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

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.

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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

Do you want to change who uses the pool? (poll)

Do you want to change who uses the pool, and when?

Give your vote in the following poll and show up at the next HOA Board meeting to voice your concern.

At the last La Costa Valley HOA board meeting (May 12th), a concerned homeowner brought up a proposal to restrict use of the pool. His concern is that during the daytime in summer, the pool gets so busy that kids don’t have enough room to play.

His proposal is to remove the lane lines at 10am and replace them at 4pm throughout the summer.

Many homeowners were in attendance and voiced their opinions and concerns.

Some of the comments were:

• Since there are many adult swimmers, there should be more lane lines, not fewer.
• What about swim lessons? Honey needs the lane lines and not all swim students can come early in the morning.
• Safety is a concern, because kids get in the way of swimmers, some of whom can’t see the kids.
• The pool is only busiest on certain holidays and the hottest days. Most of the time, the pool has lots of room.
• We’ve been able to work it out among ourselves for nearly 10 years, so why change things?
• Some swimmers have been swimming outside of the lane lines, in the way of kids
• Some parents do not want to have their kids reminded to stay off the lane lines and out of the lanes when there are swimmers there.
• Some parents do not mind having their kids reminded.
• The lane lines are fragile and removing and replacing them twice a day will likely break them. They also cost something like $800 to be replaced.
• It takes two people to remove and replace the lane lines. Asking a homeowner to do that or assist with that might bring up liability exposure for the HOA. Hiring extra staff to remove and replace the lines each day will add more expense.
• There are plenty of places for kids to play: playgrounds, the wading pool, the larger part of the pool outside the lane lines, but swimming is only in a small part of the pool.
• The pool is one of the greatest things about living in La Costa Valley so should be kept available for everyone.
• Not everyone can swim as early or as late as the time blocked out. Many swimmers have a work schedule that only permits mid-day swimming.
• Lap swimmers can’t use the lap lanes when Honey is teaching.

After the discussion, the HOA Board voted 4-1 in favor of keeping things the way they are.

The concerned homeowner has asked that the matter be put on the agenda again at the next HOA meeting. (Monday, June 9th, 7pm at the Valley Club)

What do you think?

What do your neighbors think?

Take this poll to let your voice be heard. Immediately after you take the poll, you will be able to see how your neighbors have voted. Tell your friends to visit this site and make their wishes known.

Also, come to the next HOA meeting, especially if your opinion is different than your neighbors. See the official La Costa Valley HOA website for details about the place and time of the next Board meeting, and if this issue will be on the agenda.

What do you like about the Valley Club? (poll)

The Valley Club in La Costa Valley has a lot of amenities that are sometimes more typically found in a resort.

Which ones do you like?

You’ll be able to see everyone’s results immediately after you complete this poll.

Tell your neighbors to take the poll, too.

Oh, and to see results of other surveys, see some other pages on this site.

What do you like best about La Costa Valley? (poll)

What do you like best about La Costa Valley?

For this poll, go ahead and choose as many answers as you think apply.

You’ll be able to see everyone else’s votes immediately after you make your choices.

Tell your neighbors to give their vote.

Economic Stimulus Rebate for La Costa Valley? (Poll)

Okay, this is all hypothetical.

However, think about it. What would you do with an extra $5,000 and $800 per year?

If, for some reason, the SDUHSD followed the original terms of the Mello-Roos Bond, yet sold the vacant property in La Costa Valley, they’d be obligated to pay the bond back. (Okay, you lawyers and finance types that know how to read bond-speak can sift through this and confirm or deny)

http://lacostavalley.wordpress.com/2006/06/27/sduhsd-has-been-planning-ahead-in-case-they-sold-the-middle-school-property/

At about $5.8 million for the bond value, that would work out to about $5,000 for each household and the end of the Mello-Roos annual assessment.

Again, there’s a lot of if’s, but what do you think?

 

Check back to this site in a little while to see what other La Costa Valley homeowners would like to see happen.

Summer’s coming! Any great ideas? (poll)

Hey neighbors, summertime is coming and many in La Costa Valley have already put there vacation plans in place.

How about? Where are you headed?

Take this simple poll and immediately after you do, you’ll be able to see where your neighbors are headed.

Whenever you check back here again, you’ll be able to see the latest destinations of other La Costa Valley neighbors.

Bon voyage!

Foreclosures & Short Sales – in La Costa Valley!? (Poll)

This survey is about foreclosures, short sales, and other distress sales in La Costa Valley. Could it or has it reached La Costa Valley?

Immediately after you vote, you’ll get to see how your vote compares with your neighbors.

HOA lawsuits & La Costa Valley – your thoughts? (poll)

There is no current lawsuit about the vacant land owned by the school district.

On some questions, there may be as many opinions as neighbors. Some neighbors may believe it’s worth risking legal action to prevail over the school district, developers, or whoever is at fault for not building a middle school as advertised. Others may be concerned that any legal action will have a negative effect on property values.

What is your opinion?

Check back for the sentiments of other La Costa Valley homeowners.