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SACRAMENTO – The State Senate unanimously approved legislation on Thursday to increase school transportation reimbursement rates for districts that are severely underfunded.
SB 1137 by Sen. Norma Torres would increase the rate at which districts are reimbursed for approved transportation costs.
Under the proposal, districts reimbursed at less than 50 percent of state approved costs would, during a phase in period, be bumped up to a 50 percent reimbursement rate.
It also would provide a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for transportation funding for all school districts.
“Too many children and their families in underfunded school districts are suffering consequences because of the lack of funding to safely transport kids to and from school,” said Sen. Torres. “This bill will ensure many school districts get a fairer share of funding.”
The current statewide district reimbursement rate for home-to-school transportation is 38 percent. The funding distribution is so uneven that some school districts see less than 10 percent reimbursement, while others receive over 80 percent of their approved costs.
The most recent data available from the California Department of Education shows school districts spent over $1.2 billion transporting students.
In the 2012-13 budget, school districts received less than $492 million in funding from the state to pay these costs, resulting in a funding deficit of $800 million.
“From winding country roads to busy city streets, school buses carry the most precious cargo: our children,” said California School Employees Association (CSEA) President Michael Bilbrey, whose organization supports the bill.
“Full and adequate funding for home-to-school transportation ensures that there are sufficiently trained drivers, properly maintained buses, and sufficient routes to safely transport 800,000 California students each day. Only with proper and equalized funding can we ensure that school districts keep those vital big yellow buses rolling with our students,” Bilbrey added.
In addition to CSEA, the bill is supported by the California School Boards Association and a large coalition of school transportation advocates.
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SPOKANE, Wash. – Eric Schenck, a resident of Middletown, Calif., has earned placement on the Gonzaga University Dean's List for spring semester 2014.
Students must earn a 3.5 to 3.69 grade-point average to be listed.
Gonzaga University is a humanistic, private Catholic University providing a Jesuit education to more than 7,500 students.
Situated along the Spokane River near downtown Spokane, Wash., Gonzaga is routinely recognized among the West's best comprehensive regional universities.
Gonzaga offers 75 fields of study, 25 master's degrees, a doctorate in leadership studies, and a Juris Doctor degree through its School of Law.
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LAKEPORT, Calif. – Lakeport Christian Center Preschool invites the public to its graduation ceremony to be held at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 10.
The preschool is pleased to announce there will be 17 graduates this year.
The ceremony will be held in the Lakeport Christian Center Sanctuary on 455 S. Forbes St.
For more information on the preschool summer program or for preschool registration, call 707-262-5520.
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NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Yuba Community College District (YCCD) offers a warm welcome to Dr. Michael A. White, Ed.D, who has been selected to serve as Woodland Community College’s second president.
Dr. White’s name will be forwarded to the YCCD Governing Board for approval at its June 12 meeting. He will assume office on July 1.
Dr. Michael White is currently the vice president of student services at Reedley College in Reedley, Calif. Reedley College is part of the State Center Community College District in Fresno.
At Reedley College, Dr. White has served as the interim president; vice president of student services; department chair; faculty member; and coach.
“I am honored to serve the students, faculty, staff and community as president of Woodland Community College,” said Dr. White. “While my first task is to do a great deal of listening, of one thing I am already sure: Our college is committed to the student experience.”
He added, “Throughout my initial research into this opportunity and the selection process, a focus on high quality educational experiences for career technical education, associates-bound and transfer students was evident. I look forward to engaging our Woodland service area, Colusa County, and Yolo County stakeholders in continued partnerships benefiting some of California’s most underrepresented, yet deserving students.”
“We are thrilled to have Dr. Michael White join us as president of Woodland Community College. Dr. White's experience, energy, and leadership will enable us to continue moving forward as a college and as a community” said Gary Sandy, vice president of the Yuba Community College District Board of Trustees.
With a professional career spanning more than 30 years, Dr. White has instructional experience at the high school, community college and university levels.
He currently serves in a variety of leadership capacities at Reedley College and at State Center Community College District. He is the accreditation liaison officer, student success committee chair, strategic planning co-chair, and enrollment management chair.
As interim president, Dr. White led Reedley College’s efforts resulting in removal from warning status and reaffirmation of accreditation.
YCCD Chancellor Dr. Douglas B. Houston attributes the leadership and involvement of Woodland Community College’s faculty, staff and students in assisting with attracting and selecting such a highly-qualified campus leader.
Dr. White received his doctorate in educational leadership at California State University, Fresno. He graduated with distinction from the University of New Mexico with a master of science degree in physical education, and earned a Ryan secondary teaching credential and bachelor of arts degree from the University of California at Davis.
Dr. White also is a graduate of the prestigious Society for College and University Planning (SCUP) Institute.
The nationwide search for the Woodland Community College president began in February, after former President Angela Fairchilds accepted the position of president of Columbia College. Dr. Fairchilds was appointed to the Woodland Community College presidency in 2006 as the Yuba Community College District transitioned to a multi-college district.
“Dr. White will be a great fit for Woodland Community College,” said Chancellor Houston. “Not only is he eminently qualified; he has substantial experience in rural colleges and in serving the needs of an agricultural community.”
Dr. White is married with two daughters. His wife Ruth serves as a K-5 elementary school principal, their daughter Lauren directs fundraising projects for the Sacramento Region American Diabetes Association and their youngest daughter Hayley is a student at Reedley College.
Woodland Community College was accredited in 2008 as the the second community college in the Yuba Community College District and the 110 in the State of California.
The college has provided educational opportunities for students in Yolo and Colusa counties since 1975, and currently serves approximately 4,000 students. It is the only Hispanic Serving Institution in the Sacramento region, with 44 percent of its student population being of Latino descent.
Woodland Community College is part of a two-college district which covers 4,192 square miles and all or part of eight counties.