Budget shortfall widens for Nevada school district

The Clark County School District now faces an estimated $45 million budget shortfall for the coming fiscal year, over 30 percent more than the $34.5 million hole revealed last month. Much of the shortfall stems from an arbitration award for the administrators’ union as well as state funding for full-day kindergarten. Read more>>

The state of Wyoming will likely receive more revenue than previously expected. The figures show Wyoming is ahead of its January projections for the general fund, the budget reserve account and the main school operations and construction accounts. Read more>>

The Pine-Richland school board voted to overturn a policy that restricted students to using either unisex bathrooms or bathrooms that match their biological gender. Also as part of the settlement, the students received an undisclosed monetary sum and the school district agreed to update its nondiscrimination policy to include gender identity. Read more>>

The Idaho High School Activities Association voted against installing a new model that weighs the socioeconomic status at each school, but it did approve a lifeline for schools to petition down based on competitive history. Read more>>

Touting an increase in money for downstate schools, Gov. Bruce Rauner called on local Democratic lawmakers to support his changes to the school funding overhaul that is needed to fund districts for the coming school year. Read more>>

The West Virginia Department of Education revealed the final draft of its new school accountability system. Each public school will be evaluated on five criteria, including proficiency in English and math via statewide testing, and student progression toward college or career readiness. Read more>>

DA’s Schools of TechXcellence national recognition program honors and promotes schools for their notable achievements of excellence in technology implementations and ideas. Apply by August 11 for recognition in Reading and Writing Instruction or Professional Development. Read more>>

The quality of computer science education varies widely across the country. Many states lack well-defined computer science standards; others don’t count computer science courses toward core graduation requirements. And in many districts, computer science courses aren’t reaching enough students. Read more>>

Drivers who pass stopped school buses could get fined up to $1,000 under a bill that Gov. Roy Cooper signed – but the hefty fine isn’t why legislators from both parties opposed the measure. The new law lets counties use civil penalties instead of criminal charges, which means there’s a lower bar for companies for a fine. Read more>>

Schools aim to protect students by fingerprinting adults and holding fire drills. So it makes sense that schools now are required by federal law to teach students about wellness. These policies need full engagement from school boards, administrators, teachers and parents to model the healthy behaviors we’re asking kids to follow. Read more>>

Charter schools have had a historically rocky relationship with traditional public school districts. But if charter schools are a laboratory for new ideas—which is one of several arguments for their existence—ideas proven successful can be shared with conventional schools to improve educational effectiveness overall. Read more>>

Verso Learning, a professional development platform for K12 teachers, has raised funding to be used to expand operations in the United States. The company recently opened its first U.S. headquarters, based in Los Angeles. Read more>>

STEMconnector announced a partnership with digital credential pioneer, Credly, that will bring digital badges to K12 and collegiate students who complete challenges for the Day of Design. The project will introduce a million students to design thinking through challenges that cultivate skills necessary to pursue career opportunities in STEM-related fields. Read more>>

Teachers can automatically generate a unique learning path on Wowzers’ online math program for each student in kindergarten through eighth grade based on their results from NWEA’s MAP Growth assessment. Read more>>

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Sacramento homebuilders are trying to deal with a severe shortage of construction workers by training high school students in summer internships. They want the teens and their parents to consider the possibility that a construction career might be a good alternative to college. Read more>>

The Baldwin County Board of Education has passed the $60 million financing plan that would make way for two new schools and the construction of additions on five other campuses. The plan does not require any new taxes. Read more>>