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A federal appeals court has denied the Trump administration's request to block the release of millions in grants aimed at addressing the shortage of mental health workers in schools. These grants, established by Congress following the 2022 school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, are intended to help schools hire more counselors, psychologists, and social workers, particularly in rural and underserved areas. U.S. District Judge Kymberly K. Evanson previously ruled that the administration's attempt to cancel these grants was arbitrary and capricious. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld this ruling, stating that the government failed to demonstrate a likelihood of success in its claims. The grants were initially awarded under President Joe Biden's administration, with a focus on increasing diversity among mental health professionals in schools. Evanson's ruling specifically benefits grantees in 16 Democratic-led states, restoring significant funding in areas like Madera and Marin counties, California.

 

U.S. News

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Senate Democrats have accused Education Secretary Linda McMahon of unlawfully dismantling the Education Department by outsourcing key responsibilities to other federal agencies without congressional approval. In a letter signed by 35 senators, including Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), they claim the move undermines public education and burdens states and schools with added bureaucracy. “The other federal agencies that will suddenly have significant responsibilities in administering billions in education funding, have provided no information about their roles or their capacity to carry out these programs and activities,” the senators wrote. “The plan seems clear, to jam these changes through for a talking point, whatever the consequences may be for states, school districts, schools, students, and families.”

 

The Hill

Thousands of educators and staff from West Contra Costa USD initiated a strike on Thursday, demanding improved pay, benefits, and working conditions after 10 months of negotiations. United Teachers of Richmond President Francisco Ortiz emphasized: "Our working conditions are our students' learning conditions and neither are acceptable." The union is seeking a 10% raise over two years, fully funded health care, and better staffing conditions. The district's latest offer included only a 3% raise, leading to discontent among union members. Ortiz and Superintendent Cheryl Cotton announced that bargaining teams would meet to discuss the issues further. Community support has been strong, with local officials joining the picket lines, highlighting the urgency of the situation as educators feel undervalued.

 

EdSource

Mercury News

San Luis Obispo Tribune

School districts face significant challenges in aligning financial and academic goals due to barriers such as short-term thinking, siloed decision-making, and staff turnover. According to the EdWeek Research Center report, which surveyed 223 educators, 71% identified federal funding uncertainty as a major obstacle. The report outlines six actionable steps for districts, including adopting outcomes-based contracts and promoting internal staff to mitigate turnover. A district leader from Missouri emphasized the impact of federal funding cuts on professional development, explaining: "It's really impacting our ability to provide ongoing professional development." The report highlights the importance of strategic planning and early discussions among stakeholders to ensure alignment with long-term goals.

 

Education Week News

Grossmont Union High School District in San Diego County has agreed to pay over $700,000 to Rose Tagnesi, a teacher who alleged she was demoted due to her sexual orientation. Tagnesi, who served as the district's special education director for over a decade, claimed that an anti-LGBTQ+ majority on the school board forced her out after a secret investigation related to a 2020 incident at Santana High School. This incident involved a missing student and led to broader administrative changes. Tagnesi's lawsuit said: “Ms. Tagnesi, a proud member of the LGBTQ community who served GUHSD for over 28 years in exemplary fashion, was one of the many victims of the anti-LGBTQ majority board’s discriminatory campaign.” Two additional lawsuits against the district are still pending.

 

EdSource

The city of Napa is finalizing its acquisition of the former Harvest Middle School from Napa Valley USD, with plans for the site’s future underway. By the end of next year, concept designs are expected to be ready for public sharing. During the Napa City Council meeting on December 2, updates were provided on the 26.62-acre property, which closed in June 2022 due to declining enrollment. Notably, groups that previously utilized the Harvest facilities will be able to continue renting space through the city starting in January, ensuring ongoing community use of the site.

 

Napa Valley Register

Palisades Charter High School is set to reopen its campus on January 12, 2026, marking the end of a yearlong displacement due to devastating fires. Principal Pam Magee emphasized that this return signifies “a moment of healing, rebuilding and reconnecting” for nearly 3,000 students and the broader Palisades community. The reopening is the result of a collaborative effort involving Los Angeles USD and architectural firm Gensler, which provided essential support during the transition.

 

SGV Tribune

Twin Rivers USD is set to decide on the future of Highlands Community Charter and Technical Schools in January, following a recent hearing regarding its potential closure. The charter school, which opened in 2014, has faced scrutiny due to a state audit revealing it received over $180m in K-12 funds it was ineligible for. Jonathan Raymond, the new executive director, acknowledged past mismanagement, stating, “A lot of poor decisions were made by our predecessors.” The school is now working to regain community trust and has proposed charter revisions to align with state expectations, including adding 11th grade and reducing school sites. If the charter revisions are denied, the school plans to adjust its grade structure to comply with its current charter. Melissa Roberson, director of assessment and accountability, emphasized, “This is about our students, and this is about our community.”

 

EdSource

Sonoma Valley USD is facing a unique challenge in its search for a new superintendent: an abundance of well-qualified candidates. Ron Calloway and Scott Mahoney, the consultants aiding the district, mentioned that typically, school boards interview up to six candidates for 90 minutes each in the first round. However, the current situation presents a "desirable problem" for the district, indicating a strong pool of applicants.

 

Press Democrat

Waymo has issued software fixes after 19 incidents of its autonomous vehicles illegally passing stopped school buses in Austin, Texas, sparked a federal safety investigation. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is probing the incidents, which were captured on school bus cameras. Waymo, owned by Alphabet, said the violations stemmed from a software issue, now resolved, and acknowledged the need to better follow road rules. Critics have raised broader concerns about the safety and oversight of driverless cars, despite Waymo’s claims of a lower crash rate than human drivers.

 

ABC News

Reuters

California Attorney General Rob Bonta has issued updated guidelines for schools to protect students from immigration enforcement, following new laws signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom. "I know many California teachers and administrators are wondering how best to protect their students amid the Trump Administration's indiscriminate, callous mass deportation campaign," Bonta said. The guidelines emphasize that immigration officers cannot enter school premises without a valid judicial warrant. Additionally, school employees are prohibited from sharing any student information with ICE unless a warrant is presented. Local educational agencies must update their policies to comply with these new requirements by March 1, 2026. Bonta said: "In California, our diversity is our strength, and we will continue to stand up for our immigrant communities."

 

TTown Media

Ontario Education Minister Paul Calandra has launched a comprehensive review into student learning outcomes following the release of disappointing EQAO standardized test results. The data showed that only 58% of Grade 9 and 51% of Grade 6 English-language students met provincial standards in math, figures that have seen only marginal improvement over the past year. Calandra criticized the lack of progress despite the government's back-to-basics education reforms and placed further emphasis on addressing achievement gaps in reading, writing, and math. An advisory body will be appointed to lead the review, coinciding with increased provincial oversight of several school boards, including Toronto and Near North. Critics, including the Ontario Liberals and the teachers' union, have challenged the delay in releasing the results and questioned the government’s priorities.

 

Toronto Sun

CBC News

Toronto Star