Alpine Union School District

REPORTED GUNSHOT PROMPTED SCHOOL LOCKDOWNS IN ALPINE

East County News Service

September 16, 2022 (Alpine) – Shadow Hills Elementary School in Alpine and Creekside Learning Center were briefly locked down today after a report of a gunshot fired near the campuses shortly after 10 a.m.

 Out of an abundance of caution, school staff immediately initiated a campus-wide lockdown at both schools.

Deputies searched both schools.  “They were unable to locate any evidence of a shooting,” says Captain Michael Rand with the Alpine Sheriff’s station. “The lockdown was lifted just before 11:00 a.m. No children, teachers or staff were hurt.”


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VIEJAS CASINO & RESORT DONATES 100,000 MASKS TO LOCAL SCHOOLS

Viejas Donates 100,000 masks to local schools

Source: Newswire.com

September 26, 2020 (Alpine) -- Viejas Casino & Resort recently donated 100,000 face masks to the Alpine Union School District. The donation, conceived by the Viejas Tribal Council, is focused on protecting the community and its children. Viejas has a long-standing tradition of community and isupporting local schools.

“It’s important to the Viejas Tribal membership and also to the Viejas Casino & Resort team that we understand and appreciate the importance of safety in the COVID-19 environment that we’re in,” Viejas Tribal Vice Chairman Victor Woods stated. “Safety and well-being of the students in class are of paramount importance to us.”

Alpine Union School District Superintendent Dr. Rich Newman expressed, “The impact that these face masks will have on our school district is huge. This is a year’s worth of supply for our students, staff, and our family members that are in need. It also is a huge cost savings to us and, as always, Viejas has been a fantastic partner with us through the years. This is one more example of how they step up for the community and support virtually every need that we have.”


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ALPINE UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT WARNS OF STRANGER IN TRUCK APPROACHING STUDENTS

By Miriam Raftery

January 9, 2020 (Alpine)—The Alpine Union School District is warning parents about two separate incidents Tuesday afternoon and again today, both involving a stranger in a truck approaching young students.

"Today, a Joan MacQueen Middle School student reported being approached by a stranger in a white-greyish four-door truck with tinted windows on Victoria Drive and Sneath Way. We have met with the Alpine Sheriff’s Deputies and have requested extra patrols at our schools. Deputies will be present after school today, and the detectives are investigating," a letter posted to the Joan MacQueen Middle School’s Facebook page reads.

In Tuesday’s incident, a vehicle described as a white lifted truck similar to a Toyota Tundra reportedly followed two young girls down a private dead-end road.


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UNIFICATION PROCESS FOR ALPINE TO SPLIT FROM GROSSMONT SCHOOL DISTRICT DRAGS ON; FUTURE OF HIGH SCHOOL HANGS IN THE BALANCE

 

By Julie Pendray 

May 15, 2017 (Alpine) -- When construction of a high school in Alpine was delayed indefinitely following passage of bond measures in 2004 and 2008, Alpine Union School District (AUSD) decided to seek unification. Reorganizing the district would enable it to operate K-12 schools and build the high school without waiting on Grossmont Unified High School District (GUSD), which is responsible for the school’s construction under Props. H and U. Alpine’s proposal was given the green light by the County Office of Education, which forwarded its recommendation to the state Board of Education (Board) in 2014.


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TEJEDA TAKES LEAD IN HELIX WATER DISTRICT; ALPINE SCHOOL BOARD RACE TIGHTENS

 

Update December 1, 2016: Lou Tejeda has taken the lead over Dan McMillan by 103 votes in the Helix Water District One race.  In the Alpine Union School District race,  Travis Lyons' lead over Lou Russo has shrunk to 25 votes.

The elections will be certified December 8 after all votes are tallied.

By Miriam Raftery

November 27, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) — Three weeks after the election, races in the Helix Water Board District and Alpine Union School District have tightened, with a potential for upsets once the final votes are tallied. 


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TIGHT RACE IN ALPINE UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT

 

Update December 1, 2016:  Lyon has pulled back ahead of Russo by 25 votes as the count contiunes.  The election will be certified  December 8th.

Update November 16, 2016:  Lou Russo has pulled ahead of Travis Lyon.

 

By Miriam Raftery

November 12, 2016 (Alpine) — With 100% of precincts counted but provisional and some mail-in ballots remaining to be counted, Joseph Perricone has won reelection to the Alpine Union School District board. But a second seat is still too close to call, with Travis Lyon leading Louis Russo by just 19 votes.


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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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REVISED SCHEDULE FOR PARENT AND COMMUNITY MEETINGS ON ALPINE SUPERINTENDENT SEARCH

 

East County News Service

March 9, 2016 (Alpine) –  The Governing Board of the Alpine Union School District has selected McPherson & Jacobson, L.L.C Executive Recruitment & Development to assist the Board in its search for a new Superintendent. Executive Director Anita Johnson is working with the Board on the search process. The Board wishes to extend an invitation to all parents and members of the community to meet with Ms. Anita Johnson to help identify the specific traits, skills, abilities, and experience desired in the new Superintendent. The meeting will be held on:


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ALPINE DISTRICT HOSTS MEETINGS MARCH 10 ON SUPERINTENDENT SEARCH

 

East County News Service

March 4, 2016 (Alpine) – The Alpine Union School District is seeking input from stakeholders on developing the profile for the future Superintendent of the Alpine Union School District.


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ALPINE EDUCATION FOUNDATION AGREES TO FUND INDEPENDENT EMF STUDIES

 

Superintendent issues correction: EPA has not issued recommended EMF safe levels.

Meetings Feb. 23 and 25  will address EMF issues in Alpine.

By Miriam Raftery

February 20, 2016 (Alpine)—The Alpine Education Foundation has agreed to fund hiring a professional independent expert to measure electromagnetic frequency (EMF) readings along the route of the buried Sunrise Powerlink in Alpine, AEF president George Barnett has informed East County Magazine.


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ALPINE PARENTS OBJECT TO KIDS PAINTING WINE GLASSES, BEER STEINS IN SCHOOL

 

By Miriam Raftery

Updated April 24, 2015 with response from Alpine Education Association and details on the fundraising event.

April 22, 2015 (Alpine) – Some Alpine parents were surprised to learn that children in the fifth grade at Alpine Elementary School were assigned to paint wine glasses and beer steins for an upcoming fundraising event organized by the Alpine Education Foundation.


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JUDGE RULES FOR SD UNIFIED IN SUIT AGAINST ALPINE DISTRICT OVER ENDEAVOR ACADEMY

 

By Miriam Raftery

March 19, 2015 (Alpine) – Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Gunther has ruled in favor of the San Diego Unified School District in a lawsuit filed against the Alpine Union School District over the Endeavor Academy (also known as the Albert Einstein Academy for Letters, Arts and Sciences, Inc.). View the judge’s order here.


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ALPINE STUDENTS PRESENT MUSICAL OKLAHOMA! MARCH 13-21

 

February 19, 2015 (Alpine)--Alpine Union School District will present its 37th annual musical production. This year students are performing in Rodgers & Hammerstein’s OKLAHOMA! The district-wide production includes students in grades fourth through eighth. See attached flyer.


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LAWSUIT AGAINST GUHSD OVER FUNDS FOR ALPINE HIGH SCHOOL TO BE HEARD IN COURT DEC. 5

 

East County News Service

November 22, 2014 Alpine) – Alpine Union School District (AUSD) and the Alpine Taxpayers for Bond Accountability are seeking an injunction to stop the Grossmont Union High School District (GUHSD) from spending money that plaintiffs contend should be set aside to build a high school in Alpine.  The case will be heard on December 5 at 1:30 p.m. in San Diego Superior Court, Dept. C-66 by Judge Joel Pressman.   View the lawsuit here.

The suit contends that the Grossmont district is “unlawfully wasting school bond revenues approved by the voters for an Alpine high school” by spending the money from Prop H or U on other unauthorized projects.  However the Alpine plaintiffs seek only to block bond fund use on any new or future construction projects – not interrupt any pending or contracted for construction projects.


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FUTURE HIGH SCHOOL, SCHOOL SAFETY TOP ISSUES IN ALPINE SCHOOL BOARD RACE

 

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Left, Glenn Dickie.  Lou Russo did not respond to our request for a candidate photo.

October 25, 2014 (Alpine) – Six candidates are running for the Alpine Union School District: Michael Beraud, Glenn Dickie, Nina Gould, Al Guerra, Lou Russo, and Eric Wray.  We sent a questionnaire to all six of them over a week ago. Only two responded by deadline: Lou Russo and incumebent Glenn Dickie. (If others respond later, we will post their replies at the end of this story, so check back.)

Dickie says he strongly backs building an Alpine High School and wants to help the AUSD through unification with the Grossmont District to build the Alpine High School. Russo says he would only support unification if it is the only way for Alpine to meet its goals.

Both candidates have had children ho attended district schools.  Both platforms include financial accountability.  Both candidates are conservatives though Dickie has the County Republican Party endorsement.  Dickie has a degree in finance and career experience that includes accounting and information technology. Russo, a former Marine and ex-teacher, has made school safety the number one plank in his platform and called for armed guards on campuses. Dickie also supports safe schools but has other approaches in mind. Dickie wants to start a summer learning program and sees declining enrollment, implementing Common Core standards and increasing technology in the classroom as important issues.

Below are their responses in full.


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NEXT HEARING ON UNIFICATION OF ALPINE DISTRICT MAY 7 IN EL CAJON

 

April 30, 2014 (El Cajon) – A petition has been filed with the County Board of Education that would allow Alpine families to shift from the Grossmont Union High School District into an expanded, or unified, Alpine Union School District that would serve grades K-12.


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ALPINE SUPERINTENDENT GETS $10K GOLDEN PARACHUTE

 

By Miriam Raftery

April 19, 2014 (Alpine)—Tom Pellegrino, retiring Alpine Union School District Superintendent, will receive  a $10,000 retirement incentive.

In a letter to AUSD board President Eric Wray, Pellegrino stated that he would step down on September 30, contingent upon receiving the $10,000 retirement incentive.


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NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING APRIL 29: PROPOSED UNIFICATION OF ALPINE UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT

April 19, 2014 (Alpine) – A public hearing on proposed unification of the Alpine Union School District will be held in Alpine on April 29 at 6 p.m. in the Alpine Elementary School auditorium. The hearing will be conducted by the San Diego County Board of Education.


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GROSSMONT SCHOOL DISTRICT IGNORES GRAND JURY, VOTES TO OPPOSE UNIFICATION FOR ALPINE FAMILIES

 

 

 

By Nadin Abbott

April 10, 2014 (El Cajon) --Think of it as a contested divorce.

With a vote of four to one, the Grossmont Unified High School District (GUHSD) board made its intent clear. The majority does not wish to allow Alpine parents and students to leave the GUHSD and join forces with the Alpine Union School District. Board Members Robert Shield, Richard Hoy, Jim Kelly and Jim Stieringer voted against unification, while Board Member Priscilla Schreiber cast the lone vote in favor. 

Unification would allow the Alpine district to become a K-12 district, adding high school students so that the AUSD could build the long-promised high school that Grossmont has failed to build.  Not even a scathing Grand Jury report has been able to prod GUHSD members into taking action. The Grand Jury admonished the board to either agree to build the high school by the end of last year, or cooperate with unification efforts. Instead, the board has done neither.


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GUHSD BOARD TO WEIGH SUPPORT OR OPPOSITION OF ALPINE DISTRICT ON APRIL 10

 

April 5, 2014 (Alpine)--Grossmont Union High School District’s board meets on April 10 in the East County Regional Education Center, 924 East Main Street in EL Cajon.  Public session starts at 6 p.m. after a closed-door-session.


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ALPINE UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT TO HOLD SPECIAL MEETING MARCH 31

March 30, 2014 (Alpine) – On March 31, the Alpine Union School District will hold a special meeting.  A closed session at 5:15 to conference with labor negotiators will be followed by an open session at 5:30.

The open session ncludes discussion of changes to upcoming board meeting scheduling, as well as a board workshop at which lead petitioners of the unification process and high school committee members will present their understanding of the unification process. The board will also ask questions.


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ALPINE UNION SCHOOLS SUPERINTENDENT ANNOUNCES DEPARTURE

 

 

By Miriam Raftery

March 22, 2014 (Alpine) – Alpine Union School District Superintendent Tom Pellegrino has announced in a press release that he is leaving in June to move with his family to Costa Rica. 

“Since before our children were born, my wife and I set a goal to raise our kids in a Spanish speaking country for at least two years to give them the gift of bilingualism, teach them about simplicity, and to expose them to a true global perspective,” Pellegrino stated in the release. “This is the last chance to accomplish these goals before our kids would re-enter the States in middle  high school. We have the opportunity to do it, and we are seizing it.”


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ALPINE TEACHERS HEAD BACK TO THE CLASSROOM AFTER APPROVING CONTRACT

 

By Nadin Abbott

Photo courtesy ECM news partner 10 News

February 25, 2014 (Alpine)—Alpine teachers approved the new contract this morning after marathon negotiations with the Alpine Union School District, ending a strike that began last  Thursday. There are no details of the agreement to be found on the school district website. The contract is not all that teachers wanted, but according to a post at the Alpine Teacher Association website, the Union received the following:


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TOP CAMPAIGN SPENDERS TAKE TOP OF VOTE TALLY IN ALPINE

Board majority to continue support for unification efforts

By Bill Weaver

November 7, 2012 (Alpine) -- The Alpine Union School District (AUSD) saw its top two campaign spenders become the winners of seats on its Board. Tim Caruthers was the top spender at almost $7,800, followed by  Joe Perricone, who spent $5,300.  Perricone got the most votes in the community, followed by Caruthers.


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ALPINE PARENTS WARNED OF MAN OFFERING RIDES TO FEMALE STUDENT

October 15, 2012 (Alpine) – The Alpine Union School District today sent an email alert from Superintendent Tom Pellegrino warning of an older man who has twice attempted to persuade a female student to get in his car.  Below is the warning sent by the Superintendent today:


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ALPINE VOTERS TO WEIGH SCHOOL BOND MEASURE PROP H

May 23, 2012 (Alpine) – Alpine voters will decide on the June ballot whether  nearly $12 million in bond monies should be authorized to fund the Alpine Union School District.  The District faces a half million dollars in annual budget cuts due to falling property tax revenues and anticipated cuts in state funding. 


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READER’S EDITORIAL: 21st CENTURY EDUCATION—THE NEED FOR INNOVATION

 
By Bill Weaver                             

September 12, 2011 (Alpine)--I would like to thank our Alpine Union School District for its pursuit of 21st century education reforms it seeks in serving our East County's local youngest students.  On the AUSD website (www.alpineschooldistrict.net) they describe this in detail.


What the  AUSD calls its "revisioning", is a process for managing its innovation. Experts state that fewer than 2% of all organizations actually have systems in place to successfully manage innovation processes. This buzzword is found in many strategic plans, however the 2% factor highlights the large percentage of these organizations that will fail at innovation leadership, because they lack a proper management plan.
 The Grossmont Union HS Districts’ recent decision to delay building the Alpine and Blossom Valley area new high school (HS12) is a prime example.

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