Tuesday, February 23, 2010

“Morning headlines: City Council retreat unrecorded, Portland's "private public schools", Psychologists can prescribe ... (The Oregonian)” plus 3 more

“Morning headlines: City Council retreat unrecorded, Portland's "private public schools", Psychologists can prescribe ... (The Oregonian)” plus 3 more

Morning headlines: City Council retreat unrecorded, Portland's "private public schools", Psychologists can prescribe ... (The Oregonian)

Posted: 23 Feb 2010 12:41 PM PST

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By The Oregonian

February 23, 2010, 12:30PM
Today's news report from The Oregonian includes stories from across Oregon and throughout the Portland area. (Click on the headline to read and comment on each of these stories). Here are the biggest stories:

Betty Bode2.JPGView full sizeThe OregonianBetty Bode Beaverton council breaks city code by not recording retreat: Video recordings capture moments big and small for the Beaverton City Council: urban renewal feasibility, approval of a cable-TV transfer and praise for a Lego-building youth group called "Fire Breathing Rubber Duckies." But when the Beaverton City Council met last month for a nearly seven-hour "retreat" at City Hall, leaders chose not to record their discussions. That decision bothers one elected official who was there, Councilor Betty Bode.

National study dubs 12 Portland-area schools 'private public schools': A new report by the non-profit pro-school-choice Fordham Institute says "more than 1.7 million American children attend what we've dubbed 'private public schools' -- public schools that serve virtually no poor students." And it names names. Like these: Riverdale High, Forest Park Elementary, Findley Elementary of Beaverton, Palisades and Westridge elementaries in Lake Oswego and the Multi-Sensory charter school in Tigard.

Senate narrowly passes bill that would allow psychologists to prescribe meds: Licensed psychologists may be able to prescribe certain medications under a bill that passed the Oregon Senate Monday evening on a 18-11 vote. Senate Bill 1046 is the product of much discussion inside the capitol and of a work group made up of medical and psychological experts. Psychologists could not start prescribing under the bill until at least July 1, 2011.

Portland-Milwaukie MAX open house draws 100: A TriMet open house showing details of the planned Portland-Milwaukie MAX line drew about 100 people to a Southeast Portland church tonight. Many residents of the Brooklyn, Hosford-Abernethy and Westmoreland neighborhoods asked about planned pedestrian crossings of freight rail tracks that divide the area. Some property and business owners came to ask about details and potential relocation assistance.

Sperm whales form groups to hunt squid, an OSU scientist says: Almost any kid could tell you that sperm whales prefer to eat squid. But how the giant predators go about catching their tentacled prey remains largely unknown. Scientists from Oregon and Mexico believe they've found the first evidence that sperm whales form coordinated hunting teams that assign a rotating crew of deep divers to herd their prey up from the hidden depths.

-- The Oregonian

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Skiatook Public Schools accused of squandering money (KJRH-TV Tulsa)

Posted: 23 Feb 2010 02:05 PM PST

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The audit into Skiatook Public Schools says a lack of internal controls in purchasing and receiving made the misuse of public money possible.

The audit says for four and a half years, the district spent $800,000 on custodial supplies alone from a middle man in Oklahoma City.

In some cases, the district paid a mark-up of more than 800%.

The audit also found during the same time period, the district spent $460,000 for security systems from an Oklahoma City company that operated on the same storefront as the janitorial company.

In some cases, the district paid a 400% mark-up on security equipment.

District leaders did not want to go on camera, but released this statement.

"After reviewing the issues, the superintendent and the board determined to revise the purchasing procedures at this time.  Further, the Skiatook Public Schools immediately ceased doing business with the vendor involved."

District leaders also say once the board has a chance to review the audit and talk about it with the school attorney, it will determine what actions to take next.

The auditor has forwarded the results to Attorney General Drew Edmondson's office to determine whether any laws were broken.

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Tustin Public Schools Foundation needs board members (Tustin News)

Posted: 23 Feb 2010 02:56 PM PST

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The Tustin Public Schools Foundation is seeking community members to serve on its board of directors. Board terms are two years and will begin on June 1

Board members attend monthly board meetings and serve on at least one committee.

The foundation organizes the annual Dinosaur Dash Run for Education in November and the Teacher of the Year Excellence Awards Dinner in May.

Funding priorities include providing instrumental music in elementary schools, increasing technology in the schools, helping schools to implement programs which increase environmental awareness, funding grants to help teachers pilot innovative programs, providing resources to help students with college potential meet their goals, purchasing books for school libraries and helping the district to close funding gaps.

For more information or for an application, contact Carol Burby Garrett, executive director at 714-832-6299 or info@tpsf.net.


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Detroit Public Schools Hires Bus Company (WXYZ-TV Detroit)

Posted: 23 Feb 2010 10:05 AM PST

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DETROIT (WXYZ) - Detroit Public Schools will be selling their bus fleet as they transition students to a private contractor.

Detroit Schools Emergency Financial Manager Robert Bobb announced the deal Tuesday morning. The contract, which goes into effect May 1, is with a partnership between the Detroit-based ABC Student Transportation and a Cincinnati-based company named First Student.

Nearly 22,300 students in Detroit depend on the DPS bus system.

The deal is expected to save the cash strapped district more than $50 million dollars a year. Almost 350 workers currently work in Detroit Public School's transportation department. They will be given the opportunity to interview with the new company.

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