Effective Governance
Several new and recent polls conducted by Lake Research Partners (LRP), the Public Policy Institute of California and other research groups found that voters nationwide believe that their local school board does the best job addressing issues in public education, and would like to see […]
Teacher burnout, turnover and retention have been at the forefront of the minds of local educational agency leaders for years, but now with increased urgency as the pandemic continues to push many educators to the brink. The six-district Walnut Valley Consortium — comprising Rowland Unified […]
By Dr. Susan Heredia, CSBA President There are exceedingly few silver linings to be found in the tragedy of COVID-19. The academic and social disruption our students have experienced is profound. Yet, if there is one welcome development from the pandemic, it’s the increased attention […]
A new survey of district superintendents shows that the last two years have been challenging enough that almost half — 44 percent — reported considering or are actively planning to leave their role within the next two to three years. That response is tempered, however, […]
California will change its school masking policy from “required” to “strongly recommended” beginning March 12, according to a joint release in which Gov. Gavin Newsom joined the governors of Oregon and Washington in announcing new masking policies. The decision to sunset the statewide mask mandate was accompanied by […]
Budget hearings continue in the Legislature as the 2022 budget cycle moves forward. For schools, a recommitment to the Local Control Funding Formula) through an increase in LCFF base funding beyond the statutorily required cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) is paramount and will continue to be a […]
Multiple school districts and county offices of education have recently received California Public Records Act or Freedom of Information Act requests for copies of board members’ “surety bonds.” The request may claim that all public officials, including elected board members, are required to obtain a […]
As a member of a school board governance team, few situations are more sensitive than a district delivering March 15 layoff notices. The March 15 notice is a formal, written announcement from a school district to employees informing them that they may be released for […]
Following a rousing performance by Alhambra Unified School District’s Mark Keppel High School all-male hip hop dance crew, as well as an address from State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, who spoke about ongoing literacy efforts and the integration of programs and strategies to […]
Adam Escoto is featured as the member profile in the fall issue of California Schools magazine, which featured an excerpt from his interview. The full interview is presented below. How long have you been a board member and what inspired you to run? On January […]
