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California
31st July 2026
 

THE HOT STORY

Bipartisan Senate bill pushes back on Education Department restructuring

A U.S. Senate committee has advanced bipartisan legislation aimed at reversing key elements of the Trump administration's plan to dismantle the Department of Education, keeping oversight of K-12 education, special education, Title I, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the Office of Postsecondary Education, and the Office of Indian Education within the department. The bill represents the strongest congressional challenge yet to the administration's restructuring efforts, although it still requires approval from the full Senate and faces an uncertain path in the House. The legislation also requires the Department of Education to provide quarterly reports on the cost of implementing the agency transfers, following concerns that the administration has already spent $1m relocating one office and requested an additional $9m for the transition. While the administration defended the changes as improving efficiency and delivering "measurable results," critics argued the reorganization weakens protections for students with disabilities and civil rights enforcement by shifting responsibilities to other federal agencies. 

LEGAL

Father of Apalachee High School shooter receives 15-year prison sentence

Colin Gray, the father of the teenage gunman who killed two students and two teachers at Apalachee High School in September 2024, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison after being convicted of second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter for negligently providing his son with the rifle used in the attack. The sentence follows his son, Colt Gray, receiving life without parole after pleading guilty to murder and other charges. Prosecutors argued that Colin Gray ignored repeated warning signs about his son's deteriorating mental health and fascination with mass shooters, despite giving him the firearm and leaving it accessible. The case is one of a small but growing number in which U.S. prosecutors have successfully held parents criminally liable for their role in enabling school shootings, following the convictions of the parents of the Oxford High School shooter in Michigan. 

Fresno USD's payouts under scrutiny

Fresno USD recently faced scrutiny from the Fresno County Civil Grand Jury regarding its payments to non-certified, non-union employees upon resignation. The report highlighted a $162,000 severance payment to former communications chief Nikki Henry, which raised concerns about accountability. The Fresno Teachers Association criticized the decision, stating, “We believe that this settlement will send a message to FUSD employees and the broader community: accountability is not applied equally.” Trustee Susan Wittrup also expressed her discontent, claiming the district violated the Brown Act by not keeping the board informed. While the grand jury dismissed the Brown Act violation, it noted that outdated job descriptions and inconsistent personnel evaluations may have contributed to the payout issues. In response, spokesperson A.J. Kato stated that Fresno Unified is working on improving employee evaluation practices and updating job descriptions.

SAFETY AND SECURITY

Parents voice concerns over school safety

As schools in Boyle Heights prepare to reopen on August 12, families express significant concerns regarding safety due to the nearby Lineage warehouse fire. Myrna Silva, a local parent, emphasized the impact of the "noxious stench of rotting food" on her children's ability to concentrate and enjoy outdoor activities. Despite Los Angeles USD officials asserting that classrooms are safe, with measures like air testing and high-grade filters in place, community advocates demand quicker cleanup and the permanent closure of the facility. Rocío Rivas, a school board member, highlighted the "long-standing environmental injustices" affecting the area, calling for immediate action to ensure the health and safety of students. With the removal of the rotting food expected to take months, parents remain anxious about the upcoming school year.

Chico School Board blindsided by AI cameras

Chico USD board members were largely unaware of their approval for a $1.9m contract for AI-powered security cameras, which are now installed in 691 locations across the district. The approval occurred during a December 17 meeting without discussion about the contract's details, including features like facial recognition. Board member Tom Lando later expressed confusion, stating: “I’m happy to serve, and willing to admit that we, the board, screwed this up.” Community members, including parents and teachers, voiced their concerns over the lack of transparency and the implications of biometric surveillance. A letter from 14 teachers urged the board to reconsider the cameras, emphasizing the need for public consultation. In response to the backlash, CUSD plans to discuss new regulations for consent calendar items to enhance transparency, as stated by Erica Smith, CUSD director of communications and community relations.

HEALTH & WELLBEING

Measles cases soar to alarming levels

In 2026, the United States reported 2,318 confirmed measles cases, surpassing the total for all of 2025 and marking the highest count in 35 years, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC noted that "93% of new cases involved people who were unvaccinated or whose vaccination status was unknown." The decline in vaccination rates, particularly among kindergarten students, has been attributed to the growing anti-vaccine movement. MMR vaccination coverage for kindergarteners fell to 92.5% in the 2024-2025 school year, while vaccine exemptions rose to 3.6%. As cases rise, biotech companies like Invivyd and NanoViricides are developing treatments for measles. The disease remains a significant health threat due to its high contagion rate and potential for severe complications.

MANAGEMENT

Leadership lessons from Murry Schekman

Murry Schekman, a seasoned educator and interim superintendent of Pajaro Valley USD, has released his second book, “It's All About Leadership in Schools… What works and some of what doesn't! Counseling, Culture and Community.” This book builds on his previous work, offering insights into the critical role of counselors in shaping school culture. “I really wanted to focus on a concept that makes sense and there's good research behind,” Schekman said, emphasizing the importance of counselors in influencing school practices. He shares personal anecdotes and data, highlighting successful outcomes at Pajaro Valley High School, where students excelled in meeting A-G requirements. Schekman also reflects on the significance of community partnerships and the need for principals to listen to their staff. He encourages new administrators to embrace challenges, stating: “As long as you can get up in the morning and enjoy the challenges ahead, you're going to be successful.”

SOCIAL & COMMUNITY

Community fair sets new attendance record

Mikaela Zimmerman, Western Placer USD foster and homeless youth liaison, highlighted the success of the annual community fair, stating: “To me, this event represents what can happen when schools, nonprofits, businesses, and community organizations come together with one shared goal: helping kids start the school year with confidence.” The event, inspired by a similar initiative from the Fairfield-Suisun USD, aims to support students and families by providing free backpacks, school supplies, and resources. This year, 592 students have pre-registered, surpassing last year's total of 590. New offerings include free vision screenings and bilingual support for Spanish-speaking families, emphasizing accessibility and community collaboration. 

CURRICULUM

Schools teach civics, not participation

A new report from the Center on Reinventing Public Education has found that while civic education is a core part of instruction in most U.S. schools, students have limited opportunities to develop civic skills through real-world participation. The report, based on survey data and interviews with leaders from 345 school districts, argues that effective civic education requires both classroom instruction and practical experiences, such as volunteering, community engagement, and civic dialogue. According to the report, 90% of school districts incorporate civics into required coursework, but only 35% provide civic learning opportunities outside the classroom, and just 13% require students to complete community engagement or civic action projects. The researchers also found that only 13% of districts require professional development to help teachers facilitate discussions on controversial issues. The report recommends that districts strengthen civic education by establishing clearer goals, expanding teacher training, providing shared instructional resources, and creating more opportunities for students to practice civic participation.

HIGHER EDUCATION

Cal Poly students face housing shuffle

Cal Poly is adjusting its housing arrangements due to delays in the completion of a new residence hall. Keegan Koberl, a spokesperson for the university, stated that the four-bedroom apartments in Poly Canyon Village will temporarily be converted into three-bedroom, six-person units. This change will affect students who signed up for single rooms, requiring them to share with a roommate for part of the upcoming school year. Continuing students are expected to honor their housing contracts, while transfer students can exit without penalty. A 50% reduction in housing fees will be provided to those impacted. The new łqtoʔ dormitory, which will add over 500 beds, is part of Cal Poly's $1bn plan to accommodate more students on campus.

INTERNATIONAL

Indonesia's free meals program faces funding overhaul after court ruling

Indonesia's Constitutional Court has ruled that President Prabowo Subianto's free nutritious meals program can no longer be financed from the country's education budget, finding that the initiative does not qualify as an educational expense under the Constitution. The court said the change must take effect by 2028, while encouraging the government to separate the program's funding from education spending as early as the 2027 state budget. The ruling increases pressure on a program that has already faced budget cuts, corruption allegations, and public criticism over food poisoning incidents. The free meals budget has been reduced to around Rp229tn ($12.7bn) from an initial allocation of Rp335tn, while public approval has fallen to 33.8% from 62.5% in November 2025, according to an SMRC survey.
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