Grossmont Union High School District

GROSSMONT UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT ANNOUNCES 2017-18 TEACHERS OF THE YEAR

 

Kathryn Worley and Daemein Patterson to represent GUHSD in prestigious San Diego County Teacher of the Year Competition

East County News Service

April 8, 2017 (El Cajon) -- At the Governing Board meeting on Thursday, April 6, 2017, the Grossmont Union High School District honored Teacher of the Year nominees from each of its schools. This is a great honor, as each nominee was selected by their peers.


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GUHSD APPROVES TEACHER LAYOFFS

 

 

By Jonathan Goetz

March 10, 2017 (El Cajon) -- The Grossmont Union High School District Board voted yesterday to send pink slips to at least 35 teachers and eliminate another 10 vacancies within the 22,000-student district.

Governing Board member Jim Kelly asked if the District could begin special education earlier than ninth grade to prevent having to pay for private school for special education students transferring in from districts before 9th grade.  He was told by a member of the audience “At Elite Academy we can take kids in seventh grade, we even have one sixth grader.”


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GROSSMONT JOINS 70 OTHER DISTRICTS IN STATEWIDE CELEBRATION OF MADE-FROM-SCRATCH, LOCALLY-SOURCE FOODS

 

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Dr. Gary Woods, GUHSD school board member, tastes locally-sourced foods along with students at Grossmont College “California Thursdays” event.

January 26, 2017 (El Cajon) -- Nearly 20,000 students in the Grossmont Union High School District participated today in a novel approach to school food: healthy, freshly prepared meals made with California-grown produce and fresh ingredients.


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HEAR OUR INTERVIEW: ODAY YOUSIF JR, GROSSMONT UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD CANDIDATE

 

November 7,  2016  (San Diego’s East County) – Oday Yousif Jr. is a graduate of Valhalla High School in the Grossmont Union High School District and a current student at San Diego State University. Now he’s running for the Grossmont school board,  seeking to bring a student’s perspective to the board and serve the needs of multi-lingual and multi-cultural students.  You can hear our interview, originally aired on KNSJ radio,  by clicking the audio link: https://www.eastcountymagazine.org/sites/eastcountymagazine.org/files/au...

Yousif asked for an interview to clear up information on a  mailer with misleading information on candidates' party endorsements. He is the only candidate endorsed by the county Democratic Party in Grossmont’s  Trustee Area 2, which includes La Mesa, Mt. Helix,  and portions of surrounding neighborhoods. He also spoke out in support of Measure BB,  Grossmont's school bond measure, which he backs despite some flaws in the measure because he believes "our schools need more money" to better serve students.

Audio: 

Interview: Oday Yousif, GUHSD candidate

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HEAR OUR INTERVIEW: NICK MARINOVICH, BOND OVERSIGHT EXPERT, ON PROBLEMS WITH GROSSMONT’S MEASURE BB

 

November 7, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – Nick Marinovich chaired a school bond oversight committee in the Sweetwater Union High School District, where officials were convicted for illegal pay-to-play.  He resigned his position on the Grossmont Union High School District’s Citizens Bond Oversight Committee, contending Grossmont’s committee acted like a lapdog,  not a watchdog—failing in its oversight duties.

He reached out to us to share his concerns over Measure BB,  a $128 million school bond measure.  

You can hear our interview, originally aired on KNSJ radio, by clicking the audio link: https://www.eastcountymagazine.org/sites/eastcountymagazine.org/files/au...  and scroll down for highlights.

Audio: 

Interview: Nick Marinovich, on GUHSD Measure BB

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READER’S EDITORIAL: HOW CAN TAXPAYERS’ LAST LINE OF DEFENSE BE MISSING IN ACTION IN GROSSMONT’S MEASURE BB?

 

By Priscilla Schreiber, Trustee, Grossmont Union High School District

November 3, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) -- After reviewing statements made in the San Diego County Taxpayers Association's (SDCTA) campaign literature, "Yes on BB", I thought it would be helpful to the voters if I shared my perspective, as the Board member who did not vote to put this bond measure on the ballot.

My comments (not in bold) follow their statements (in boldface):


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GROSSMONT BOARD APPROVES MORE MONEY TO FIGHT LAWSUIT OVER ALPINE HIGH SCHOOL

 

East County News Service

September 14, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – The Grossmont Union High School District’s board voted 3-2 to approve more funds for legal defense in a lawsuit filed by Alpine taxpayers and parents. The lawsuit and a Grand Jury report both contended that the district misappropriated bond funds approved by voters for an Alpine High School.


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CANDIDATES CAN NOW FILE TO RUN FOR GROSSMONT UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT TRUSTEE ELECTIONS; FILING DEADLINE IS AUGUST 12

No filing fees, ballot statement costs  $315 to $360 in smaller trustee districts

By Miriam Raftery

July 24, 2016 (San Diego’s East County ) – For the first time, the Grossmont Union High School District will hold elections in November for individual trustee districts.   There are no filing fees, though modest fees are charged for candidates to publish ballot statements. With smaller districts, the cost for ballot statements is far less than in the past --just $315 in Trustee Area 1 (Lemon Grove/Spring Valley/La Prensa),which is an open seat, and $360 in Trustee Area 2 (La Mesa/Casa de Oro/Mt. Helix and part of Rancho San Diego) currently represented by Jim Stieringer.

The candidate filing period opened July 18 and closes August 12th.  August 12 is also the deadline for candidates to submit ballot statements, which for the first time will be accepted electronically.


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ALPINE’S SCHOOL DISTRICT TO JOIN APPEAL OF CASE AGAINST GROSSMONT

 

By Miriam Raftery

June 9,2016 (Alpine) –The Alpine Union School District’s board has voted unanimously to file an appeal of a decision by Superior Court Judge Joel Pressman, who ruled against the AUSD and Alpine Taxpayers for Bond Accountability in their case against the Grossmont Union High School District. The taxpayers group has previously announced that it will also appeal the ruling.

The groups argue that Grossmont should turn over Prop H bond money that voters approved with the intent to build a high school in Alpine. Judge Pressman sided with Grossmont, finding that the bond measure allowed but did not require construction of the school.


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COUNTY TAXPAYERS ASSOCIATION TAKES STAND IN ALPINE HIGH SCHOOL ISSUES

 

“Save Alpine High” GoFundMe site launched to pay for legal appeal

By Miriam Raftery

May 30, 2016 (Alpine) — The San Diego County Taxpayers Association is speaking out against the Grossmont Union-High School District for failing to honor the intent of voters who supported Proposition U.  The group’s new leader, Haney Hong, has also sharply criticized the GUHSD for spending taxpayer money on legal action while refusing to fund construction of an Alpine high school.


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GROSSMONT SCHOOL BOARD PICKS LOCAL EDUCATOR AS SUPERINTENDENT

 

By Ken Stone

Photo:  Tim Glover, new Grossmont Union High School District superintendent via GUHSD

Originally published in Times of San Diego, a San Diego Online News Association member

April 26, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) -- With a court verdict looming in its fight with Alpine residents, the Grossmont Union High School District board has chosen a longtime East County resident as its new superintendent.


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LAKESIDE RESIDENTS AND PARENTS SHOW CONCERN AND OPPOSITION OVER GUHSD REDISTRICTING

 

By Janis Russell

April 18, 2016 (Lakeside) - A public hearing was conducted April 11 in Lakeside to inform the public and let them voice their opinions for the by-trustee area election for GUHSD.  The hearing was held by the County Office of Education’s Committee on School District reorganization, which later approved the redistricting plan and map at its April 13 meeting. (http://www.eastcountymagazine.org/county-approves-guhsd-shift-trustee-districts)


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HEATED TESTIMONY AT JAMUL HEARING ON GUHSD REDISTRICTING

 

By Janis Russell

Photo by Leon Thompson: ECM editor Miriam Raftery debunks slander by trustee Jim Kelly, far right

April 12, 2016 (Jamul) - At a hearing April 5 in Jamul held by the County Office of Education’s committee on school district reorganization, some speakers were in favor and some were against redistricting proposed by the Grossmont Union High School District (GUHSD).  The plan approved 4-1 by the GUHSD would break the district into 5 trustee districts for future elections.


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STATE APPROVES ALPINE “DIVORCE” FROM GROSSMONT DISTRICT

 

Astonishing story rocks community and sends shockwaves across district

By Merry Parent

April 1, 2016 (Alpine) – Alpine residents are dancing in the streets in an impromptu town-wide celebration after the California Board of Education granted Alpine parents’ request to break off from the Grossmont Union High School and unify with the Alpine Union School District.  The move will require approval by district voters.  If approved, the AUSD announced today that it will finally build the long-promised high school in Alpine.


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READER’S EDITORIAL: CALIFORNIA VOTING RIGHTS ACT (CVRA)

 

By Jim Stieringer, Member, Governing Board, Grossmont Union High School District

March 31, 2016 (San Diego’s East County)--Like my board colleagues I enthusiastically endorse the concept of the California Voting Rights Act (CVRA) and our unanimous vote to implement it in the Grossmont Union High School District.

I recall that our board members’ decision to implement “area” election precincts was engendered solely by a desire to implement CVRA and to obviate a threatened lawsuit if we failed to do so. I believe that no one was motivated by a desire to deny a colleague an opportunity to compete in the 2016 election. Further I am unaware of any direction to our demographers other than to create a minority district that gave consideration to all communities of interest. Each of the three proposed maps accomplished those goals.


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COUNTY CALLS FOR MORE INPUT ON GROSSMONT REDISTRICTING PLAN

 

Next meetings set for March 28, April 4, 5, and 11

By Leon Thompson

March 27, 2016 (La Mesa) – Turnout was light at the first of five county hearings March 17th on a controversial redistricting plan proposed by the Grossmont Union High School District.  Members of the San Diego County Office of Education ‘s Committee on School Reorganization emphasized that they hope to see more public turnout and hear from a broad cross-section of the community at the upcoming four hearings.


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READERS EDITORIAL: STOP GROSSMONT'S GERRYMANDERING! SPEAK OUT AT COUNTY’S ALPINE FORUM APRIL 4

 

 

By George Barnett

March 19, 2016 (Alpine) – Grossmont Union High School District Trustees are in the process of gerrymandering its voter district. Grossmont intends to move from a process of electing trustees on an “at large” basis to a re-districting to a by-trustee basis.  This means that individual communities such as that across Alpine, Blossom Valley, Harbison Canyon – for example – could elect their own chosen representative on the Grossmont board.  Grossmont is being forced into re-districting by threat of separate law suits. 

Fundamentally, it is a sound idea.  However, Grossmont also decided to do this without voter input or approval.  The scheme of re-districting that Grossmont has selected is gerrymandering and results in:


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COUNTY SETS HEARINGS ON REDISTRICTING PROPOSED BY GROSSMONT UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT

 



By Miriam Raftery

Updated March 31 with new info from the County Office of Education.

March 15, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – The County Committee on School District Organization will hold six hearings to get public input on the Grossmont Union High School District’s proposed shift to electing governing board trustees by districts.  The GUHSD board voted 4-1 to adopt a controversial map and seek a waiver of a public vote despite opposition from members of the public who spoke, some alleging gerrymandering to oust a dissenting board member and break up a vocal minority voting block, as ECM reported.

The six hearings are set for March 17 in La Mesa, March 28 in El Cajon,  April 4 in Alpine,  April 5 in Jamul, April 6 in Lemon Grove, and April 11 in Lakeside.  The public can testify at the meetings and also submit written comments up until April 7.  The County’s committee will vote to approve or disapprove the district’s request at its April 13 meeting. The Alpine hearing was added after ECM and community members asked that Alpine be added as a location due to the many controversies involving the Alpine area.

For the full schedule of meetings, rules and details, click "read more" and scroll down.

To view the San Diego County Office of Education hearings announcement in English, Spanish and Arabic, click here.

To view data on the GUHSD redistricting plan including demographic details and maps, click here.


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HEAR OUR RADIO INTERVIEWS: OPPONENTS OF GUHSD REDISTRICTING PLANS SPEAK OUT

 

Hear our interviews with Craig Beswick, Nick Marinovich and Priscilla Schreiber:  https://www.eastcountymagazine.org/sites/eastcountymagazine.org/files/au...

East County News Service

March 16, 2016 (San Diego's East County) --  The Grossmont Union High School District Board majority's proposed redistricting plan is among the most controversial actions taken by a board long mired in contention over a variety of issues -- many of which stand to be influenced by the outcome of redistricting.  East County Magazine's radio show on KNSJ sat down with several individuals who have voiced strong opposition to the plan approved by the board and now awaiting action by the County Department of Education's Committee on School District Organization.

Click the link above this story to listen online now to a podcast of  our interviews and comments from trustee Priscilla Schreiber, Diego Valley Charter Net principal Craig Beswick, former Citizens Bond Oversight Committee member Nick Marinovich, and Chaldean Chamber President Ben Kalasho on this important issue (originally aired on KNSJ 89.1 FM radio).

The County's committee plans five upcoming hearings to get public comment on the proposed redistricting plan, as well as the GUHSD's request to waive a public vote. The five hearings are set for March 17 in La Mesa, March 28 in El Cajon,  April 4 in Alpine,  April 5 in Jamul, and April 11 in Lakeside.  The public can testify at the meetings and also submit written comments up until April 7. 

Audio: 

Opponents of GUHSD redistricting speak out: Craig Beswick, Nick Marinovich, Priscilla Schreiber, Ben Kalasho

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GUHSD SUED OVER TEACHER ACCUSED OF MOLESTATION

 

East County News Service

Photo courtesy ECM news partner 10 News

March 12, 2016 (El Cajon) – Three lawsuits have been filed against the Grossmont Union High School District over its handling of James Chatham, a former Granite Hills drama teacher accused of molesting a student, 10 News reports.


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BREAKING UP IS HARD TO DO: GROSSMONT VOTES FOR TRUSTEE DISTRICTS, BYPASSING PUBLIC VOTE

 

By Miriam Raftery

Controversial plan outrages Alpine voters, Chaldeans and other district residents

Photo: Priscilla Schreiber will be forced off the board in November if the county approves the GUHSD's redistricting proposal.

February 25, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – Grossmont Union High School District voted 4-1 to ditch district-wide elections and break up the district into five areas that will each elect its own trustee. (View map)  The board also voted to ask the San Diego County Committee on School Board Reorganization to waive a requirement that would ordinarily allow the public to vote on redistricting.


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READER’S EDITORIAL: BROWN ACT REQUIREMENTS AND TIME LIMITS ON SPEAKING

 

 

An open letter to the Grossmont Union High School District Board regarding its ban on any public citizen speaking over 3 minutes total for all agenda items combined

By Nick Marinovich, former member, Citizens Bond Oversight Committee for the Grossmont Union High School District

February 20, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) -- As a Citizen who actively participates in the governance process, I have indicated at several board meetings my frustration with not being able to adequately make my points when there is a three minute total time any one Citizen can speak at a regular board meeting. Government Code Section 54954.3 states:

(a) Every agenda for regular meetings shall provide an opportunity for members of the public to directly address the legislative body on any item of interest to the public, before or during the legislative body’s consideration of the item, that is within the subject matter jurisdiction of the legislative body, provided that no action shall be taken on any item not appearing on the agenda unless the action is otherwise authorized by subdivision (b) of Section 54954.2.

 (b) The legislative body of a local agency may adopt reasonable regulations to ensure that the intent of subdivision (a) is carried out, including, but not limited to, regulations limiting the total amount of time allocated for public testimony on particular issues and for each individual speaker.

 (c) The legislative body of a local agency shall not prohibit public criticism of the policies, procedures, programs, or services of the agency, or of the acts or omissions of the legislative body. Nothing in this subdivision shall confer any privilege or protection for expression beyond that otherwise provided by law.


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GUHSD TO HOST COMMUNITY FORUM ON MARCH 1 SEEKING INPUT ON SELECTION OF NEXT SUPERINTENDENT

 

GUHSD Superintendent Ralf Swenson to retire on July 1, 2016

Source:  Grossmont Union High School District

February 19, 2016 (El Cajon) – GUHSD Superintendent Ralf Swenson will retire on July 1, 2016. The Governing Board of the Grossmont Union High School District has selected Dr. William E. Diedrich and Dr. John L. Roach of Dave Long & Associates Executive Search Services, as its advisers to assist the Board in its search for a new superintendent.


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GROSSMONT HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT AGREES TO REDISTRICTING

By Miriam Raftery

January 22, 2016 (El Cajon) – Grossmont Union High School District’s board voted unanimously last Thursday to shift from at-large elections to district elections in which each trustee will represent a specific portion of the district. The move comes after an attorney for Diego Valley Charter School sent the district a letter advising that it may be in violation of the Voting Rights Act and threatening legal action.


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GUHSD SUPERINTENDENT SWENSON TO RETIRE IN JULY

East County News Service

January 17, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – Ralf Swenson, Superintendent of the Grossmont-Union High School District, announced during Thursday’s board meeting that he will retire on July 1st.


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ALPINE HIGH SCHOOL CASE HEADS TO TRIAL: CASE HINGES ON WHETHER OR NOT ENROLLMENT TRIGGER WAS MET

 

By Miriam Raftery

December 23, 2015 (Alpine) – Just in time for Christmas,  Judge Joel Pressman issued a decision in the Alpine high school case that gives neither side what it wanted. 

The Judge denied the Grossmont Union High School District’s motions to dismiss the case but also denied a request from Alpine Union School District and Alpine Taxpayers to issue a summary judgment in their favor.

Judge Pressman did determine that the Appeals Court found Grossmont made a promise to build a high school that is binding. However, that promise hinges on whether or not the enrollment trigger was met or not.


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PARENTS, STUDENTS PROTEST GROSSMONT DISTRICT LAWSUIT TO CLOSE CHARTER SCHOOLS

 

Board also votes to incur debt to fight Alpine lawsuit—and gets legal warning of CA Voting Rights Act violations

By Miriam Raftery

“You should be proud that a school like this is helping students out. Are you thinking of the students and our futures, or just yourselves and your money?”—Jackie Ramirez, 16, young mother and student at Diego Valley Charter

November 19, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) –Wearing green shirts reading “Defend School Choice”,  over 100 parents, students and teachers turned out to protest the Grossmont Union High School District’s litigation that seeks to shut down multiple charter schools.  Speaker after speaker gave emotional testimony tonight, pleading with the GUHSD board to save their schools.

A lawsuit filed by the district seeks to shut down Diego Valley Public Charter, which serves at-risk  students including many Chaldeans and other minorities, drop-outs , pregnant students, and students who have aged out of the public high school system, as well as Julian Charter School-Alpine Academy. A hearing on the case is scheduled for June 10, 2016 at 8:30 a.m. before Judge Joan M. Lewis in San Diego Superior Court.


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RESULTS OF NEW STATE TEST SHOW GROSSMONT TOPS STATE AVERAGE IN MATH

 

East County News Service

September 11, 2015 (San Diego’s East County)--The new Smarter Balanced (SBAC) State test scores are now out.  The tests are meant as a positive step forward in helping to ensure that students are prepared to enter the 21st century with the critical thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills required for success in college and careers, providing a benchmark for measuring progress in future years.


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JUDGE SETS TRIAL DATE FOR DEC. 4 ON ALPINE SUIT AGAINST GROSSMONT OVER HIGH SCHOOL

 

 

By Miriam Raftery

June 11, 2015 (Alpine) – Alpine residents seeking to force the Grossmont Union High School District to turn over $70 million in bond funds and land acquired for construction of an Alpine High School will finally have their day in court.  Judge Joel Pressman ruled against Grossmont on Friday, refusing to dismiss the case and requiring that the money be set aside pending outcome of the trial.

The proceeding will be an administrative trial before Judge Pressman set for December 4th with the Alpine Union School District and the Alpine Taxpayers for Bond Accountability squaring off against the GUHSD. A 3-judge appellate court panel previously denied Grossmont’s request for a stay to stop the proceedings, a move affirmed Friday by Pressman. The County Grand Jury also found that the district did not live up to its obligation to Alpine taxpayers and recommended that the district build the high school or turn over the money to the Alpine Union High School District to build the school.  The district's board majority defied the Grand Jury and did neither.

The plaintiffs contend that Grossmont misallocated millions of dollars from Propositions U and H,  spending much of the $700 million measures approved by voters for projects not listed in the bond while refusing to build the Alpine High School that was a priority project in the bond measures.


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COURT RULES FOR GROSSMONT DISTRICT IN ALPINE HIGH SCHOOL CASE

 

By Miriam Raftery

April 7, 2015 (Alpine) – Superior Court Judge Joel Pressman has issued a tentative ruling in the Alpine Union School District’s lawsuit against the Grossmont Union High School District over funding for an Alpine high school.


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