TUSD trustees approve budget, await further state cuts

After months of slashing expenses, negotiating new contracts, and cutting services and programs, the Turlock Unified School District finally has a budget for the 2009-10 school year ... at least for a few weeks.

Retiring teachers honored, voice their appreciation for district

Marsha Memmott has spent the last 30 years teaching English to Turlock eighth graders. She has spent 30 years correcting grammar, grading essays, and explaining when to use "who" and when to use "whom." After all of those years of dedication to Turlock students and their education, Memmott is retiring from her job at Turlock Junior High School.

Empty classrooms, full stomachs

Although many classroom seats will be empty for Turlock schools this summer, stomachs will not. Beginning on June 6 and ending July 19, the Turlock Unified School District will be taking part in the "Seamless Summer Program," in an attempt to provide food for those low-income students who go hungry during the summer. The summer program will offer breakfast and lunch on weekdays. Scott Soiseth, TUSD director of child nutrition, said that ...

May revise means more money, restrictions for Turlock schools

Described as "the most stable fiscal footing in well over a decade," by Governor Jerry Brown, the May revision of the state's 2013-14 budget has been released, maintaining a $1.1 billion reserve. Since Brown first introduced his proposed spending plan in January, revenues have exceeded projections about $4.5 billion. "The governor did recognize those new revenues during the May revise," said Turlock Unified School District's Assistant Superintendent of Financial Services Lori Decker. ...

Hanline provides straight talk to DUSD parents

Denair Unified School District Interim Superintendent Walt Hanline faced the community at a public forum on Monday, and tackled the hard questions about the district's uncertain future. Recent financial troubles have made cuts in district staffing and programs mandatory to avoid state takeover. Hanline provided straight answers to parents' questions about the level of programs that will be offered at Denair schools, and presented one solution to the district's most pressing problem - ...

Local students get Ag Edventure

Earl's Cardoso earns Teacher of the Year honors

Dennis Earl Elementary third grade teacher Michelle Cardoso strives to take her students' learning beyond the classroom and into the community. And it's her drive to go beyond the expected that earned Cardoso the title of 2013 Stanislaus County Teacher of the Year for the K-3 grade division. "I truly had no idea that I would be the one to receive the award," said Cardoso. "It definitely was the cherry on top ...

Walnut teacher earns county's top education honors

Jamie Garner, a sixth grade teacher for the Discovery Math Science Program at Walnut Elementary, has long been a treasured educator to her students. Now, Garner's exemplary teaching has also earned her the title of 2013 Stanislaus County Teacher of the Year for the 4th-6th grade division. "It's because of the school that I am in this position," said Garner. "I love teaching here because we are given so many opportunities to do ...

Warrior Day 2013

California State University, Stanislaus students celebrated the end of another year at Warrior Day on Friday. This annual campus party was almost canceled last year due to concerns about alcohol sales and consumption. In 2012, a scaled-down, student-only event was put together at short notice. On Friday, the event was back in full-force - although still sans alcohol. A series of bands played at the outdoor festival and students were able to get ...

CSU Stanislaus interim president may soon become permanent

An open forum was held at California State University, Stanislaus on Monday to discuss the potential permanency of Interim President Joseph Sheley. University students, trustees and department heads evaluated Sheley's performance, pointing out both the good and areas in need of improvement throughout the campus. Much of the university's tribulations over the past few years arose from system-wide budget cuts implemented due to lack of funding statewide. Like many other California universities, CSU ...

More cuts in store for Denair schools

Denair Unified's new interim superintendent didn't pull any punches during Thursday's board of trustees meeting, calling for even more cuts to help fix the district's financial problems. He also, however, rescinded previous teacher lay-offs that didn't "make sense" to him. "The district will get back to where it was," said Interim Superintendent Walt Hanline. "It'll be back. In order to that we're going to have to suck it up and make the cuts." ...

Playground to parking lot

While students across Turlock have been enjoying the warm spring weather during recess and physical education time, students at Julien Elementary have been watching the bulldozing of their playground. The Julien construction plan, which includes the creation of a new parking lot, is a point of contention between a group of parents and Turlock Unified School District administration. In 2006 the district authorized spending $9.9 million for a series of modernization projects, with ...

Sacred Heart students learn the pioneer way

Fourth and fifth graders at Sacred Heart Elementary School will take a step back in time to the pioneer days as part of the Yosemite Environmental Living Program. During an overnight visit at Yosemite on May 20, students will confront the problems of the pioneers by performing tasks such as cooking, blacksmithing, spinning, candle dipping, covered wagon packing, square dancing and craft making - all without electricity. "Through this program students will discover ...

Local dairywoman donates $1 million to UC Merced

When it comes to educational opportunities, Turlock native Margo Souza believes that it is better to give than to receive. The 74-year-old former president and CEO of Turlock's Circle H Dairy Ranch Inc. donated $1 million to UC Merced in an effort to create leadership initiatives for Merced's diverse student population. In April, the school pledged to establish the Margo F. Souza Leadership Center within UC Merced's Office of Student Life. The ...

TUSD prepares for shift in classroom instruction

As public schools across the country transition to the new Common Core Standards, which will change the way math and reading are taught nationwide, the Turlock Unified School District is already adopting the approach by building a foundation for a better tomorrow for its students. On Tuesday, the TUSD trustees were presented an overview of the district's Common Core Transition and Implementation Plan, changing the way students will learn in the classroom. CCS ...

Proposed smoking ban passes at CSU Stanislaus

A proposed mandate to ban smoking passed with 69 percent in California State University, Stanislaus' recent Associated Students Inc. elections. The elections are voluntary, so although it may seem that the mandate passed with flying colors, the ballot may not accurately represent the entire student population. Not everyone chooses to vote for student government. "I didn't even know it was up for a vote," Alicia Sablan (junior, Political Science) said. "I would've ...

Career Fair puts Pitman students on the right path

Pitman High School junior Trevor Knudsen came to the 4th annual Career Fair on Wednesday with pressing questions about his future. Knudsen, along with hundreds of other students, left with a better understanding of what types of jobs and educational opportunities are available thanks to the 25 businesses, colleges and agencies from the Central Valley that attended the event. "I learned about all the different careers and pathways I can take once ...