Coverage of charter school bill SB2 passing Texas House last week

Posted on May 21, 2013 by

Expanding on this earlier post, here is more coverage of charter school bill SB2 passing the Texas House of Representatives last week. The vote was 114-23 on the third reading.

Coverage of passing on second reading (105-34):

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Achievement School District SB1718 scheduled for Tuesday vote; please call Reps. Villarreal and Rodriguez

Posted on May 20, 2013 by

What is the legislature doing this session to improve education? This blog has covered SB2, the charter school bill, which passed the House last week (earlier post), and HB2976, the parent trigger bill (earlier post). Another policy that would improve Texas schools: the creation of an Achievement School District.

How does the Achievement School District work? COMEXSA President Ramiro Mojarro explains:

This legislation offers parents and children attending low performing schools another opportunity for improving schools. Schools who are assessed as low performing for two consecutive years are placed in a statewide district that has resources and education experts to “turn around” these schools.

“Education reform and Latino legislators—our children need your help”, Ramiro Mojarro, Isabela Chapman, Jose Aguilera, Tony Sandoval & Gilberto Garcia, El Mundo, May 17, 2013.

SB1718, which would establish an Achievement School District, has already passed the Senate, and is scheduled for a vote in the House on Tuesday, May 21. Continue reading →

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Singer-songwriter Owen Duggan to perform at Landa Gardens this Saturday morning

Posted on May 17, 2013 by

Landa Gardens family events Saturday mornings May 2013 Monte Vista San Antonio Texas library playground

The Landa Gardens Conservancy is hosting a free performance by singer-songwriter  Owen Duggan (pictured above) at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 18 at the Valero Pavilion on the grounds of the Landa Library in Monte Vista.

T-shirts and signed copies of Duggan’s new CD, “Puppy Dog Jig”, will be for sale, with proceeds going to the Leukemia Lymphoma Society and the Landa Gardens Conservancy.

Come back on Saturday, May 25th at 10 a.m. to see children’s storyteller Miss Anastasia with Pete the Cat. Here is the full list of May 2013 events; also, see my earlier post about the May 2012 events.

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Charter school bill SB2 passes Texas House

Posted on May 16, 2013 by

Readers, thank you for making calls in support of SB2, the charter school bill. Today, the Texas House of Representatives voted 105-34 in favor of SB2. “Texas House Backs Bill Expanding Charter Schools”, Morgan Smith, Texas Tribune, May 16, 2013. The next step is for a conference committee to work out the differences between the Senate and House versions of SB2.

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Results for the May 11 school board elections in Bexar County

Posted on May 16, 2013 by

The votes are in—here are the results for the May 11 school board races in Bexar County:

  • Alamo Heights ISD
    • Place 1: Joseph Dubrof
    • Place 2: John Tippit
  •  Harlandale ISD
    • Place 1: Juan Mancha over Joshua J. Cerna
    • Place 3: Erma V. Casarez over Esequiel “Zeke” Mendoza and  Susie Estrada Peralta
    • Place 4: David Abundis over Melissa Rodriguez, Norma Cavazos, and Luis Bravo
  • Judson ISD
    • District 2: Richard LaFoille
    • District 3: Gilbert Flores over Debra Eaton
    • District 4: Jose A. Macias Jr. over Arturo Salinas
    • District 5: Arnoldo Salinas over Johnny Harris
  • Northside ISD
    • District 5: Katie Reed
    • District 6: Carol Berg Harle
    • District 7: Karen B. Freeman over Scott Guller
  • San Antonio ISD
    • District 1: Steve Lecholop
    • District 3: Debra Guerrero over Chris Alvarado
    • District 4: Arthur V. Valdez, Jr. over Adela R. Segovia, Fernando Velazquez, and John “Rocky” Graciano
    • District 7: Ed Garza
  • Southside ISD
    • Position 3: Loren Brewer over Richard Quebe and Theresa Balderas
    • Position 4: Tony E. Luna over Margie C. Lopez
    • Position 5: Norberto Chavez over Lisa Salazar
  • Southwest ISD: Sylvester Vasquez and Ida Sudolcan over Phillip Vargas

More information, including vote totals, at Bexar County Elections.

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School board election results 2013: Judson ISD

Posted on May 16, 2013 by

Four seats on the Judson ISD School Board were on the May 11 ballot, and all four incumbents are returning. “Judson incumbents back for more”, Jeff B. Flinn, Prime Time Newspapers, May 14, 2013.

District 2: Richard LaFoille ran unopposed.

District 3: Gilbert Flores defeated Debra Eaton.

District 4: Jose Macias defeated Arturo Salinas.

District 5: Arnoldo Salinas defeated Johnny Harris.

The remaining board members:

  • Steve Salyer represents single-member District 1 through May 2015.
  • June Adair represents at-large District 6 through May 2015.
  • Beth Williams represents at-large District 7 through May 2015.

Read more about the election in this earlier post and at Bexar County Elections.

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School board election results 2013: Northside ISD

Posted on May 16, 2013 by

On May 11, Northside ISD Board of Trustees President Karen Freeman (District 7) survived a challenge from Scott Guller. “New faces on L.V. City Council, BISD school board”, Natalie Chandler, Prime Time Newspapers, May 14, 2013. Also, Katie Reed (District 5) and Carol Berg Harle (District 6) ran unopposed.

The remaining board members:

  • District 1: George Lynn Britton, Jr.
  • District 2: Bennie L. Cole
  • District 3: M’Lissa M. Chumbley
  • District 4: Robert Blount, Jr.

Read more about the election in this earlier post and at Bexar County Elections.

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