school district

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Timing seems perfect to have a fleet of electric buses for the Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD), but trustees have the purchase of just one on their Friday night agenda along with the purchase of four diesel buses.

The Board's annual organizational meeting is set for December 13 at 5:00 p.m. instead of their normal Tuesday meeting. During the meeting, they will elect a new board president and clerk, and elect representatives to El Dorado County School Boards Association and Lake Tahoe Educational Foundation, and assign annual duties for the trustees.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The Lake Tahoe History Museum has transformed into a scene of Christmases past, and they are opening up to the whole community on Saturday, December 14 for the free annual Holidays in History Open House.

The museum opens its doors at 11:00 a.m. Enjoy book store specials, a decorated historic cabin, docent tours, and their special spiced cider, all until 7:00 p.m.

Then, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., join in all the reindeer fun! The party moves over to the SLT Recreation Center gym for an evening of free family enjoyment.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The El Dorado Community Foundation played Santa Wednesday night, handing out checks for 29 different projects in the South Lake Tahoe area that help both children, education and adults.

Over $50,000 was distributed to the following groups (with funded projects listed):

Community
Kiwanis Community Organization, Inc. - Coats for Kids
Juvenile Service Council of El Dorado County - Life Skills/Job Readiness program
Tahoe Coalition for the Homeless - Coordinated Entry
Choices for Children - The Healthy Bottom Line Program

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - It's looking a lot different at the Boys & Girls Club of Lake Tahoe facilities at the former Al Tahoe Elementary School on Lyons Avenue.

The current South Lake Tahoe site for BGCLT had major clearing this week to make way for a brand new clubhouse. Old portable buildings were removed as were some trees as crews make way for their multi-million dollar future home.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - As the Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) begins their search for a replacement for the retiring superintendent the people tasked with finding the right candidates are reaching out to the community.

What is being developed from public meetings and an online survey will create the profile of what makes up the desired characteristics neede or the person who will move into Dr. James Tarwater's position when he retires in June 2020.

On Thursday, October 31, Governor Gavin Newsom and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond visited El Dorado County and Blue Oak Elementary School to learn about the impacts of the recent PG&E Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS). Gov. Newsom and Superintendent Thurmond met with El Dorado County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Ed Manansala, Buckeye Union School District (BUSD) Superintendent Dr. David Roth, and several BUSD officials to hear first-hand about the challenges that school officials encounter when making decisions regarding school closures.

The Lake Tahoe Unified School District Performing Arts Department Presents: A Veteran’s Musical Tribute on Wednesday, November 6 in the South Tahoe Middle School Multi-Purpose room.

The free concert starts at 6:30 p.m.

This concert is a wonderful tribute to the men and women who have served or are currently serving our country in the various branches of the military. The Music Department invites all veterans and their families to attend the concert to honor and thank them for their brave and selfless duty.

The following El Dorado County schools are closed on Thursday, October 24, 2019, due to PG&E's planned safety power outage:

Black Oak Mine Unified School District - all schools

EDCOE - 6767 Green Valley Rd., Placerville

EDCOE Charter Alternative Education Programs - all schools

El Dorado Union High School School District - all schools

Gold Oak Union School District - all schools

Gold Trail Union School District - all schools

Mother Lode Union School District - all schools

Pioneer Union School District - all schools

The 2019 legislative year for California has come to an end and Gov. Gavin Newsom wrapped u the session with signing several bills. His first year of office saw 870 new laws and 172 vetoed proposals.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Several different agencies will come together in South Lake Tahoe to train for a mass casualty incident on Wednesday, October 16, from 3:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

The public may see and hear things around South Tahoe High School and Barton Memorial Hospital during this training exercise that may appear serious due to the responding South Lake Tahoe Police Department, South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue, Cal Tahoe JPA, Barton Health, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Lake Tahoe Unified School District.

Crews have cleared out of Sierra House Elementary and it is set to reopen to all grades on Tuesday, October 1.

Families, students, and staff got the good news Monday.

"The kids and staff are thrilled to be back," said Lake Tahoe Unified School District Spokesperson Shannon Chandler. "It's like a second home so I imagine that everyone is relieved and comforted to be back."

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Students from Sierra House Elementary have had their school days askew since a November 2018 fire forced them out of their home campus. For the last ten months, the Boys and Girls Club of Lake Tahoe (BGCLT) site has opened the doors on the space they rent from Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) and shared with students during the school day.

BGCLT are scheduled to break ground next Spring on a new "clubhouse" that will be built next door, but in the meantime they share each room with staff and students from Sierra House.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - There continue to be harsh words aimed at Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) Superintendent Dr. James Tarwater over his handling of the fire, reconstruction and now repopulation of Sierra House Elementary.

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Nev. - Video footage found on Facebook of a fight at a Gardnerville Ranchos home has led to the arrest two juveniles on charges of battery, affray (an instance of fighting in a public place that disturbs the peace), and destruction of property.

On September 3, 2019, at 3:15 p.m., deputies from the Douglas County Sheriff's Office (DCSO) were dispatched to the area of Wagon Drive in the Gardnerville Ranchos area of Douglas County for a fight in progress. Upon arrival, the deputies discovered one of the involved subjects had what they called "obvious injuries."

The Lake Tahoe Community College, Foster Kinship Care Education Program offers presentations that are free and open to the community. The fall quarter is starting off with a series of Community Resource presentations. The public is invited to attend and hear about all of the services offered in the community.

Presentations will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Lake Tahoe Community College in the Creekside Room. The presentation on September 24 will be in Room E-106. Here’s the lineup:

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Much of South Tahoe High was evacuated Friday afternoon after the release of pepper spray was released in the B Wing of the school during 4th period. Other wings of the high school were evacuated as South Lake Tahoe firemen and police responded.

At this time law enforcement and school officials are speaking with parents and students and the incident is under investigation.

Three staff members inhaled the spray and have suffered burning sensation in their lungs. One of them was directed to see medical attention.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – Fifteen local health programs offered by nonprofits and agencies in the South Lake Tahoe area have been awarded grants by the Barton Foundation. A total of $50,000 was distributed among the groups to aid in their efforts to address the community’s most pressing health issues.

During the 2018 Barton Community Health Needs Assessment, the top health issues identified in the South Lake Tahoe community were access to care, mental health, and substance abuse.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A move on Wednesday as interest rates in the bond markets dropped saved South Lake Tahoe taxpayers over $6 million over the next ten years. Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) refinanced some of its general obligation bonds to take advantage of low-interest rates in the municipal market and lock in savings for taxpayers.

LTUSD refinanced approximately $24 million of outstanding bonds and the financing will close on August 28, 2019.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A fire at Sierra House Elementary School on November 11, 2018, caused extensive damage and forced students to spend the school year at other campuses in South Lake Tahoe - 4th and 5th graders at South Tahoe Middle School and K-3 at the old Al Tahoe campus. With the beginning of school just around the corner, crews have been beefed up and are working overtime to try and get the doors open for all students on August 26.

ZEPHYR COVE, Nev. - With a change of leadership at George Whittel High School and Zephyr Cove Elementary many rumors have been circulating around the district. Douglas County School District Superintendent Teri White has supplied a list of facts to give kids and parents an update on their schools.

Is the District closing ZCES or GWHS?
No. The District has no plans to close either school at this time.

Who is the principal of our school?

ZEPHYR COVE, Nev. - Both Douglas County schools at Lake Tahoe are going to start off the new school year with a new principal, Shawn Lear.

During Tuesday's school board meeting, Lear's hiring appeared on their consent agenda. It was approved, making him the principal of both Zephyr Cove Elementary School and George Whittell High School in Zephyr Cove.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Superintendent Dr. James Tarwater of the Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) has announced he'll retire in one year.

Dr. Tarwater has been with LTUSD since 2005.

During their last meeting on June 11, the Board concluded its annual evaluation of Dr. Tarwater's performance. Though details of that evaluation are not available, they extended his contract one extra year until 2022 until they were notified of his notice of retirement.

At their June 25 meeting, the Board is scheduled to accept his retirement.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Eleven teachers and six instructional and library assistants are retiring this year from Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD). Together they have worked in education for 465 years.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The Lake Tahoe Unified School District received a message last night: Take a pause and don't spend any more money until the two-year budget can be completed. The budget must include major cuts in expenses.