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California
2nd February 2026
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THE HOT STORY

California students walk out for immigration rights

Thousands of students in Southern California participated in a national protest against immigration crackdowns on Friday, with an attendance rate of 80% at Los Angeles USD schools. Many students felt personally affected by the immigration raids, leading them to join the demonstrations. "There are times when protesting is more necessary than going to the classroom," said Hart Lipsmith, a junior from Sequoyah School. The protests included walkouts at various schools and colleges, with students expressing their fears and frustrations over the impact of immigration enforcement on their communities. LAUSD Superintendent Alberto Carvalho acknowledged the students' right to protest but emphasized that "the safest place for students is at school."  The protests are part of a broader movement advocating for immigrant rights and against ICE actions.

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NATIONAL NEWS

Education Department firings left taxpayers with multimillion-dollar bill

A report by the US Government Accountability Office (GAO) has found that efforts by the Trump administration to fire staff at the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) cost taxpayers between $28.5m and $38m. The attempted reduction in force, announced in March, was blocked by the courts, but nearly 250 OCR employees were kept on paid administrative leave for almost nine months while being barred from working. The GAO said the department failed to produce a full accounting of the costs and savings of the proposed layoffs, despite federal requirements to do so, forcing investigators to estimate the impact using salaries and benefits. While the department later reinstated staff in December, OCR leadership rejected the watchdog’s recommendation to complete a full cost analysis, arguing the issue was now moot. The report also highlighted a sharp shift in OCR’s enforcement activity during the period, with around 90% of discrimination complaints resolved through dismissal rather than investigation and a steep fall in formal resolution agreements, particularly in cases involving racial and sexual harassment.

DISTRICTS

Petaluma schools tackle ICE concerns

Petaluma City Schools is revising their policies regarding immigration enforcement in response to concerns about federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) actions. During a recent school board meeting, Assistant Superintendent Esmeralda Sanchez Moseley emphasized that the district will not use student data for immigration profiling. "Information or documents related to a student's immigration or citizenship status shall not be disclosed to a law enforcement officer without consent," the proposed policy states. Board member Ellen Webster expressed that "ICE themselves is a threat to public safety," highlighting the need for clear protocols. The district aims to ensure that all students can attend school safely, regardless of immigration status, with a second reading of the policy scheduled for February 10. Superintendent Matthew Harris reiterated the commitment to a safe school community, aligning policies with local law enforcement.

TEACHING

Bilingual breakthrough at McKinley Elementary

McKinley Elementary School in the Redlands district is set to introduce a dual language program for transitional kindergarten and kindergarten students in the 2026-27 school year. The program will initially provide 90% instruction in Spanish and 10% in English, gradually shifting to a 50-50 balance. Principal Minerva Casotrena emphasized that "the end goal is biliteracy," aiming for students to be literate in both languages and culturally aware. The program will accommodate 68 students across three classrooms, utilizing existing teachers to minimize staffing costs. Special Projects Director Sonya Balingit noted that early language learning enhances critical thinking and social-emotional skills. Parents can apply for the program by registering at their home school and completing a Dual Enrollment Interest Form by March 6.

WORKFORCE

LA educators authorize strike vote

The United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA), representing 37,000 educators, has voted to authorize a strike if a new contract is not reached with the Los Angeles USD. The union's decision follows unsuccessful mediation sessions, with fact-finding set to occur next. Jacqueline Pierce Hall, a second-grade teacher, emphasized the need for resources, remarking: "Now is the time to use that", referring to the district's $5bn reserves. UTLA President Cecily Myart-Cruz noted that educators have united around their demands, highlighting the district's neglect of their concerns. The LAUSD acknowledged financial challenges but stressed the importance of collaboration to maintain stable schools and minimize disruptions to student learning.

San Francisco teachers vote for strike action

More than 5,200 members of the United Educators of San Francisco voted overwhelmingly, with 97.6% in favor, to authorize a strike as they advocate for increased public education funding. The union, representing various workers in the San Francisco USD, expressed that "our community is standing with us in our fight for the consistent classroom teachers, special education supports, and stable programs our students and families need and deserve." The last strike by San Francisco educators occurred in 1979 and lasted seven weeks. Superintendent Maria Su stated that the district remains committed to negotiating in good faith with the union. A special Board of Education meeting is set for Wednesday to discuss labor negotiations and potential operational decisions in the event of a strike.

FINANCE

Budget cuts loom for Ross Valley schools

The Ross Valley School District is implementing a three-tier plan to cut $4.3m from its budget over the next three years, as it prepares to place a measure on the June 2 ballot to renew and increase the parcel tax. Superintendent Tyler Graff said: "We are humbly asking the district residents to tell us what size increase they think they can afford." The plan includes $170,000 in cuts for the 2026-27 fiscal year, escalating to $3.1m by 2028-29, with potential school closures and layoffs if additional revenue is not secured. The district's budget is projected to drop to "qualified" status by June, risking state receivership if the tax measure fails. Community input is encouraged before the board votes on the tax measure on February 11.

Budget cuts threaten Tri-Valley schools

Livermore, Dublin, and Pleasanton schools are confronting severe budget deficits for the 2026-27 school year, primarily due to declining enrollment and reduced state and federal funding. Livermore Valley Joint Unified Schools may face cuts of $16.3m, while Dublin Unified Schools plans to implement $6.8m in cuts to address an $8.4m deficit. Pleasanton Unified School Board has already voted to eliminate over 13 full-time positions to save nearly $1.5m. Superintendent Torie Gibson acknowledged the financial challenges, noting: "The number we have to get to is going to be deep." Community members, including parents and teachers, have expressed concerns about the impact of these cuts on education quality, with Dublin Teachers Association President Brad Dobrzenski emphasizing that "students deserve the best." The boards are expected to make critical decisions soon, with deadlines approaching for potential layoffs.

Sacramento school district faces budget crisis

Sacramento City USD is grappling with a severe budget crisis that could lead to state receivership by the end of the school year. Trustees expressed frustration over the slow progress of a fiscal solvency plan, which was initially drafted in November but has not yielded the expected savings. Trustee Taylor Kayatta said: "What we've seen so far is that we're moving, it seems to us, in the wrong direction." The district's financial outlook has worsened, with projections indicating a $190m deficit by 2027-28 if spending is not curtailed. In response, the board approved immediate measures, including laying off or transferring 70 administrators, freezing non-essential contracts, and furloughing non-union staff for 12 days. Further discussions on the fiscal plan are scheduled for February 5.

Santa Rosa Schools face financial crisis

Santa Rosa City Schools is facing a severe financial crisis, needing to address a $3m shortfall by June and find an additional $23m in savings for the next school year to avoid a state takeover. Vince Matthews, a former state-appointed administrator, emphasized the stakes, saying: 'I'm a big believer in democracy and I believe in that local control — that's what's at stake." If the district fails to meet these fiscal benchmarks, it risks losing local governance, with a state-appointed administrator taking over and making significant cuts. Historically, districts that have undergone state takeover often take years to regain financial stability, and the consequences can disrupt the education of students for generations.

LEADERSHIP

Antioch board members vote for pay raise

The Antioch USD Board of Trustees has approved a significant increase in their monthly stipend from $400 to $2,000, following Assembly Bill 1390, which permits such raises based on average daily attendance. This decision, made by four of the five board members, will add $96,000 to the district's annual budget. Trustee Mary Rocha opposed the increase, claiming: "I did not believe that it was the right thing to do at the moment," especially as the district faces a projected $30m deficit over the next two years. Board President Jag Lathan emphasized the need for a stipend that reflects the extensive responsibilities of board members, noting that the previous stipend equated to about $2.30 an hour. The increase aims to attract more qualified candidates to the board, as Trustee Antonio Hernandez highlighted the challenges faced by younger individuals in balancing board duties with personal commitments.

HIGHER EDUCATION

Collaboration is key to student success

An opinion by Michal Kurlaender, a professor of education at UC Davis and faculty director of Policy Analysis for California Education, written for the East Bay, argues that claims about UC San Diego students being academically unprepared oversimplify the issue and encourage misplaced blame. Kurlaender acknowledges pandemic-related learning loss, particularly for disadvantaged students, but criticizes proposals to label pupils from high-need (LCFF+) schools as inherently less ready for university. She warns that such shortcuts risk deepening inequality and excluding students who would benefit most from higher education. Instead, the opinion calls for stronger collaboration between K–12 schools and universities to address misaligned assessments, remedial barriers and unclear expectations. Kurlaender argues that shared standards and coordinated pathways, rather than deficit-based narratives, are essential to improving access, equity and student success.

INTERNATIONAL

Finland eyes Australia-inspired crackdown on kids’ social media use

Finland is considering banning or restricting social media use for children under 15, following growing concern about its effects on young people’s health and wellbeing. Prime Minister Petteri Orpo and public health authorities support the move, encouraged by the success of recent school smartphone restrictions that have boosted children’s activity and social interaction. Researcher Silja Kosola has described social media as an “uncontrolled human experiment,” linking it to rising self-harm, eating disorders and social divides, particularly in a country where children receive smartphones at very young ages. Finland is looking to Australia, which introduced an under-16 ban in December, placing responsibility on tech companies, though experts warn enforcement challenges could drive children to less regulated platforms.

AND FINALLY......

Meet the 2026 Teacher of the Year finalists

The Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) has announced the five finalists for the 2026 National Teacher of the Year award, recognizing their exceptional contributions to education. The finalists are Katie Collins of Bluff Park Elementary in Hoover, Alabama; Rachel Kinsaul of Morgan County High School in Madison, Georgia; Michelle Gross of Spencer County Middle School in Taylorsville, Kentucky; Linda Wallenberg of Eden Prairie High School in Eden Prairie, Minnesota; and Leon Smith of Haverford High School of Havertown, Pennsylvania. Carissa Moffat Miller, chief executive of CCSSO, said that these educators were selected for their “outstanding commitment to education and impactful teaching that advances student outcomes.” The finalists were chosen from 56 local teachers of the year across the U.S. The winner will serve as an education ambassador for a year, with the announcement expected later this spring.
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