West Orange County Features - Los Alamitos Unified Schools RSS Feed

42% of Orange County School Districts on Financial Watch List�Statewide total is 16%�Los Alamitos Unified Not on List

Dolores Barr, Editor and Publisher — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 06:00:00 Pacific Time

The California Department of Education on Tuesday announced �since the beginning of this year the number of school districts that may be unable to meet future financial obligations�has increased by 38 percent.� Of the 174 school districts, officially known as local educational agencies, or LEAs, which are on the financial watch list, 11 are in Orange County. But, Los Alamitos Unified is not one of them.

Los Alamitos Unified School Board Approves Another Deficit Budget

Dolores Barr, Editor and Publisher — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 06:00:00 Pacific Time

Despite six unpaid furlough days for all teachers and equivalent pay reductions for administrative personnel, the Los Alamitos Unified School District is not able to offset governmental funding reductions and balance its books. The Board of Education this week approved another deficit spending plan for the fiscal year beginning next week.

Wall of Valor Unveiled at Los Alamitos High School

Dolores Barr, Editor and Publisher — Fri, 28 May 2010 06:00:00 Pacific Time

Just one day before start of Memorial Day weekend, with a color guard presentation, singing of the National Anthem, and a speech by the mayor, the efforts of a Los Alamitos High School Junior to honor those alumni who have served in our nation�s military, was officially presented to the community. The project by Megan Boyd, dubbed the Los Alamitos High School Wall of Valor, was unveiled at a ceremony yesterday at the high school administration building.

State Releases School Rankings�Rossmoor Elementary Most Improved in District�Los Alamitos Elementary Most Declined

Dolores Barr, Editor and Publisher — Thu, 13 May 2010 11:00:00 Pacific Time

Today the California Department of Education, CDE, released the public school rankings and the Base Academic Performance Index (API) report. While the schools in the Los Alamitos Unified School District generally rank very high when compared to all other schools in the state, that does not give the full story.

Seal Beach City Council Struggles with McGaugh Pool�Demolition is an Option�Kid�s Pool Probably Doomed�Tennis Courts vs. Parking

Dolores Barr, Editor and Publisher — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 06:00:00 Pacific Time

After a marathon five hour plus meeting, the Seal Beach City Council deferred a vote on what to do about the old and leaking pool and the public tennis courts at McGaugh Elementary School. The School district wants to turn the tennis courts into a parking lot, but selling the entire corner where the pool and tennis courts are located to the city is also a possibility.

Pool leaking 60,500 Gallons Every Day--Tennis Courts in Jeopardy--City and School District Trying to decide what to do and Who will Pay

Dolores Barr, Editor and Publisher — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 07:00:00 Pacific Time

With 60,500 gallons of water leaking from the McGaugh School pool every day, and the nearby tennis courts becoming unstable, the Los Alamitos Unified School District and the City of Seal Beach are trying to determine what to do, and who will pay for it. Nobody seems to know how long the pool has been leaking, but it must be costing the city a�shall we say�a pool full of cash.

Los Alamitos High Baseball/MLB Legends Golf Tournament Coming Up April 19

Dolores Barr, Editor and Publisher — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 07:00:00 Pacific Time

After a successful used equipment sale and poker night (See related article below), the Los Alamitos High School Baseball Booster Club is readying their biggest event yet�a golf tournament complete with Los Al MLB baseball legends. As Los Alamitos High School head baseball coach Aaron Moore works the put in place a top notch coaching staff, the Boosters Club is busy raising money to help renovate the playing fields.

Los Alamitos Teachers Voting on New Contract�Includes School Closings for Furlough Days

Dolores Barr, Editor and Publisher — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 07:00:00 Pacific Time

About two years ago, the Los Alamitos Unified School District began feeling the impact of California�s financial mess. As a result, some teachers were laid off and class sizes were increased modestly. But, the arrival of one time federal stimulus funds allowed the district to minimize the pain. That was then, this is now.

Los Alamitos High School Hires Alumni as New JV Baseball Coach�New Coaching Staff Nearly Complete

Dolores Barr, Editor and Publisher — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 07:00:00 Pacific Time

Los Alamitos High School head baseball coach Aaron Moore, himself a recent hire, announced the appointment of Don Olmstead as the school�s new junior varsity coach. Coach Moore joined the Los Al baseball staff as head coach in July of this year, replacing long time head coach Mark Clabough. See our exclusive interview with Coach Moor under related articles below.

Los Alamitos High School Keeps Control on Sexually Explicit Dancing

isabelle carasso — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 07:00:00 Pacific Time

With this year�s homecoming dances in the history books and winter formals on their way, schools must continue to contend with the over-sexual dance moves that students use. Los Alamitos High School, like many others, uses a contract/ permission slip that the students must sign so they know there are limits.

Los Alamitos School Board Says No to Charter School Application�Company Says it Will Resubmit

Dolores Barr, Editor and Publisher — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 07:00:00 Pacific Time

At a special board meeting on November 9, called for the purpose of considering a charter school application, the School Board of the Los Alamitos Unified School District voted 5/0 to deny the petition. Citing numerous deficiencies in the application, district administration questioned the likelihood of success by the Global Tides @ Orange County Charter School. The petitioner, Marco Salazart, told OC180NEWS.com he plans to refile a corrected petition and open the school by next year.

Los Alamitos HighHomecoming--And The Nominees Are�

No Author — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 06:00:00 Pacific Time

By: Juan DeJesus, Guest Writer Los Alamitos High School declared ten high school hopefuls nominees for the upcoming Homecoming Crowning. Every year the school votes for who they think should be nominated & this year the brightest & most deserving were chosen.

Latest School Academic Performance Index Released--Weaver is Stellar, Hopkinson Elementary Most Current Year Improved, McAuliffe Middle School Most Improved since 2005

Dolores Barr, Editor and Publisher — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 09:00:00 Pacific Time

The California Department of Education today released the latest state school testing data. This data, officially known as the 2009 Academic Performance Index (API), is based on the testing from last spring. Once again, Weaver is the star of the Los Alamitos unified School District.

Los Alamitos Unified says NO to President Obama's Back to School Motivational Speech for Students

Dolores Barr, Editor and Publisher — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 06:00:00 Pacific Time

Additional reporting contributed by Isabelle Carasso.

In a district wide decision, the Los Alamitos Unified School District will not allow students to view President Obama's back to school motivational speech to students. Even though the historical speech, today at 9:00 am local time, has been described by the White House as not a policy speech, the district will not allow students to view it. The text of the President's prepared remarks are at the end of this article.

California School Tests--Weaver Elementary Already High Scores Keep Getting Better, McGaugh Elementary and Los Alamitos Show declines

Dolores Barr, Editor and Publisher — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 06:00:00 Pacific Time

Last week the California Department of Education released the results of the statewide testing for 2009. The California Standards Tests (CSTs) are standards-based tests which, for elementary schools, measure the achievement of state content standards in English-language arts, mathematics, and science. Once again, with scores already way above district , county, and statewide averages, the results at Weaver Elementary improved--proving that even with scores in the 90 percentages, they can still get better.

California School Tests--Los Alamitos High blows Away the averages--McAuliff and Oak Fall Short

Dolores Barr, Editor and Publisher — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 06:00:00 Pacific Time

Earlier this week, the California Department of Education released the results of the statewide testing for 2009. The California Standards Tests (CSTs) are standards-based tests that measure the achievement of state content standards in English-language arts, mathematics, science, and history-social science. Los Alamitos High School beat the averages in all categories, while McAuliff Middle School and Oak Middle School fell well short.

Los Alamitos Education Foundation in $2 Million Fundraising Drive to Rehire Teachers

Dolores Barr, Editor and Publisher — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 06:00:00 Pacific Time

With class size increases coming as a result of cuts in state funding, the local educational foundation has launched a campaign to raise up to $2 million. The Los Alamitos Unified School District Educational Foundation mailed letters to all district parents last week requesting contributions of $225.00 per student. (Editor's note: this amount was incorrectly stated as $245.00 in a previous article).

School District Holds Special Budget Meeting, Lays Off 3 More Bus Drivers, Parents Solicited for $245 Contribution Per Student

Dolores Barr, Editor and Publisher — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 06:00:00 Pacific Time

The Los Alamitos Unified School District's Board Of Education held a special board meeting last night to consider the continuing financial shakeout in response to the recently passed state budget. The most immediate affect was the passage of a resolution to layoff 3 more bus drivers. These layoffs are in addition to the increases in bus fees, now $624 per student per year. AT the same time, parents are receiving solicitations asking for contributions of $245 per student to help cover the budget shortages.

Meet Aaron Moore, New Head Baseball Coach at Los Alamitos High School

Dolores Barr, Editor and Publisher — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 06:00:00 Pacific Time

The Los Angeles Times reported the hiring of Coach Moore with this headline: "Los Alamitos has pulled off a coaching coup, hiring long-time Riverside Poly Coach Aaron Moore to take over its baseball program." Your editors interviewed Coach Moore on Wednesday of this week and now there is an opportunity for parents, friends, and members of the community to meet in person the new man on the field.