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California
21st May 2026
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THE HOT STORY

Sacramento board defies charter revocation

The Sacramento County Board of Education voted 4-3 to overturn the Twin Rivers USD's decision to revoke the charters of Highlands Community Charter and Technical Schools. This decision followed a state audit revealing that the schools improperly received over $180m in taxpayer funds. Twin Rivers officials claimed the schools failed to correct violations by the September 2025 deadline. The California State Auditor highlighted poor fiscal oversight, including nearly $2m spent on gifts and trips, and issues with teacher credentialing. Twin Rivers United Educators expressed disappointment over the reversal, stating, “We remain committed to fighting for Highlands students, educators, and our greater community.” Despite improvements claimed by Highlands officials, Twin Rivers maintained that material violations persisted. California Teachers Association President David Goldberg emphasized the need to uphold the revocation due to unresolved issues.

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NATIONAL NEWS

RFK Jr. backs school screen time restrictions and nutrition reforms

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced a new surgeon general’s advisory warning about the harms of excessive screen time for children while visiting Iowa for the signing of the state’s “Make America Healthy Again” legislation. The advisory encourages schools and families to limit cellphone and screen use among children, citing concerns about mental health, physical health, academic performance, and social development. Kennedy praised Iowa’s existing cellphone restrictions in schools and called for similar policies nationwide. Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds also signed a broad health-focused law that limits digital instruction for K-5 students to one hour per day, bans certain food dyes and additives in school meals, expands physical activity requirements, and seeks tighter restrictions on SNAP purchases of unhealthy foods. The law additionally requires more nutrition training for medical students and allows pharmacists to distribute ivermectin over the counter. Kennedy described Iowa’s actions as an example of “bold public health leadership” focused on prevention, nutrition, and healthier lifestyles.

LEGAL

Democratic states sue Education Department over nursing loan policy

A coalition of 25 states and the District of Columbia has sued the U.S. Department of Education over changes that limit federal student loans for nursing degrees, arguing the policy could worsen healthcare worker shortages. The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Maryland, claims Education Secretary Linda McMahon exceeded her authority by refusing to classify nursing as a professional degree, a designation that would allow graduate nursing students to access higher federal loan limits. Under the new policy, nursing students pursuing graduate degrees would face the lower federal borrowing cap for nonprofessional programs, despite the high cost of nursing education. According to the lawsuit, an entry-level Master of Science in nursing program costs about $77,155 per year, compared with the federal loan cap of $20,500. The states also challenged the Education Department’s implementation of grandfathering provisions for current students, arguing it is unlawful to remove protections from students who transfer schools or temporarily withdraw and later re-enroll. Democratic attorneys general and governors involved in the lawsuit said the restrictions could discourage students from entering the nursing profession or force them to rely on more expensive private loans.

GOVERNANCE

Morales faces backlash over bonus scandal

César Morales, Ventura County Superintendent of Schools, admitted to receiving a nearly $16,000 unauthorized bonus in 2024, which he has since repaid. "I shared the information to be fully transparent," Morales said, acknowledging the error. The controversy arises as he seeks reelection this June. Board Member Michael Teasdal withdrew his endorsement, expressing concern over the delay in disclosing the payment during an election period. Richard Lucas III, another board member, stated: "Integrity is doing the right thing regardless of whether anyone is looking," criticizing Morales for not meeting that standard. The bonus, part of a budget surplus and a 5% salary increase for employees, was not approved by the board, leading to scrutiny of Morales' governance.

WORKFORCE

San Bernardino school cuts positions

San Bernardino USD has made significant staffing adjustments, cutting 12 non-teaching positions and reducing hours for 16 others. Despite sending out 37 layoff notices in March, district officials stated that no employees lost their jobs, thanks to reassignments. "The district did not lay off any employees as part of the staffing adjustments," said district representative Goodwin. The changes were made to align with budgetary constraints and ensure resources support students and schools. Positions eliminated included bilingual clerks, instructional aides, and recreation aides. Legal director David Loy from the First Amendment Coalition raised concerns about the legality of discussing layoffs in closed sessions, suggesting it may violate the Brown Act. Goodwin maintained that the district operated within legal boundaries throughout the process.

Teachers push back on TOSAs plan

Saugus USD is facing significant pushback from teachers and community members regarding the proposed hiring of two Teachers on Special Assignment (TOSAs) for social-emotional learning. Many educators believe that the funds should instead be allocated to hiring more classroom aides and intervention teachers. A survey conducted by the Saugus Teachers Association revealed that "an overwhelming majority of responses state that SEL TOSAs are not needed and represent a waste of money." Teacher Ingrid Boydston expressed concerns about the district's interpretation of survey data, stating: "We made it really super clear that we do not believe that creating SEL TOSA positions will help us with our big behavior crisis at all."

FINANCE

Measure B campaign raises $9,450

A campaign supporting the parcel tax for Palo Alto USD, known as "Yes on Measure B," has reported raising $9,450 through five donations. Notable contributions include $1,000 from teachers' union president Tom Culbertson, $950 from the Palo Alto Council of PTAs, and $500 from Santa Clara County Board of Education member Jessica Speiser. The largest donations came from LPA Design Studios, which donated $2,000, and Overwatch Construction Management, which contributed $5,000. Despite these efforts, former board members Todd Collins and Ken Dauber expressed concerns about the campaign's community support, stating: "What we are seeing now is a historic lack of enthusiasm from the very people... who usually provide the backbone of school support." Ballots for Measure B were sent out on May 4 and are due by June 2.

Modesto schools eye November bond measure

Modesto City Schools (MCS) is considering a bond measure for the November ballot, which could authorize the sale of up to $250m in bonds. The funds would be allocated for upgrading high school classrooms, labs, and career training facilities, as well as repairing essential infrastructure. Trustee Cindy Marks expressed concerns about multiple bond measures potentially confusing voters, stating: “I still believe that our needs are great and we've accomplished a lot.” If approved, this would be MCS's fifth bond since 2018. Meanwhile, Sylvan USD is also contemplating a bond measure, with the last one passed in 2006. YCCD has not yet confirmed a bond measure but has received positive feedback from surveys.

CONSTRUCTION AND RENOVATION

Folsom schools set for expansion

Folsom Cordova USD plans to open seven new schools over the next decade to accommodate rising enrollment, according to spokesperson Angela Griffin. The proposed campuses include three high schools, two middle schools, and two elementary schools, with openings scheduled from 2027 to 2036. Griffin stated: “It is important to note that as growth ebbs and flows, we will update these projections.” The district, serving about 22,000 students, is also considering a districtwide bond measure to address an estimated $4.1bn in facility needs, including new construction and repairs. Current capacity levels show that high school enrollment is projected to exceed available space by 2030, necessitating these expansions. Griffin emphasized the need for local funding to meet the anticipated costs.

Eliot tower's fate hangs in balance

Pasadena USD is set to conduct a year-long environmental impact report on the Eliot Arts Magnet Academy tower to assess its safety. Superintendent Elizabeth Blanco announced this decision at the Altadena Town Council meeting, reversing her previous statement that the tower was unsafe. Blanco expressed regret for any distress caused by her earlier comments, stating: “I want to sincerely apologize for any grief I caused anybody.” The environmental review process will include a significant public comment period and could take up to a year, alongside the three-year timeline for rebuilding the academy. If the tower is found structurally unsound, the district may consider constructing a replica for public access. 

CAREER & TECHNICAL EDUCATION

Sierra High earns prestigious gold medal

Sierra High School has been awarded the Career Choices Gold Medal, the highest recognition from Academic Innovations, for its outstanding performance in preparing students for post-high school success. This achievement marks a significant upgrade from its previous Silver-level recognition, showcasing years of dedication to student growth. “Sierra High School continues to raise the bar for what’s possible when career and life planning is embedded into the student experience,” said Mindy Bingham, chief executive of Academic Innovations. The school integrates the Career Choices curriculum and My10yearPlan.com, enabling students to create personalized 10-year plans that align academic choices with career goals.

STEM

RoboBowl sparks student innovation

More than 100 students from Long Beach USD participated in the annual “RoboBowl” robotics competition, which took place on May 16 at McBride High School. The event brought together 150 middle school students to showcase their engineering, teamwork, and problem-solving skills through various challenges. In its 12th year, the competition aims to foster creativity and technical skills among students, shaping future STEM leaders. Hughes Middle School emerged as the overall winner, with both Hughes and Tincher K8 Alliance being crowned tournament champions. The event was hosted by the LBUSD Secondary Office and McBride High School, with sponsorship from the Port of Long Beach and the Apostle Foundation.

TRANSPORTATION

School systems scramble to manage soaring diesel costs

School districts across the United States are reshuffling budgets and adjusting transportation operations as elevated diesel prices continue to strain finances amid the ongoing war in Iran. A new survey conducted in May by AASA, The School Superintendents Association, the Association of School Business Officials International, and the National Association for Pupil Transportation found that many districts are already over budget on fuel spending and are preparing for additional financial pressure next school year. District leaders said prolonged high fuel prices could force cuts to extracurricular activities, facilities and maintenance projects, and noninstructional staffing. Some districts also plan to continue relying on reserve funds and renegotiate fuel supply contracts to manage volatility. The survey highlighted that most of the nation’s 500,000 school buses still run on diesel fuel, leaving districts heavily exposed to swings in global energy markets. Nearly two-thirds of districts also use natural gas or similar fuels for HVAC systems. Rural districts, which often transport students across longer distances, are expected to face the greatest pressure from sustained high fuel prices. About two-thirds of respondents said their states do not provide dedicated transportation funding that automatically adjusts for fuel price increases, making budgeting more difficult during periods of market volatility.

HIGHER EDUCATION

Fortune Schools and Sac State unite

Sacramento State and Fortune Schools have formed a partnership to guarantee admission for eligible Fortune graduating seniors starting with the class of 2026. To qualify for the College Preparation and Priority Admissions Consideration Program, students must have been enrolled at Fortune Schools since ninth grade, complete all “A-G” coursework, and meet Sac State’s admission requirements. “This MOU is a game-changer for our scholars,” said Margaret Fortune, president and chief executive of Fortune Schools. The collaboration aims to provide students with access to financial aid, scholarships, and additional support services. Dr. Luke Wood, president of Sacramento State, emphasized the partnership's commitment to closing opportunity gaps and investing in the community.

Harvard moves to curb grade inflation with new A-grade cap

Harvard University has voted to cap the number of A grades awarded in undergraduate courses as part of an effort to combat grade inflation and preserve academic standards. The new policy limits A grades to 20% per course, with a small allowance for additional A’s in smaller classes, and will take effect in fall 2027 after strong student backlash prompted a delay. University officials said the changes are needed after A grades rose to about 60% of all grades in 2024–25, compared with roughly 25% two decades ago. Harvard will also replace GPA with percentile rankings for academic honors because grade compression has made distinctions harder to measure.

INTERNATIONAL

Calgary schools face mounting disruption as substitute teacher shortages worsen

A growing shortage of substitute teachers across Alberta is leaving schools struggling to cover classes, with Calgary’s public school system now unable to fill roughly 200 teaching absences per day. The Calgary Board of Education said around 20% of substitute teaching jobs went unfilled in April, up from 16% a year earlier, forcing schools to combine classes, reassign principals, cancel teacher prep time, and rely on educational assistants to supervise students. Teachers said the shortages are contributing to burnout, with many reluctant to take sick leave because replacements are unlikely to be found at short notice. The Alberta Teachers’ Association said the problem intensified after the COVID-19 pandemic, when many substitute teachers left the profession permanently, while growing demand for teachers across the province has further strained staffing levels. The province has recently committed funding to hire nearly 1,900 additional teachers through new complexity teams and class-size reduction initiatives, alongside plans to fast-track teacher certification for internationally trained educators and skilled professionals.

China's Education Ministry promotes play-based learning over early tech exposure

China’s Ministry of Education has urged parents and schools to avoid relying on “digital babysitting” and instead prioritize play, companionship, sports, and outdoor activities for young children, as part of a nationwide push to strengthen preschool education practices. The ministry launched its 2026 national preschool education publicity month on Tuesday, emphasizing that play should remain the primary activity in early childhood education. Officials said digital tools, including reading companions, chat-based applications, and interactive games, should not replace traditional picture books, toys, or direct human interaction. The ministry also warned kindergartens against using digital products to automatically generate child observation records or developmental assessments, citing concerns about the improper and excessive use of technology in preschool settings. The announcement comes as China continues expanding access to preschool education. In 2025, the country’s gross enrollment rate for the three years before primary school reached 92.9%, while affordable kindergarten coverage climbed to 91.5%. China’s Preschool Education Law officially took effect on June 1, 2025, and the country has also begun gradually rolling out free preschool education programs nationwide.

AND FINALLY......

Love blooms at graduation ceremony

During the UC Davis School of Medicine commencement ceremony, Habib Salamah proposed to Alaa'i Alshabrawy, creating a memorable moment that has since gone viral. As Salamah received his diploma, he dropped to one knee, prompting applause from the audience. “When I got down on one knee, I wasn't just asking Dr. Alshabrawy to marry me, I was also pleading with the world to see Palestinians as human beings, too,” Salamah said. Alshabrawy, who is an internal medicine resident and graduated in 2025, expressed gratitude to those who celebrated their engagement, stating: “Thank you all for celebrating such a special day with me.” The couple's heartfelt moment highlights the intersection of personal milestones and advocacy for human dignity.
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