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APRIL 25-26, 2009
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3w10.442.1651 ww.andrewthurm.com Volume 8 Issue 147
Santa Monica Daily Press A TASTE OF BOLLYWOOD SEE PAGE 3
We have you covered
THE GRILLING AND CHILLING ISSUE
Special ed parents, teachers present views BY KEVIN HERRERA Editor in Chief
SMMUSD HDQTRS After months of poring over a pile of studies, audits, and strategic plans on the troubled special education department, parents and teachers presented recommendations to the school board Thursday that they believe will enhance services and create a new culture of equality and access, all while saving money. But to save money, the school board will have to spend money. The more than 40 recommendations from the 16-member Special Education Collaborative Working Group call for more spending upfront, but the group believes
improving the Individual Education Plan [IEP] process to avoid costly mediation hearings and bringing more programs in house will cut down on expenses. An IEP is the legal document that assures a student his or her legal right to a free, appropriate public education. The process of creating IEPs has been one of the most contentious issues in recent years as parents have alleged “secret deals” and being coerced by attorneys and district staff into signing confidentiality clauses in their child’s IEP, a practice that has since been banned by the Board of Education. “The intent of our recommendations is to create cost-effective programs that we haven’t had that will ultimately be beneficial
in saving the district money over time,” said Craig Hamilton, a member of the Working Group, the district’s Financial Oversight Committee and a parent of a child in special education. “We have been spending more for less satisfaction,” Hamilton told the board. “I would encourage you … to look very carefully at the recommendations with the idea that the reason we made them is they are going to result in more cost-effective programs and a better level of special education. It’s not just about spending more money.” A potentially expensive recommendation is the hiring of a full-time integration director to ensure that a culture of acceptance and integration is established and main-
tained throughout the district. The director would be responsible for expanding the elementary school “buddy” program at each school site to foster relationships between special ed and general ed students; establish collaborative classrooms at all grade levels at all schools; develop an awareness campaign for all students to encourage sensitivity, understanding, compassion and friendship; and ensuring special ed students are able to participate in all school activities, including field trips, winter and summer camps and after-school programs. The Working Group also recommended SEE SPECIAL ED PAGE 12
Gang member sentenced in Moose Lodge murders BY DAILY PRESS STAFF
TAKING IT TO THE RACK
romp over Morningside. The streak has now spanned parts of three seasons and has reached an impressive 20 straight games.
LOS ANGELES One of two gang members convicted last month of the 2005 murders of two men at the Santa Monica Moose Lodge was sentenced to prison Friday. Deputy District Attorney Alan Schneider of the Hardcore Gang Division said Erick Nunez, 24, was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole plus 75 years to life. Nunez and co-defendant Jose Mojarro, also 24, were convicted March 4 of two counts each of first-degree murder. Mojarro was ordered to return for sentencing on May 20. He also faces life in prison without the possibility of parole. On March 5, 2005, victim Jonathan Hernandez was attacked by Mojarro and Nunez while at a party. Prosecutors allege that Mojarro drew a firearm when a second victim, Hector Bonilla, attempted to assist Hernandez by throwing a chair at the three assailants. At that point, it is alleged that a third man, William “Willie” Vasquez, also drew a handgun. Vasquez and Mojarro were accused of firing 26 rounds at the unarmed victims. Vasquez is yet to stand trial for the murders of Hernandez and Bonilla and is
SEE ROUNDUP PAGE 14
SEE SENTENCING PAGE 10
Brandon Wise brandonw@smdp.com
Employees of Adknowledge.com enjoy a game of basketball at Stewart Street Park on Friday afternoon.
PREP SPORTS ROUNDUP
Samohi’s softball team continues remarkable streak BY DANIEL ARCHULETA Managing Editor
SAMOHI The streak lives on. Santa Monica High School’s softball team’s
impressive Ocean League consecutive game shutout streak is alive and well following an 18-0 win over Morningside on Thursday. The Vikings have not given up a run to a league opponent since April 19, 2007 during a 17-1
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