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The Biden administration has unveiled a new labor rule that extends mandatory overtime pay to an estimated 4m salaried workers, going further than the previous Obama-era rule. From July 1, employers will be required to pay overtime premiums to workers who earn the equivalent of an annual salary of $43,888 when they work more than 40 hours in a week. The total will increased to $58,656 on January 1 2025. “The Department of Labor is ensuring that lower-paid salaried workers receive their hard-earned pay or get much-deserved time back with their families,” said Wage and Hour Administrator Jessica Looman. “This rule establishes clear, predictable guidance for employers on how to pay employees for overtime hours and provides more economic security to the millions of people working long hours without overtime pay.” The salary threshold will increase over time, reaching $58,656 by 2025. The new rule is expected to face legal challenges.

 

US Department of Labor

Reuters

School Leadership’s Guide to Building an Online Learning Program

No two students learn the same way, and alternative options for education have never been more necessary than they are right now. Online learning has become an option that’s gained traction nationwide. According to a recent study, 81% of parents believe online learning helps their children better prepare for the future and 94% believe it positively impacts their children’s ability to understand courses.*

This guide will help school and district leaders like you learn more about the fundamentals of online learning and its benefits.

Topics include:

• Debunking common myths about online education
• An outline of the first steps to create and implement a new program
• Strategies for creating open communication with parents, students, and staff
• How to select the best industry partner to help develop your new program

*FlexPoint 2021 Parent Survey

Download the Guide

 

Education Week looks into the "Sunday Scaries," the feeling of dread countless employees experience as they contemplate the workweek ahead. In a recent Harris Poll survey of more than 1,000 U.S. workers, 75% of respondents reported experiencing the phenomenon. Chief reasons include workloads, and finding a balance between work and personal life. Education Week asked teachers to share whether they experience the Sunday scaries and, if so, how they cope. "Proactive coping," or engaging in practices that allow people to avoid future stressors, especially by planning ahead and setting realistic expectations, is a recommended strategy. Kathleen V. Shea, a Chicago-based psychologist whose expertise includes workplace stress and related issues, urges professionals to incorporate detailed preparation into their pre-Monday strategies. “You want to make sure your clothes are ready, your lunch is ready, your car is ready, and you have a backup plan,” she said. “You can have the best lesson plan possible, but you still have to get yourself to work on time.” Being as prepared as possible to face the workweek ahead can stave off some amount of anxiety, but it may not entirely eliminate the Sunday scaries, experts caution. “Teachers are under a great deal of pressure to perform,” said Shea.

 

Education Week News

For years, school district officials in Santa Monica had plans to revamp McKinley Elementary. However, dangerous levels of toxic vapors were discovered at the proposed construction site, likely originating from a nearby dry cleaner. The contamination poses a risk to public health and has complicated the district's renovation plans, requiring new safety measures and soil remediation. California has dedicated funds to investigate dry-cleaning facilities and search for contamination plumes. However, environmental advocates argue that the state's testing and cleanup protocols are insufficient. In another neighborhood, residents have been petitioning the state to test neighboring properties for contamination. Despite the challenges, the school district still intends to construct the new building, implementing measures to prevent fumes from entering and removing chemicals on site. The construction delays may require additional funds beyond the budget estimate. The timeline for fully ridding the school grounds of contamination remains uncertain. "It could be short and sweet, like six months, or it could be years," said Jane Williams, executive director of California Communities Against Toxics.

 

Los Angeles Times

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee has conceded defeat in his push to enact universal school vouchers this year. Lee first proposed the school voucher expansion in Tennessee in 2019, aiming to allow families to access public money for private schooling. However, the plan faced opposition and skepticism from rural GOP lawmakers who were concerned about losing limited public school funds in their districts. Despite setting aside $144m for the voucher expansion, the bill ultimately stalled in the General Assembly. Lee has promised to renew the school voucher talks next session, but the success of the attempt remains uncertain. Senate Speaker Randy McNally stated that this is not the end, but a new beginning, and conversations will continue over the summer and fall, with the voucher expansion initiative to be revisited next session.

 

Fox News

Chalkbeat

The Diverse Learners Recovery Fund, launched through a partnership with the city of Chicago and Ada S. McKinley Community Services, will provide up to 8,000 families with one-time grants of $500. The $5m fund aims to provide financial assistance to families with disabilities who were disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The grants will be distributed through a lottery system and will benefit eligible K-12 students. The fund is seen as a way to support families and help them purchase tools and resources for their children with disabilities. The program has received positive feedback from parents who appreciate the attention and support from city officials. The fund is expected to have a positive impact on communities across Chicago. Families must meet certain criteria to be eligible for the grants, including living in Chicago, having a household income less than 300% of the federal poverty level, and having a student in the household with an identified disability.

 

Chicago Sun Times

Hoboken school district officials have reduced the proposed 2024-25 budget from a 24% increase to 15%. Major adjustments include eliminating the purchase of a new school bus, changing the purchasing arrangement for new modular classrooms, and outsourcing the district's after-school program. The New Jersey district's amended budget, approved by the school board, will be presented at the district's budget hearing. The new tax increase would mean an additional $385 per year for the average homeowner, down from an initial increase of $632. The budget cuts include reducing new hires, eliminating new technology costs, and passing off the after-school program to the YWCA. The district is still keeping the budget for instructional supplies flat and introducing new programs such as a first-grade Spanish immersion program and a high school course on the history of Hoboken.

 

NJ.com

The new rule from President Joe Biden's administration regarding transgender students' bathroom rights has sparked a clash with state laws in Republican-controlled states. The regulation seeks to clarify Title IX, the 1972 sex discrimination law, and bars discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. However, at least 11 states have adopted laws that prohibit transgender girls and women from using girls' and women's bathrooms in public schools. The new rule opposes these policies, stating that sex separation becomes a violation of Title IX when it denies a transgender student access to a facility or activity consistent with their gender identity. The regulation also allows parental notification requirements and addresses the issue of pronoun restrictions. While the rules do not specifically mention sports participation, advocates believe they could apply. Lawsuits are expected to arise as conservative officials and organizations plan to challenge the new rule in court.

 

Florida Politics

Alabama lawmakers have advanced legislation to ban teacher-led discussions on sexual orientation and gender identity in public school classrooms through eighth grade. The bill, known as the "Don't Say Gay" bill, expands the current ban in Alabama and prohibits instruction and teacher-led discussions on gender identity or sexual orientation from kindergarten through the eighth grade. It also bans teachers and school employees from displaying Pride flags or similar symbols on school grounds. Opponents argue that the bill sends a message of exclusion to LGBTQ+ families, students, and teachers. The legislation, which has been passed by the House of Representatives, now moves to the Alabama Senate. Similar laws have been passed in other states, including Florida, Arkansas, and Kentucky. Critics argue that these laws promote censorship and create a hostile environment for LGBTQ+ individuals.

 

U.S. News

Florida lawmakers have mandated that school districts in the state ensure that middle school classes start no earlier than 8 a.m., and high schools by 8:30 a.m. The change is aimed at addressing student health needs. However, only a few districts have made the schedule changes so far, as officials want to make careful decisions that work for the majority of people. Ryan DelliVeniri, chair of the district advisory council for Polk County Public Schools, said: “I think that the worst thing to do would be to pump out a solution that only works for a group of people and not most of the people". The new start time requirements must be implemented by fall 2026.

 

Tampa Bay Times

Broward County Public Schools' new Superintendent Howard Hepburn has announced that he will hold at least five more town hall meetings to discuss school closures. However, some School Board members have questioned his idea, citing a lack of rationale and a detailed plan. The board members expressed their desire to hear a clear plan and believe that the community wants the same. Hepburn, who recently took over as superintendent, stated that the district's next step will be to hold targeted town halls in specific "innovation zones" to better serve students. The district has already held three community meetings in February to introduce the idea of closing some schools. Hepburn and the district's chief strategy and innovation officer have grouped the schools into clusters and listed options for each cluster, including changing grade levels, school boundaries and closing schools. The board members have pushed back on this grouping, questioning the reasoning behind it. They want the process to be equitable and fair, involving all areas in Broward.

 

The Miami Herald

Florida state Sen. Lauren Book, founder of the nonprofit organization Lauren's Kids, has conducted events in Tallahassee as part of National Sexual Assault Awareness Month and National Child Abuse Prevention Month. The annual "Walk in My Shoes" event, featuring a 20-stop tour across Florida, began at Kleman Plaza and concluded at the Pace Center for Girls. Sen. Book also visited Sabal Palm Elementary School to educate children on personal safety and boundary-setting using the "Safer, Smarter Kids" curriculum, developed by Lauren's Kids and now taught in 40 states. The lesson emphasized empowering children to advocate for themselves by recognizing and asserting their own safety boundaries.

 

Tallahassee.com