Education

PARENTS SPEAK OUT OVER DEMOTION OF SANTANA EDUCATORS

By Kirsten Andelman

March 11, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) -- Close to 100 people came before the Grossmont Union High School District board meeting February 22, eager to hear -- and be heard -- regarding disciplinary action taken against four educators at Santana High School after a teenager was sex-trafficked in 2021. 


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GROSSMONT UNION DISTRICT BOARD SET TO CONSIDER CUTTING DOZENS OF JOBS

By Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association
 
A school bus at Grossmont High School. Photo by Chris Stone, Times of San Diego
 
March 11, 2024 (El Cajon) -- An East County school board will consider two items Tuesday that could lead to the elimination of teaching, administrative and classified positions.
 
Eighty-six jobs are on the line, according to two human resources items on the agenda for the Grossmont Union High School District.

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VOICE OF SAN DIEGO PUBLISHES 2024 PARENT’S GUIDE TO SAN DIEGO SCHOOLS

The definitive tool for making school decisions for children in grades K-12 throughout San Diego County
 
By Julianne Markow
 
March 4, 2024 (San Diego) – Voice of San Diego is proud to announce the publication of the 2024 edition of A Parent’s Guide to San Diego Schools. This is the sixth year of the publication, which provides parents and guardians with the tools to make informed decisions about education options for their children.

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SDSU STUDENT NEEDS HELP FOR INJURIES, LOSS OF VEHICLE DUE TO HELPING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIM

By Miriam Raftery

February 28, 2024 (San Diego) -- A San Diego State University student who intervened to help a victim of domestic violence has suffered injuries including a sprained back and neck, as well as loss of the vehicle he relies on for his livelihood.


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ALEGRIA RESIGNS FROM CAJON VALLEY SCHOOL BOARD

 

Updated  February 22, 2024

By Miriam Raftery

February 21, 2024 (El Cajon)— A resignation letter from  Trustee Jo Alegria dated February 15 was read aloud this week at the Cajon Valley Union School District board meeting by board president Jim Miller. 

The County Office of Education has now confirmed that the  Superinendent of Education has received a formal resignation letter from  Alegria, who has represented seat 3, making the effective date February 21.. The office’s chief of staff, Music Watson, says that within 60 days of a vacancy occurring, a district’s governing board must either order an election or make a provisional appointment to fill the vacancy.  View full procedures here.  See map of district seats,below right.

Alegria has served on the CVUSD board for nearly a decade.  Elected in November 2014,  she has also served as board president. Her resignation follows her missing the past two board meetings, and comes after critics posted negative remarks on social media.

In her resignation letter, Alegria said it has been an “honor and a privilege to serve on the board, adding that she believes “passionately in the importance of public education and public service...”


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PRESIDENT BIDEN CANCELS STUDENT DEBT FOR OVER 150,000 STUDENT LOAN BORROWERS AHEAD OF SCHEDULE

East County News Service

February 21, 2024 (Washington D.C.) -- President Joe Biden today announced the approval of $1.2 billion in student debt cancellation for almost 153,000 borrowers currently enrolled in the Saving on a Valuable Education, or SAVE, repayment plan.

The borrowers receiving relief are the first to benefit from a SAVE plan policy that provides debt forgiveness to borrowers who have been in repayment after as little as 10 years and took out $12,000 or less in student loans. Originally planned for July, the Biden-Harris Administration implemented this provision of SAVE and is providing relief to borrowers nearly six months ahead of schedule.

The Biden-Harris Administration has now approved nearly $138 billion in student debt cancellation for almost 3.9 million borrowers through more than two dozen executive actions.


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WORLD BOOK DAY: FEBRUARY 23

By Jonathan Goetz

February 19, 2024 (La Mesa) -- World Book Day is an annual event organized by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) to promote reading, publishing, and copyright. The main purpose of World Book Day is to encourage people of all ages to discover the joy of books and reading. It also aims to support authors and publishers by raising awareness of their work and protecting their rights, according to Bing's Copilot. It is celebrated on February 23 in many countries around the world, including the United States.

The San Diego County Library offers a wide variety of books, as well as e-books and Kindle books, all free to readers.  Or find a list of top-rated San Diego County bookstores here:  visitcalifornia.com/bookstores-san-diego/
 

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THESE PARENTS FOUGHT CALIFORNIA'S PANDEMIC SCHOOLING AND WON. NOW WHAT?

CalMatters is a public interest journalism venture committed to explaining how California’s state Capitol works and why it matters

Photo: Mario Ramirez Garcia, 10, attends online class in the bedroom he shares with his sister on April 23, 2021. Photo by Anne Wernikoff, CalMatters

February 17, 2024 (Sacramento) -- At the height of the pandemic, in spring 2020, Maria O. her husband and four children were quarantined in their one-bedroom apartment in South Los Angeles, each vying for privacy, quiet and adequate technology to work and attend school remotely.

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WATER CONSERVATION GARDEN CLOSES AMID RESTRUCTURING

Will the Grossmont-Cuymaca Community College District or the Water Conservation Garden Joint Powers Authority step in to operate the Garden?

By Miriam Raftery

February 16, 2024 (Rancho San Diego) – The Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca College, a treasured community destination, has closed temporarily amid efforts to reorganize under new leadership.

“As we celebrate our 25th anniversary this year, we will be undergoing major structural changes,” interim executive director Lauren Magnuson announced in an email sent to media and supporters of the Garden. “A reopening date will be announced in the future...The Garden is committed to reopening and continuing its mission to educate and inspire the community to promote water conservation,” she concluded, adding, “We look forward to welcoming you back soon with a renewed and thriving Water Conservation Garden experience!”

The temporary closure announcement follows months of financial concerns stemming primarily from large loans taken out by the Garden’s former director, Jennifer Pillsbury, during and after COVID.


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SNOW CLOSES SCHOOLS IN MOUNTAIN AREAS, CHAINS REQUIRED ON HIGHWAYS

Winter storm warning in effect for mountains through Thursday, Feb. 8 at  12 p.m.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Laguna Mountain Lodge webcam

February 7, 2024 (San Diego’s East County)—Several inches or more of snow blanketed San Diego County’s mountains overnight.  Snow fell in Julian, Pine Valley, and many other mountain communities, with more precipitation forecast today.

Due to weather and road conditions, several school districts are closed and have a snow day today, according to the San Diego County Office of Education:  Julian Union Elementary , Julian Union High, Mountain Empire,  Spencer Valley,  Warner Unified.


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READER’S EDITORIAL: UNDERMINING TRANSPARENCY--SHEDDING LIGHT ON WHY CAJON VALLEY NEEDS NEW LEADERSHIP

 

“Sunshine is said to be the best of disinfectants.” – Louis Brandeis, Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court (1913)

By Alex Welling

February 6, 2024 (El Cajon) -- On the eve of the one-year anniversary of the Cajon Valley Union School District’s controversial special meeting to approve former Board President Tamara Otero’s $60,000 golden parachute, current Board President Jim Miller undercut the will of the people again.

Cajon Valley is no stranger to violating its bylaws and California’s signature open meetings law, the Brown Act. Over the years, lawsuits have been threatened and filed; however, no violation has been as overt as what happened at Tuesday’s special meeting. Board President Miller called for a last-minute, improperly noticed meeting at an inconvenient time to force through more than 500 Board Policy updates.

These policies are critical as they define the roles and responsibilities of the Board and its only employee, Superintendent David Miyashiro. They're also extremely controversial in the case of Cajon Valley.


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MORE CALIFORNIANS EARN COLLEGE DEGREES, BUT RACIAL GAPS WIDEN

By Suzanne Potter,  California News Service
 
Photo: Latina college graduate, cc by SA via Bing

February 4, 2024 (Sacramento, CA) -- More and more Californians are going to college, earning an associate degree or higher but racial gaps persist, according to a new report.

Researchers from Georgetown University found degree attainment went up almost 6% between 2010 and 2020 but the gap between white adults and Latino or Black adults getting those degrees widened slightly.


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WATER CONSERVATION GARDEN CUTS STAFFING; JPA MEMBERS BALK AT REQUEST TO BOOST FUNDING

JPA to discuss options in a closed-door meeting with legal counsel

By Miriam Raftery

Photo, left:  Dr. Michael Hager, President, Friends of the Water Conservation Garden, and Lauren Magnuson, Interim Director of the Garden

January 30, 2024 (El Cajon) – Friends of the Water Conservation Garden and the garden’s new interim director, Lauren Magnuson, made impassioned pleas at a January 23 meeting,  asking the Joint Powers Authority (JPA) to allocate additional funds through June to help alleviate a financial crisis.

The Water Conservation Garden is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. Magnuson. said, “We supported the community during the pandemic. Now we are hoping that the community will support us.”

The Garden has over $1 million in financial obligations, including large loans taken out during the pandemic and some smaller grant funds slated to be returned. Questions have been raised by the JPA over years of inaccurate record-keeping practices and borrowing by Friends to cover the Garden’s operating expenses, among other concerns.

“The Garden has significantly cut our monthly budget by more than half,” Magnuson told ECM in an interview earlier this month. “We unfortunately had to furlough a good portion of our staff and lean on current staff to absorb those furloughed positions.” She has pledged full transparency and open communication with staff and volunteers, scrambling to pull together financial records and options to help the garden grow and thrive in the future—though the task is daunting.


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GENDER AND NAME CHANGE AND QUEER LEGAL CLINICS AT CUYAMACA COLLEGE IN 2024

By Jocelyn Campos

January 28, 2024 (El Cajon) -- In 2024 Uprise Theatre partners with Cuyamaca College's Queer Student Center to offer East County San Diego monthly name and gender change clinics along with legal clinics specifically for those folks who identify as LGBTQ+.

Although hosted through Cuyamaca College these clinics are open to everyone, for free.


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SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

East County News Service

January 27, 2024 (San Diego) -- Supervisor Joel Anderson asked his staff to compile a list of scholarship opportunities and financial resources to assist students.

“I am aware of the financial barriers that many parents or students face. Having three children go through this process, I understand the value behind scholarship opportunities and the importance behind financial assistance,” says Supervisor Anderson.  “We have made an effort to find a diverse set of scholarship opportunities that will be useful and relevant to you. It’s important to note that many of these opportunities have upcoming deadlines, so we recommend being mindful as these dates approach. Also, if there are any other resources you would like to see included in the list, please send them to paige.bounds@sdcounty.ca.gov and we would be happy to add them.”

Below are the scholarships available for spring 2024:


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STAGEHOUSE THEATRE PRESENTS INSIDE THE ACTOR’S PROCESS: IDENTITY FEB. 2-3

 

January 21, 2024 (El Cajon) -- The Stagehouse Theatre at Grossmont College will present “Inside the Actor’s Identity” on February 2 and 3.

Conceived and directed by Benjamin Cole, the play portrays the strength, determination, and resilience of myriad characters struggling for fairness. Whether it be social tolerance, civil liberties, recognition of identity, or personal equilibrium, these scenes test our actors in often emotional, sometimes comedic scenes to push boundaries.


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FACULTY UNION VOWS TO STRIKE OVER CAL STATE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM'S FINAL PAY OFFER

By Mikhail Zinshteyn, CalMatters

CalMatters is a public interest journalism venture committed to explaining how California’s state Capitol works and why it matters

Photo:  members of the California Faculty Association. Image from CFA Facebook page

January 14, 2024 (San Diego) - The faculty union of the California State University is planning a week of strikes across the 23 campuses Jan. 22 – 26 after the system said that it would provide 5% raises to members, far below what the union is seeking.


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SDSU FEELS THE FALLOUT FROM ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR

By Donald H. Harrison, San Diego Jewish World, a member of the San Diego Online News Association

Photo:  Adela de la Torre. Photo by SDSU

January 4, 2024 (San Diego) - San Diego State University is under investigation for alleged “Islamophobia” in the wake of SDSU President Adela de la Torre’s condemnation of the Oct. 7 Hamas attack and statement of support for impacted members of the campus community.  The U.S. Department of Education has not discussed the merits of the complaint from unidentified complainants, only that the complaint has come under its jurisdiction.

Here, in full, is what President De La Torre said:


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PADRE DAM SUES GROSSMONT CUYAMACA COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT ALLEGING WATER THEFT; DISTRICT DISPUTES CLAIMS

 

By Mike Allen

 

December 13, 2023 (San Diego’s East County)--The Padre Dam Municipal Water District says it has filed a lawsuit against one of its biggest customers, the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District, over allegedly taking water through unmetered lines without paying for it.


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GROSSMONT-CUYAMACA COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT ONCE AGAIN GETS PERFECT SCORE FOR BOND TRANSPARENCY

Source:  Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District

December 13, 2023 (El Cajon) - For the second year in a row, the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District got a perfect grade of A+ from the San Diego County Taxpayers Association for the East County college district’s transparency relating to its $398 million Proposition V bond program.


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ALEX WELLING, CAJON VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT CANDIDATE, SEEKS IMPROVED TEST SCORES, OVERSIGHT, AND RESPECT FOR PARENTS

 

“We have one of the highest paid superintendents in the state of California, so why are test scores continuing to tank? “ – Alex Welling

By Miriam Raftery

November 25, 2023 (El Cajon) – In an exclusive interview, Alex Welling, candidate running for the Trustee area 5 seat on the Cajon Valley Union School District board of trustees, speaks out. He’s concerned about respecting parents’ rights, increasing transparency, improving low standardized test scores, and holding staff accountable. He has also called for an audit of district finances.

He’s a conservative challenging board  chairman Jim Miller; both are Republicans. Welling has a master’s in legal studies as well as bachelor’s degrees in political science and government.  He’s the communications manager of wildfire resiliency for SDG&E and previously served a public communications officer for SANDAG and as field director for the American Action Network devoted to free market principals. He’s also served on the city of Chula Vista’s board of ethics.

View video  of East County Magazine’s interview,  hear audio aired on KNSJ Radio, or scroll down for highlights.

Audio: 


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HOME START ORGANIZES RALLY IN EL CAJON TO SEEK MORE HOUSING FOR HOMELESS YOUTH

 

By Jessyka Heredia

November 21, 2023 (El Cajon)—Outside El Cajon’s city hall  on Nov. 16, youth activists gathered with the local outreach group Home Start to show the need for more housing for homeless youths, as well as funding to get kids off the streets and stop a cycle of lifelong homelessness.


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RECOGNIZING FAKE NEWS NOW A REQUIRED SUBJECT IN CALIFORNIA SCHOOLS

A new law requires K-12 schools to add media literacy to curriculum for English language arts, science, math and history-social studies. Among the lessons will be recognizing fake news.

By Carolyn Jones, Cal Matters

Photo:  St. HOPE Public School 7 Elementary in Sacramento used some of its stimulus funds to buy laptops for students. Photo by Miguel Gutierrez Jr., CalMatters

 November 15,2023 (Sacramento, CA) -- Pushing back against the surge of misinformation online, California will now require all K-12 students to learn media literacy skills — such as recognizing fake news and thinking critically about what they encounter on the internet. 

Gov. Gavin Newsom last month signed Assembly Bill 873, which requires the state to add media literacy to curriculum frameworks for English language arts, science, math and history-social studies, rolling out gradually beginning next year. Instead of a stand-alone class, the topic will be woven into existing classes and lessons throughout the school year.


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CUYAMACA COLLEGE RECOGNIZED AS ONE OF THE BEST FOR VETS

Source:  Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District

November 9, 2023 (El Cajon) - Military Times magazine has ranked Cuyamaca College 80th in the nation as Best for Vets: Colleges and 215th as Best for Vets: Employers. Cuyamaca College was the only San Diego County college or university in the top 100 of the magazines’ ratings of best colleges for veterans. 


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COMMUNITY MEMBERS DEMAND TRANSPARANCY AT CAJON VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT

By Jessyka Heredia

Watch full video here

October 15, 2023 (El Cajon)-- A group of community members came to address the Cajon Valley School District at their monthly board meeting Tuesday due to policy changes on the agenda that would shift Superintendent  David Miyashiro’s evaluation to private session without the public in attendance, leaving the public unable to comment on or express criticism.


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COUNTY SUPERVISORIAL CANDIDATES STEPPE AND REICHERT TO APPEAR IN PUBLIC FORUM OCT. 18 AT CUYAMACA COLLEGE

East County News Service

October 13, 2023 (El Cajon)-- The two finalists for the District 4 supervisorial seat will address issues of concern to East County residents at a public forum to be held Oct. 18 at Cuyamaca College. Monica Montgomery Steppe and Amy Reichert were the two top vote-getters in the primary election for the District 4 supervisor’s seat vacated by Nathan Fletcher. The general election is being held Nov. 7.

The candidate forum starts at 7 p.m., with a meet and greet session starting at 6:30 p.m.  The event will be held at the Samuel M. Ciccati Performing Arts Center at Cuyamaca College, 900 Rancho San Diego Parkway, El Cajon. Parking and admission are free.

The candidate forum will be moderated by the League of Women Voters of San Diego and conducted according to their guidelines. Attendees are encouraged to submit questions that could be selected for the candidates to answer. The forum will be video recorded and posted on the League’s YouTube channel for future viewing.


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LOCAL STUDENTS HOLD RALLIES, VIGILS FOR BOTH ISRAELIS AND PALESTINIANS

By Miriam Raftery

October 12, 2023  (San Diego)—After the Hamas terror attacks in Israel in which more than 1,200 Israelis have died including children slaughtered,  Israel has retaliated with air strikes in Gaza,  urging residents to leave as Israeli forces shut off power, water and fuel until dozens of Israeli hostages are freed.  The crisis has sparked fear in local residents for family and friends in both Israel and Palestine.

This week,  students at local universities staged rallies and protests for people in both Israel and Palestine.


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GROSSMONT-CUYAMACA COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT SUPPORTS UNDOCUMENTED STUDENTS WITH ACTION WEEK OCTOBER 16-20

Source: Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District

October 12, 2023 (El Cajon)--The Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District will be demonstrating support for undocumented students by joining community colleges across California in Undocumented Student Action Week October 16-20. Grossmont and Cuyamaca colleges will be holding a wide range of events in support of undocumented students and immigrants.

Students are encouraged to visit the Together We Rise Center at Cuyamaca College or the Dream Center at Grossmont College, which offer programs and services to help empower undocumented students to achieve their academic and personal pursuits.  Both centers serve as a resource to help students with access to higher education, advocacy and educational materials, campus-based and community services, current events, engagement activities, legal aid referrals, legislative updates, and more.


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SAN DIEGANS COMMEMORATE INDIGENOUS PEOPLE'S DAY

By Jonathan Goetz

Photo: Screenshot of Indigenous People’s Day video posted by San Diego Miramar College on Facebook.

October 10, 2023 (San Diego) -- Indigenous People’s cultural awareness day was celebrated in different ways in San Diego County in 2023. Here are some of the events and activities that took place:

At the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, the San Pasqual Band of Mission Indians hosted an all-day event that included tellings of the tribe’s cultural stories and exhibitions of the tribe’s art and craftsmanship. There were also traditional foods available throughout the park. There was an opening blessing ceremony at 10 a.m., a closing prayer at 4 p.m., and live music performed by members of the San Pasqual band.

At San Diego Miramar College, there was an Indigenous Peoples Day celebration with free frybread tacos and a musical performance by the Soaring Eagles of Southern California.


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HAPPY FILIPINO AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH

East County News Service

 

Photo: Brett Sayles (Pexels)

 

October 10, 2023 (San Diego's East County) -- Filipino American History Month is a time to celebrate and honor the contributions and achievements of Filipino Americans in the United States. It is also a time to learn about the rich and diverse history and culture of the Philippines and its people.

California and San Diego have a special connection to Filipino American history, as they are the places where the first Filipinos arrived in the continental United States. On October 18, 1587, a group of Filipino sailors landed on what is now Morro Bay, California, aboard the Spanish galleon Nuestra Señora de Esperanza1They were the first modern Asians to set foot on American soil, and they established trade and cultural exchanges with the native Chumash and Obispeño peoples2, according to Bing AI.


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