School Board: New multilingual curriculum, budget summary
On December 14, the Berkeley Unified School District held their last board meeting of the year. The meeting included the welcoming of two new members, as well as presentations on ethnic studies classes, the superintendent’s future plans, the Multilingual Master program, and the district’s budget allocations. At the beginning of the meeting, Jennifer Shanoski and
School board: Literacy program update, two members retire
On Wednesday, November 30, the Berkeley Unified School District School Board meeting included an update on the recent dyslexia settlement, speeches by two board members who are stepping down this year, and recognition of Berkeley High School’s partnership with the Berkeley Fire Department.
School board: STEM camp, literacy action, bell schedule reform
The Berkeley Unified School District Board convened on the evening of Wednesday, October 12. Topics included a STEM maker camp for rising seventh to ninth grade BUSD students, a literacy settlement to support students with reading, and the controversial bell schedule redesign process.
School board: SLP assessments and parking lot construction
On Wednesday, September 7, The Berkeley Unified School District School Board convened, discussing compensation for teachers writing recommendation letters, speech language pathologist assessment limits, the 2021-22 Unaudited Actuals, and the Milvia Street Project. During the public comment section of the meeting, several teachers spoke about the need to either financially compensate teachers for
School Board Talks Black History Month, COVID-19 Measures
At its February 2 meeting, the Berkeley Unified School District School Board convened to commemorate this year’s Black History Month and review future steps regarding COVID-19 policies including mask mandates, testing, and employee vaccination requirements.
BUSD School Board and Parents Reckon With Reopening
On April 14, the Berkeley Unified School District School Board met to discuss a range of issues, including on-campus learning at Berkeley’s elementary and middle schools, as well as the ongoing reopening process at Berkeley High School.
School Board Meeting Covers Reopening Plans, Anti-Asian Violence
The March 24 Berkeley Unified School District school board meeting included conversations about school reopening in the fall, possible reopenings later this school year, and the spike in violence against the Asian American and Pacific Islander community that has been observed over the past months.
Berkeley Adult School Parking Lot to be Converted to BUSD Staff Housing
On Wednesday, February 17, the Berkeley Unified School District board made the decision to approve the parking lot of the Berkeley Adult School for a new initiative that would build as many as 110 homes for BUSD staff. The cost of living in Berkeley, California, is 80 percent higher than the national average, according
Celebrating the Women of Berkeley
Carol Christ Carol Christ joined the University of California Berkeley faculty in 1970. She was a teacher and an administrator until 2002, when she became the president of Smith College in North Hampton, Massachusetts.
Local Official Spotlight: Vasudeo Talks COVID-19 and Inclusion
“My top goal is to help our students and teachers recover from this pandemic,” said Berkeley Unified School District Board Director Ana Vasudeo. Despite the uncertainties and inequities created by COVID-19, Berkeley High School continues to strive for inclusion, a platform for student activism, as well as a supportive environment for its diverse
Superintendent Presents COVID-19 Update at January 6 Board Meeting
The Berkeley School Board’s January 6 meeting primarily focused on plans to return to in-person learning. Members also discussed the English learner master plan and approved an energy service contract with Schneider Electric for equipment replacement at the Berkeley High School pool. The first public comment period was mainly about COVID-19.
Babitt and Vasudeo Sworn in as New BUSD School Board Directors
On Wednesday, December 16, Berkeley Unified School District held its annual school board organizational meeting to approve the 2021 agenda and swear in new members to the board. Replacing last year’s school board directors Judy Appel and Beatriz Leyva-Cutler, Ana Vasudeo and Laura Babitt were sworn in as the new directors. Babitt was sworn