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K-12 Dive looks at how President-elect Donald Trump's proposed 25% tariffs on imports from Canada, China, and Mexico could significantly impact K-12 school budgets, driving up costs for construction materials and major purchases. Economists warn that such tariffs, aimed at addressing drug trafficking and immigration issues, may increase the price of critical resources like Canadian lumber and imported goods, leading to higher costs for school renovation and construction projects. Ken Simonson, chief economist at the Associated General Contractors of America, cautioned that tariffs could exacerbate existing labor shortages in the construction industry, where 33% of workers are immigrants. This could delay project timelines and inflate budgets, potentially forcing schools to postpone essential capital projects. In Illinois, West Aurora School District 129’s plan to purchase 27 electric buses with a $5.5 million EPA grant faces uncertainty as Lion Electric, a Canadian supplier with an Illinois factory, evaluates potential operational changes due to tariff concerns. Associate Superintendent Angie Smith noted that these developments could alter pricing, complicating the district's budget planning. Nationwide, K-12 leaders are bracing for potential ripple effects on infrastructure, procurement, and operational costs, underscoring the challenges schools may face if these tariffs are enacted.

 

K-12 Dive

House Republicans’ slimmed-down plan to try to avert a government shutdown was defeated in a hastily called vote Thursday, as several dozen GOP lawmakers joined with Democrats in rejecting the proposal endorsed by President-elect Donald Trump. The package failed by a vote of 174-235 just hours after it was hastily assembled by Republican leaders seeking to comply with Trump's demands. A prior bipartisan deal was scuttled after Trump and the world's richest person Elon Musk came out against it on Wednesday. Government funding is due to expire at midnight, triggering a partial shutdown. Millions of federal and military employees could be hit with paycheck delays, though that depends on how long a shutdown lasts.

 

AP News

Reuters

Washington Post

Wall Street Journal

The Senate has advanced the Social Security Fairness Act, which aims to repeal the Windfall Elimination Provision and Government Pension Offset. If passed, the measure could increase Social Security benefits for public sector workers, including teachers, firefighters, and postal workers, by removing reductions that critics argue unfairly penalize them. Supporters, like Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, emphasize addressing inequities in the current system, ensuring public servants receive their "well-earned benefits." However, concerns over the $190bn price tag and the potential to accelerate Social Security insolvency have drawn criticism, particularly from fiscal conservatives like Sen. Rand Paul. The bill’s passage could significantly affect retired teachers who rely on pensions and Social Security, potentially boosting their retirement income. However, it also raises questions about the financial sustainability of the program, leaving educators and other public workers in uncertain territory. 

 

The Hill

Los Angeles Unified school principals have overwhelmingly voted to join the Teamsters union, with 85% supporting the move. This decision reflects their frustrations over heavy workloads and insufficient support from district leadership, particularly under Supt. Alberto Carvalho. Maria Nichols, president of the Associated Administrators of Los Angeles, stated, “What I hear from the field is people want out, people want to retire early, and they don't feel supported.”

 

Los Angeles Times

Mirella Ramirez, a kindergarten teacher in Oakland, CA, has filed a federal lawsuit against the Oakland USD for allegedly violating her First Amendment rights. Ramirez claims she was terminated for refusing to refer to her five-year-old female student as male, citing her devout Catholic beliefs against gender transition. The 30-page complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, argues that the district compelled her to act against her religious convictions and subsequently fired her for noncompliance.

 

The Bakersfield

The recent shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Milwaukee marks the second school shooting in the Madison area within seven months, contributing to the deadliest year for school shootings in Wisconsin since 1970. According to the K-12 School Shooting Database by David Riedman, there have been 48 school shootings in Wisconsin since 1969, with 26 occurring in the last three years alone. Riedman attributes the rise in incidents to easier access to firearms and unsecured guns, which allow teens to obtain weapons more readily. He emphasizes the importance of educating parents and community members about warning signs, such as an obsession with violence. "It's about existing within an identity and within a subculture," Riedman noted, highlighting the concerning trends among perpetrators of pre-planned school shootings. Meanwhile, police have confirmed that the shooter was contacted by a man in California who was plotting an attack on a government building, according to reports. The 20-year-old California man who communicated with the teenager was ordered to relinquish his guns and ammunition on Tuesday within 48 hours under the state's red flag law, citing the individual as a danger to himself and others.

 

JS online

The Hill

Boston Globe

NPR / National Public Radio

San Francisco public and charter schools can now apply for one-time emergency payments of up to $150,000 through the end of the school year. The Department of Children, Youth and Their Families announced that these rapid-response grants, approved by voters, provide significantly more funding than in previous years. This initiative aims to address short-term emergency needs for the San Francisco Unified School District. As stated in the announcement, these grants open up "millions more dollars" for schools to utilize.

 

San Francisco Examiner

The Temecula Valley Unified School Board unanimously voted to rescind two controversial policies after a ruling from the California Public Employment Relations Board (PERB) indicated they violated the Educational Employment Relations Act. Board member Steve Schwartz stated, “We didn’t have any choice... because they both violated the teacher’s contracts.” The rescinded policies included a parent notification requirement for transgender identification and a ban on non-American flags in classrooms.

 

East Bay

During a recent meeting, the Patterson Joint USD welcomed two new board trustees, Lena Barrientos and Jeremy Saavedra, marking the first time in about 10 months that all board positions are filled. The board re-elected Amanda Lozano as president, Kieran Carter as vice president, and Martha Blanco Arechiga as clerk. A significant decision was made to purchase new varsity softball and baseball scoreboards for Patterson High School, with funding of $131,234.31 sourced from the general fund and donations.

 

TTown Media

The Pajaro Valley USD Board of Trustees has entered a new chapter with the appointment of a new president and vice president during their annual organizational meeting. Newly elected trustees, including Jessica Carrasco, Gabriel Medina, and Carol Turley, were sworn in, marking a significant shift in leadership.

 

Santa Cruz Sentinel

The Riverside USD is facing a lawsuit initiated by two students who claim that allowing a transgender girl to join the varsity cross-country team has compromised their opportunities. The controversy has drawn attention from conservative figures, including Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, who expressed support for the plaintiffs. California GOP lawmakers Bill Essayli and Leticia Castillo have demanded the resignation of Superintendent Renee Hill, arguing that the district's policies endanger female students.

 

The Sacramento Bee

Daisy Bolanos, a third-year Psychology student at UC Berkeley, reflects on her challenging journey through the college application process as a child of immigrant parents. She highlights the systemic barriers faced by many Latino families, including language differences and a lack of awareness about college preparation programs. Bolanos emphasizes the need for culturally relevant resources and guidance, stating, "We need to normalize college planning and offer tools and resources to understand the complicated path."

 

The Daily Californian