Schools

Since its inception in 1984, when the Martinez Education Foundation (MEF) collected $5000 to fiscally support the Martinez Unified School District (MUSD) and its students, the non-profit entity has grown significantly, distributing $131,558 in 2009 in the form of grants to teachers for classroom supplies, new technologies and field trips. To date, the MEF has distributed over $1.5 million.more...

When the California legislature finally passed last summer’s 2009-2010 budget, funding to the state’s community colleges was cut by $812 million, said Dean Murakami of the California Federation of Teachers (CFT).

Additionally, over $1 billion in funding is being deferred until July so that it counts towards the next fiscal year. more...

Among the pantheon of superbly talented 20th century photographers at the vanguard of the profession, Edward Weston holds a prominent place. He and his good friend Ansel Adams formed an industry association called Group f/64, and now Weston’s stark and gorgeous images sell upwards of $1 million, decades after his death in 1958 at age 71.more...

Sept. 24 — On Tuesday, the Pleasant Hill Police Department released artist sketches of a man suspected of plotting to kidnap young students on three separate occasions early in the month.

Although the incidents occurred at Pleasant Hill Middle School and in Concord, Martinez Unified School District Rami Muth sent out an email to all District administrators yesterday, in which she included the sketches and warned principals to stay on their guard.more...

The Interim Superintendent of the Mt. Diable Unified School District, which includes  Hidden Valley Elementary School in Martinez, issued a warning to parents and students on Thursday morning about two disturbing incidents which occurred over the past week in Pleasant Hill. On Thursday afternoon, police received a third report of a similar incident in Concord.  All three police reports involve a description of what appears to be the same man.more...

The 2009/2010 school year starts today throughout the Martinez Unified School District (MUSD). Hidden Valley Elementary strudents return next Monday as part of the Mt. Diablo Unified School District.

MUSD Superintendent Rami Muth said Friday that although the total enrollment figures are “a moving target,”  until teachers call roll in each class, as it stands the District will be responsible for the education of over 4000 youngsters this year.more...

“This is certainly an unusual loan, to say the least,” said Council member Mike Menesini near the end of a Tuesday meeting between City staff, Council School Subcommittee members and Martinez Unified School District Board members and administrators.

After an hour of negotiations, Subcommittee members Schroder and Menesini backed away from a stipulation that the District must partially repay the City’s $500,000 loan in cash with interest after five years, paving the way for a group agreement that all repayments will be in-kind.more...

There has been a Mrs. Greerty teaching in Martinez schools since 1949, but when Catherine (Kit) Greerty retires at the end of the school year, the long winning streak will be broken.more...

When Martinez Unified School District staff asked the City Council for financial support last week, in hopes of retaining some teaching jobs imperiled by $2.1 million in budget cuts, it was a not a novel concept.

Over the past two months, the Richmond City Council hammered out a deal with the West Contra County Unified School District in which the Richmond Council dedicated $1.5 million to the District in return for the deeds of several surplus school properties.more...