RESULTS CARLSBAD

CITY COUNCILS

The Carlsbad City Council met in closed session Tuesday to discuss litigation. In open session, the council discussed the county health guidelines for the COVID-19 pandemic and how to enforce them. The council agreed to reach out to other local, state and national organizations to find a way to increase compliance with the public health orders. The council approved additional steps including working with the business community to better understand barriers and finding ways to help businesses continue to operate; and working with volunteer groups to help compliance efforts. The council directed staff to find ways to reward businesses that are complying with the health orders. The council also approved changes that made more businesses eligible for COVID-19 business loan programs.

DEL MAR

The Del Mar City Council met Tuesday to take comments from the California Department of Housing and Community Development on its Sixth Cycle Housing Element. The council directed staff to do what it could to help the council collect data and produce a final Housing Element by April 15 to send to the department. The council discussed the tiers of product offerings from the Clean Energy Alliance. Mayor Terry Gaasterland and Councilmember Dan Quirk opened a discussion on restarting the Utility Undergrounding Project. The city manager was asked to study options for the restart and possible demonstration part of the project, and bring them back to the council. The council also scheduled a special closed session for Saturday to discuss litigation, followed by an open session to review its vision and values, as well as the city manager/city council form of government.

ENCINITAS

The Encinitas City Council met in closed session Wednesday to discuss litigation. In open session, the council held a public hearing and denied an appeal of the Planning Commission’s approval of the Newcastle Place project, which would subdivide 12 lots into four lots and build two two-story retail/office buildings and an above-ground parking lot. The council heard a report on SB 1383, which mandates collection and processing of organic waste, starting in June 2021. The council discussed options to fill the District 3 council seat, and voted to appoint someone rather than hold an election.

OCEANSIDE

The Oceanside City Council canceled its closed session scheduled Wednesday to discuss labor negotiations. In open session, the council discussed the interview process for the District 1 vacancy workshop scheduled for 2 p.m. Jan. 27. Up to five candidates will be submitted to the council for five-minute interviews. The council held a hearing and upheld a Planning Commission decision to allow conversion of the vacant La Playa Trailer Park at 1011 S. Tremont St. to a 20-unit condominium development.

POWAY

The Poway City Council met Tuesday for a report on the Los Peñasquitos Lagoon

Restoration Project. The project involves restoration of 346 acres of lagoon salt marsh habitat and removal of sediment. The council favored option 3: to proceed with negotiations with other regional parties involved in the project.

SCHOOL DISTRICTS

BONSALL

The Bonsall Unified School District board met in closed session Wednesday to discuss labor negotiations and litigation. In open session, the board heard a report on schools reopening. The district is proceeding with the plan to resume in-person hybrid learning on Monday. The board also discussed potential transportation fees for the next several years.

CARLSBAD

The Carlsbad Unified School District board met in closed session Wednesday to discuss litigation. In open session, the board heard an update on the new health directives regarding on-campus instruction. Based on the new directives, the district will continue to Phase 3 of the elementary reopening plan on Monday (a modified five-day schedule). The new rules also order that students must be at least 4 feet apart instead of the 3 feet being implemented. The district will hire teachers as necessary and move some students into a new classroom with a new teacher. Middle and high schools will not be able to return to in-person learning on Monday. Distance learning will continue for most students. “Stable groups” or cohorts of students and staff must be created before more in-person learning can take place. A plan must be submitted to the state by Feb. 1.

DEL MAR

The Del Mar Union School District board met Tuesday to discuss modifying its Del Mar Heights rebuild project. The board agreed to remove the stairs and ADA ramp.

ESCONDIDO

The Escondido Union School District board met Thursday in closed session to discuss litigation and labor negotiations. In open session, the board discussed resumption of on-site hybrid learning, which has been suspended through Feb. 1. New state guidelines include creating a cohort system. The board agreed to continue planning to return to on-campus instruction for all hybrid students on Feb. 2, with another review at the Jan. 28 board meeting.

FALLBROOK

The Fallbrook Union Elementary School District board met in special session Tuesday and approved School Accountability Report Cards for several schools. The board approved hiring a part-time bilingual school clerk. The board also met Thursday in closed session to discuss litigation.

SAN DIEGUITO

The San Dieguito Union High School District board met in special closed session Thursday to discuss litigation and labor negotiations. In open session, the board approved reopening schools in accordance with the new guidelines from the state and county departments of public health, including maximizing the creation of cohorts or stable groups to return to in-person learning.

SAN MARCOS

The San Marcos Unified School District board met in closed session Tuesday to discuss personnel and labor negotiations. In regular session, the board heard a presentation on the governor’s budget proposal. The board discussed reopening of schools for in-person learning. Inperson learning for elementary schools is being phased in, starting Monday with preschool, then transitional kindergarten, kindergarten and first grade, and elementary special ed. Grades 2 and 3 will return on Feb. 16 and grades 4 and 5 on Feb. 23. Secondary schools will return to inperson learning on Tuesday for special education programs and previously operating small cohorts, and athletics (Monday). Grades 6-12 will continue remote instruction. The small cohorts will be expanded at middle and high school in coming weeks. The board also approved the job description of Supervisor — Risk Management. Tiffany Campbell, assistant superintendent of instructional services, was named interim superintendent, replacing Kevin Holt.

SAN PASQUAL

The San Pasqual Union School District board met Jan. 12 in closed session to discuss the superintendent’s job evaluation. In open session, the board approved a tentative contract agreement with the San Pasqual Elementary Teachers Association. The agreement includes a one-time payment of $1,000 (prorated for part-time employees) for the 2020-21 school year for all certificated and classified staff except the superintendent. The board also heard a report from the reading specialist on distance learning.

SOLANA BEACH

The Solana Beach School District board met in closed session Thursday to discuss labor negotiations. In open session, the board adopted its mission and vision statements. The Memorable Mission statement is: “Where learners find their voice, share their gifts, and advance the world.” The Vivid Vision is: “Inspiring wonder and discovery in learning and life.” The board approved launching a community-based logo contest starting Monday. The board approved raising substitute teacher pay from $125 to $180 daily for one to 10 days, and to $195 for more than 10 days. The board heard an update on the reopening of schools for the 2020-21 school year.

VALLECITOS

The Vallecitos School District board met Jan. 12 and approved filling an open seat with a provisional appointment from Trustee Area 5. Applications are available at bit.ly/3o694sy and are due by Feb. 1. A closed session followed to discuss labor negotiations and personnel.

VISTA

The Vista Unified School District board met in closed session Thursday to discuss litigation and labor negotiations. In open session, the board heard a Measure LL Facility Bond project update and reviewed the governor’s proposed budget and what it may mean for school districts. The board discussed school reopenings and new state requirements as part of its Safe Schools For All update. The board is considering phasing in the return of middle and high school students to in-person learning while stable groups (cohorts) are formed and a plan is approved by the state. The board approved hiring 20 teachers to address students’ learning loss.

laura.groch@sduniontribune.com