Schools

Against a backdrop of rising class fees at Gavilan College and the decision to place salary caps for newly hired campus presidents at California State Universities, a $42,000 pay increase for Gavilan College President Steve Kinsella continues to ignite heated reactions within the community.

Tucked away in a modest cluster of portable classrooms on IOOF Avenue near downtown, Gilroy Prep School is quietly blossoming since it opened in fall 2011.

The California Assembly voted today to restore $248 million in school bus funding to California public schools. The bill, SB 81, had a final vote of 60 - 5. Gilroy's Assemblyman Luis Alejo voted in favor of the bill, according to a news release.

Gilroy High School is still accepting donations for its community prom closet.

The Gilroy Unified School District will not restore any of the five instructional furlough days for teachers, administrative and management staff this year, meaning graduation dates will stay the same and GUSD personnel won't get back any of their 4 percent pay cut.

Christopher High School junior Jerry Ponce keeps his head on a swivel, especially around 3 p.m. when the final bell rings and it's time to amble home along Santa Teresa Boulevard.

The Gilroy Unified School District has a jam-packed lineup slated for its Board of Education meeting Thursday.

The California Teachers Association, "one of the strongest advocates for educators in the country," according to the organization's website, is officially backing Gov. Jerry Brown's temporary tax initiative to increase revenues for public education and other essential services. 

“Welcome to the rocket ship,” said 5-year-old Hector Pantoja Jr. Perez, extending his right hand and motioning to a small, red chair with his left.

The 24th Annual Spaghetti Dinner benefitting the Christopher and Gilroy High School choral program will take place from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 1 in the GHS cafeteria, located at 750 West 10th St.