NORTH COUNTY
–
School board candidates for the San Dieguito Union High School District had few sharp words for one another – until the last two minutes – at a forum Wednesday night.
Apparently exasperated by challenger Michael Klein, incumbent trustee Joyce Dalessandro launched into a prepared attack that suggested Klein would undermine the district's successes if elected.
“Mr. Klein has called for change, and my question for him is, 'Change what, Mr. Klein?' ” Dalessandro began. “Change the fact that we are among the top-rated school districts in the county, state and nation?
“Change what?” she said again with more than a hint of sarcasm. “Change the fact that our students have an array of choices and opportunities rarely seen in public education?”
And so on.
Dalessandro's closing statement revealed a lot about where the lines are drawn in this district's school board race.
Dalessandro and fellow incumbent Beth Hergesheimer painted a picture Wednesday of an extremely well-run school district that is nevertheless vulnerable to the ongoing state budget crisis and therefore needs experienced trustees.
“In these tough economic times, we need proven, effective leadership,” Hergesheimer said.
Klein, one of a group of parents that feels betrayed that the school district changed plans to build a middle school in its neighborhood of La Costa Valley, argued for a “fresh set of eyes and a fresh pair of hands” to tackle ongoing budget issues and better prepare students for a rapidly changing economy.
Echoing district administrators during Wednesday's debate, Dalessandro and Hergesheimer explained that the district hopes to build a school in La Costa Valley but not until there are enough students in the district to warrant it.
Klein argued that large class sizes in the district could be partly alleviated by building a middle school in La Costa Valley with Mello-Roos tax dollars he and his neighbors have been paying for years.
Dalessandro and Hergesheimer countered that larger class sizes are not the result of a lack of space, but tightened general fund budgets that limit the number of teachers the district can hire.
Klein, while offering the prospect of a new face on the board, was light on specifics about how he would reduce class sizes, particularly at the district's high schools.
He also passed on a question about how the district gets its money. The district is now funded according to how many students attend but because of a somewhat complicated state formula, the district soon could be funded directly from local property taxes.
The change benefits districts when enrollment is low and property taxes are high. When the trends reverse, districts could end up short of money.
Bruce Lieberman: (760) 476-8205; bruce.lieberman@uniontrib.com
