My endorsement for EUSD School Board

From Encinitas School Board

For what it's worth, I'm voting for Skiljan/Page for the EUSD Board. My observations of many in the current EUSD administration is that they are cavalier in dealing with concerns from the community they serve. I believe Mary will bring perspective to the board about the needs of our schools. Mary is an active parent at Ocean Knoll Elementary School, previously one of the 'underperforming' schools in the district. I am confident she understands what makes each of our schools unique. In addition, in conversation with her and from her comments at the League of Women Voters Forum, I know she is not willing to let students settle for anything less than their best. Issues that I think the board will be dealing with in the future: the Pacific View property, equity at all schools in EUSD and preparing our kids for the 'flattening world'.

The Naylor Act

From The Naylor Act

Make yourself a big cup o' joe and read the Naylor Act. Aka, California Ed Code 17485

Did you watch the candidates?

From Pacific View School property

The moderator was in position, the candidates took their places and had two minutes to respond to questions. I'm not talking about the Presidential debate, but the EUSD School Board forum held at the San Dieguito Academy on Tuesday night. Of the three candidates, Carol Skiljan, Mary Page and Maureen 'Mo' Muir, only Skiljan and Page showed up. The event was put on by the League of Women Voters and moderated by Lois Martins. About 40+ people showed up for the forum and provided questions for the two candidates. As the TIP Academy is no longer on the EUSD board agenda, there really aren't many tough questions to ask. We're a basic aid district, so the state budget is not a huge concern, test scores continue to improve, and the superintendent and the board seem to have a strong relationship. Skiljan answered questions very comfortably, as you'd expect from someone with 15 years experience. Page spoke from the experience of having two children who are in or have been in the Encinitas Union School District and her contributions to Ocean Knoll Elementary School. The only possible topic of contention between candidates is the future of the Pacific View property. The North County Times insinuates Muir is against the sale, but Both Skiljan and Page seem optomistic that the board and the city will come to an agreement. Take a walk around the Pacific View property and you can understand why the neighborhood wants minimal impact. At the same time, were this property privately owned, it would be seeing top dollar from developers. I've said it before, that property could fund a lot of art projects or even the new Paul Ecke Central stadium. The city council elections will be making a lot more noise about the future of Pacific View, but I am wondering how many of them have kids in the school district that this topic will effect.

A for effort, but not for execution

From Garden

From Garden

From Garden

I am not sure what all of these flowers are, but I am pretty sure they are not drought tolerant. In addition, the only time I grew fuchsia with success was in full shade, almost dark. These plants will get full sun every day of the year! Good try, but when these are all dead at the end this dry, hot October, how about planting some sage, butterfly bush and poppy!