local blogs this morning, I found some info on the POWWOW blog about a scholarship opportunity. To apply, students write an essay about what the next president should focus on. They could win $4400.

Here's the link for more details.

January 30, 2008

Westchester High Wants You!

A parent group is looking to increase participation in the Parent Teacher Student Association at Westchester High, and will host elections in March for nine seats on the school support committee.

The Parents of Westcester With Orville Wright has been advertising the panel, and encouraging parents and students to seek seats. Elections will be at 6 p.m. March 10 at Westchester High's library, 7400 W. Manchester Ave.

Membership in the group costs $10. All positions are open for aspiring volunteers. Candidates interested on the association's board should contact Ilene Ashcraft at 310-645-7006. Applications are due Friday (Feb. 1).

PV Peninsula High ready for 8th-graders

Palos Verdes Peninsula High School in Rolling Hills Estates will open its doors today to families of prospective students from 5 to 8:15 p.m.

For the first hour, teachers will give demostrations of lessons. From 6 to 7 p.m., parents and students are invited to visit classrooms. Following that, current students, administrators, teachers, counselors and others will be available to answer questions.

For more information, contact Associate Principal Mitzi Cress at 310-377-4888, ext. 273 or via e-mail at cress@pvpusd.k12.ca.us.

New Gardena High principal

From Paul's story:

An administrator with a penchant for discipline and efficiency will take over as principal at Gardena High, the Los Angeles Unified School District announced Tuesday.

Kevin Kennedy, 59, sought the position after more than six years as assistant principal at Narbonne High School in Harbor City. He starts Monday.

"I believe that Kennedy's leadership skills are well established," said Linda Del Cueto, superintendent of Local District 8.

Kennedy will replace Russ Thompson, who accepted a promotion to become a regional administrator in South Los Angeles.

January 29, 2008

Bush's ed grant program rejected

Democratic lawmakers and teachers' unions were quick to denounce much of President Bush's education elements from the State of the Union speech, the New York Times reports.

President Bush’s call for a $300 million program called Pell Grants for Kids is the latest effort by his administration to channel tax dollars to low-income parents to help them send their children to private or religious schools.

His proposal, in his State of the Union address Monday night, was denounced by some top Democratic lawmakers and teachers’ union officials as a national “voucher” program that would only drain resources from urban public schools that in many cases are in need of money.

In his final State of the Union, Bush also discused No Child Left Behind, the landmark law first passed in 2001 that his administration has so far failed to renew.

LAUSD, colleges to rejoin forces

High school students in the Los Angeles Unified School District can look forward to more college-level courses, alternative programs and assessment tests under a new collaboration to link them to community colleges.

In a rare joint meeting last week, the boards of Los Angeles Unified and the Los Angeles Community College District agreed to develop the plan and work out the details by July.

The partnership is expected to bring more vocational training for high school students and produce graduates better prepared for college course work.

Read Paul's story for more.

Financial aid workshop in Hawthorne

State Sen. Edward Vincent (D-Inglewood) will host a workshop to help students learn about and apply for financial aid using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and Cal Grant form. The workshop is set for 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday (Feb. 2) at the Hawthorne Memorial center, 3901 W. El Segundo Blvd., Hawthorne.

Vincent will award one student a $1,000 scholarship.

Students must apply for a Cal Grant, a state monies given to students to help pay for college expenses, by March 2.

For more information, contact the district office of Vincent, who represents Gardena, Hawthorne and the Palos Verdes Peninsula. Call 310-412-0393.

January 28, 2008

New Gardena High principal named

The Los Angeles Unified School District's Local District 8 superintendent has picked a candidate to replace Russ Thompson, as principal of Gardena High.

We're still getting the details and will let you know when we know more. Stay tuned...

El Segundo Hosting Community Forum on Facilities

The El Segundo Unified School District is holding a special community meeting Tuesday night to update residents on the status its fine arts and athletic facilities — and involve them in brainstorming solutions.

El Segundo High School’s auditorium and outdoor athletic facilities together are the focal point of the forum. The age of both are increasingly lamented and decried for “not reflect(ing) the 21st Century goals” of the district.

The open session — running from 7-9 p.m. tomorrow in the high school library — will begin with an overview of district facilities. Attendees will be broken into smaller groups to talk over some assigned, related topics, then reconvened to debrief about those discussions.

Does anyone smell a potential new bond measure down the line? It's not far-fetched, especially in light of the Governator's proposed drastic slashing of education funds, via the new state budget, that are likely to force most districts into major cutting mode.

The El Segundo district in November 2006 attempted and lost its bid for the $19-million bond Measure Q, which would have helped fund an aquatic center, a renovated auditorium and myriad other athletic-facilities fixes.

El Segundo High is located at 640 Main Street, in El Segundo.

TUSD Facing Big Cuts?

Torrance Unified's Superintendent, George Mannon, appeared recently on the local edition of CNN/Time Warner's "Headline News" to discuss how the recently released state budget -- with its proposed drastic cuts to public education -- may impact the district.

In his five-minute appearance, Mannon notes that the 33-school system is facing a potential $6-million hole in its general fund for the 2008-2009 school year that may result in "cuts in all areas," including layoffs of teachers, administrators and classified staff and increased class sizes.

"We are in a very difficult period right now," the schools chief said during the segment.

Hear Mannon's comments in their entirety:


LA Daily News: Yes on Prop. 92

In this editorial, the Daily News claims the "imperfect ballot measure" is "the only way to create a better world for the state's often overlooked community college system."


More dropouts due to Algebra II?

The Westchester Parents blog has an interesting post about the impact of LAUSD's decision to require Algebra II for a diploma starting with the Class of 2016. Former President Jose Huizar got it passed in 2006. Students have enough trouble getting through the first level of the subject:

Algebra I is a stumbling block for most of the students that eventually forces them to assess their chances at graduation and for many, that means to drop out.

The Algebra I requirement was a result of a late 1990’s change in California’s curriculum that dramatically shifted the focus of educating students from professional careers to instead meeting college requirements.

Bringing black history to life

Read Paul's story about Antwan Herron's one-man performance celebrating Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech...

January 26, 2008

Westchester parents take matters into their own hands

Paul Clinton reports:


Parents and teachers at Westchester High School have voted to put themselves in charge of academic reforms in an effort to take the low-performing school where Los Angeles Unified couldn't.

Working with Loyola Marymount University under the banner of the district's new Innovation Division, they will try to turn around a school that ranks in the bottom fifth of the state academically.

Read the story.

PV Peninsula district plans layoffs

Paul Clinton reports that the Palos Verdes Peninsula School District is looking at nearly $4 million in budget cuts through the 2008-09 school year in response to the state funding cuts. That would include some layoffs.

District managers have identified as much as $3.7 million worth of cuts, which would include the elimination of 57 teachers, counselors and other positions.

The district will notify teachers, counselors and other certified personnel of layoffs by March 27. Layoff notices for janitors, secretaries and other classified staff will be mailed by Feb. 28, the district said Thursday.

Read the story.

Could Torrance really pass some school bonds?

Shelly Leachman reports that a Bay Area consulting group has found that Torrance voters might support $350 million in school bonds on the November ballot.


The Torrance Unified School District was informed this week that the survey, conducted Nov. 16 to Dec. 2, revealed 56.7 percent of those polled would green-light such bonds to improve school facilities. Under state law, 55 percent is required for approval.

The survey also found that 78 percent of respondents think the schools are in "moderate" or "great" need of renovation. So I guess that means that more than 20 percent of people who think the schools need help still don't want to help pay for it.

Shelly also notes in the story that in the district's 60-plus-year history, only one bond measure has passed. That was for $42 million in bonds, 10 years ago.

Read the story.

January 25, 2008

Easy access to our Newspapers in Education feature

Teachers, we've added a link to our "Newspapers in Education" Web page over there in the links at the right. The Web page helps you tailor news events into lessons for your classrooms.

January 24, 2008

LAUSD truancy program to grow

An anti-truancy program at Los Angeles Unified elementary schools is being expanded, City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo announced Wednesday.

Under "Operation Bright Future," specialists are assigned to work closely with school administrators to prevent truancy through education and intervention, according to the City Attorney's Office.

The program up until now has been in operation at 30 middle schools. It is being expanded to 16 elementary schools that are feeder campuses for four of those 30 campuses, according to the City Attorney's Office.

"Research shows that early intervention at the elementary school level is a tried and true component of successful truancy and dropout prevention programs," Delgadillo said.

"Through our partnership with the LAUSD and other municipal agencies, we can ensure that every child attending LAUSD has the opportunity for the bright future they deserve."

Centinela district hires 2 top leaders

Interesting nuggest in Shelly's story about the new hirings. Turns out, the recently fired superientendent is still collecting coin:

It was also revealed on Tuesday that the district's prior, recently fired leader is still collecting a paycheck.

Though she was ousted in December, previous Superintendent Cheryl White continues to receive her roughly $157,000 annual salary, (Board President Gloria) Ramos confirmed, noting that a separation agreement has yet to be reached.

"Technically, she is on administrative leave," Ramos said of White. "We would hope that Dr. White would care enough about the district to work with us on an amicable separation."

Sex Ed Goes High Tech

The Bay Area is the site this week of the first-ever "SexTech" conference, focusing on how to use Web 2.0 tools, mobile technology and video games to teach teens about sex.

According to the San Francisco Chronicle, which is covering the event, some suggested products arising from dicussions include: "A video podcast that talks frankly about sex. A 3-D computer game that sends teens on missions and, in the process, teaches them about safe sex and the consequences of sex. Text messages that answer frequently asked questions about condoms, pregnancy, sexuality, sexually transmitted diseases and abuse."

Interesting stuff. Read more here.


Health cuts hurt LAUSD

Los Angeles Unified schools could lose up to $20 million - and be forced to close many of the region's school-based health clinics - under a plan by the Bush administration to stop reimbursing districts for certain Medicaid costs.

Local programs - including clinics at Carson High and Gardena High, coordination of asthma treatment or mobile medical vans that visit elementary schools - could be scaled back or eliminated, the district said.

Read the full story here.

January 23, 2008

Cash for College!

The California Student Aid Commission is bringing a workshop to Westchester High School later this month to teach students how to apply for $1,000 Cal Grants for college. The grants are available to mid- and low-income 12th-graders graduating in the spring.

As part of the 2008 campaign, the commission has formed the Cal Grant College Cash Crew, a group of current and recent Cal Grant recipients that will encourage California students to apply for Cal Grants throughout January and February. Additionally, informational workshops will be held throughout the state to help students fill out forms and apply for Cal Grant money.

The workshop is from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday (Jan. 29) at Westchester High, 7400 W. Manchester Ave. For more information, contact Shanell Leggins at 310-338-2406 or via e-mail at lsl3557@lausd.net.

LAUSD scales back construction plans

Declining enrollment has prompted the Los Angeles Unified School District to scale back a $20 billion school construction and remodeling program meant to relieve overcrowding and end involuntary busing, it was reported today.

The building program, paid for by four bond issues approved by local voters and state funds, is believed to be the largest public works project in the nation.

But since the fall, the school system has canceled plans for 19 new schools and additions to existing campuses in South Gate, Bell, Van Nuys, San Fernando, Sun Valley and central Los Angeles and other areas, citing new enrollment projections, the Los Angeles Times reported.

The Board of Education yesterday downsized five new schools, eliminating more than 1,000 seats, and last year, the district decided against building seven others, also largely because of decreased enrollment, according to The Times.

Read the full report here.

Graffiti vandals arrested in Carson

Carson Sheriff's deputies arrested five teenagers early Wednesday suspected of several tagging incidents, including a large graffiti job on the front wall of Carson High School a few months ago. The boys will be charged with felony vandalism. Deputies served warrants at five locations, and pulled one boy out of school. Full story by Gene Maddaus in tomorrow's Breeze.

January 22, 2008

Online applications to 2-year colleges spike

Students applying to California Community Colleges online are submitting electroniclly in record numbers, the colleges reported today.

For the first time ever, in 2007, more than 1 million students used a Web-based admissions portal (known as CCCApply) to submit applications.

"This represents a significant milestone for this very successful system technology initiative," said Chancellor Diane Woodruff.

The colleges developed the portal in 2001, when 7,000 students used it. It's in place at Los Angeles Harbor College in Wilmington and El Camino College in Torrance.

The California Community College system is the largest higher educational system in the nation comprised of 72 districts and 109 colleges with more than 2.6 million students per year.

Redondo high girl caught in gang crossfire

From Denis Nix's story:

A Redondo Union High School student was one of two teens who were shot and killed during a melee at a party in Long Beach over the weekend, school officials confirmed today.

Breon Taylor, 15, died at Long Beach Memorial Hospital Sunday following the shooting the night before.

There's a photo of Breon, if you follow the link.

P.V. High parking update

Courtesy of Megan Bagdonas:

At their meeting tonight (Jan. 22), Palos Verdes Estates City Council will vote whether to approve staff recomendations for a restricted parking zone in neighborhoods surrounding Palos Verdes High School.
The city staff report recommends sending out ballots to property owners whose homes would be included in the proposed zone.
The parking restrictions would include no parking on Monday through Friday from 1 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the neighborhoods north of the school, from Chiswick Road to Dalton Road. South of the school — from Epping Road to Yarmouth Road — restrictions would include no parking from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Residents would be given stickers expempting their cars from the parking restriction zone.
The issue of overflow traffic and limited parking has been an issue in Palos Verdes Estates ever since the initial traffic study came out in December 2001 for the reopening of the high school.

January 21, 2008

Leave it to Arkansas...

Some school kids in a rural town outside Little Rock have found themselves on education's cutting edge.

According to a recent post on the U.S. News & Report Web site, students in Grapevine, Ark., are spending their 90-minute commute to school engaged in live learning, thanks to a WiFi-equipped school bus.

Grapevine native gone Vanderbilt University Professor Billy Hudson conceived the idea and is among those footing the bill. The kids can choose from three online classes -- pre-algebra, algebra 1 and AP biology -- to take while aboard.

Air-quality concerns with LAUSD high school

A new high school planned for the Carson-Long Beach border has prompted concern from environmentalists and a school board member about the facility's proximity to a freeway and container storage yard.

The school's quarter-mile distance from the Long Beach Freeway would place it on a watch list that could be created Tuesday.

Under an initiative proposed by Los Angeles Unified board member Yolie Flores Aguilar, the district would identify planned schools that sit within a half-mile of freeways, diesel truck hubs, ports, refineries and rail yards.

Read the rest of Paul's report here.

A Peek Inside Hip Hop High

Over the weekend, the Los Angeles Times had an interesting Column One feature about a school here in our backyard: The Media Arts Academy, a charter school in Hawthorne known as Hip Hop High.

From the story:

"(The academy) exemplifies, in some ways, the promise and the challenges of the charter school movement.

It is a place where failing students get a second chance. Media Arts showers them with attention, treats them with respect, offers plenty of independence and, along the way, gives them the opportunity to lay down their own hip-hop beats and raps."

Read the entire article here.

RBUSD going big on bond offering


TN00-bon.jpgRedondo Beach Unified will ask voters for $145 million on Feb. 5 to upgrade facilities, such as the rusty lockers shown in this photo. Each campus would receive funds from Measure C; at Redondo Union High School the money would go for an aquatic center, upgraded athletic fields, renovation of the band building and auditorium, and a new student services building.

Read Shelly's report for more.

Gardena High's principal heads out

Gardena High School's principal, who is credited with helping to reduce racial tensions and the school's high dropout rate, is leaving his job.

Russ Thompson, 51, has accepted a promotion as a regional administrator and will leave when the local superintendent finds a replacement.

Thompson will head to the Los Angeles Unified School District's Local District 7 to oversee a variety of high schools, possibly including Locke, Jordan, Fremont or Manual Arts.

During his tenure at Gardena High, after replacing David Almada in the fall of 2004, Thompson's firm hand helped calm the school, colleagues and police said.

"I feel like the school has become much more stable," Thompson said. "We have a very good learning atmosphere at the school. Students are doing a great job of getting to class on time and working hard in their classes."

Read Paul's full report here.

January 18, 2008

The Price of government

Local Assemblyman Curren Price (D-Inglewood) visitied several classrooms to speak with students at Narbonne High School in Harbor City earlier today. Price introduced the students to the workings of state government and answered questions.

The assemblyman represents Gardena, Hawthorne and Lawndale, as well as Inglewood.

January 17, 2008

Broad gives generously to charters

From Naush Boghossian's report:

The Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation announced Thursday a $23.3 million investment to open at least 17 charter schools in Los Angeles.

Three leading charter organizations - KIPP, Aspire Public Schools and Pacific Charter School Development, Inc. - received the grants.

The Foundation has invested $56 million since 2000 in the city's charter schools for projects that will serve 25,000 students.

"High-quality public charter schools in Los Angeles are showing dramatic results in improving student achievement, and we need to do what we can to make sure the best models are available to as many students as possible," said Broad, founder of The Broad Foundation. "Successful charter schools, like KIPP and Aspire Public Schools, have already set the platinum standard in education in Los Angeles, and developers like Pacific Charter School Development are enabling these schools to use their resources for students rather than facilities."

January 16, 2008

RB teacher finalist for Bravo awards

Six Southland teachers and three schools were named finalists for the Music Center of Los Angeles County's Bravo Awards honoring exemplary arts education.

General classroom teacher nominees are Janet Barker of Parras Middle School in Redondo Beach, Safini Convey of Mount Washington Elementary in Los Angeles and Lisa Jenks of Valley View Elementary in Glendale.

January 15, 2008

Centinela Board To Meet Yet Again

Just days after learning in a public meeting that their district is operating in the red and all but broke -- and only a month after an earlier meeting during which they fired Superintendent Cheryl White -- trustees of the Centinela Valley Union High School District are convening again tonight.

Following a closed session to approve a contract for newly installed interim Superintendent Jose Fernandez and, potentially, to hire an assistant superintendent of human resources, a public meeting will include a status report on the district's many and long-term administrative vacancies.

The closed session begins at 4:30 p.m., with the public portion set for 6 p.m. The meeting will be held at the district office, at 14901 S. Inglewood Ave., in Lawndale.

Torrance Elementaries Ending Wednesdays Earlier

With the new year, Torrance elementary schools are on something of a new schedule, letting out 45 minutes earlier every Wednesday to facilitate teacher development sessions. (The only exception is at Carr Elementary, which will continue its already in-place, early-release Tuesdays; kindergartens still get out at the same time.)

The extra time will allow the schools' teachers to collaborate and learn from one another as part of their newly implemented "professional learning communities." All Torrance middle schools made a similar shift in fall 2006.

No instructional time will be lost as a result of the change, which replaces the myriad early-dismissal days once scattered throughout the school year, the district said.

For parents unable to retrieve their children 45 minutes earlier, each school will have a substitute teacher on hand to supervise waiting students.


Magnolia explores San Pedro again

A charter operator will head to Los Angeles Unified's newest committee today to restart its effort to bring schools to San Pedro and three other areas.

The Magnolia Science Academy, with two schools in Reseda and a third set for Venice, plans to open a San Pedro campus in the fall. Last summer, Magnolia shelved plans for a San Pedro school after failing to pin down suitable property.

Founder Joseph Hurmali is confident the school won't have the same problem this time around because its leaders have more time and have broadened their search.

Read Paul's full article here.

January 14, 2008

Carson-Long Beach high school briefing set

Work is scheduled to begin later this month on a high school for Carson students at the site of a Long Beach warehouse once used to store rubber and produce above-ground pools and spas.

While the school has yet to win plaudits from neighbors or the two cities, it would reduce crowding at maxed-out Carson High and Banning High in Wilmington.

At a community meeting scheduled Wednesday, district planners will discuss demolition of the 330,000-square-foot building at Carson Street and Santa Fe Avenue.

A high school with 67 classrooms and a sports stadium with 1,500 seats would be built at the 14-acre site. The district would open the doors to 1,900 students in fall 2012.

Read Paul's full report here.

January 11, 2008

Two LAUSD teachers sue over payroll glitches

ve been underpaid, a violation of labor laws, as a result of the district's troubled payroll system.

Elizabeth Forsberg, a teacher, and Dawn Amenta, an aide, work at El Camino Real High School and say in the Los Angeles Superior Court lawsuit that they have been repeatedly underpaid, meaning they have been earning less than minimum wage.

District officials had no comment on the suit. Spokeswoman Susan Cox said officials in the district's legal department were unavailable late Tuesday. Officials with Deloitte Consulting, the district's payroll contractor - which is also named in the lawsuit - could not be reached for comment.

Teachers and other district employees "have not agreed to work for a lesser wage than the legal minimum wage," the lawsuit says. "Defendant LAUSD has failed and refused, and continues to fail and refuse, to pay for all hours worked as required by California wage and hour laws."

Read the wire report here.

January 10, 2008

One man's view: LAUSD reform crawling along

As a "severe critic" of LAUSD, national columnist Anthony Asadullah Samad acknowledges he "would never put a child of mine (or grandchild) in LAUSD, in its current state. I'd home school them first. LAUSD has produced three generations of functional illiterates."

In his evaluation of Superintendent David Brewer, Samad acknowledges the new supe is caught in the middle of the varied constintuencies who want a better LAUSD. But Samad knocks Brewer for failing to bring in loyal people to help him plow through the district's bureaucratic morass. Here's an exerpt from the rough-up column:

At the end of the day, David Brewer is a pretty lonely man, of late. The majority of those that were responsible for his selection have since been voted off the school board. Like a groom waiting for his bride to show up at the altar, Brewer spent the better part of his first year waiting for a partner (the Mayor) that has yet to show up. His top administrative slots are either vacant or disloyal.

If your'e curious, here's a bio on Samad.

January 9, 2008

Gov's plan brings jitters to South Bay educators

Read the report from Paul and Gene Maddaus on the State of the State speech. More details will come forward, when Schwarzenegger unveils his budget on Thursday.

South Bay legislators and school officials reacted warily Tuesday to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's State of the State address, in which he announced plans to intervene in failing schools and reform the state's budget process.

Due to the budget crunch, Schwarzenegger has scaled back his education ambitions for 2008. Instead of broad-based reform, the governor will seek more affordable measures that could include state takeovers of districts or schools.

On Tuesday, the governor singled out 98 school districts that have underperformed for five consecutive years. The Los Angeles Unified and Lennox school districts made the list.
Los Angeles Unified Trustee Richard Vladovic, who represents the San Pedro-

to-Watts district, said he believes the district is already taking steps to improve its schools and doubted that state intervention would be far-reaching.

"Do I think he'll come in and take over L.A.?" Vladovic asked. "Absolutely not."

CSUDH to host 1st OSHA training center

California State University, Dominguez Hills, has been selected by the federal government to house one of eight new OSHA training institutes nationwide.

A university official said Tuesday that annual enrollment in the university's college's occupational safety classes - now 200 to 300 - should climb to more than 1,200 within five years.

Under the program, curriculum at the OSHA Training Institute Education Center will be certified by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or OSHA.

The campus also is the only OSHA-certified learning center in Los Angeles County and one of three in Southern California. There are only 30 such centers nationwide, not including the eight new sites selected by the U.S. Department of Labor.

Read Muhammed El-Hasan's report for more.

January 8, 2008

Three So Cal colleges make Kiplinger list

University of California campuses at Los Angeles (UCLA), Irvine (UCI) and Riverside (UCR) made the annual Kiplinger's Personal Finance rankings of the top 100 colleges that give you the most bang for your buck. The schools "exemplify excellent academics while keeping their in-state and out-of-state costs to a minimum," according to the publication.

The publication, which announced a list Monday that will be published in the February issue, gave the top spot to the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. The school has claimed the top position for seven years running. Here's an exerpt from the release:

Although prices for public schools remain relatively modest compared with private institutions, annual increases continue to outstrip inflation. In 2007–08, the average total cost for in-state students ran $13,589, a 5.9% increase over the previous academic year, according to the College Board. For out-of-state students, total charges topped $24,000, up 5.4% over the previous year.

UCLA made the top 10 (at No. 10), with its $20,969 in-state annual cost, $40,037 out-of-state cost and $15,996 in average debt following graduation. UCI came in at No. 21. UCR was No. 99. The entire list is available on the Kiplinger Web site.

January 7, 2008

Charter school looking to move from Wright

A semester after parents resisted the arrival of Bright Star Academy at their Westchester middle school, the charter school is looking for a new home.

But if Bright Star can't find a new school site for the fall, the charter could return to Wright Middle School, said Jeff Hilger, executive director.

The group wants to consolidate its three campuses at one location in the Adams-La Brea neighborhood of Los Angeles, where many of the students live, Hilger said.

"If we can get closer to home, that's our preference," Hilger said. "Our plan is to buy a building that can house 1,000 kids."

Read Paul's full report here.

LAUSD payroll glitches rile assemblyman

Charging that the Los Angeles Unified School District is wasting taxpayer funds and dragging its feet in filing a lawsuit against the company responsible for rolling out a problem-plagued computerized payroll system, a state assemblyman said he will introduce a bill today to urge the district to recoup any lost money.

Los Angeles-area Assemblyman Kevin de Leon said he will introduce Assembly Bill 730, which would prevent any contractor found by a court liable for breach of an information-technology contract worth more than $1 million - and the judgment is greater than $250,000 - from bidding on any new business with the state or any local government for five years.

Later in Naush Boghossian's report, de Leon calls out system implementer Deloitte & Touche for running a "very sophisticated scam."