MEDIA ADVISORY: Media Calendar from the San Diego Unified School District

MEDIA ADVISORY -- Media Calendar from the San Diego Unified School District, September 29, 2014

 

Your coverage is invited of any of the following upcoming events on the campuses of the San Diego Unified School District. For more items, check out the calendar on the front of the district website at www.sandi.net.

 

Please note that if items are listed as "not open to the public," that means accredited members of the media are invited, but the general public is not. These are generally items during the school day.

 

*Indicates new items added since last week.

 

For a calendar of noticed public meetings, go to www.sandi.net/meetingcalendar . Those meetings might not be included in this listing.

 

SEPTEMBER

*30 -- Backpacks and Supplies Give-Away, 9 a.m., Encanto Elementary School, 822 65th St. (92114). Representatives from Ashford University will present the principal and students with a check for $10,000.  This generous donation will supply each of the more than 500 students at Encanto and other students across the district with a brand new backpack filled with school supplies. Contact: Vanessa Peters, program manager, Children and Youth in Transition, (619) 725-7054.

 

*30 -- Dedication and Ribbon Cutting of Peaceful Playground, 12:45-1:30 p.m., Nye Elementary School, 981 Valencia Pkwy. (92114). Nye Elementary School received a $30,000 Chargers' Champions grant and was able to completely upgrade the playground and furnish the motor lab. The playground was rebuilt based upon the Peaceful Playground model. Students, staff, district leaders and Chargers players will be in attendance. Not open to the public. Contact: Pamela Thompson, principal, at (619)430-1200.

 

OCTOBER

1-- Community Development Meeting, 5:30-7 p.m., Revere Center, 6735 Gifford Way (92111). A community meeting to discuss the redevelopment of five district-owned properties for new uses. Open to the public. Contact: Midori Wong, director, special projects, at (619) 725-8191.

 

*4 -- 6^th Annual Oktoberfest, 2-6 p.m., Standley Park and Recreation Center,  3585 Governor Drive (92123). This fundraiser, hosted by EdUCate! hopes to raise $15,000 to benefit the five University City public schools. There will be games for the kids, music provided by three bands, food and more. We will also have our school principals competing in a fun contest. Open to the public. Contact EdUCate at information@uc-educate.org or visit https://www.uc-educate.org/events/oktoberfest/.

 

*8-- UCSD Alumni and San Diego Unified Evening for Educators, 4:30-6:30 p.m., Morse High School, 6905 Skyline Dr. (92114). UCSD alumni and K-12 educators will come together for an event to strengthen the network of alumni educators.  Supt. Cindy Marten is the featured speaker and  will reflect on her experience at UCSD and address the district’s Vision 2020. Refreshments will be provided by students in the Morse High School Culinary Arts Program. Contact: Jennifer Harling at jharling@sandi.net or (619) 725-7076.

 

8 -- Community Development Meeting, 5:30-7 p.m., Barnard Elementary, 2445 Fogg Street (92109). A community meeting to discuss the redevelopment of five district-owned properties for new uses. Open to the public. Contact: Midori Wong, director, special projects, at (619) 725-8191.

 

22 -- Community Development Meeting, 5:30-7 p.m., Facilities Planning and Construction, 4860 Ruffner Street (92111). A community meeting to discuss the redevelopment of the Transportation Site for new uses. Open to the public. Contact: Midori Wong, director, special projects, at (619) 725-8191.

 

*26 -- Trick or Trot 5K and 3K Fun Run, 8 a.m., Morley Field, 2221 Morley Field Drive, Balboa Park (92104). Proceeds from the event will support Roosevelt Middle School and its after-school programs. Cost is $35 for adults and $15 for kids 15 years and younger. Participants are encouraged to wear Halloween costumes and prizes will be awarded for best costume in addition to race categories. Open to the public. Contact: Sarah Weinberg-Scalo at sandgscalo@cox.net or 619-278-8057

 

29 -- Community Development Meeting, 5:30-7 p.m., Fremont/Ballard Center, 2375 Congress Street (92110). A community meeting to discuss the redevelopment of the Fremont/Ballard Center for new uses. Open to the public. Contact: Midori Wong, director, special projects, at (619) 725-8191.

 

NOVEMBER

11 – Veterans Day Holiday. All schools and work sites closed.

 

12 -- Community Development Meeting, 5:30-7 p.m., Scripps Mesa Conference Center, 10380 Spring Canyon Road, San Diego (92110). A community meeting to discuss the redevelopment of the Scripps Mesa Conference Center for new uses. Open to the public. Contact: Midori Wong, director, special projects, at (619) 725-8191.

 

-- To receive news releases by e-mail from San Diego Unified, go to http://sandi.net/comm/media/signup/.

 

-- To separate public events from school functions we'd like you to cover, items open to the public are now labeled as such. "Not open to the public" means that you're welcome to cover it, but it's not something to list in an events calendar or announce to the public.

 

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Board Advisory Committees—Notices/Agendas

Please refer to the below web links for upcoming meetings, agendas, and minutes of all board advisory committees:

·         ACUESP: http://www.sandi.net/Page/63841

·         Audit and Finance: http://www.sandi.net/Page/65823

·         CAC: http://www.sandi.net/Page/64789  and http://www.sandi.net/Page/64788

·         CSFC: http://www.sandi.net/Page/58524    

·         CTEAC: http://www.sandi.net/Page/64791   

·         DAC http://www.sandi.net/Page/64793 and http://www.sandi.net/Page/64792

·         DELAC: http://www.sandi.net/Page/64834   

·         ICOC: http://www.sandi.net/Page/3226  

Thank you.

 

Josefina Viorato

Confidential Administrative Assistant II

Board Services

4100 Normal Street, Room 2231

San Diego, CA  92103

( (619) 725-5551

7 (619) 297-5624

* jviorato@sandi.net

 

 

 

'Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.' --Nelson Mandela

 

MEDIA ADVISORY FROM THE SAN DIEGO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT: Edison Elementary School Celebrates the Unveiling of a Newly Renovated Library from Target and The Heart of America Foundation

September 25, 2014

MEDIA ADVISORY

Contact: Linda Zintz, Communications Director, San Diego Unified School District, (619) 847-6637
Target Media Hotline, (612) 696-3400

Edison Elementary School Celebrates the Unveiling of a Newly Renovated Library from Target and The Heart of America Foundation

Makeover includes 2,000 new books and technology upgrades

What: Target and The Heart of America Foundation will unveil a newly renovated library at Edison Elementary School. Several hundred volunteer hours were invested in the redesign and construction of the library space, which features 2,000 new books, furniture, carpet and shelves, and a complete technology upgrade, including new iPads interactive white boards and more. By reimagining school libraries and transforming outdated spaces into state-of-the-art learning centers, Target continues to foster a love of reading in students across the country.

This year, Edison Elementary School is one of 25 elementary schools across the country to receive a new library as part of the Target School Library Makeover program. It is the fifth school in the San Diego Unified School District to receive a library makeover. Previous recipients include Miller, Kimbrough, Angier and Hancock elementary schools. Through programs like this one, Target is on track to give $1 billion for education by the end of 2015.

When: Friday, Sept. 26, 2014
* Target Volunteers putting finishing touches on library space: 9:15 a.m.
* Ribbon Cutting and Remarks: 10:45 a.m.

Where: Edison Elementary School Library, 4077 35th St. (92104)

Who: Cindy Marten, Superintendent, San Diego Unified School District
Derek Murchison, Principal, Edison Elementary
Edison Elementary Students and Parents
Target and The Heart of America Foundation Volunteers

Visual: Volunteers shelving books, arranging furniture and decorating the library before students arrive. A ribbon-cutting ceremony with students, teachers, staff and parents seeing the library for the first time.

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MEDIA ADVISORY FROM THE SAN DIEGO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT: Media Calendar of Events

MEDIA ADVISORY -- Media Calendar from the San Diego Unified School District, September 22, 2014

 

Your coverage is invited of any of the following upcoming events on the campuses of the San Diego Unified School District. For more items, check out the calendar on the front of the district website at www.sandi.net.

 

Please note that if items are listed as "not open to the public," that means accredited members of the media are invited, but the general public is not. These are generally items during the school day.

 

*Indicates new items added since last week.

 

For a calendar of noticed public meetings, go to www.sandi.net/meetingcalendar. Those meetings might not be included in this listing.

 

SEPTEMBER

23—Native American College Fair, 6-8 p.m., Ballard Parent Center, 2375 Congress Street, San Diego (92110). This event encourages Native youth and adults to continue their education with college information. Open to the public. Contact: Connie Greybull, (6190 293-4427.

 

26--Target School Library Makeover Ribbon-cutting Ceremony, 10:45 a.m., Edison Elementary School, 4077 35th St. (92104). Edison Elementary School is one of 25 elementary schools across the country to receive a new library as part of the Target School Library Makeover program. Several hundred volunteer hours were invested in the redesign and construction of the library space, which features 2,000 new books, furniture, carpet and shelves, and a complete technology upgrade, including new iPads interactive white boards and more. Not open to the public. Contact: Linda Zintz, communications director, (619) 847-6637.

 

26-- UCHS Hall of Fame Ceremony, 4 p.m., University City High School Media Center, 6949 Genesee Avenue, San Diego (92122). The event will honor UCHS alumni:  Commander Joseph Ring USN (Class of 1991), Captain USN "Mustin;” Lieutenant Commander Paul Brantuas (Class of 1990), USN Blue Angels Pilot; and Lisa Dodd (Class of 2003), National & International Softball star, for their accomplishments beyond high school, representing former students who have excelled in one of a variety of disciplines on a national or international level. Not open to the public. Contact: Cheryl Creagh at cherylc@san.rr.com.

 

OCTOBER

1-- Community Development Meeting, 5:30-7 p.m., Revere Center, 6735 Gifford Way, San Diego (92111). A community meeting to discuss the redevelopment of Revere Center for new uses. Open to the public. Contact: Midori Wong, director, special projects, at (619) 725-8191.

 

8 -- Community Development Meeting, 5:30-7 p.m., Barnard Elementary, 2445 Fogg Street, San Diego (92109). A community meeting to discuss the redevelopment of the former Barnard Elementary site for new uses. Open to the public. Contact: Midori Wong, director, special projects, at (619) 725-8191.

 

22 -- Community Development Meeting, 5:30-7 p.m., Facilities Planning and Construction, 4860 Ruffner Street, San Diego (92111). A community meeting to discuss the redevelopment of the Transportation Site for new uses. Open to the public. Contact: Midori Wong, director, special projects, at (619) 725-8191.

 

29 -- Community Development Meeting, 5:30-7 p.m., Fremont/Ballard Center, 2375 Congress Street, San Diego (92110). A community meeting to discuss the redevelopment of the Fremont/Ballard Center for new uses. Open to the public. Contact: Midori Wong, director, special projects, at (619) 725-8191.

 

NOVEMBER

11 – Veterans Day Holiday. All schools and work sites closed.

 

12 -- Community Development Meeting, 5:30-7 p.m., Scripps Mesa Conference Center, 10380 Spring Canyon Road, San Diego (92110). A community meeting to discuss the redevelopment of the Scripps Mesa Conference Center for new uses. Open to the public. Contact: Midori Wong, director, special projects, at (619) 725-8191.

 

-- To receive news releases by e-mail from San Diego Unified, go to http://sandi.net/comm/media/signup/.

 

-- To separate public events from school functions we'd like you to cover, items open to the public are now labeled as such. "Not open to the public" means that you're welcome to cover it, but it's not something to list in an events calendar or announce to the public.

 

# # #

 

Linda Zintz

Communications Director

8lzintz@sandi.net

(619-725-5578 office

(619-847-6637 mobile

 

 

 

Post Revised 2014-15 Meeting Schedules for ACUESP

PLEASE NOTE:

 

·         Revised 2014-15 Meeting Schedule: Advisory Committee for the Utilization of Excess School Property (ACUESP)
Committee Meeting Information: http://www.sandi.net/Page/63841

 

Please forward to staff and as appropriate print and post notices in a prominent, accessible location at your site.

 

Thank you.

Josefina Viorato

Confidential Administrative Assistant II

Board Services

4100 Normal Street, Room 2231

San Diego, CA  92103

( (619) 725-5551

7 (619) 297-5624

* jviorato@sandi.net

 

 

 

‘Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.’ --Nelson Mandela

Post Board Meeting Agendas, September 23, 2014

PLEASE NOTE:

·         Closed Session Agenda—Tuesday, September 23, 2014, 2:00 p.m., Room 2249
Open & Closed Session Meeting Information: http://www.sandi.net/page/3248.

·         Regular Meeting Agenda—Tuesday, September 23, 2014, 5:00 p.m., Auditorium
BoardDocs Agenda Link: : http://www.boarddocs.com/ca/sandi/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=9J2TYJ5EA3A5

Please forward to staff and as appropriate, print notice(s) and/or agenda(s) and post in a prominent, accessible location at your site.

 

---

 

In addition, refer to the below links for upcoming meetings, agendas, and minutes of the board advisory committees:

·         ACUESP: http://www.sandi.net/Page/63841

·         Audit and Finance: http://www.sandi.net/Page/65823

·         CAC: http://www.sandi.net/Page/64789  and http://www.sandi.net/Page/64788

·         CSFC: http://www.sandi.net/Page/58524    

·         CTEAC: http://www.sandi.net/Page/64791   

·         DAC http://www.sandi.net/Page/64793 and http://www.sandi.net/Page/64792

·         DELAC: http://www.sandi.net/Page/64834   

·         ICOC: http://www.sandi.net/Page/3226  

Thank you.

 

Josefina Viorato

Confidential Administrative Assistant II

Board Services

4100 Normal Street, Room 2231

San Diego, CA  92103

( (619) 725-5551

7 (619) 297-5624

* jviorato@sandi.net

 

 

 

‘Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.’ --Nelson Mandela

MEDIA ADVISORY FROM SAN DIEGO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT: Students and Community Leaders to Unveil ‘Safe Route to School’ Initiative

September 19, 2014

Contact: Kristen Victor | 619.318.8682 | kristen@sustainabilitymatters.us

 

MEDIA ADVISORY

 

Students and Community Leaders to Unveil 'Safe Route to School' Initiative

 

Students, community leaders, school district and elected officials will join residents and beautiful PB this Saturday, Sept. 20, at 4 p.m., to unveil the inaugural "Safe Route to School" project near Pacific Beach Middle School. More than 50 students and artists will present the award-winning mural they created. The mural will serve to highlight a safe route to school through high-traffic areas.

 

"This project will engage students and the public in practicing a safe morning commute – something we cannot take for granted with so many children walking to school through busy streets," said Kristen Victor, beautifulPB Board President. "These murals will mark the heart and center of the PB community and help create a safe environment for our children," Victor said.

 

This community project is a joint collaboration between beautifulPB and the Pacific Beach Middle School, and is the first of many murals planned to serve Pacific Beach Middle School and local PB elementary schools.

 

The ribbon-cutting ceremony will also be the setting for beautiful PB's unveiling of the community's crowd-sourced title for the network of safe comfortable neighborhood streets that connect people to places without driving a car: "Connections for Safe Route to School."

 

Guests will include San Diego City Councilman Ed Harris, Mission Bay Schools Cluster Chair and PB Town Council Honorary Mayor Jennifer Tandy, and San Diego Unified School District Board President Kevin Beiser and incoming Trustee Dr. Michael McQuary. All are welcome and encouraged to attend.

 

Who: Students, Community Leaders, Elected Officials and School District Leadership

 

What: Celebratory Ribbon-Cutting and Unveiling

 

When: Saturday, Sept. 20, 4 p.m.

 

Where: Corner of Diamond and Haynes Streets, Pacific Beach

 

Contact: Kristen Victor | 619.318.8682 | kristen@sustainabilitymatters.us

 

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News Release from San Diego Unified School District: San Diego Unified School District to Return Armored Personnel Vehicle to Department of Defense

September 18, 2014



News Release from San Diego Unified School District



San Diego Unified School District to Return Armored Personnel Vehicle to Department of Defense



SAN DIEGO - The San Diego Unified School District today announced it will be returning an armored personnel vehicle acquired through the Department of Defense (D.O.D.) Excess Property Program (1033 Program) to the D.O.D.



"Some members of our community are not comfortable with the district having this vehicle," said Superintendent Cindy Marten. "If any part of our community is not comfortable with it, we cannot be comfortable with it."



"The safety and security of our students and schools is a top priority and we need to balance this priority with what the community's perceptions are on how we best serve and protect. This provides us an important opportunity to have a greater dialogue with our community about what is really a common goal – providing our students a world-class education and the academic, social and physical environments they deserve," Marten added. "The need for dialogue regarding student and school safety is an ongoing one, which should invite and welcome the voices of students, staff, parents, community members, law enforcement and others so we achieve that common goal together."



The vehicle, a Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle, or MRAP, was intended for use as a rescue vehicle to be used in the event of an active shooter situation on a campus or other emergency, and was received by the 1033 program in April. Rueben Littlejohn, chief of the district's School Police Department, said public sentiment regarding the use of excessed military equipment by law enforcement agencies since the civil unrest in Ferguson, MO, has pointed to the need to be more sensitive to perception. "The value that this defensive tool would bring cannot exceed the value of retaining the public's trust, confidence and perceptions of how we will protect our students."



"Our officers understand the community's concern and are committed to continuing the mission of keeping our students and schools safe as we have done since the department's inception in 1984," added Littlejohn. "We will continue to work closely with our local law enforcement partners and the community to ensure a coordinated, expedient response to emergencies."



The process for returning the vehicle is underway. The 1033 program coordinator has directed the district to retain the vehicle until the transfer can be processed and a new location identified.



CONTACT: Ursula Kroemer | Chief Public Information Officer | San Diego Unified School District | (619) 725-7112

Note: The 1033 program has directed the district to restrict access to the vehicle. As such, there will be no media access to the vehicle.
You are a subscriber to the news release mailing list for the San Diego Unified School District. To unsubscribe, send a message to "media@lists-sandi-net" with the word "unsubscribe" in the body of the message. For an archive of these releases, go to http://sdusd-news.blogspot.com/

Post Notice of Location Change: CTEAC Meeting, October 1, 2014

PLEASE NOTE:

·         Notice of Location Change: Career Technical Education Advisory Committee (CTEAC), October 1, 2014
Committee Meeting Information: http://www.sandi.net/Page/64791

 

Please forward to staff and as appropriate print and post notice(s) in a prominent, accessible location at your site.

 

Thank you.

Josefina Viorato

Confidential Administrative Assistant II

Board Services

4100 Normal Street, Room 2231

San Diego, CA  92103

( (619) 725-5551

7 (619) 297-5624

* jviorato@sandi.net

 

 

 

‘Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.’ --Nelson Mandela

MEDIA ADVISORY from the San Diego Unified School District: Schools to return to normal schedule on Wednesday, September 17, 2014

MEDIA ADVISORY from the San Diego Unified School District, September 16, 2014

 

San Diego Unified schools to return to normal schedule on Wednesday, September 17, 2014

 

DETAILS: 

 

Upon a review of the National Weather Service (NWS) forecast for San Diego for tomorrow, Wednesday, September 17, the district will be returning all schools to a normal schedule. Our criteria for determining the move to minimum day was based on a combination of forecast temperatures of 95 or higher and a heat index of 103 or higher for those schools in the district which did not have 100% air conditioned classrooms. None of our schools are forecast to have the combination of 95+ temps/103+ heat index on Wednesday. While the weather conditions for schools in San Diego Unified permit the return to normal schedule tomorrow, the conditions are not applicable to districts south of us. The heat index does remain in the ‘dangerous’ zone for many of these schools. The NWS’ previous regional heat advisory has not been extended beyond 7 p.m. this evening.

 

The move to minimum day Monday and today affected approximately 2/3 of our schools. Since Monday, extensive work has been done to repair malfunctioning air conditioning, and to add portable air conditioning units to some schools initially believed to have 100% air-conditioned classrooms, when some bungalows had not been completed.

 

While the district is resuming normal schedules at all schools tomorrow, it is important to note than more than 100 schools have a previously-scheduled regular minimum day scheduled for Wednesday as part of their normal schedule. Given that local temperatures are still forecast to be very warm, schools will be expected to operate under our Hot Weather Plan guidelines.

 

CONTACT: Linda Zintz | Communications Director | San Diego Unified School District | (619) 847-6637 (Cell)

 

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MEDIA ADVISORY from the San Diego Unified School District: Schools to be operated on a minimum day on Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2014

MEDIA ADVISORY from the San Diego Unified School District, September 15, 2014

Minimum day planned for majority of San Diego Unified Schools due to extended heat wave

DETAILS:  San Diego Unified is implementing a second day of minimum day schedules at the majority of its schools (See list) on Tuesday, Sept. 16, due to the continued heat wave.  The National Weather Services has extended its heat advisory through 7 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 16. (See the latest regional advisory here) Schools operating on regular day schedule (see list) are expected to continue to operate under our Hot Weather Plan guidelines.

Information about the minimum day is available at http://www.sandi.net/minimumday.  This information is also provided in Spanish at http://www.sandi.net/Page/68287.

Transportation schedules are being adjusted to accommodate the minimum day schedules. The PrimeTime program will remain in place. The district is also partnering with the YMCA to provide after-school options for affected schools. 

CONTACT: Ursula Kroemer | Chief Public Information Officer | San Diego Unified School District | (760) 705-6919  (Cell)

 

 

 

Linda Zintz

Communications Director

8lzintz@sandi.net

(619-725-5578 office

(619-847-6637 mobile

 

 

 

MEDIA ADVISORY from the San Diego Unified School District: Schools without 100% air-conditioned classrooms to be operated on a minimum day on Monday, September 15, 2014

MEDIA ADVISORY from the San Diego Unified School District, September 13, 2014

Minimum day planned for San Diego Unified schools which do not have 100% of classrooms outfitted with air conditioning

DETAILS:  San Diego Unified is implementing minimum day schedules at schools without air conditioning in every classroom (See list) on Monday, Sept. 15, due to the continued heat wave in terms of temperatures, humidity and the heat index. The schools on a minimum day schedule are those which lack air conditioning in 100% of the classrooms. Schools with 100% A/C in the classrooms (see list) will have regular day schedule and are expected to operate under our Hot Weather Plan guidelines.

 

The decision to operate these schools on a minimum day is based on information and guidelines from the National Weather Service (NWS) indicating local temperatures of 95 and higher, with a heat index of 103 and higher – a combination termed by the NWS as “dangerous” health conditions (See the latest regional advisory here) and our strong commitment to the safety and well-being of our students. The National School District has notified families it will operate all ten of its schools on minimum days Monday and Tuesday.  The Coronado Unified School District announced it will also have a minimum day Monday.

 

The district will closely monitor forecasted conditions for Tuesday, using these same parameters, to see if a minimum day for these same schools on Tuesday – a decision that will be made by noon on Monday. Again, this is only schools without 100% classroom air conditioning.

Information about the minimum day is available at http://www.sandi.net/minimumday.  This information is also provided in Spanish at http://www.sandi.net/Page/68287.

Transportation schedules are being adjusted to accommodate the minimum day schedules. The PrimeTime program will remain in place.  The district is also partnering with the YMCA to provide after-school options for affected schools.  Additional information will be provided as those details are finalized.

CONTACT: Linda Zintz | Communications Director | San Diego Unified School District | (619) 847-6637 (Cell)

 

 

Linda Zintz

Communications Director

8lzintz@sandi.net

(619-725-5578 office

(619-847-6637 mobile

 

 

 

NEWS RELEASE: Trustee Barnett Armored Vehicle a Misguided Priority

NEWS RELEASE SENT ON BEHALF OF SAN DIEGO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD TRUSTEE SCOTT BARNETT, SEPTEMBER 10, 2014

Trustee Barnett: Armored Vehicle a "misguided priority." Calls on District to Lease out Armored vehicle to fund replacement of Ten Old SD Unified Police Cars

San Diego -- SD Unified School Board Trustee Scott Barnett has called for turning the "misguided" acquisition of a military armored vehicle into an opportunity to fund desperately needed police car replacements.

"The acquisition of an armored vehicle by our school police is a misguided priority," said Trustee Scott Barnett.  "We have hundreds of worn out vehicles and 10 very old police cruisers protecting kids every day. These police cars each have over 130,000 miles on them. Replacing these vital assets should be our number one priority," said Barnett, who was standing in front of one (of Ten) old SD Unified police cars.

According the SD Unified a new fully equipped police cruiser costs approximately $40,000.

Calls on District to Lease out vehicle to fund replacement of 10 Old SD Unified Police Cars

"This armored vehicle is valued at over $700,000. I am proposing we lease it to a local police agency, at say $50,000 or $60,000  a year for 10 years, and use those funds to finance new SD Unified police cars," said Barnett. 
 
Barnett noted that after the "Ferguson controversy" it will likely be "much more difficult for local police agencies to obtain these vehicles, so we may actually have a hot commodity," said Barnett.

Barnett indicated that mutual aide agreements with other local law endorsement agencies would  ensure that the armored vehicle is "...still be available to us in an emergency."

He noted that the agreement for acceptance of the for the armored vehicle prohibits "sale" but not lease.

"Two years ago this December, in the wake of the Sandy Hook massacre, the SD school Board supported my request that we do a comprehensive school site security and staffing plan.  This plan will be coming forward at an upcoming school board meeting.  The acquisition of this armored vehicle clearly was not part of any comprehensive plan. The school board was not even aware of it," said Barnett.  "The school board should make this decision, not the school police chief," Barnett added. 

Barnett said he will ask the school board to look at his plan to fund police vehicles when it reviews the comprehensive site and security plan. 

"Is there any possibility a vehicle like this could be needed for a school emergency? asked Barnett.  "Yes, which is why we should work with other local law enforcement agencies to acquire assets which can meet ongoing needs of regional police departments, and the possible extreme need of our school district.  That is what mutual aide agreements are all about," said Barnett, who added,  "in my view the school district should not own military armored vehicles. This is not what we are about. But now that we own one, let's use it to get what we need today," said Barnett.

"I have always been a strong advocate for SD school police,"  said Barnett. "I supported the acquisition of a trained police dog, the availability of semi-automatic rifles (AR15) for officers if faced with a situation of overwhelming fire power. I urged my board colleagues year after year to exempt SD Unified Police from staffing cuts," said Barnett.  "But we should focus on acquiring what we need today to meet the needs of our students and employees."

Background:
SD Unified has approximately 525 vehicles in its "yellow bus fleet" and 350 in its "white fleet" which includes maintenance, delivery, police, and other vehicles. Many have high mileage and are in need of replacement.  For over 3 1/2 years, and as recently as last Spring's budget hearings,  Trustee Barnett has called for a vehicle depreciation plan to fund vehicle replacement.  Not replacing worn out vehicles forces the district to spend millions of dollars on vehicle maintenance which could otherwise be used to fund school site needs. To date no vehicle replacement plan has been presented to the school board.

Attachments
MRAP staff memo and application

MEDIA ADVISORY: Trustee Barnett to Discuss SD Unified's Armored Car

MEDIA ADVISORY SENT ON BEHALF OF SAN DIEGO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD TRUSTEE SCOTT BARNETT,
SEPTEMBER 10, 2014

 

Trustee Scott Barnett: Acquisition of Armored Vehicle is a "misguided priority" Will Present Alternative to Fund Replacement of 10 Old School Police Vehicles

 

What: Press Conference

Trustee Scott Barnett Will State his Opposition to Acquisition of Armored Vehicle; Will Present Alternative to Fund Replacement of 10 Old School Police Vehicles (One of SD Unified's older police cars will be available for pictures.)

 

When: Thursday, September 11, 2014, 10:30 AM

 

Where: Eugene Brucker Education Center, Emergency Operations Center (EOC), 4100 Normal St., San Diego, CA 92103

 

Who: Trustee Scott Barnett (Trustee Barnett will NOT be available prior to 10:30 a.m. for interviews)

 

Background:

Currently SD Unified has approximately 10 police cars in need of replacement. These vehicles are used every day by SD Unified police officers to protect students, staff, and property. The average life of a police vehicle (based on rotation schedules of SDPD, SD Sheriff, etc) is approximately 120,000 miles. SD Unified vehicles targeted for replacement all have over 130,000 miles. A new SD Unified car (completely outfitted) is approximately $40,000.

SD Unified has approximately 1000 vehicles in its total fleet, including approximately 600 school buses and approximately 400 in its "white fleet" which includes maintenance, delivery, and other vehicles. Many have high mileage and are in need of replacement. For over 3 1/2 years, and as recently as last spring's budget hearings, Trustee Barnett has called for a vehicle depreciation plan to fund vehicle replacement. Not replacing worn out vehicles forces the district to spend millions of dollars on vehicle maintenance which could other wise be used to fund school sites. To date no plan has been presented to the school board.

Since his election Trustee Scott Barnett has been an outspoken advocate for fiscal responsibility, consistently opposing deficit spending. Mr. Barnett has been a consistent advocate for SD Unified Police staffing and equipment. He supported the acquisition of a trained police dog, the availability of semi-automatic weapons for officers, and urged his board colleagues to "exempt SD Unified Police from staffing cuts." He was elected in 2010. He is not seeking reelection. His term ends December 8, 2014.

 

Contact: Scott Barnett

619-857-1857

Post Notice of Meetings : Audit and Finance Committee

PLEASE NOTE:

 

·         Notice and Call of Meetings: Audit and Finance Committee
Committee Meeting Information: http://www.sandi.net/Page/65823.

Please forward to staff and as appropriate, print notice(s) and/or agenda(s) and post in a prominent, accessible location at your site.

 

Thank you.

 

 

Josefina Viorato

Confidential Administrative Assistant II

Board Services

4100 Normal Street, Room 2231

San Diego, CA  92103

( (619) 725-5551

7 (619) 297-5624

* jviorato@sandi.net

 

 

 

‘Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.’ --Nelson Mandela

 

Post Revised Notice of 2014 Meetings: ICOC Construction SubCmte

PLEASE NOTE:

·         Revised Notice of Meetings: ICOC Construction Subcommittee
Committee Meeting Information: http://www.sandi.net/Page/3228

 

Please forward to staff and as appropriate print and post notice(s) in a prominent, accessible location at your site.

 

Thank you.

 

Josefina Viorato

Confidential Administrative Assistant II

Board Services

4100 Normal Street, Room 2231

San Diego, CA  92103

( (619) 725-5551

7 (619) 297-5624

* jviorato@sandi.net

 

 

 

 

‘Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.’ --Nelson Mandela