from the weekly AASA Newsletter:
- Students protest over Chicago school cuts
Citing continued budget cuts, overcrowded classes and the loss of after-school programs, more than 350 Chicago Public Schools students skipped class Thursday to demonstrate in front of city facilities, such as the Board of Education headquarters and City Hall. District officials, while praising the activism, said nothing could be done based on this year's budget. Separately, superintendents from across Illinois called on state officials to make payments that are owed to districts and not cut school funding further next year. Chicago Tribune (4/9)
- Massachusetts district reduces lunch funding
The Newton, Mass., school district elected to trim $500,000 from its lunch program to bolster its budget at a time when state lawmakers cautioned districts to prepare for cuts in local aid of between 4% and 5%. Cafeteria workers, parents and other supporters warned that the move would threaten food quality and the students' overall school experience. The Boston Globe (4/8)
- Pennsylvania district recruits students through ads (smf: compare+contrast this with LAUSD’s Permit Rescission Debacle)
A Pennsylvania school district is recruiting students through an advertising campaign in an effort to stave off an exodus of students to neighboring charter schools. The McKeesport Area School District spent $5,000 on print and television advertisements that promoted the quality of schools in the district and gave dates and information for public-school registration. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (4/8)
- Florida teacher performance-pay measure goes to governor
Florida lawmakers Friday passed a bill overhauling teacher evaluation, pay and dismissal. Republican Gov. Charlie Crist -- facing heavy opposition among teacher unions and Democrats -- was coy on whether he would sign the measure, saying there were things he liked and did not like in it. The Miami Herald/Times Herald Tallahassee Bureau (free registration) (4/9)
- Merit pay in the offing for unionized Washington teachers
Unionized teachers in the nation's capital soon will be eligible for merit pay under an agreement announced Wednesday. It raises the maximum salary from $87,000 to $147,000 in an effort to encourage better performance. But the model may be difficult to replicate, according to some, as it is being financed with $64.5 million from private-sector donations. The Wall Street Journal (4/8)
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