Thomas Himes
L.A. Daily News
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Past articles by Thomas:
LAUSD to double spending on meals despite criminal probe as food services director resigns
Despite an ongoing criminal investigation, the Los Angeles Unified School District plans to nearly double the meals it buys under a multimillion-dollar contract. In the upcoming school year, Los Angeles Unified will increase the number of suppe → Read More
LAUSD officials: MiSiS ready for the new school year
Los Angeles Unified’s problem-plagued computer system, MiSiS, will work well enough to avoid another crisis when students head back to class → Read More
California’s top education official plans new accountability system to rate schools
California’s top education official Wednesday promoted plans to create a new accountability system to rate schools as well as a less divisive method for negotiating contracts with labor unions. In an interview with this news organization → Read More
LAUSD audit allegations still under internal review
More than a year after completing the first draft of an audit that questions cozy relationships with contractors and multi-million dollar deals, Los Angeles Unified’s inspector general can’t say whether there was criminal wrong-doing. → Read More
Panorama City teen finds success in LAUSD paid-internship program
Finding a paid internship can be a tough task for high schooler, but a rapidly growing program is doing just that for Los Angeles Unified students. After opening last year to 17 students, the → Read More
Audit finds millions of dollars in waste in LAUSD food program
Swanky hotel stays, cozy relationships with contractors and millions of dollars in waste were uncovered by an audit of Los Angeles Unified’s food services program, which was released by the district’s inspector general on Wednesday. → Read More
Why LAUSD wants exemption from low-bidder law for $2 billion in construction projects
As the Los Angeles Unified School District prepares to spend $2 billion on construction projects, officials want state lawmake → Read More
New local superintendent plans apprenticeships, college prep courses at LAUSD
The new local superintendent in charge of schools in the northwest San Fernando Valley plans to create an apprenticeship program that will help Los Angeles Unified students land jobs in skilled trades when they graduate. Before taking charge of → Read More
L.A. Unified cancels fundraiser at Trump golf course, billionaire won’t return $7,500
Donald Trump’s remarks about immigrants prompted the Los Angeles Unified School District on Wednesday to cancel a fundraiser set for his golf in Rancho Palos Verdes, but the billionaire’s company is refusing to return a $7,500 deposit. → Read More
Vocational training still alive and well at Granada Hills Charter
With the Los Angeles Unified School District facing a crisis over its focus on college prep courses, one San Fernando Valley high school has found success in a more holistic approach to education. Granada Hills Charter High School offers a full → Read More
Vietnam vet, San Fernando Valley native Mike Torres mourned by family
More than four decades after returning from Vietnam, San Fernando Valley native Mike Torres lost his battle with physical ailments that family members said date to his war service. The former soldier was laid to rest Thursday with family and fr → Read More
San Fernando Valley high school wins top honors for journalism
They might not have the fancy equipment of crosstown rival Beverly Hills High School, but a small San Fernando Valley magnet bested its perennial opponent this week to be named the best student newspaper in Southern California. A group of curre → Read More
LAUSD board president expects lengthy and transparent search for new superintendent
The president of Los Angeles Unified’s school board said Thursday he expects the search for and selection of a new superintendent to last about seven months once the school board begins the process. Superintendent Ramon Cortines → Read More
Who will be Los Angeles Unified’s next superintendent?
While the Los Angeles Unified school board has yet to take steps to find a replacement for Superintendent Ramon Cortines, there’s no shortage of possible candidates.In an unexpected announcement, → Read More
LAUSD approves $8 billon budget, plans to lay off 382 teachers
The Los Angeles Unified school board agreed Tuesday to lay off 382 teachers, despite approving an $8.09 billion budget that → Read More
Los Angeles Unified Superintendent Ramon Cortines said he’s leaving in six months
During an emotional speech Tuesday, Los Angeles Unified Superintendent Ramon Cortines abruptly declared he will leave the school district in six months. The unexpected announcement was made just several weeks after the school board unanimously → Read More
San Fernando Valley high schools falling behind at getting students through college prep classes
Only 42 percent of Los Angeles Unified students who graduated from the San Fernando Valley’s 19 high schools last year met the minimum requirements to apply for a state university, according to state records that track the number of stud → Read More
Nearly 14% of LAUSD students in special education programs
Students in Los Angeles Unified were more likely to be placed in costly special education programs than their peers statewide, according to Department of Education records.LAUSD students were labeled as needing special education at a 12.7 perce → Read More
LAUSD to lay off teachers in older adult program, city to pick up slack
In an effort to save $2 million, Los Angeles Unified officials plan to lay off all 18 teachers who instruct wellness classes for older adults.This year, the program taught 12,392 seniors how to stay physically active and mentally alert with cou → Read More
Report: LAUSD’s short-changed disadvantaged schools, students
Schools in poverty-stricken neighborhoods have not been receiving their fair share of state funding from Los Angeles Unified School District, according to a new report from the University of California, Berkeley and United Way of Greater Los Angeles. → Read More