Our Commitment to Students

We have great schools, fabulous teachers, and resourceful parents. 
But our district has made students vulnerable. 

The San Dieguito Union High School District is a highly regarded school district in California. Our schools are fortunate in many ways to be supported by highly educated and resourceful parents who want the very best education for their children. Parents volunteer, they contribute to the foundation, and they support their students at home. In addition, the majority of teachers in the district are excellent. Unfortunately, students have grown vulnerable to the many issues plaguing our district. At stake is the very success of our children in school and later in life.

No real commitment to students’ well-being

“The 2017 Healthy Kids Survey revealed … approximately 11.3% of the seniors at LCC reported using LSD, 74% alcohol, almost 60% marijuana, and over 60% vaping devices.  Reports from Torrey Pines were similar but Sunset topped the list with 85% of the seniors having used marijuana and alcohol, 80% reported using vaping devices, 28% LSD, 22% cocaine/crack, and over 30% had used tranquilizers and cough medicines.”
Concerned parents and teachers continue to ask why class sizes are so high. In the past several years, class sizes have increased from a strict maximum of 32 students per teacher to an average of over 38—implying class sizes of 40 or 45+.
Suspension and expulsion rates are on the rise in our district.  Meanwhile, our board pays little attention to establishing restorative justice programs that have seen significant reductions in suspensions and expulsions in other California schools. The Del Mar Times comments that the district just isn’t serious about improving the health, well-being and academic performance of its students.

No trust in leadership 

The Coast News reports dismal approval ratings for our district with only 45% agreeing that the district is transparent. Only 51% agree the district is fiscally responsible. And worse yet, only  53%  agree that “district is heading in the right direction.” 
While the Del Mar Times comments that the present Administration has “…No vision, no leadership, no planning, no transparency, no communication, no answers, no solutions. The pattern repeats itself…Lots of empty platitudes, meaningless apologies, embarrassments, back-pedaling, poor excuses, a circle-the-wagons CYA mentality.”

No fiscal prudence 

I wholeheartedly support our teachers and staff.  Board members, however, have a fiduciary duty, first and foremost, to students and taxpayers.
The Del Mar Times reports that “$6.5 million in general fund money is spent annually on a 12.5-percent salary increase awarded to every employee last year…Meanwhile, parents [are] bombarded with desperate pleas for basic educational materials and supplies, like Kleenex and science equipment.”
This “massive pay raise…is why we are nearing bankruptcy” expressed dissenting board trustee, John Salazar.