A new school calendar for Amador County Unified District Schools was a discussion item last night at the Amador County Unified school district meeting. The calendar has a long and divisive history here in the county and has evolved over the years into a Modified Traditional calendar- basically it follows a tradition school calendar running from late summer to late spring- but with a few extra weeks of vacation taken from the summer months and added to the break times between quarters in October and March.

Tomorrow is Election Day and here in Amador County Candidates are in the final stretches as are the proponents and opponents to two sales tax measures proposed for Amador County. Here is an overview of the races that will be decided tomorrow; In district 5 the supevisorial race between Mel Welch and Brian Oneto. For Amador County Unified School District Trustee in the Former Ione Unified School District Barry E. Franks, Terry Porray and Karl Knobelauch face off for the two seats available.

The Amador Water Agency Board recently discussed the Waste Water Improvement District #11 Storage and Disposal Expansion Project in the Camanche area. The Water Agency has been working on the joint wastewater project with EBMUD even prior to officially taking over ownership of Wastewater Improvement District #11 several years ago. This district was the subject of a large fine from the state water quality control board due to overflows and the wastewater ponds in the winter of 2005.Since that time the goals of the water agency have been to improve the system’s reliability, meet current State and Federal standards, and provide additional capacity to meet the needs of the area. The Water Agency’s Board authorized an agreement with Engineering firm Kennedy/Jenks Consultants back on April 6, 2006 to design and complete the environmental review process necessary for a new storage reservoir and spray fields for the system. 

The Amador County Unified School District has some advice for parents designed to help answer the question “Can I stay home from school?” Generally followed by “I don’t feel good”. According to the district this is the time of year when many people begin showing flu symptoms and parents must decide whether children should report to class. The district advises that if your child has a fever of over 100.5, taken orally, or if your child is just too ill to pay attention in class then a parent should make the decision to keep their child home. 

The Amador County Unified School District is putting all cities and the county on notice- when you look at future developments don’t forget the schools. At last week’s Board Meeting the board unanimously approved a resolution that will be sent to all governmental agencies in the county regarding the school district’s needs for an expanding population. The hope of the school board, and district administration, is that cities and the county will include provisions in the rewrites of their new General Plans that will encourage, at a minimum and require as optimal, that developers reach an agreement with the school district before the city or county approves a project. According to Superintendent Mike Carey’s presentation at the recent Board meeting the district’s hands, as well as local governments, are tied because of the state law SB50.

Amador County Unified School District and the Amador County Office of Education have had a challenging year so far in the 2006-2007 school year. The challenge has not been in the classroom in this case, but on the roadways. The California Highway Patrol has reported 8 accidents so far this school year involving district buses- fortunately none were considered serious. The latest accident occurred last week at 501 Argonaut Lane in front of the Triglia Education Center located on Argonaut High Schools Campus According to our local unit of CHP Nada Vasel Nuick had stopped her bus, which had students aboard, in the parking lot in front of, or perpendicular, to Patricia Brenan who was also driving a bus.

Parents, teachers and school administrators have been invited to attend a statewide series of forums on the federal No Child Left Behind Law. State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell announced Monday that he wants to gather comments on ways to modify the law which is due for reauthorization in 2007. The biggest concerns for California and 16 other states that have complained about the federal law are accountability, interventions, corrective actions, the highly qualified teacher requirement and English-learner issues. Accountability tests determine how well students are learning. The test results generate a school's state Academic Performance Index, which shows how much schools and student subgroups improved over last year, and the federal Average Yearly Progress, which shows whether schools and student groups are meeting minimum objectives.

Want to experience a fun and productive day of cleaning along the banks of the Mokelumne River! Want to fell appreciated for any time you can contribute—whether that’s one hour or half a day? Experience a lovely day on the banks of the Mokelumne River? Mark your calendars for the 2006 Mokelumne River clean-up, this year on Saturday November 4, 2006 8:30 AM. The sign ups are at 8:30 AM at the back parking lot of the Jackson Senior Center at 229 New York Ranch Rd. or for upcountry residents at the West Point Elementary School parking lot. Coffee, and morning munchies will be served.

The battle over Proposition 87 has set a new fundraising record this week with contributions now topping $100 million dollars. The previous initiative fundraising record was set in 1998 with Proposition 5, a measure that legalized Indian gaming. It was revealed that oil companies have been the largest contributors towards breaking the previous record as they have donated more than $58 million to the opposing campaign for Prop. 87. However, most of the financial support for Proposition 87 has surprisingly come from a single source, Hollywood movie producer Stephen Bing. The media tycoon has given $40 million dollars to the Proposition 87 effort.

The City of Jackson’s proceedings in acquiring the Oro De Amador Property have lead to a unique and historical discovery.