On a night when they honored all teachers as Teachers of the Year during the challenging pandemic school year, the Del Mar Union School District board approved an off-schedule 4% salary increase for its teachers.
Print
With his May budget revision, Governor Gavin Newsom announced a $20 billion investment in “the total transformation of schools as gateways to equity and opportunity.”
His education proposal, the highest level of state school funding in California history, includes plans for universal transitional kindergarten for all 4-year-olds by 2024. Currently, transitional kindergarten is offered only to children who turn 5 between Sept. 2 and Dec. 2. Starting in 2022-23, it will be expanded in annual increments, first to children turning 5 by March 2, then in 2023-24 for birthdays by July 2 and finally in 2024-25 for full implementation at an additional annual cost of $2.7 billion.
“We’re doing more than just fully reopening for the upcoming school year, we’re proposing historic investments in public schools to create new opportunities for every student, especially for our neediest students, so that every child can thrive, regardless of their race or zip code,” Newsom said
Print
A data-driven presentation on the benefits of transitional kindergarten (TK) was provided to the five local Basic Aid districts last month by North County community member Allison Trent.
Marsha Sutton
(File photo)
Of the four districts that included the presentation on recent agendas, the Del Mar Union School District was the only one that held an open session discussion.
The Cardiff, Encinitas and Solana Beach school districts did not discuss the issue in open session. Donna Tripi, superintendent of the fifth district, Rancho Santa Fe, said she did not receive a request to place TK on the agenda.
At their board meetings, Cardiff, Del Mar, Encinitas and Solana Beach had two presentations: Trent’s – which was extensive, thorough and research-based – and one developed by each school district.
Del Mar school board member continues to advocate for transitional kindergarten
Del Mar Union School District administration office.
(Staff photo)
Print
While efforts continue at the state legislative level to mandate that free transitional kindergarten is available for all four-year-olds, a local effort for transitional kindergarten is building in North County San Diego.
Community member Allison Trent requested the item be placed on the board agendas at Del Mar, Solana Beach, Cardiff and Encinitas school districts, all local districts where they do not offer transitional kindergarten (TK). All districts complied with agenda items in April with recommendations from staff to not offer TK at this time as they do not receive state funding to offer the extra year of public school.
Print
Del Mar Union School District’s draft focused environmental impact report (EIR) for the Del Mar Heights School rebuild was released on April 28 and will be open for a 45-day public comment period through June 11.
The final environmental review document will be circulated from June 18-28 and is expected to be approved at the board’s June 30 meeting. At that point it would be filed back with the court and upon resolution of litigation with Save the Field, the district could resume the coastal development permit process with the city of San Diego.
“This is the next step in the process to get this important rebuild project completed,” said Holly McClurg, superintendent of the Del Mar Union School District in a release. “The students, their parents, and the vast majority of the community this school serves are eager to get this school back in service providing benefits to the children and taxpayers as it has for the last 60 years.”