May 4, 2010 (El Cajon ) – The Grossmont Union High School district board has called a special meeting for Thursday, May 6 at 4 p.m. to discuss search procedures for a new superintendent to replace Robert Collins, who is retiring in June.

Watchdog group oversees construction bond expenditures

April 23, 2010 (El Cajon)--With three seats on the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District’s Citizens Bond Oversight Commitee to be filled in July, civic-minded East County residents are invited to apply for the openings by the May 27, 2010 deadline.

Students Advance to Global Competition in May that Focuses on Creativity, Problem-Solving, Teamwork

April 10, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – Grossmont Union High School District trustee Gary Woods has asked the board to rescind plans to hold a public hearing and vote April 15 on naming the new Alpine high school after Ronald Reagan. Instead, Woods is calling for establishment of a committee to receive naming recommendations from the public.

 Update:  This class has been cancelled due to low enrollment.  For info on future classes, contact Walter Davis via the information in the story below.

Social networking, digital movies and photo editing on the agenda

April 12, 2010 -- Want to learn technical skills for effective use of media? Walter Davis, founder of Marketing Strategies of California and the Citizens Internet TV Network, is offering a free technology class April 13 from10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Sudanese Community Center, 4077 Fairmont Avenue in San Diego. Classes are free, though a donation of $5 to $10 is suggested.

Raises Pell Grants, eases loan repayments, & funds community colleges

Changes paid for by eliminating $68 billion in fees to banks

By Miriam Raftery

April 3, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – Most Americans don’t realize that the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act signed into law on March 30th by President Barack Obama affects more than the health care industry.  It also brings sweeping change to the federal student loan program. Obama termed this “one of the most significant investments in higher education since the G.I. Bill.”

Under the new law, the federal government will stop paying fees to private banks to act as middlemen on loans to students. The measure will save the U.S. government nearly $68 million over the next 11 years—money that will be invested in more Pell Grants made directly to students.  The new law will also make it easier for students to repay loans after graduating. In addition, $2 billion will be invested in community colleges for education and career training programs.

March 21, 2010 (San Diego) – An investigation by California Watch has found nearly 180 buildings on California public universities are too dangerous to occupy during a major earthquake. That includes San Diego State’s Love Library.

March 17, 2010 (El Cajon) – Rocket launchings, flying rubber-band powered airplanes and forensic crime scene exhibits were among the displays at the Southern California Regional Science Decathlon. The regional event was hosted at Grossmont College for the fourth consecutive year.

Music Professor Pat Setzer to receive Hayward Award for Excellence in Education

EL CAJON – Cuyamaca College music instructor Pat Setzer, a key player in the planning and construction of a performing arts complex inside the campus’ sprawling $45 million communication arts center, is one of four community college faculty members statewide to win the 2010 Hayward Award for Excellence in Education.

March 6, 2010 (San Diego) -- Congressman Bob Filner is among 111 cosponsors of the Community College Energy Training Act (H.R. 3731), legislation that will support community colleges as they train a new generation of technicians and other workers in America’s renewable energy industry.

March 2, 2010 (SDSU) – Four reported sexual assaults have occurred in the San Diego State University area in the past two weeks, including one case where the suspect reportedly broke in to the victim’s home. In addition, a man was robbed at gunpoint and another was beaten during a robbery on campus.

February 24, 2010 (El Cajon) -- Grossmont Union High School District has rescheduled a closed/executive meeting for Thursday, February 25 at 3:30 p.m.  The meeting was rescheduled after East County Magazine obtained a legal opinion from Terry Francke, general counsel at Californians Aware, that the Brown Act had been violated, as we previously reported. ECM requested both 24 hours notice and a written description of the "threatened litigation" and "one matter" listed on the original agenda.   

The revised agenda for tomorrow's meeting reveals that a lawsuit has now been filed by Helix Charter High against the district.