By Miriam Raftery

November 3, 2018 (Poway) – A student at Poway High School has been arrested for threatening during an argument with other students to bring a gun to school and shoot them.

The Sheriff’s Poway station received information from several concerned parents via the Poway TIP line.  After an investigation by deputies, including the Poway School Resource Officer and juvenile detective, deputies identified the student and arrested him at his home.

East County News Service

November 1, 2018 (El Cajon) — The Grossmont Symphony Orchestra and Master Chorale kick off a busy month of concerts at both colleges.The orchestra and master chorale join choirs from the San Diego School of Creative & Performing Arts in the multimedia performance of Tolga Kashif's monumental choral orchestral work, "Queen Symphony - An Anthology of the Works of Freddie Mercury and Queen" at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 2, at Foothills United Methodist Church, 4031 Avocado Blvd., La Mesa.  

The "Queen Symphony" is a six-movement symphonic work that features many of Queen's iconic melodies, including "Bohemian Rhapsody" to "We Are the Champions." Admission: $15 general, $10 seniors, $5 students. For more information, call (619) 644-7254. 

By Miriam Raftery

October 25, 2018 (La Mesa)—Brianna Bell, a Helix Charter High School student shown on video slammed to the ground in handcuffs by a La Mesa Police officer, has filed a federal lawsuit against the City of La Mesa (Brianna Bell v. City of La Mesa, Scott Wulfing, U.S. District Court Case No. 18CV2455 BEN BLM).

The lawsuit alleges that LMPD School Resource Officer Scott Wulfing used excessive force, violated Bell’s civil rights, inflicted emotional distress, and committed assault and battery. Officer Wulfing is also named individually in the suit. He is on administrative leave pending the outcome of a third party independent investigation.

By Miriam Raftery

October 22, 2018 (Alpine) — Recently, East County Magazine published an article revealing that a gag order in a legal settlement with the Grossmont Union-High School district prevents Alpine education leaders from speaking out in political discussions on the Alpine High School. The nondisclosure clause may also have had a chilling effect that prevented Alpine candidates from challenging GUHSD trustee Jim Kelly, an opponent of the Alpine High School who is running unopposed.

By Paul Kruze, Contributing Editor

Photo, from left to right:  Steve Babbit, Rebecca McRae, Jerry Lecko, Charda Fontenot

October 16, 2018 (La Mesa) - Political civility ruled when four candidates for three open positions on the La Mesa-Spring Valley School Board appeared at a community forum put on by the La Mesa First United Methodist Church in downtown La Mesa. Appearing at the event were Steve Babbit, Jerry Lecko, Chardá Fontenot, and Rebecca McRae. Declared candidates Megan Epperson, Brianna Garza, and Matthew Austin Sablove, although invited, were not present at the forum.

By Rebecca Jefferis Williamson

Photo: Yusef Miller, CAIR-California 

October 3, 2018 (El Cajon) – Members of CAIR , the Council on American-Islamic Relations, called on Cajon Valley Union School District members  at the September 25th board meeting to  fire former Greenfield Middle School’s principal, Gregory Calvert over his handling of the alleged bullying of a Syrian student.  Calvert has since taken a position as assistant principal at Chase Avenue Elementary in the same school district. 

Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher Bill will apply to all students in good standing whose education was interrupted against their will

East County News Service

October 1, 2018 (Sacramento) — A proposal authored by California State Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher (D-San Diego) to retroactively grant diplomas to deported high school seniors was signed by Governor Brown last week.  AB 3022 passed the State Assembly with a 75-1 vote and the Senate by a 35-1 vote

By Miriam Raftery

September 22, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) – Despite litigation over the Grossmont High School District’s failure to build an Alpine High School, the Alpine community failed to mount a challenger to trustee Jim Kelly, who represents Alpine after redistricting.  Trustee Robert Shield is also running unopposed.

But trustee Gary Woods, who represents the El Cajon area in district 3 and directs a religious educational institute,  faces a challenge from Peggy “Liz” Weaver, a public school teacher of fourth and fifth graders at Rancho Elementary School.

Source:  Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District

September 20, 2018 (El Cajon) - One of the oldest and largest community college job fairs in the county continues its successful run with the 40th Annual Career Expo at Grossmont College set for Wednesday, Oct. 10. It is free and open to the public.

Multi-phase project will include new state-of-the-art Student Services Building, Event Center, and Food Services Building

East County News Service

September 13, 2018 (El Cajon) — A groundbreaking ceremony is set for Friday, September 14 at 9 a.m. to mark construction of El Cajon Valley High School’s new Student Services and Event Center complex. (View a preliminary animation of the project design here.)

Source:  Grossmont/Cuyamaca Community College District

September 10, 2018 (El Cajon) – Food, music and dance at Cuyamaca College and a visit at Grossmont College by nationally acclaimed poet Yosimar Reyes will highlight a series of special events honoring Latinx Heritage Month at the two East County colleges from mid-September to Nov. 1. All events are free and open to the public.

East County News Service

September 4, 2018 (San Diego) — Last week, U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos sent a letter to college campuses reversing a campus sexual assault policy established by President Obama.  DeVos’ action would bolster the rights of those accused of sexual assault and reduce liability for colleges and universities, as the New York Times reported.

Source:  scdoe.net

August 15, 2018 (San Diego) - The San Diego County Board of Education (County Board) and the County Superintendent of Schools are currently seeking candidates interested in being appointed to the San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE) Personnel Commission. Letters of interest for appointment to the Personnel Commission are currently being accepted for the County Board/Superintendent-appointed personnel commissioner. The term of office will commence Dec. 1, 2018, at noon, and expire Dec. 1, 2021, at noon. The County Board/superintendent-appointed commissioner will assume office at the regularly scheduled Personnel Commission meeting on Dec. 19, 2018.

Earn an A+ in sustainability this school year with tips from Waste Management

Source:  Waste Management

August 7, 2018 (San Diego) - As millions prepare to head back to school, Waste Management of Southern California is offering parents, students and educators practical tips to make this school year more sustainable by reducing, reusing and recycling right, in and out of the classroom.

By Miriam Raftery

July 26, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) – The filing period to run for local offices opened on July 16 and closes August 10.  But so far, no candidates have pulled papers to run, let along qualified, in most East County or other inland San Diego County races listed on the Registrar’s site for school boards, water boards, fire boards and community planning groups. In others, only incumbents have filed.

For instance, in the Grossmont Union High School District, heated controversies and lawsuits have erupted over alleged bond misappropriation, failure to build an Alpine High School, and efforts to shut down popular charter schools.  Yet so far, incumbents Jim Kelly, Robert Shield and Dr. Gary Woods have all pulled papers to seek reelection, but nobody has filed to run against them.

Note: City council and mayor candidates apply through cities and will not be listed until after the filing deadline has closed. ECM has requested info from East County cities on those races.

Below are other local races in East County, including names of any candidates who have pulled papers to run (though not yet qualified).