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Slicing the bay: Nearly 100 teams race across the bay in the Outrigger Challenge... 13
Weekend Surf Report SATURDAY
Hi: 5:16 a.m. 7:18 p.m.
Low: 12:04 p.m.
Surf: 2–4 ft.
Wind: 14–16 mph
SUNDAY
Hi: 6:36 a.m. 8 p.m.
Low: 1:01 a.m. Waves: 2–4 ft. Wind: 14–18 mph 1:01 p.m.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
www.beachandbaypress.com
Principals safe at small schools BY ADRIANE TILLMAN | BEACH &BAY PRESS
Soccer in the sun Zachery Mansi of team FC San Diego attacks the goal at the 1st Annual Beach Soccer Jam at Fiesta Island on April 28. A sandy field means players juggle the ball more and are not afraid to try diving headers. For more information visit KIRBY YAU | BEACH & BAY PRESS www.beachsoccerjam.com.
Vacation rentals stir the ’hood stated the letter sent to Councilmember Kevin Faulconer, the mayor and city attorney offices. Homeowners in Pacific Beach “Residents vested in their commuwho live next to vacation rentals nity are critical to sustaining neighwhere tenants party too late, drink too much and create a ruckus want borhood character, quality and livability. Vacation rentals are contrary to know why the city allows the to this purpose. Tourist and visitor rentals to set up in neighborhoods zoned for single families or RS zones. renters are not vested in the comIn May of 2007 the Pacific Beach munity.” In September 2007, the city attorCommunity Planning Group sent a letter to the city requesting it amend ney’s office sent Faulconer’s office a memorandum stating that vacation the municipal code to “prohibit rentals are neither regulated nor rentals of less than 29 days in sinprohibited in RS zones but that the gle-family residential (RS) zones in land development code could be Pacific Beach.” amended to regulate them. The Cali“Vacation rentals are not consistent with the purpose of RS zones,” fornia Coastal Commission would BY ADRIANE TILLMAN | BEACH &BAY PRESS
have to approve code amendments. “There is no evidence that the past zoning codes prohibited shortterm vacation rentals in the singlefamily zone, nor do the current regulations prohibit such a use,” concludes the memo. “Should the City decide that there is sufficient rationale, it may consider requiring a permit, similar to that used by other cities, and/or a prohibition on short-term rentals.” A year and a half later, the PBCPG asked the community for input on the matter at its last meeting on April 22. More than 80 peoSEE RENTALS, Page 4
Sharing one principal between Pacific Beach Elementary and Bird Rock Elementary is a poor idea that will erode the support structure for teachers, dampen morale and open the school district to lawsuits, argued parents and Parent Teacher Organization leaders at a special school board meeting on April 27 at Bird Rock Elementary. One day later, the Board of Education voted unanimously to scrap its principal sharing idea and restore magnet transportation that buses children between communities. The board did not discuss how it would replace that money in the budget, according to Board Member John de Beck. “I don’t think the board changed its mind because of the community’s attitude,” said de Beck, who represents the coastal schools. “I think it realized that there were flaws in the idea. It was not because they were trying to be accountable but because they realized their mistakes were severe…They didn’t consider all the consequences.” Superintendent Terry Grier and de Beck visited Bird Rock Elementary on April 27 to hear hundreds of parents,
teachers, principals and student leaders, dressed in yellow t-shirts depicting a principal split in half, discuss their concerns about the district’s $154 million in budget cuts. Sharing principals among schools expects to save the district $1.4 million. “Pacific Beach Elementary has made extraordinary efforts to prove to our neighborhood families that our school offers quality, diverse and enriched educational opportunities,” said Dawna Deatrick, president of the PTO at PB Elementary. “A part-time principal will ensure that the positive results of those efforts will be lost.” Many parents questioned the effectiveness of the OffCampus Integrated Learning Experiences (OCILE) program wherein students spend one week at Balboa Park, Old Town or Camp Palomar, which costs the school district $6.5 million. “Funny, in this age of accountability and testing in education there appears to be no accountability standards for this program,” said Maia Clewley, a parent at La Jolla Elementary. “How are you SEE SCHOOLS, Page 5
Parent Earl Tyms listens to school district leaders John de Beck and Superintendent Terry Grier discuss budget cuts. ADRIANE TILLMAN | BEACH & BAY PRESS
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