Mountain Empire

SCHOOLS CLOSED IN MOUNTAIN AREAS DUE TO SNOWY WEATHER

East County News Service

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February 22, 2023 (San Diego's East County) -- The safety of students and school staff is of the utmost importance to San Diego County school districts.

Because of inclement weather, schools in the following districts will be closed on Wednesday, Feb. 22:

  • Julian Union Elementary School District
  • Julian Union High School District
  • Mountain Empire Unified School District
  • Spencer Valley School District

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SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN RURAL AND MOUNTAIN AREAS CURTAIL CLASSES DUE TO STORM

By Miriam Raftery

September 9, 2022 (San Diego’s East County) – High winds, rain and potential for storm damage have led several East County school districts to curtail classes today, the San Diego County of Education has announced. Others are holding minimum days due to the inclement weather.

  • Mountain Empire Unified School District has closed all schools today.
  • Spencer Valley School District schools will close at 11:30 a.m., with all after-school activities cancelled this afternoon.
  • Julian Union High School will follow a minimum day schedule.
  • Julian Union Elementary Elementary School District also has a minimum day.

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SNOW DAY: SCHOOLS CLOSED IN EAST COUNTY MOUNTAIN COMMUNITIES

February 22, 2022 (San Diego's East County) -- Due to an impending snowstorm, schools in the following school districts will be closed on Wednesday, Feb. 23, the County Office of Education has announced:

  • Julian Union Elementary School District
  • Julian Union High School District
  • Mountain Empire Unified School District
  • Spencer Valley School District

Schools in the Julian Union Elementary and Julian Union High school districts will have a late start on Thursday, Feb. 24.


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MOUNTAIN SCHOOLS CANCEL CLASSES, SHIFT ONLINE DUE TO FREEZING WEATHER, SNOW FORECAST, AND COVID

Districts vary in COVID response: Cajon Valley keeps schools open despite 52 cases since August

East County News Service

November 9, 2020 (San Diego’s East County) – Four East County school districts in mountain areas have announced temporary halts to in-person learning due to winter weather and in one rural district, COVID-19. Yet other districts continue in-person instruction despite numerous cases amid the pandemic.


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EARLY BELL RINGS IN EAST COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD RACES

By Robin N. Kendall

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November 3, 2020 (San Diego’s East County) — It has been a topsy turvy year for everyone, especially for the area’s school children. Voters weighed enthusiasm, experience and ethics as they chose the next crew of school board trustees, who ultimately will help steer schools out of the rough seas of this quarantine.

On election night, as of early returns at 10:30 p.m., here are our observations.


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VOGEL CHALLENGES HEIMERDINGER FOR MOUNTAIN EMPIRE SCHOOL TRUSTEE

 

By Robin N. Kendall

October 30, 2020 (San Diego’s East County) -- East County residents in Area 6 of Mountain Empire Unified School District will either reelect  incumbent school board president Tina Heimerdinger, or choose challenger Story R. Vogel, a retired historian who also coaches a the Mountain Empire High School football team.

According to the district website at https://www.meusd.org, Mountain Empire serves families living in Pine Valley, Campo, Descanso, Boulevard, Portero, Lake Morena and Jacumba. Chris Anderson, the incumbent in Area 7 (Campo), is running for reelection unopposed.

Story Vogel responded to East County Magazine (ECM) questions and submitted his biography and ballot statement. Incumbent Tina Heimerdinger was also invited to participate via several emails, but did not respond.

Heimerdinger, who is president of the board, has served on it for more than a decade including the turbulent tenure of Superintendent Steve Van Zant, who pled guilty to felony conflict of interest and was ordered to repay the district $50,000. Van Zant set up charter schools in other districts overseen by Mountain Empire from which his consulting company profited, as ECM reported, also raising questions over lack of oversight by the board on Heimerdinger’s watch.

Here are Vogel's responses:


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FIVE SCHOOL DISTRICTS CLOSE WEDNESDAY DUE TO POWER OUTAGES

 

Update Nov. 13: Jamul-Dulzura has been added to the list of school districts closed today.

East County News Service

November 12, 2018 (San Diego's East County) -- Four East County school districts will be closed tomorrow because San Diego Gas & Electric Company (SDG&E) has activated a public safety power shutoff in some rural areas of the County. The following districts' schools wil be closed: 

  • Jamul Dulzura Union School District
  • Julian Union School District
  • Julian Union High School District
  • Mountain Empire Unified School District
  • Spencer Valley School District

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Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

MOUNTAIN EMPIRE CANCELS REST OF SCHOOL YEAR, MOVES GRADUATIONS

East County News Service

June 22, 2016 (San Diego's East County -- Due to the Border Fire,the Mountain Empre school district has posted the following information on rescheduling graduations to El Capitan High School for high school and middle school students, as well as cancellation of classes:


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BOIL WATER ORDERED FOR MOUNTAIN EMPIRE HIGH SCHOOL AFTER CONTAMINATION FOUND

 
June 18, 2011 (Pine Valley) -- The County of San Diego Department of Environmental Health (DEH) has issued a Boil Water Order and Public Notification for Mountain Empire High School located at 3305 Buckman Springs Road, Pine Valley, effective immediately.

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YEE-HA! MOUNTAIN EMPIRE BUSINESS ASSOCIATION HOSTS 5TH ANNUAL ROUNDUP MAY 7

 

 

 

 April 27, 2011 (Campo) -- On Saturday, May 7, 2011 the Mountain Empire Business Association is presenting its 5th  Annual Campo/Lake Morena Round Up at the Eagles Wings Ranch in Campo. The event will feature Old West  gunfights, vendors, antique tractor display, ranch branding competition, petting corral and pony rides.

 

 

 


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SCHOOLS CLOSE TODAY DUE TO WEATHER

 

 

January 22, 2010 (San Diego's East County) --All schools in the  Julian School and District and Mountain Empire Unified School District will be closed today due to stormy weather and snow.  A severe winter weather alert remains in effect for mountain areas in East County due to drifting snow and poor visibility.


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