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California's low-income families face significant challenges as federal budget cuts threaten essential support. Dave Gordon, Sacramento County superintendent of schools, stated, “The [ federal tax-and-spending] bill will put young people and families at significant risk.” The budget law, which includes $186bn cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, is expected to impact 735,000 people due to new work requirements. Additionally, up to 151,000 children may lose health care coverage under Medi-Cal. The cuts could strain school resources, as Troy Flint from the California School Boards Association noted. He added: “Cutbacks that impact the health and welfare of families create additional challenges for student support and academic success.” The implications of these cuts are dire, potentially affecting the well-being and educational outcomes of countless children in California.

 

EdSource

Between March 11, when the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) began reducing its staff levels, and June 27, the agency dismissed 3,424 complaints, according to court documents filed by Rachel Oglesby, who has been chief of staff at the Education Department since January. By contrast, the office dismissed 2,527 cases in the three-month period between November 2024 and January 2025 under the Biden administration. “A dismissal rate this high suggests a fundamental shift in how OCR is triaging and processing complaints,” said Jackie Gharapour Wernz, an education civil rights attorney who worked for the OCR under the Obama and first Trump administrations. “It raises serious concerns about whether civil rights issues are being meaningfully evaluated and whether the agency is adhering to its own case processing manual and relevant law in dismissing cases.” In response, Education Department spokesperson Julie Hartman said the OCR is taking actions according to federal law, regulations and the OCR case processing manual, which outlines the steps the agency must take to process complaints. 

 

K-12 Dive

Members of the Grossmont Union High School District are raising concerns over alleged manipulation of election records by certain school board members and their supporters. Reports indicate a "pay-to-play transaction" and the introduction of fake candidates aimed at diverting votes from opposition candidates. Jerry Hobbs, the district's former chief of staff, is implicated in orchestrating the scheme. The group reportedly targeted staff viewed as political adversaries while promoting their allies. Candidates Scott Eckert and Randall Dear received financial backing from this group, which also placed three additional candidates on the ballot—Marsha Christman, Azure Chrisawn, and Debra Harrington—who lacked campaign presence. John Howard, owner of JW Howard Attorneys, expressed surprise at the financial involvement in these candidates. Meanwhile, candidates Jay Steiger and Chris Fite, backed by the teachers' union, claimed no evidence of opposition campaigns. Grossmont Education Association President James Messina noted the alarming reactions to the candidates' statements.

 

EdSource

California has decided not to ban transgender athletes from K-12 school sports, becoming the second state after Maine to resist the Trump administration's directives. U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon had given California a deadline to rescind its inclusive policies, but the state’s Department of Education, led by General Counsel Len Garfinkle, said: "The CDE respectfully disagrees with OCR's analysis." Gov. Gavin Newsom's office criticized the proposed agreement as a "political document' that would violate state anti-discrimination laws. The ongoing debate has split the Democratic Party, with some attributing Kamala Harris' electoral loss to the issue. As the Supreme Court prepares to hear cases on similar bans in Idaho and West Virginia, California's stance may lead to a significant legal battle over the rights of transgender students. Shannon Minter from the National Center for LGBTQ Rights expressed support for California's decision, noting: "I'm encouraged to see the California Department of Education is standing up to that."

 

San Luis Obispo Tribune

In a dramatic incident at Windsor High School, a teenager fell approximately 15 feet from the gymnasium roof during a fireworks show, resulting in minor injuries. Sonoma County Fire District Battalion Chief Mike Stornetta reported that the victim was unable to descend due to an injured arm, prompting a ladder-engine rescue. Stornetta praised the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office for their assistance in managing traffic, remarking: "They did a phenomenal job being able to get vehicles out of our way." The rescue involved a paramedic delivering medical supplies to the roof and securing the victim in a basket attached to the ladder. The victim was subsequently transported to Providence Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital. Additionally, a nearby fire at Windsor Creek Elementary School is under investigation for suspicious circumstances.

 

Press Democrat

The Covina-Valley USD Board of Education terminated Superintendent Elizabeth Eminhizer during a closed-session meeting on July 7. Dr. Jonathan Blackmore has stepped into the role on an interim basis. The district did not provide details regarding the reasons for Eminhizer's termination. Eminhizer had previously participated in significant events, such as the ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new Health and Wellness Center on January 30, 2023.

 

SGV Tribune

This fall, Garfield and Roosevelt schools will unveil their new football stadiums, following a year without home games due to construction. Los Angeles USD funded these improvements through campus modernization bonds. Roosevelt's $200m project includes a new gym and performing arts center, while Garfield's $8m upgrade features an all-weather field and bleachers. Coach Ernesto Ceja expressed excitement, noting: "To all the seniors, it's going to be a blessing to play at home." Both schools will host five home games, starting against Lawndale and Bakersfield on August 28. However, the annual Garfield vs. Roosevelt game will still take place at a neutral site on October 24, with the location yet to be determined.

 

Los Angeles Times

San Luis Obispo County schools are gaining recognition for their academic excellence. Cayucos Elementary School has been ranked as the top public elementary school in the county by Niche. Additionally, Arroyo Grande High School has made headlines with 20 valedictorians, a result of its unique GPA calculation method. These achievements highlight the innovative educational standards in SLO County, which are attracting both state and national attention.

 

San Luis Obispo Tribune

School boards have become central to heated debates over issues like mask policies and LGBTQ+ rights. Research from a June 2025 study by Ohio State and Emory universities reveals that incumbent school board members win over 80% of the time, often in uncontested races. Despite high reelection rates, turnover occurs mainly due to incumbents choosing not to run again. The study also found that lower student performance does not lead to increased electoral competition. Additionally, electing educators to school boards tends to raise teacher pay but does not correlate with improved student achievement. Notably, endorsements from teachers' unions significantly influence election outcomes, often more than other endorsements. The demographic makeup of school boards remains predominantly white, despite a diverse student population. While most school board meetings are civil, tensions have risen, particularly during the pandemic and debates over critical race theory. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for grasping the current educational landscape.

 

Education Week News

New teachers often struggle with challenging conversations with students and parents. To address this, two former K-12 teachers have developed mixed-reality simulations at North Carolina Central University's School of Education. These simulations allow preservice teachers to practice social-emotional skills and navigate difficult situations in a virtual environment. Megan Lyons, an assistant professor, emphasized the importance of these exercises, adding that they help future teachers “realize their own skill sets and how to improve those competencies." The program has received positive feedback from students, who have expressed a desire to tackle more complex issues, such as bullying and sensitive family matters. Freda Hicks, the clinical experience and partnership director, noted that the simulations help teachers avoid common pitfalls, like sharing confidential information during parent meetings. Overall, the initiative aims to better prepare future educators for real classroom challenges.

 

Education Week News

A spirited competition has emerged between UCLA and UC Berkeley, with both universities claiming the title of the top U.S. public university based on different U.S. News rankings. UC Berkeley celebrated its position as the first public university on the global list, despite being ranked No. 6 overall, leading to social media boasts with hashtags like “#1 public.” UCLA quickly countered, asserting its top spot in national rankings. UC Berkeley Chancellor Rich Lyons remarked: “We admire UCLA's eagerness to take a single ranking for its undergraduate program and use it for all it is worth.” The rivalry continues as both campuses engage in playful banter online, with fans and alumni joining the fray. The U.S. News rankings differ in methodology, with UCLA ranking third among public universities globally, while Berkeley took second in national rankings. The ongoing debate highlights the complexities and controversies surrounding university rankings.

 

Los Angeles Times

California colleges are concerned that new federal measures aimed at reducing financial aid fraud may unintentionally discourage legitimate students from enrolling. Tina Vasconcellos, associate vice chancellor of educational services at the Peralta Community College District, summed up the dilemma: “The more barriers, the harder we make it to get in our systems, the less people will come.” The U.S. Department of Education plans to implement stricter identity verification for first-time financial aid applicants, affecting around 125,000 students nationwide. While the goal is to prevent fraud, which has cost California community colleges at least $14m since 2021, officials worry that additional requirements could create obstacles for students, particularly those with limited access to technology. Jasmine Ruys, vice president of student services at College of the Canyons, emphasized the need to balance fraud prevention with accessibility, commenting: “We try really hard not to put any kind of barriers up for a student.”

 

EdSource