January 7, 2019

Tony Thurmond sworn in as California's new superintendent of public instruction

He becomes the second African-American state schools superintendent in California history.

Louis Freedberg

December 9, 2018

Final count shows Thurmond winner of California schools chief race by 187,000 votes

Over 4.5 million more Californians cast a vote for state superintendent for public instruction in mid-term elections than did in 2014, the last time the position was on the ballot.

Louis Freedberg

December 4, 2018

Latinas for the first time make up majority of Bay Area school board

The West Contra Costa Unified School Board for the first time in its history has a Latina majority who will now join in the tough task of making $12 million in budget cuts to help pay for salary increases for teachers and other employees in a region with soaring housing costs.

Theresa Harrington

November 19, 2018

'Blue wave' helps push Thurmond to victory in California schools chief race

Outcome of race a major victory for California Teachers Association and allies, and a major defeat for leading charter school advocates.

Louis Freedberg

November 17, 2018

Thurmond wins race for California state superintendent of public instruction

Thurmond has 50.8 percent of the vote, compared to Tucks’ 49.2 percent.

Louis Freedberg And John Fensterwald

November 13, 2018

Thurmond widens lead over Tuck in race for California schools chief

Thurmond erases 86,000 vote lead by Tuck on Election Day and now has a 75,000 vote lead based on partial count of millions of mail-in and other uncounted ballots.

Louis Freedberg

November 10, 2018

Thurmond substantially increases lead over Tuck in race for California schools chief

Thurmond has a 67,000 lead, with millions of votes yet to be tallied.

Louis Freedberg

November 8, 2018

Most California school construction bonds, parcel taxes pass

Voters approved about 80 percent of 112 school facility bonds and 8 of 13 parcel but a lot of votes remain to be counted.

John Fensterwald

November 8, 2018

Millions of votes still uncounted in California’s tight state superintendent race

As of Thursday evening, election results show Marshall Tuck leading Tony Thurmond 50.6 percent to 49.4 percent, a margin of about 69,000 votes.

Nico Savidge

November 7, 2018

Tuck has thin edge over Thurmond race for California schools chief

High-spending campaign for a job with little power but a big megaphone comes down to wire.

John Fensterwald, Nico Savidge, And Mikhail Zinshteyn

November 6, 2018

Latest results for the California State Superintendent of Public Instruction race

View live results from the California Superintendent of Public Instruction race on election night

Justin Allen, Yuxuan Xie, And Daniel J. Willis

November 6, 2018

A half century ago, race for California schools chief was most contentious in the state

Contest between Wilson Riles and Max Rafferty in 1970 far more incendiary than current race for state superintendent of public instruction

Louis Freedberg

November 4, 2018

What Tuesday's election could mean for California education

California's new governor will be the key player in introducing new reforms. But where the funds to pay for them would come from is anyone's guess.

Louis Freedberg

November 3, 2018

Charter school supporters and critics are big spenders in some Bay Area school board elections

School board races in Oakland Unified and West Contra Costa Unified attract contributions

Theresa Harrington

November 2, 2018

Differences between Marshall Tuck and Tony Thurmond are real, as are areas of agreement

Whether it's clamping down on charter schools or changing teacher tenure, candidates can say a lot more than they can actually do.

John Fensterwald