Council takes on alcohol billboards, solar costs and free Internet

Richmond city council voted unanimously to ban alcohol advertisements on billboards near schools and other public institutions. City officials hope the new law will prevent minors from drinking before they can make informed, mature decisions. The council also lowered solar-power fees, and began looking into options to provide Internet to low-income residents.

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Proposed charter school sparks heated debate

Summit Public Schools had their petition to open a new high school in El Cerrito denied by the West Contra Costa Unified School District – a decision which the Richmond City Council backed. The result: a heated debate about educational opportunity in Richmond, and what effect a new high school might have on existing schools.

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Richmond students caught in the middle of two tests

Public school students and teachers in Richmond are caught in the middle between divergent sets of testing standards. Students are required to take and pass two types of assessments – the often criticized Standardized Testing and Reporting model and the incoming critical thinking standards of Common Core. State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson said…

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