Education

Cal State union considers striking; seeks 5 percent raise

The 25,000 members of the California State University faculty union will cast ballots in a strike-authorization vote beginning Monday. It is the fourth time the union and university have battled over wages in eight years. The union seeks a 5

When is too much enough? A look at schools, money and taxpayers

Steve Miller October 15, 2015

A proposed $9 billion state bond for school construction projects includes multimillion-dollar project requests from districts where student enrollment has declined, a CalWatchdog investigation has found. The measure, on the 2016 ballot, is supported in large part by a cadre

CA unions brace for SCOTUS hearing on dues

James Poulos October 9, 2015

Faced with the greatest legal challenge to their core source of revenue, California unions have braced for defeat and scrambled for alternatives. Some time after its new term begins this month, the Supreme Court will hear arguments in Friedrichs v.

Police anger over new law could shake CA Dem coalition

Chris Reed October 8, 2015

California’s Democratic Party has dominated the state Legislature so thoroughly since Republican Gov. Pete Wilson left office in 1999 that it may be difficult to imagine the party fracturing and losing its control in Sacramento. But given the tensions between

Developer lobby helping to promote $9 billion education bond

Steve Miller October 7, 2015

A $9 billion school-construction bond that voters will decide on in November 2016 will be promoted heavily by titans in the construction industry that stand to profit mightily if the measure passes. The stakes for builders are high; failure to

Lawsuit could highlight flimsy government privacy claims

Chris Reed October 5, 2015

For decades, California government officials have said privacy laws prevent them from disclosing information about employees’ misbehavior — up to and including petty corruption. The claims have always been dubious, according to experts on state privacy and labor relations statutes.

San Diego school board backs embattled president

Chris Reed September 28, 2015

Last week, at least one member of the San Diego school board — Vice President John Lee Evans — appeared to be deeply concerned at the least after a series of reports from the Voice of San Diego about school

New bombshells in San Diego school board scandal

Chris Reed September 18, 2015

Two new reports provide fresh heft to allegations that San Diego school board President Marne Foster has abused her power. Both relate to what happened at the district’s School of Creative and Performing Arts, where her son graduated last year.

3 CA MBA entrepreneur programs among world’s best

Chris Reed September 12, 2015

The Financial Times of London, one of the most influential global business publications, recently assessed all the MBA programs in the world for their record in developing successful entrepreneurs. Three private California schools — Stanford, the University of San Diego

AG questions San Diego school board chief

Chris Reed August 31, 2015

For the second time in recent months, San Diego Unified School Board President Marne Foster is facing official scrutiny over her conduct. The California Attorney General’s Office has questioned the legality of a raffle held at an unusual July 25