District Dossier
The District Dossier blog explored issues behind leading and managing the nation’s schools and school districts and provided analysis of trends, controversies, and good ideas in school and district leadership. This blog is no longer being updated, but you can continue to explore these issues on edweek.org by visiting our related topic pages: school & district management, district leadership, and school leadership.
Budget & Finance
Pennsylvania Supreme Court Orders School Funding Trial
Six school systems, the Pennsylvania Association of Rural and Small Schools, and the NAACP Pennsylvania State Conference want to change the state's school-funding system, which allows for wide spending gaps between low- and high-income districts.
Education
School Districts Ready to Enroll Puerto Rican Students Affected By Hurricane Maria
From South Florida to Hartford, Conn., school officials are getting ready to absorb an influx of students if their families leave the island, which was devastated by Hurricane Maria nearly two weeks ago.
School & District Management
Former Big-City Superintendents Join School Leaders' Training Program
Ann Clark, the former Charlotte-Mecklenburg superintendent, and Valeria Silva, who led the St. Paul Public Schools, will join the New York City Leadership Academy as "superintendents in residence" for the 2017-18 school year.
School & District Management
L.A. Board President Steps Down From Leadership Amid Election-Related Charges
The Los Angeles County district attorney's office alleges that Ref Rodriguez paid out about $24,000 in reimbursement to family and friends for contributions made to his 2015 school board race.
Education
Florida Will Waive Two Teaching Days for Districts Closed Because of Hurricane Irma
Florida districts in the hardest hit areas can apply to waive additional teaching time. Some districts, including those in Collier, Lee, and Monroe counties, are still closed more than a week after Hurricane Irma slammed into the state.
Education
Miami-Area Students Return to School, But Electricity Remains a Problem For Some
Students in Miami-Dade, the country's fourth-largest school district, along with those in Tampa, Orlando, Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale, all returned to school on Monday, more than a week after Hurricane Irma pummeled Florida with heavy winds and rain.
Education
Florida Schools Help Feed Students During Hurricane Irma-Related Closures
Some districts set up food buses to ensure that students who normally get free meals at school had access to meals while schools remain shuttered after Hurricane Irma.
Education
L.A. School Board President Charged With Felonies Over Campaign Contributions
The Los Angeles County district attorney's office alleges that school board president Refugio Rodriguez reimbursed about $24,000 in campaign contributions to donors he represented as having given money to his campaign in 2014.
Education
Newark To Regain Control of Its Schools After 22 Years Under State Authority
The New Jersey board of education approved two resolutions that will put local officials in Newark in charge of their schools, but the district and the state still have to come up with a transition plan for how that will happen.
Education
Power 'Is the Number One Problem' for Florida Schools Trying to Re-Open
Florida school districts deal with power outages and residual flooding as they work to reopen schools after Hurricane Irma pummeled a large portion of the state.
Education
Buffalo School Board Replaces Ousted Member Who Insulted the Obamas
Carl Paladino is appealing the decision by New York State Education Commissioner MaryEllen Elia in August to remove him from the Buffalo school board for disclosing confidential information discussed in the board's executive session.
School & District Management
Some Houston-Area Schools Open After Harvey, But Uncertainty Lingers
As school leaders in Texas continue to assess the damage wrought by Hurricane Harvey, many are unsure how many students will actually return to school this week.
Education
As Hurricane Irma Lashes Florida, Educators and Schools Offer Refuge
K-12 officials across Florida won't know for days what toll Hurricane Irma will take on their schools, students, staff members, and local communities. But districts across the state offered their school buildings as shelters.
Education
How a Florida School District Prepared for Multiple Hurricane Irma Scenarios
In Orange County, Fla.'s school system, leaders have been studying weather models for days, and ensuring there's enough fuel, food, and money in the bank for emergency spending and making payroll.