News in Brief –

Senate Bill 50 cleared the state House of Representatives on Wednesday by a vote of 77-18. It now heads to Republican Gov. Matt Bevin’s desk.

Rapper gives $1 million to Chicago schools, blasts governor

Chance the Rapper’s unusual intervention into Chicago Public Schools’ funding crisis took an even more curious turn Monday when the Grammy-winner presented a $1 million check to city schools and urged Gov. Bruce Rauner to use his executive powers to help the nation’s third-largest district. The Republican governor, a former venture capitalist, responded by noting his own philanthropy and floating Chicago school funding ideas that would face tough odds in the Democratic-controlled Legislature.

Kansas school funding formula plans vie for legislative approval

Lawmakers have begun sifting through a raft of school finance legislation, with several plans competing for attention in the early stages of a process aimed at producing a new funding formula. Lawmakers have begun sifting through a raft of school finance legislation, with several plans competing for attention in the early stages of a process aimed at producing a new funding formula.

8 civilians killed in Afghanistan by alleged air strike

A Southern California school district will no longer take part in funeral processions for sailors and Navy SEALS killed overseas that have drawn thousands of students. A Southern California school district will no longer take part in funeral processions for sailors and Navy SEALS killed overseas that have drawn thousands of students.

SF tells high court there’s nothing to fear from trans

This photo taken on May 4, 2016, shows a sign posted outside the Santee High School’s gender neutral restrooms at their campus in Los Angeles. This photo taken on May 4, 2016, shows a sign posted outside the Santee High School’s gender neutral restrooms at their campus in Los Angeles.

Repair to flood-damaged Ascension Parish schools in design phase, bids out on two

The work to restore the five flood-damaged Ascension Parish public schools, as well as for other school district facilities that flooded, is now in the design phase, the School Board’s consultant reported this week. The work for two of those projects is out for bid – St. Amant Primary, with a bid due date of March 7, and St. Amant Middle, with a bid due date of March 28 – Todd Mann, project manager with consulting firm CSRS, of Baton Rouge, told the School Board on Tuesday.

Trump motorcade hit by 2×4, 5 students face charges

Authorities say a vehicle in President Donald Trump’s motorcade was struck by a “2×4” and five middle school students are now facing charges. Palm Beach County Sheriff’s office spokeswoman Teri Barbera said in a statement Saturday that the incident happened Friday around 1:45 p.m. Officers assisting the U.S. Secret Service reported that a vehicle in the motorcade had been struck by what was believed to be a small, hard object.

Heritage Foundation Panelists Criticize Pro-trans Bathroom Policies

Members of a Heritage Foundation panel on Thursday sharply criticized efforts to allow transgender people to use bathrooms and other facilities based on their gender identity. Ryan Anderson, a senior research fellow at the Heritage Foundation, moderated the panel that was titled, “Biology Isn’t Bigotry: Why Sex Matters in the Age of Gender Identity.”

School Celebrates 90th Birthday With Para-Educator

At Manchester High School, Betty Tracy has served her students as a living witness to the Great Depression and other momentous events in American history. Far and away the oldest school district employee, the para-educator said at her 90th birthday party Friday that she also listens in on lessons in science and other subjects.

Johnnye Warnsley

Johnnye Warnsley, who inspired her Scott High School students long past their graduation and who won notice beyond the school system, died Feb. 11 in her central Toledo home. She was 70. Mrs. Warnsley retired in 2011 from Scott, where she taught American history and American government.

George W. Bush on Trump and Russia: “We all need answers”

Former President George W. Bush, Laura, center right, and SMU President R. Gerald Turner, right, watch play against Tulane in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2017, in Dallas. less Former President George W. Bush, Laura, center right, and SMU President R. Gerald Turner, right, watch play against Tulane in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2017, in … more FEB.

School board approves ‘We All Belong’ resolution

After hearing statements of support from several local elected officials and a number of parents and teachers, the Davis school board unanimously approved a resolution titled “We All Belong” on Thurday night. The measure aimed to address what several speakers described as a growing sense of fear at schools relating to local vandalism at houses of worship; concerns about bullying and harassment based on race, gender, religion, language and other topics; as well as possible deportations and possible interventions by the federal government.

Arrested for burping: The Gorsuch dissent

Remember when a 13-year-old Albuquerque boy was arrested – taken in handcuffs to a juvenile detention center – for fake burping in P.E. class? His mother sued, but the 10th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals in Denver ruled in favor of the school district in July 2016. Judge Neil Gorsuch, now a nominee for the U.S. Supreme Court, wrote a memorable dissent , reprinted in Valerie Strauss’s Washington Post column.

Tom’s #Mailbag, Feb. 3, 2017

Another bigly week at the mailbag, with an unusual number of political questions about U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis and any potential opponents, plus queries about Gov. Bruce Rauner’s public appearances. Also: an update on the federal lawsuit involving a former Villa Grove school superintendent, a Campustown neon sign hanging by the proverbial thread, a mysterious medallion worn by University of Illinois great Nick Holonyak, more on Trader Joe’s, Clearview and a long-vacant house in Champaign, charges at the Leonhard Center and Carle parking garages, and whether any agency does health inspections at fitness centers.

Montebello councilman wants to look at becoming a a sanctuary citya

MONTEBELLO >> Councilman Art Barajas said it may be time for his city to become a “sanctuary city” even as President Donald Trump is moving to cut off federal grants to jurisdictions that restrict cooperation with immigration agencies, But Barajas said many surrounding cities and school districts, including the Montebello Unified School District, already have declared sanctuary status and Montebello should consider it. “I want to explore the possibility of our city ,” Barajas said.

Greenwood

Gordon Brothers announced today that it has entered into a strategic partnership with Carolina Pride, a family-owned packaged meat producer based in Greenwood, South Carolina. Wednesday, February 8, 2017 Montessori educators representing eight school districts throughout South Carolina recently visited the Lander University campus to begin work that will align the state’s curriculum standards with Montessori curriculum.

Newbury High School students eager to witness Donald Trump’s inauguration

Newbury High School senior Mak Sanders and several of his classmates witnessed the beginning of Donald Trump’s presidential campaign last year when they spent several days following presidential candidates in Iowa. Sanders and 16 other Newbury students arrived in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday to pick up their inauguration tickets and tour attractions such as the U.S. Capitol, Library of Congress and Smithsonian Institution museums.

To celebrate inaugural or not?

The sharp divisions over President-elect Donald Trump’s election have politicians, celebrities and even high school students debating whether taking part in the inauguration is a political act that demonstrates support for the new president and his agenda or a nonpartisan tribute to democratic traditions and the peaceful transfer of power. Among critics of the president-elect, everyone from Hillary Clinton and Hollywood A-listers to the band director at tiny Madawaska Middle/a High School in northern Maine and singers in the Mormon Tabernacle Choir is wrestling with this issue – and reaching different conclusions.

GOP lawmaker says Capitol pig painting coming down

In this Jan. 5, 2017, photo, a painting by David Pulphus hangs in a hallway displaying paintings by high school students selected by their member of congress on Capitol Hill in Washington. A GOP congressman reported Jan. 13 that a painting stirring controversy on Capitol Hill will be taken down on Tuesday as a result of a review by the agency responsible for maintaining the Capitol complex determined it violated rules for a student arts competition.

Weird War Over Congress Pig-Cop PaintingBy Matt Laslo

Lawmakers on Capitol Hill are supposed to be the grownups in the room, but a spat over a high school student’s painting is revealing their childish tendencies-and the episode could have broad implications for race relations under President Donald J. Trump . Every year high school students across the U.S. compete to get their art hung in the Capitol where it’s on display for the millions of visitors who walk through the complex annually, but this year one young artist’s work has inflamed racial tensions among lawmakers and revived a debate over police tactics.

To celebrate inaugural or not? Trump critics are divided

It’s typically an unquestioned honor to participate in the inauguration of an American president. Who wouldn’t want to be part of such a historic event? The sharp divisions over Donald Trump’s election have politicians, celebrities and even high school students debating whether taking part in the inauguration is a political act that demonstrates support for the new president and his agenda or a nonpartisan tribute to democratic traditions and the peaceful transfer of power.

Oklahoma superintendent seeks $221M boost for schools

Oklahoma state Rep. Leslie Osborn, R-Mustang, gestures as she talks with a colleague on the House floor in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2017. Oklahoma’s Department of Education says it needs $221 million more in funding for the next school year just to keep pace with student growth.