about the gun found in La Costa Valley

There were many emails circulating about a gun found in the open space in the middle of La Costa Valley.

Here’s what the Carlsbad Police Department had to say, in an email circulated to many residents:

The found property that was reported on 2/13/2009 at 12:36 PM in the Canyon by Camino Robledo was NOT a semi automatic weapon as being reported in these e-mails but an Airsoft rifle. Airsoft rifles are considered a toy. They shoot biodegradable plastic pellets that are less potent than a BB gun. For information on Airsoft please see the following website http://www.airsplat.com/Categories/EM.htm. Thank you. Jodee Sasway, Crime Prevention Specialist, Carlsbad Police Department

The Police Department had sent staff, cruisers, and even a helicopter to investigate.

There’s nothing in the police report about whose toy gun it is.

Since many residents got emails spreading rumors about it being identified as a real gun, even though it had the name “Stoner Rifle” on the side, let your neighbors know this is probably some parent’s poor idea of a holiday present.

U-T features neighbor Klein in SDUHSD election coverage

It looks like the Union Tribune has neighbor Klein pegged as an elite one-issue candidate, while the incumbents are getting ink on their interest in bringing up test scores for all kids in the district. Although Klein is quoted that he’s not a one-issue candidate, the vacant-land issue is more prominently mentioned in the article, and the others are quoted about what they would do to make sure No Child is Left Behind.

How would you vote if you voted today?

Here’s the original article:

Parent, two incumbents squaring off over two positions

By Bruce Lieberman
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER

October 4, 2008

San Dieguito Union High School District is one of the highest performing in the state, but the next school board will be focusing on several areas of improvement.

Three candidates are running for two seats on the board. Incumbents Joyce Dalessandro, 62, and Beth Hergesheimer, 48, are campaigning together. Dentist and district parent Michael Klein, 43, seeks to unseat one of them.

The incumbents have argued that experience and familiarity with district issues will be extremely valuable as the board continues to tackle tight state budgets, growth in its career technical education programs, higher expectations in math education and other issues.

Klein has said the board needs new blood and a fresh perspective. He has also called for more transparency in school board decisions, and he has been among the parents upset with the district’s decision not to build a middle school in La Costa Valley.

District administrators have said that flattening enrollment growth after about 2000 forced San Dieguito to reconsider building a new middle school. But parents say they are worried that the property could end up as high-density housing, offices or a strip mall.

Administrators and trustees have said the district has no plans to sell the land, and it could prove invaluable to them if enrollment bounces back and a school is eventually needed.

Beyond squabbles over real estate, the district faces several persistent challenges and new goals.

District profile
San Dieguito Union High School District. Three candidates are running for two seats on the school board.

Budget: $99 million

Enrollment: 12,575

Teachers: About 600

Campuses: Nine

San Dieguito enrolls nearly 12,600 students at four middle schools, four high schools, an alternative high school, and an independent study program. It also offers adult education classes. The district serves residents in the La Costa, Encinitas, Solana Beach, Del Mar, Rancho Santa Fe and Carmel Valley areas.

Overall, the district this year scored 855 out of 1,000 on the state’s Academic Performance Index, California’s key measure of a school’s success. The California Department of Education encourages schools to score at least 800.

While the district overall has a high API score, some groups of students, such as Latino and poor students, need help. Those groups failed to meet their state targets for improvement this year.

Dalessandro, whose two daughters graduated from district schools, is in her 12th year on the board. She said she’ll continue to work for more choices for students, including more opportunities for career technical education that offers instruction in engineering, robotics, biotechnology and other fields. She also wants the district to start offering an International Baccalaureate program, which would add new dimensions of academic rigor and also encourage students to get involved in community service.

She said closing the achievement gap between affluent and less affluent students and between students of various ethnicities is a big goal.

As for the La Costa Valley controversy, Dalessandro said there has been no attempt to mislead the public.

“We needed to plan for a middle school and we did that, but then things changed and the kids weren’t arriving,” she said. “The kids may come eventually.”

Hergesheimer, a community volunteer who has been active in the PTA, has served on the board for four years. She, too, said she wants to help guide the district as it works to close the achievement gap. Enhancing work experiences in school – such as the lab experiences in middle school that allow students to dabble in computer-assisted drawing, rocketry and other hands-on activities – is a priority, she said.

Hergesheimer said she has worked hard to build good relationships with administrators, teachers and others in the district, and she wants a second term to put that experience to use.

The fact that there hasn’t been a large number of candidates vying for the board says a lot, said Hergesheimer, who has a son at La Costa Canyon High.

“It’s because it’s a district that’s functioning quite well,” she said.

Michael Klein, who has a daughter at Oak Crest Middle and a son at La Costa Canyon High, said that while the La Costa Valley property issue may have prompted him to run for the school board, he’s not a one-issue candidate.

He said he also wants to help the district find a way to lower class sizes at the high schools.

Klein said he doesn’t have any specific concerns about academic issues. Rather, he said the school district needs to be more open, and decisions made at the school board level deserve more discussion and debate. He sees the La Costa Valley controversy as emblematic of a district that needs to be more open and honest.

“I think there needs to be more accountability and transparency,” Klein said. “I really feel there needs to be someone who represents the public more.”

Citing Dalessandro’s 12 years on the board, Klein said he would also push for term limits.

“It’s very important for new blood to come on the board,” he said.
——————————————————————————–

Bruce Lieberman: (760) 476-8205; bruce.lieberman@uniontrib.com

More about the SDUHSD candidates

The Del Mar Times has a “meet the candidates” on the three contenders for the two seats on the SDUHSD school board.

http://www.delmartimes.net/news/249605-meet-the-candidates

 

How would you vote if you voted today?

After you take this poll, you’ll see how your neighbors have voted. Come back and check for the latest results.

U-T covers La Costa Valley neighbor Klein debating for school board seat

The San Diego Union-Tribune covered a public forum with the three contenders for two seats on the board of SDHUSD – San Dieguito Union School District.

From reading the article, it sounds like La Costa Valley neighbor Klein didn’t fare very well.

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/northcounty/20081009-9999-1mc9skuls.html

How would you vote if you voted today?

Here is the original article:

Bruce Lieberman
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER

October 9, 2008

NORTH COUNTY – School board candidates for the San Dieguito Union High School District had few sharp words for one another – until the last two minutes – at a forum Wednesday night.

Apparently exasperated by challenger Michael Klein, incumbent trustee Joyce Dalessandro launched into a prepared attack that suggested Klein would undermine the district’s successes if elected.

“Mr. Klein has called for change, and my question for him is, ‘Change what, Mr. Klein?’ ” Dalessandro began. “Change the fact that we are among the top-rated school districts in the county, state and nation?

“Change what?” she said again with more than a hint of sarcasm. “Change the fact that our students have an array of choices and opportunities rarely seen in public education?”

And so on.

Dalessandro’s closing statement revealed a lot about where the lines are drawn in this district’s school board race.

Dalessandro and fellow incumbent Beth Hergesheimer painted a picture Wednesday of an extremely well-run school district that is nevertheless vulnerable to the ongoing state budget crisis and therefore needs experienced trustees.

“In these tough economic times, we need proven, effective leadership,” Hergesheimer said.

Klein, one of a group of parents that feels betrayed that the school district changed plans to build a middle school in its neighborhood of La Costa Valley, argued for a “fresh set of eyes and a fresh pair of hands” to tackle ongoing budget issues and better prepare students for a rapidly changing economy.

Echoing district administrators during Wednesday’s debate, Dalessandro and Hergesheimer explained that the district hopes to build a school in La Costa Valley but not until there are enough students in the district to warrant it.

Klein argued that large class sizes in the district could be partly alleviated by building a middle school in La Costa Valley with Mello-Roos tax dollars he and his neighbors have been paying for years.

Dalessandro and Hergesheimer countered that larger class sizes are not the result of a lack of space, but tightened general fund budgets that limit the number of teachers the district can hire.

Klein, while offering the prospect of a new face on the board, was light on specifics about how he would reduce class sizes, particularly at the district’s high schools.

He also passed on a question about how the district gets its money. The district is now funded according to how many students attend but because of a somewhat complicated state formula, the district soon could be funded directly from local property taxes.

The change benefits districts when enrollment is low and property taxes are high. When the trends reverse, districts could end up short of money.

——————————————————————————–
Bruce Lieberman: (760) 476-8205; bruce.lieberman@uniontrib.com

Vote for (or against!) SDUHSD Trustees

Regardless of how you feel about the Middle School property in La Costa Valley, or feel about the San Dieguito Union High School District (SDUHSD), you should vote in the upcoming November election.

In addition to the national Presidential races, La Costa Valley citizens can vote for up to 2 new SDUHSD Board Members, and 2 of the 3 contenders are incumbents.

How would you vote if you voted today?

You can read more about the candidates on SmartVoter.org created by the League of Women Voters.

Here’s some information about the current board on the SDUHSD website.

Here’s what they have to say for themselves as shown on SmartVoter. Any typos were left in.

Beth Hergesheimer

Occupation: President, Board of Trustees
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, California Polytechnic University, Pomona
Masters in Governance, California School Boards Association
Prior positions as Human Resources Administrator and Consultant
Christ Presbyterian Preschool Advisory Committee Chairperson ‘02-’08
PTA President, Flora Vista Elementary School
Foothill Greens Homeowners Association Board Member before relocating to San Diego County

Priorities:

Fair and adequate state funding for the public school system
Reducing the achievement gap
Developing cooperative partnerships among students, teachers, businesses, parents, and administration

Michael Klein

Occupation: Dentist/Parent
Graduated Tufts Dental in 1993
Practicing Dentist In Encinitas for the past 13 years.
On the board of the Encinitas Chamber of Commerce for the past 10 years.
Served as president of the board of the Encinitas Chamber of Commerce for 2 years and now serve as the past-president.

Priorities:

I bring to the board experience and a fresh perspective.
I will pursue the highest standards for our students and their well- being is paramount.

Joyce Dalessandro

Occupation: Vice-President, Governing Board
B.S. Cornell University; M.A. Columbia University
California School Boards’ Association Masters of Boardsmanship
California School Boards’ Association Masters in Governance
1996-present San Dieguito Union High School District Board of Trustees –all positions, currently Vice President
Past Vice President for Business Fundraising, Torrey Pines High School Foundation
Redbook Magazine’s Volunteer of the Year, 1994

Priorities:

Continued reponsible fiscal management that ensures that every education dollar is used wisely.
Continued commitment to strong academic programs, technology and the arts, with expanded offerings in Career Technical Education
Support faculty and staff in their efforts to close the achievent gap

SDUHSD School Board Hearing Oct 2nd 6:30pm

The San Dieguito Union High School Board has a hearing on Thursday, October 2nd at 6:30pm. It’s at the SDUHSD offices at 710 Encinitas Blvd in Encinitas.

On the agenda is a Deed Restriction put on the agenda by the La Costa Valley Homeowners Association.

If you support FONC (Friends of North County) and want to limit how SDUHSD and any subsequent owner may develop the property, then you should go to this meeting. First, contact the HOA Board to get a copy of the Deed Restriction to see for yourself what it asks to restrict.

If you do not support FONC (Friends of North County), then you should go to this meeting. Don’t let someone speak for you.

Note: an even more important meeting is the next day, – October 3rd – with the SDUHSD Superintendent Ken Noah, the Honorable Judge DeFiglia and anyone who has any specific complaints or allegationrs of wrongdoing on the part of SDUHSD or its staff relating to the vacant property on Calle Barcelona or CFD 94-2. In Mr. Noah’s letter of September 22nd, he shares some procedural questions that FONC asked Mr. Noah, however either FONC did not share any specific complaints or allegations of wrongdoing, or Mr. Noah left those out of his letter. Perhaps at this meeting there will be the opportunity to hear specific complaints instead of the vague, general, and strong statements that have been sent in FONC emails. You may need to contact Mr. Noah’s office to learn the place and time of the meeting.

Sept 22nd, 2008 SDUHSD Letter to Residents of CFD 94-2

Things are moving right along in building a dialog between concerned residents, the school district (SDUHSD) and the FONC group (“Friends of North County”).

The new supertintendent, Ken Noah, is a refreshing addition. Instead of circling the wagons after flaming arrows were rained down on the district, he’s moving to transparency and openness. It’s a great thing to have more of this out in the open, as that will both help homeowners in La Costa Valley and the other neighborhoods which have been paying into the Mello-Roos assessment, and it will also help the district.

Mr. Noah’s letter was mailed to every taxpaper in CDF 94-2, so if, for some reason, you’ve been paying your assessment and didn’t get your copy, contact the school district right away.

In the meantime, hopefully the October 3rd meeting with Mr. Hoah and the Honorable Judge DeDiglia will help us all have a better understanding of the facts, as well as the motivations of the FONC group, the school district, and other concerned homeowners.

Be sure to put the date October 3rd into your calendar. Contact the district for exact details about the place and time. Also, contact members of the La Costa Valley Homeowners Association Board and the middle school steering committee to make sure they know your concerns and interest.

Take this poll. Do you plan to be at the meeting, or will you let others speak for you?

Sept 17, 2008 Letter to Residents of CFD 94-2

Ken Noah, the Superintendent of the San Dieguito Union High School District (SDUHSD) sent a letter to all residents of the Mello-Roos district CFD 94-2.

Mr. Noah has scheduled a hearing for October 3rd to hear any claims of district wrongdoing or improprieties. This is to be before a retired judge, the Honorable Vincent DiFiglia. Mr. Noah requests that anyone wishing to participate by bringing forth a claim should contact his office by September 26th, to give a general discription of the claim you wish heard, and how much time you would need to make a presentation.

In the letter, he gives his direct extension and email.

It looks like a good time to make specific complaints known.

Apparently, the previous methods and strong language by FONC has not been effective. This might be a good opportunity for homeowners/taxpayers to have concerns actually heard. September 26th is very soon!

U-T Covers District’s La Costa Valley Vacant Land

The August 23rd issue of the San Diego Union-Tribune has an article by Bruce Lieberman, U-T staff writer entitled: “Restrictions asked on use of district’s idle site”

A few highlights:

• San Diego Union High School District (SDUHSD) Superintendent Ken Noah made it clear that ultimatums and scare tactics will make it more difficult to negotiate.
  • The Friends of North County (FONC) group had sent out scare-tactic letters, fabricated photographs, and mis-statements that have concerned many La Costa Valley residents. Other residents have supported these methods.
  • Some FONC members are now on the board of La Costa Valley and on a steering committee, and are issuing demands to the school district in advance of a vote by La Costa Valley Homeowners.

“If this is a set of demands that are not acceptable to the district and there’s no room to negotiate, it’s going to be very hard to forge a solution here,” Noah said yesterday.

• The article also raises the matter that the Mello-Roos taxes paid for the middle school were collected in other areas besides La Costa Valley, and also that those taxes were not designated only for a middle school.

Concerned La Costa Valley homeowners should get involved now:

• Attend the School District and City Planning Department meetings to listen to the issues and let your voices be heard 
• Let the La Costa Valley Homeowner’s Association know your concerns:
  • Encourage them to use effective negotiating techniques and not resort to the scare and mis-information tactics of the FONC group
  • Remind the board not to take action on this matter before it has been authorized to do so by a 2/3 vote of the La Costa Valley Homeowners. Otherwise, the time and money spent on such efforts won’t be legally binding so will be wasted.
  • Let the board know how you feel about the various proposals that have been raised, such as an assessment on all homeowners to buy or develop the property, an assessment on homeowners that live adjacent to the undeveloped property, or an assessment to pay for legal fees.

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/northcounty/20080823-9999-1mc23lacosta.html

Another official SDUHSD statement from concerning its vacant land

On August 19th, 2008, the San Dieguito Union High School District (SDUHSD) released another statement. It’s called “Frequently Asked Questions Concerning the La Costa Valley (Calle Barcelona) Property”

You can read it on the SDUHSD website:

http://www.sduhsd.net/pdfs/2008/Superintendent/LaCostaValley_FAQ_08_19_08.pdf

Here’s a word-for-word copy from the SDUHSD website. (in case it gets taken down or moved) (sorry if the formatting is a little funky)

Frequently Asked Questions
Concerning the
La Costa Valley (Calle Barcelona) Property

There have been a number of questions recently surrounding the district-owned property in La Costa Valley. We would like to clarify the school district’s position on this piece of land and hopefully address any concerns the community may have.

Purchase-Related Questions………………………………………..2

Why did the school district buy the La Costa Valley site?………………………2
Why did the school district buy the land if there was a chance it would not be needed?……………………………………………………………………2
Did the school district buy this property as an investment?……………………3

Construction-Related Questions…………………………………….3

Why hasn’t the school been built?……………………………………………….3
My REALTOR told me the school would be built in a couple years. When did the school district change its mind?………………………………………….3
Why doesn’t the school district just build the school?………………………….3
Is it true that even if the school district wanted to build a school at LCV, the school district does not have the money to build it?…………………….4

Community Facilities District / Mello-Roos Related Questions…….4

How can the school district use the Mello-Roos tax paid in the La Costa Valley Community Facilities District (CFD)?……………………………………..4
How have the students living in La Costa Valley benefited from the use of proceeds from CFD 94-2?…………………………………………………5
Has the school district used Mello-Roos funds from CFD 94-2 to build Canyon Crest Academy?…………………………………………………………..5

General Questions…………………………………………………..5

What is the current plan for the school site?……………………………………5
Why was there a sign on the property advertising it as a Future Middle School?6
What is the unused site fee?…………………………………………………….6
Why did the school district put a fence around the site?……………………….6
Why has the school district hired lawyers to advise it in this matter?…………6
Why can’t our children go to Diegueño Middle School?…………………………6

Surplus (Sale or Lease) Questions…………………………………..7

LCV FAQ 8/19/2008 Page 1
Has the school district decided to sell the La Costa Valley site?……………….7
What is the process for declaring the land as surplus?………………………….7
Has the school district formed a 7/11 Committee?……………………………..7
How does the school district go about selling a property?……………………..8
If the school district decides to sell LCV, will the homeowners have any say in the process?……………………………………………………………….8
What happens to the proceeds if the land is sold?……………………………..8
Is the school district using, or planning to use, our Mello-Roos taxes or proceeds from the sale of the La Costa Valley site to cover state budget cuts or for retirement benefits?………………………………………………………8
If the land is sold, is the first priority that it be used as low-income/high density housing?…………………………………………………………..8
Can the school district guarantee that the land will not be sold for low-income/high density housing?…………………………………………….9
Who controls the zoning of the school site?…………………………………….9

Facilities Action Plan Questions……………………………………10

The school district recently hired a firm to help it create a Facilities Action Plan. What is that about?……………………………………………….10
Is the Facilities Action Plan Task Force a 7/11 Committee?…………………..10
What else do we need to know?……………………………………10

Purchase-Related Questions

Why did the school district buy the La Costa Valley site?

Demographic studies performed in the early 1990s demonstrated there would be a need for an additional junior high school in the northern part of the district. The school district purchased the site as a part of the mitigation agreement with Fieldstone Homes, the original developer of the Villages of La Costa.

Why did the school district buy the land if there was a chance it would not be needed?

School districts have two choices when planning future school sites:
1. Buy vacant land in new developments when the land is less expensive, or
2. Wait until the population justifies the need for a new school and take property through eminent domain when land cost is higher, zoning is more restrictive, and years of expensive legal challenges are likely.

LCV FAQ 8/19/2008 Page 2

Did the school district buy this property as an investment?

No.

The school district is in the business of educating children-not real estate speculation.

Construction-Related Questions

Why hasn’t the school been built?

Shortly after purchasing the site in 1999, enrollment projections began to flatten. Although the number of students living in the La Costa Valley increased, fewer students are coming from the other neighborhoods served by our middle schools. The two SDUHSD middle schools are currently able to handle the number of students who attend the Encinitas Union School District elementary schools in Encinitas and La Costa.
My REALTOR told me the school would be built in a couple years. When did the school district change its mind?
The school district never set an official target date to build the school. Rather, the land was purchased in anticipation of needing it. The school would have been built had the enrollment projections turned out as predicted.
To date, it has not been determined whether or not the school district will build a school on this site.

Why doesn’t the school district just build the school?

It would be fiscally irresponsible to spend millions of dollars to build a school that demographic studies suggest we do not need in the foreseeable future. There would be millions more in start-up costs to outfit the classrooms with instructional materials and furniture. There would be increased personnel costs to staff three middle schools as opposed to the two we currently have. Smaller schools are proportionally more expensive to operate and tend to offer fewer elective programs.

LCV FAQ 8/19/2008 Page 3

Is it true that even if the school district wanted to build a school at LCV, the school district does not have the money to build it?

The proceeds from CFD 94-2 were never intended to be the sole source of funding for construction of a new school. If a school is ever built on the property, a mixture of several state and local funding sources would be used.

Community Facilities District / Mello-Roos-Related Questions

How can the school district use the Mello-Roos tax paid in the La Costa Valley Community Facilities District (CFD)?

The agreement with Fieldstone that created CFD 94-2 clearly outlines how the Mello-Roos taxes can be used. They are:
o To repay the school district’s CFD expenses and reimburse certain funds to the landowner.
o To pay for interim school facilities and all costs and expenses related to house students residing within the property or CFD, but not in excess of $700,000 in the aggregate.
o To acquire the school site (La Costa Valley) unless the school district determines not to acquire the school site.
o To purchase, construct, expand, improve and/or rehabilitate:
- Oak Crest Middle School
- Diegueño Middle School
- A new junior high school in south Carlsbad (La Costa Valley)
- San Dieguito High School Academy
- A new high school in south Carlsbad (La Costa Canyon HS)
- Sunset High School
- Adult education facilities
- Continuation high school

LCV FAQ 8/19/2008 Page 4

How have the students living in La Costa Valley benefited from the use of proceeds from CFD 94-2?

A total of $30.2 million from Mello-Roos has been spent on CFD 94-2 qualified facilities and another $2.5 million has been committed to be spent on the San Dieguito Academy Visual and Performing Arts Center.
The school district used CFD 94-2 funds on the following facilities benefiting the students living in La Costa Valley:
o La Costa Canyon HS
  􀂃 Fifth quad
  􀂃 8 classroom expansions
  􀂃 1300s building (12 classrooms)
  􀂃 Additional food service facilities
o Oak Crest MS Modernization
o San Dieguito Academy
  􀂃 Modernization
  􀂃 New Media Center
  􀂃 Stadium Lighting
  􀂃 Performing Arts Complex (Pending)
o Purchase of LCV site

Has the school district used Mello-Roos funds from CFD 94-2 to build Canyon Crest Academy?

No.

General Questions

What is the current plan for the school site?

The site was purchased with the intent to build a middle school. There are no other plans in place for the site.
The school district is currently creating a Facilities Action Plan that will address issues affecting all of our school sites, including La Costa Valley. The plan will be developed in a series of public facilities workshops throughout the next year. Any recommendations to change the use of that property would be brought out in that process.

LCV FAQ 8/19/2008 Page 5

Why was there a sign on the property advertising it as a Future Middle School?

Fieldstone erected the sign before the school district purchased the land, although the school district allowed it to stand for several years.

What is the unused site fee?

The state imposes a fee on school sites if they are not being used after a certain period. The school district is currently exploring exemptions that would either reduce or eliminate the fee entirely.
No bond proceeds were used to pay this fee. The school district used funds collected from developers who pre-paid special taxes and excess special taxes after debt service within CFD 94-2 to cover this expense.

Why did the school district put a fence around the site?

After the school district received reports and complaints of motorcyclists and BMX bikes riding on the property, the fence was put up to reduce liability, eliminate further complaints from the neighbors, and also to help protect the hillside owned and maintained by the homeowners association.

Why has the school district hired lawyers to advise it in this matter?

The school district frequently consults with legal counsel on a variety of issues in order to ensure it is acting appropriately and within the law. It is also the school district’s practice to retain counsel when the school district is threatened with litigation, when attorneys contact us, or if we know potential litigants have retained their own counsel-all of which have occurred in this matter.

Why can’t our children go to Diegueño Middle School?

They may. Any middle school student may apply for an intra-district transfer to any other middle school in the district. Students will be accepted as long as there is capacity. There is currently excess capacity at Diegueño for intra-district transfers.

LCV FAQ 8/19/2008 Page 6

Surplus (Sale or Lease) Questions

Has the school district decided to sell the La Costa Valley site?

No.

There is a well defined and very public process a school district needs to follow before it can sell a piece of property. This process is described below. The school district has not gone through this process.

What is the process for declaring the land as surplus?

According to California Education Code sections 17387-17391, the school district would convene a “7/11 Committee” to determine if a particular site could be considered surplus property. The committee would have between 7 and 11 members with representation from:
• The ethnic, age group, socio-economic composition of the district
• The business community, such as owners, managers or supervisors
• Landowners or renters, with preference given to representatives of neighborhood associations
• Teachers
• Administrators
• Parents of students
• Persons with expertise in environmental impact, legal contracts, building codes, and land use planning etc.

The committee’s function is to:
• Review enrollment and other data
• Create a priority list of uses of surplus property that would be acceptable to the community
• Communicate with the community regarding potential uses or sale of surplus property
• Hold public hearings to provide community input
• Make a final determination as to the use of surplus property
• Forward a report with their recommendations to the Board of Trustees for their consideration

Has the school district formed a 7/11 Committee?

No.

LCV FAQ 8/19/2008 Page 7

How does the school district go about selling a property?

After the 7/11 Committee had completed their work and the required public hearings were completed, the Board of Trustees would adopt a resolution at a public meeting declaring its intent to sell the property. The property could then be sold subject to California Education Code section 17464.

If the school district decides to sell LCV, will the homeowners have any say in the process?

Should the district ever need to convene a 7/11 committee, it would be required to have representation from the community with preference given to representatives of neighborhood associations.

What happens to the proceeds if the land is sold?

The school district has not fully investigated this, as there are currently no plans to sell the site.

Is the school district using, or planning to use, our Mello-Roos taxes or proceeds from the sale of the La Costa Valley site to cover state budget cuts or for retirement benefits?

No.

Building funds cannot be diverted to the general fund or used for other operating expenses unrelated to facilities.
Additionally, there are no plans to sell the property.

If the land is sold, is the first priority that it be used as low-income/high density housing?

No, the first priority would not be low-income/high density housing.
Provisions of the Education Code (discussed below) require that the land be offered for parks, open space or other governmental purposes first. Also, if the area is not zoned for high-density housing, it is not likely that the land could be used for that purpose unless the City of Carlsbad approves a zoning change and General Plan amendment.
The general priorities for selling surplus school sites listed in California Education Code section 17464, are:

LCV FAQ 8/19/2008 Page 8

• First, for park and recreational purposes
• Second, for sale or lease at fair market value to state and local public agencies
• Third, in any other legal manner
Although the provisions of Government Code section 54220 et seq. (including GC 54222) are generally applicable to school districts as well as other public agencies, more specific provisions of law found in the Education Code apply only to school districts and would be implemented first.
After following the priorities in the Education Code, the subsequent priorities would be those recommended by the 7/11 Committee to the Board of Trustees.

Can the school district guarantee that the land will not be sold for low-income/high density housing?

Should there ever be a determination to sell the La Costa Valley property, there is no obligation for the school district to sell it to be used as low-income or high-density housing. The school district would follow the legal procedures outlined in sections 17464, 17458, and 17489, before applying the procedures in Government Code section 54220 et seq.
Additionally, the underlying zoning for the land in question is for low density residential, which would preclude development of high-density housing in that particular location.
It is unlikely that the list of priority uses developed by a 7/11 Committee comprised of community members would recommend disposing the property to be used for such a purpose.
Finally, it is counter-intuitive to sell an unnecessary school site to be used in a way that would in turn generate a large volume of students and create a need for additional school housing.

Who controls the zoning of the school site?

The City of Carlsbad has discretionary authority to approve or deny any proposed changes to the zoning of the property or General Plan amendment.

LCV FAQ 8/19/2008 Page 9

LCV FAQ 8/19/2008 Page 10

Facilities Action Plan Questions

The school district recently hired a firm to help it create a Facilities Action Plan. What is that about?

The school district and the Board of Trustees are looking at how all of our properties are used. This plan will be developed in a series of public facilities workshop meetings over the course of the next twelve to eighteen months. The final report will address all of the facility issues facing our schools and recommend a plan to align each of our properties with the district’s priorities.

Is the Facilities Action Plan Task Force a 7/11 Committee?

No.

What else do we need to know?

The award-winning San Dieguito Union High School District is one of the nation’s finest school districts offering a wealth of academic and extracurricular opportunities in which its students can engage and excel.
The San Dieguito Union High School District has something for every student with hundreds of academic, athletic, and extracurricular activities for middle and high school students.
The school district has a track record of outstanding academic achievement.
All of the school district’s traditional schools score over 800 in the Academic Performance Index (API).
SDUHSD students have high acceptance rates at colleges and universities across the nation.
The school district serves more than 12,300 students in grades 7 through 12 in an 85 square mile area including the communities of Encinitas, Solana Beach, La Costa, Carmel Valley, Del Mar, Cardiff, and Rancho Santa Fe.
Elementary students in grades kindergarten through 6 attend schools operated by Encinitas Union School District, Solana Beach School District, Del Mar Union School District, Cardiff Elementary School District and Rancho Santa Fe School District (K-8).

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