Monthly Archives: June 2009

Got any more good news?

By Roger Phillips | Published: June 30, 2009 | Comments closed
     The California Department of Education just sent out a release bearing this headline: “State Budget Cuts Lead to Dramatic Increase of School Districts on Fiscal Early Warning List.”      Of local note on the list of school districts receiving negative or qualified fiscal certifications is the nearly total absence of San Joaquin County school [...]
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Oakland Unified back in control of destiny

By Roger Phillips | Published: June 30, 2009 | Comments closed
     Six years after it was taken over by the state, Oakland Unified rejoins the living, albeit with an $80 million debt.
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A 6-year-old’s battle with schizophrenia

By Roger Phillips | Published: June 29, 2009 | Comments closed
     Fascinating, disturbing article from the Los Angeles Times.
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NPR on educating English learners

By Roger Phillips | Published: June 28, 2009 | Comments closed
     NPR had a report this morning delving into the issues surrounding the educating of English-language learners.      You can listen to it here.      Additionally, there’s this article on NPR’s Web site.
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The late Michael Jackson’s Stockton moment

By Roger Phillips | Published: June 25, 2009 | Comments closed
     For those who haven’t heard, pop star Michael Jackson has died of cardiac arrest.      Earlier this year on the 20th anniversary of the Cleveland Elementary shootings, The Record took a look back at Jackson’s visit to Stockton.
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Wentworth retiring (UPDATED)

By Roger Phillips | Published: June 24, 2009 | Comments closed
     Fredrick Wentworth, 65, superintendent of the San Joaquin County Office of Education, will retire next year at the end of his current term. He’s been in the job nearly 20 years. The news comes from SJCOE spokesperson Jacqueline Ratto. Wentworth informed the board at a meeting this afternoon. Wentworth is endorsing Deputy Superintendent Mick [...]
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Agenda for SUSD’s R&I meeting Monday

By Roger Phillips | Published: June 24, 2009 | Comments closed
Stockton Unified School DistrictBOARD OF EDUCATION701 North Madison StreetStockton, California 95202(209) 933-7070 Date:  June 29, 2009            Public Session:    5:30 p.m.            Board Room PUBLIC NOTICERESOURCES AND INFRASTRUCTUREBOARD COMMITTEE Colleen Boardman, ChairDaniel Castillo, Sal Ramirez, Members AGENDAI.    Centralized Administration II.    Portable Replacement Project III.    Sunesys Fiber UpdateIV.    Classroom Phone ProjectV.    Measure Q Project UpdatesA.    StaggB.    Walton Dated:       [...]
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Props to my high school

By Roger Phillips | Published: June 24, 2009 | Comments closed
    Courtesy of my old high school buddy, Gordon Balkcom, here’s some education news that has absolutely nothing to do with Stockton, but hey, it’s my blog.
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Federal bailout for California?

By Roger Phillips | Published: June 24, 2009 | Comments closed
     As California and its school districts circle the drain amid the fiscal crisis, the federal government continues to rule out bailing out the not-so-Golden State.      This week, many districts are finalizing budgets, and it’s not been pretty. I asked two superintendents, SUSD’s Tony Amato and Lincoln’s Steve Lowder, their thoughts on whether California should [...]
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Peace in our time?

By Roger Phillips | Published: June 24, 2009 | Comments closed
There was a fleeting instant of harmony at the end of the SUSD board meeting, captured with the trusty point-and-shoot camera. Tony Amato and CSEA firebrand Marilyn Brown shared a moment:And on that note, good night and sweet dreams.
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