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Los Angeles USD is facing significant layoffs, with over 1,000 workers expected to lose their jobs following a recent Board of Education decision. Acting Superintendent Andres Chait acknowledged the impact of these layoffs, stating: “All of us recognize that a reduction in force creates significant uncertainty and personal hardships for employees, families and school communities.” The district's fiscal stability plan anticipates cuts exceeding $3.6bn over the next three years, potentially affecting 6,000 positions, nearly 10% of the workforce. Factors contributing to these cuts include declining enrollment and the expiration of COVID-relief funds. Local 99 executive director Max Arias criticized the necessity of the layoffs, asserting that the district's financial crisis is overstated. The final version of the fiscal stability plan is set to be reviewed in June.

 

Los Angeles Times

The Modesto Bee

5 Strategies to Strengthen Paraeducator Retention

Paraeducator turnover is rising, impacting student support and school stability. This expert guide outlines five practical strategies to improve onboarding, communication, and professional growth to help you retain and support your para staff.

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The Trump administration is withholding more than $2 bn U.S. Department of Education funding approved by Congress earlier this year by delaying a routine federal budget process known as “apportionment,” raising concerns about potential disruptions to education programs and possible legal challenges. As of May 21, the White House Office of Management and Budget had withheld full or partial funding for 34 education programs, including more than $1.8bn tied to competitive grant programs and most of the $790m allocated to the Institute of Education Sciences, the department’s research arm. The administration has previously proposed eliminating all 33 competitive grant programs and sharply cutting research funding, proposals Congress rejected in the fiscal 2026 budget. While larger formula funding streams such as Title programs and special education grants remain unaffected, education advocates and budget experts warned that prolonged delays could prevent the Education Department from issuing grants or renewing existing programs later this year. More than $1bn of the withheld funding could expire and return to the Treasury within four months if not released. The administration said it is reviewing federal spending to ensure alignment with presidential priorities rather than distributing funds “on autopilot.” Critics argue the strategy represents an unprecedented use of the apportionment process and could violate federal laws prohibiting the executive branch from refusing to spend money appropriated by Congress.

 

Education Week News

Meta, TikTok, Snap, and YouTube have settled a lawsuit brought by a Kentucky school district accusing social-media platforms of designing addictive features that harm young users, avoiding what would have been the first jury trial among more than 1,200 similar cases filed by school districts across the United States. The settlement with Breathitt School District, which serves roughly 1,700 students, came just weeks before a scheduled June trial in federal court in California. Financial terms were not disclosed. Meta was the final major platform to settle after TikTok, Snap, and YouTube reached agreements with the district earlier this month. The lawsuits argue that platform features such as infinite scrolling, push notifications, and engagement-driven algorithms contribute to anxiety, depression, self-harm, and other mental-health problems among students, forcing schools to spend more on counseling services, monitoring software, and related support programs. In separate, ongoing litigation, more than 40 states have also filed lawsuits that claim Meta’s products cause safety issues for young people.

 

ABC News

CNBC

Wall Street Journal

Hundreds of Modesto City Schools teachers gathered outside a Board of Education meeting to voice their concerns over healthcare negotiations. MTA President Jennifer McGrath said: “We are asking for a reasonable tiered system that offsets a portion of the enormous growing healthcare costs.” Teachers highlighted that their healthcare expenses often exceed their mortgage payments. The MTA is requesting a district contribution of approximately $1,681.50 for single coverage, while teachers would still pay at least $600 out of pocket. Superintendent Vanessa Buitrago acknowledged the need for more affordable healthcare, stating, “The reality is that healthcare must become far more affordable for our teachers and staff.” Negotiations have been ongoing since fall, with the current contract set to expire on June 30.

 

The Modesto Bee

In San Luis Obispo, parents and students are advocating for full-time librarians at elementary schools as budget cuts threaten library staffing. Holland Ruiz, a fourth-grader at Teach Elementary, expressed her concerns to the school board, saying: "My librarian is a very kind, funny and enthusiastic teacher, and I would be so devastated for her to leave." Assistant superintendent Lisa Yamashita announced plans to split librarians among the district's 10 elementary schools, reducing library hours significantly. Parents argue that the change will negatively impact young learners, urging the district to allow librarians to remain at their schools for maximum hours.

 

San Luis Obispo Tribune

William S. Hart UHSD has appointed Jan Daisher as the new chief administrative officer of student services and leadership support, and Elizabeth Wilson as the principal of Learning Post Academy. Daisher, who has 20 years of experience in educational administration, will mentor and support district administrators.

 

Signalscv.com

The Modesto City Schools Board of Education has approved the first reading of two new physical education policies aimed at enhancing student inclusivity and safety. The policies accommodate students observing religious fasts and establish clearer dress requirements for PE classes. The updates align with California Education Code and the California School Boards Association sample policies. The task force, composed of teachers and administrators, emphasized the need for consistent implementation of these policies across the district. The board members expressed their support for the changes, particularly the accommodations for fasting students, and requested further clarification on the administrative regulations that will guide the policies' execution.

 

The Modesto Bee

At a recent Pajaro Valley USD Board meeting, parents, staff, and community members voiced strong opposition to a proposal to relocate Renaissance High School to the Duncan Holbert Preschool building. Peggy Pughe, the district's director of student support services, highlighted infrastructural issues at the current Renaissance site, including high levels of chromium-6 in the water, stating: “Simply put, the current site is a barrier to their success.” Many parents expressed concerns about the impact on Duncan Holbert's special education program, emphasizing its importance as a supportive community hub.

 

Santa Cruz Sentinel

Santa Ana’s Cesar Chavez High School will be renamed Dolores Huerta High School following serious allegations against Chavez. Santa Ana USD approved the change, with Superintendent Lorraine Perez stating: “Dolores Huerta High School will stand as a powerful reminder of the importance of civic engagement, representation, and service to others.”

 

The Orange Country Register

Tulare County Office of Education has commenced construction on the Tim A. Hire Education Campus Expansion in Visalia, marked by a groundbreaking ceremony on May 12. The project includes three new buildings: a Special Education Center, a Library Media Center, and an Esports Arena. The Special Education Center, estimated to cost $15m, will feature 10 classrooms for up to 80 students and outdoor amenities. 

 

Visalia Times-Delta

Doug Lee, the director of technology at the Humboldt County Office of Education, highlights the significant transformation of internet connectivity in local schools. In the early 2000s, schools relied on limited bandwidth, primarily for administrative tasks. However, as online resources became essential for teaching, the demand for faster connections grew. The Broadband Infrastructure Improvement Grant (BIIG) played a crucial role in this evolution, providing over $8m for improvements and connecting more than 400 schools to the K12 High Speed Network. Today, nearly all Humboldt County schools enjoy 1 Gbps connections, enabling advanced online instruction and tools.

 

Time-Standard

Saugus High School's performing arts program achieved remarkable success at the Jerry Herman Awards, winning the award for Best Musical Direction at the 2026 ceremony. The school previously received nominations in four major categories, including Best Production and Best Ensemble.

 

Signalscv.com

Eight schools in Florida and Georgia are set to pilot a new safety approach using drones to combat school shootings. Deltona High School in Florida will install 39 drones designed to distract attackers with high-pitched sounds and nonlethal pepper balls. “Quite frankly, this is the future,” said Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood during a demonstration. The drones will be activated by educators through an emergency alert system, allowing professional pilots to respond within 15 seconds. However, safety experts like Michael Dorn caution that the technology is unproven and may distract from essential safety practices. The initiative is backed by state grants, with Florida and Georgia allocating $550,000 each for the pilot programs. Critics argue that while innovative, the drones may not effectively address the complexities of real-life emergencies.

 

Education Week News

The Justice Department (DOJ) has intensified its scrutiny of U.S. medical schools, particularly targeting the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and Yale School of Medicine. The DOJ claims these institutions have improperly considered race in admissions, violating a 2023 Supreme Court ruling against racial preferences. Critics argue that the DOJ's stance is fundamentally racist, aimed at preserving white advantages in higher education. Terry L. Simpson, a bariatric physician, emphasized the importance of subjective qualities in medical admissions, stating: “How do they perform in interviews... what activities have they participated in?” The DOJ's reliance on MCAT scores and GPAs as the sole indicators of an applicant's potential is challenged by evidence suggesting that diversity in healthcare improves patient outcomes. The DOJ's approach raises questions about its understanding of what constitutes a good doctor and the broader implications for healthcare equity.

 

Los Angeles Times

France’s Education Ministry is considering special school scheduling arrangements for top esports competitors as part of the government’s national “Esports 2026–2030” strategy, despite ongoing official efforts to curb excessive screen time among children and teenagers. The proposal would allow a limited number of high-performing competitive gamers to receive adjusted academic schedules similar to those already offered to elite athletes, enabling them to travel for tournaments and maintain intensive training programs. The initiative forms part of a broader government-backed effort to position France as a leading global esports market. The strategy also includes plans to introduce esports-related extracurricular activities and digital career training programs, while promoting awareness of professional opportunities and ethical concerns tied to the industry. The initiative has sparked concerns from educators and unions regarding screen addiction, and the growing influence of commercial gaming companies within schools and the normalization of competitive gaming in educational settings.

 

Le Figaro