Parents press board on safety, boundary changes and school bond decisions

Several public commenters used the board's public-comment period to press officials on school safety and proposed boundary changes.

Jolene Cochran, a parent of two district students, urged the board to explain why the superintendent, Ward Andrews, was being considered for a raise while parents reported two school safety incidents this year at Vista High and Warm Springs Middle School. Cochran said parents were not notified about those incidents and asked that the superintendent "start doing your job" to earn any raise; the comment was delivered during the public-comment period and no compensation action was taken at the meeting.

Another commenter, Sky de Brower, urged the board to reconsider draft attendance boundary options, saying proposed lines could impose out-of-pocket transportation costs on families, separate students from their classmates and, in the case of Murrieta Mesa High School, "appear to result in segregation from a demographic and diversity perspective." De Brower noted the community had not been given an opportunity to vote on a $198 million bond measure that proponents said would have funded new schools and avoided boundary shifts.

Superintendent Dr Ward Andrews and district staff reminded the meeting that the boundary committee is reviewing maps and that a public survey (open through Jan. 12) and committee comments will inform implementation planning, including grandfathering options for current families. The district encouraged community members to review posted options and meet with staff for details.

The board took no immediate action on safety or boundary demands at this meeting; trustees indicated the committee process and upcoming public input would guide any formal decisions.