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California's AB 218 law has led to a surge in sexual abuse lawsuits against school districts, with over 1,000 claims filed since its enactment in 2020. Victims like Samantha Muñoz, who suffered abuse in the early 2000s, are now seeking justice, stating, “It’s time to speak your truth and make it OK to talk about.” The law temporarily lifted the statute of limitations, resulting in settlements ranging from $5m-$135m, pushing some districts to the brink of financial collapse. Superintendent Diana Rigby of Carpinteria USD expressed concern, calling the situation "untenable,” with the district facing multiple lawsuits. Legislative efforts are underway to amend the law, but there is little support for limiting settlements. The financial strain on schools is likened to the challenges faced during the Great Recession, with calls for better protocols to prevent future abuse.

 

Cal Matters

The New Jersey appellate court has agreed to hear the case of Latino Action Network v. New Jersey, which addresses the ongoing racial and socioeconomic segregation in the state's public school system. The lawsuit, filed in 2018, claims that New Jersey's requirement for students to enroll in their hometown school districts perpetuates segregation across over 600 districts. Robert Kim, executive director of Education Law Center, expressed confidence that the court will recognize the trial court's error in not ruling that the segregation violates constitutional rights. The case could have significant implications nationwide, especially as policies promoting diversity and inclusion face challenges. The plaintiffs argue that the state's delay tactics aim to push the resolution to the next administration, with Gov. Phil Murphy, nearing the end of his term. A court date has yet to be scheduled.

 

Chalkbeat

The Columbus City Schools (CCS) district is grappling with significant funding cuts as outlined in Ohio's two-year budget signed by Gov. Mike DeWine. The district anticipates a 1.5% decrease in funding for fiscal year 2026, although a slight recovery is expected in 2027 with a 1.1% increase. Superintendent Angela Chapman emphasized the need for ongoing discussions to address the financial gap, adding: "We have fewer state resources, and now less resources from the federal government...that's a significant challenge for our team." The budget continues to shift funding responsibilities to local taxpayers, with CCS now relying on a 90% local funding share. Board President Michael Cole noted the shared challenges faced by urban, rural, and suburban districts, while CCS Treasurer Ryan Cook praised some of DeWine's vetoes aimed at protecting public education. Despite some positive provisions, Cole acknowledged that more work is needed to accurately reflect costs for 2025.

 

The Columbus Dispatch

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) has laid off over 1,450 school-based staff, including 432 teachers, as part of efforts to address a $734m budget deficit. According to Ben Felton, CPS chief talent officer, 123 special education teachers and up to 300 special education classroom assistants will be eligible for retention pools, allowing them to be paid centrally and deployed to schools with vacancies. The layoffs, which affected 57% of district-run schools, are part of a broader budget crisis, with CPS's deficit now estimated at $500m. Budget Director Mike Sitkowski acknowledged the district's "tough situation" and emphasized the need for a student-centered approach to resolving the deficit. The Chicago Teachers Union expressed frustration over the layoffs, calling them a "harmful and distressing annual ritual at CPS."

 

Chalkbeat

Chicago Tribune

Starting next school year, the Rainier School District in Oregon will implement a four-day school week to enhance attendance and academic performance. Students will attend classes Monday through Thursday, with extended hours from 7:50 a.m. to 3:38 p.m. Superintendent Chad Holloway said: “The four-day week gives us an opportunity to be able to address some of the challenges we have.” This change follows a trend in Oregon, where 80 out of 197 districts have adopted similar schedules. While some studies indicate potential declines in test scores, particularly in reading, the impact on rural schools appears less significant. The district aims to provide teachers with more professional development time and improve student attendance, which was reported at 55% for the 2023-2024 school year, below the state average of 66%.

 

The Columbian

The Port Washington-Saukville School District in Wisconsin has purchased 10 acres of land at 2803 Orchard Lane for a new elementary school, motivated by the desire for a walkable neighborhood school and its proximity to conservancy land. The $552,000 purchase, funded by a $59.4m referendum approved by 63.24% of voters, will allow the district to replace the outdated Saukville Elementary School. Superintendent Michael McMahon noted that the site "strongly appealed to both the board and, ultimately, our voters." Groundbreaking is set for spring 2026, with the school expected to open in fall 2027.

 

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

The Oconomowoc Middle School in Wisconsin, originally built in 1922, has been transformed into the Oconomowoc School Apartments, providing affordable housing for the community. Bob Duffy, president of the Oconomowoc Historical Society, emphasized the importance of such projects, adding: "It restores some of that heritage of the community, but also provides a need into the future." The $10.9m renovation was made possible through historic preservation and state tax credits, allowing for the creation of 55 units. Many current tenants have fond memories of attending school there, with building manager Wendy Schlosser noting, "When people come here, it's like a flashback to their childhood." The apartments maintain elements of the original school, including lockers and chalkboards, while offering below-market rents based on the county's median income.

 

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

The South-Western City school board has approved new contracts for the central Ohio district's teachers, administrators, and Superintendent Randy Banks, which include significant salary increases. Teachers ratified a three-year contract featuring a 3.3% raise in the first year and 3% in the subsequent years. Union spokesperson Emmalee Harding said: “Fortunately, the unwavering support of the South Western community helped us fight off, and even improve, the student-focused learning environment that is the foundation of our contract.” The starting salary for teachers with a bachelor's degree is now $50,290, up from about $46,000 three years ago. The contracts also introduce class-size caps, lower health insurance premiums, and a new parental leave policy. Board President Chris Boso emphasized the importance of competitive salaries to retain quality teachers. Negotiations were notably challenging this year, requiring mediation for the first time since 2013.

 

The Columbus Dispatch

Trenton Stem-to-Civics, a public charter school in Mercer County, has officially closed following a ruling from the New Jersey Supreme Court. The court sided with the state Department of Education, vacating a stay that had allowed the school to remain open temporarily. Superintendent Leigh Byron expressed disbelief, stating, “It doesn't make any sense to close our school and send the students to schools that we outperform.” The school, which served around 600 students, faced scrutiny over excessive salaries for its officials, including Byron, who reportedly earned $671,867 in total compensation for the last tax year. The Department of Education revoked the school's charter earlier this year due to non-compliance with state regulations.

 

NJ.com

The Watertown school board is undergoing significant changes following a series of resignations that have shifted its ideological balance in a conservative direction. As board member Burke noted, "With each resignation, there has been a little bit more of an ideological shift." The recent departures of several left-leaning members have left the board with a conservative majority, reflecting the political climate of the city, where President Donald Trump secured over 60% of the vote in the 2024 election. The board's new conservative members, including Tammy Fournier, a member of Moms for Liberty, are pushing for policies that align with their values, such as requiring transgender students to use their legal names and biological sex in schools. This shift has sparked controversy, with some community members expressing concern over the board's direction and the need to represent diverse voices. As the board prepares for future meetings, the community remains divided over its evolving agenda.

 

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Research from the University of Texas at Dallas reveals that Dallas ISD's policy of automatically enrolling 6th graders in advanced math has significantly increased the number of students taking Algebra 1 by 8th grade. Dareem K. Antoine, a Ph.D. student and co-author of the study, said: “The policy led to a substantial, really large increase” in early enrollment. However, the benefits were not evenly distributed; Hispanic and white students saw greater gains compared to Black students, who faced challenges such as lower eligibility rates and higher mobility. The findings suggest that while the opt-out policy has improved access, adjustments in cutoff scores and better communication across districts are essential for equitable outcomes. Trey Miller, an associate professor at UT Dallas, emphasized the importance of setting appropriate thresholds to ensure all students are adequately prepared for advanced math courses.

 

Education Week News

Joel Stutheit, senior manager of autogas business development at the Propane Education & Research Council, shares his experience transitioning Bethel School District's fleet from diesel to propane autogas buses. The Washington district's decision was driven by factors such as lower ownership costs, reliability, and reduced emissions. Stutheit noted, "Propane autogas cost about 50% less per gallon than gasoline or diesel," allowing for better budget planning. The propane buses also demonstrated superior performance, with fewer maintenance issues and longer engine life. Additionally, they produced 96% fewer harmful nitrogen oxide emissions than diesel, contributing to a cleaner environment. Stutheit emphasizes the importance of scalable refueling infrastructure, which can be installed affordably and flexibly. For many districts, including Bethel, propane autogas has proven to be the optimal fuel choice.

 

School Bus Fleet

Detroit youth generally feel safe in school, but many have nevertheless expressed fears about violence and safety in their communities. Interviews with students reveal that while they appreciate school safety measures, such as locked doors and drills, the threat of gun violence looms large. Dulce Bravo, an 18-year-old graduate, noted she feels safe only half the time and has missed school due to threats. Students like Paola Negrete advocate for better school conditions and mental health support, emphasizing that safety is more about comfort than just the absence of violence. The ongoing dialogue about safety reflects a broader need for community support and understanding among youth.

 

Chalkbeat

Leonellys Rodriguez, an 18-year-old graduate from University High School in Newark, New Jersey, celebrated her graduation with a conditional teaching job offer from Newark Public Schools, promising a starting salary of $74,000 upon completing her degree and certification. This opportunity is part of the Red Hawks Rising Teacher Academy, a partnership aimed at preparing local students to become teachers in their own communities. “If we have students that become teachers, and then we hire them back as teachers, then that creates a self-sustaining community,” said Roger León, superintendent of Newark Public Schools. The program, which has graduated 95 students so far, emphasizes dual-enrollment courses and hands-on teaching experiences, helping students build confidence and academic skills. Research indicates that dual-enrollment significantly increases college attainment, particularly among students of color, making this initiative crucial for Newark's diverse student population.

 

Education Week News

Alberta Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides has announced that material deemed by the province to be sexually explicit must be removed from school library shelves as of October 1.  Explicit sexual content, defined by the province as detailed and clear depictions of sexual acts, including masturbation, penetration and ejaculation, will not be accessible to students in any grade. Non-explicit sexual content, which refers to depictions of sexual acts that are not detailed or clear, will only be accessible to students in Grade 10 or higher. Non-sexual content, such as information about puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, breastfeeding, biological functions, kissing or hand-holding, will be accessible to all students. "This was never about erasing particular narratives from school libraries," Nicolaides explained. "This is simply about ensuring young students are not exposed to content depicting oral sex, child molestation or other very inappropriate content." School boards must review library materials, and school officials will be tasked with supervising students to make sure they are reading appropriate material.

 

CBC News

Deloitte’s latest forecast shows back-to-school spending will remain flat at $30.9bn - or $570 per student - due to rising prices and economic uncertainty. This represents a 7% drop from 2021 levels, with last year’s average at $586 per child. The survey of 1,203 parents found shoppers are cautious amid tariff-driven cost increases. Major retailers like Walmart, Target, and Amazon are launching aggressive deals, including a four-day Amazon Prime Day, to attract spending.

 

Reuters