I've become very interested in academic performance at local public schools, primarily due to my teaching credential program. Last week, I stepped onto the campus of a middle school in the San Diego Unified School District to observe a seventh grade social studies classroom. Anticipating my first truly "urban" school experience, I braced myself for some of the challenges described in my textbook. Twelve-year-olds wearing gang colors. Unruly kids disrespecting their teachers. Eighth graders reading at a third grade level. Despite attending the school made famous by Dangerous Minds, I do not feel that I had ever experienced this.

Instead, I entered a classroom with kids seated quietly at their desks, working on a warm-up activity in which they hypothesized some of the causes of the fall of the Roman Empire. And the great majority of them seemed not only engaged, but to be coming up with reasons that demonstrated higher-order thinking skills and a deep understanding of historical events.

Does this experience point to the success of San Diego schools? Does it demonstrate that unlike the typical urban school described in my textbook, the school I visited suffered none of the challenges commonly present in the public schools systems of metropolitan areas? Contrary to research and popular belief, was this class of 36 proof that a smaller student-to-teacher ratio is not necessary?

Unfortunately, no.

Two interesting articles in the Union-Tribune recently: the County Board of Supervisors wants to raise taxes to pay for increased fire protection and the City of San Diego is investigating whether it overspent on clean-up after the 2007 wildfires.

On a related issue, the state still hasn't passed a balanced budget for the current fiscal year and Governor Schwarzenegger is reportedly considering a one cent sales tax increase (temporary, yeah right) to cover the projected shortfall.

Especially in this economy, why should any voter give these leaders more money to spend? Why should the voters increase their own taxes and create a new agency of bureaucrats when the existing institutions are still trying to explain how they spent the resources at their disposal during the last crisis?

Our leaders need to prioritize their projects and do their best within their existing resources, just like every other family and business trying to make do in this economy. Admitting failure and asking for more money from the voters is not the answer.

Photo by Chris McConnell

Judge Larry Burns of the United States District Court of Southern California has rescued the Mt. Soledad cross (for the time being) from the clutches of the First Amendment's Establishment Clause. This represents the most substantial courtroom defeat in twenty years for those seeking to have the cross removed. Most residents of San Diego want the cross to remain -- though I suspect even more are simply exhausted by the "long and torturous legal history" leading up to this latest decision. On the other hand, the Mt. Soledad controversy has served as a fascinating backyard lesson in civics and Constitutional law.

I've got two dogs in this fight. I've never known Mt. Soledad without the cross, it pleases the eye and the heart says it belongs. But I also happen to think the First Amendment and the Establishment Clause are the primary reasons the United States is the Land of the Free -- a 43-foot cross on public land troubles the conscience and the mind. And so if ever a judge could muster up the wisdom of Solomon, one would hope it would be Judge Burns. The entire ruling is a fairly entertaining read -- but here are a few choice extracts from Judge Burns' opinion.

"What we see depends on what we look for."

The old saying, "The road to hell is paved with good intentions," might best apply to decisions yet to be made, instead of expressing woeful regret over what might have been. San Diego still has time to consider whether Bonnie Dumanis should be re-elected as district attorney in 2010.

The following are my reasons for considering otherwise: first, let me qualify any criticism by saying D.A. Dumanis' work ethic is, at the least, impressive. She makes her mark in every position she's worked in, from her first job at the D.A.'s office as a junior clerk typist, to being elected to the office in 2002. 

To her credit, what have been some of her notable accomplishments? 

I really didn't spend much time worrying about the alcohol ban at San Diego beaches since I've learned that if you are discreet enough, no one really cares. Of course I'm one of your middle-aged mother types so I am in that group that basically goes unnoticed by law enforcement.

All that changed on the morning of July 4th. I awoke at 5 a.m. to walk in the Coronado Independence Day 5K Run/Walk, and instead of the fog softened silence I expected, I heard the steady drone of engines, subwoofers, slamming trunks and car alarms. Staggering out onto my deck with a cup of coffee, I was astounded to see hundreds (thousands?) of cars parked as far as I could see. An army of people was already marching toward the Silver Strand State Beach, which is across the road from my home.

My first thought was how early these people must have gotten up in order to secure a place on the beach. I didn't realize that the Silver Strand State Beach had been publicized as the last alcohol friendly beach in San Diego.

While the local races for San Diego have been getting plenty of publicity and press, the race for Escondido's city council seats have been proceeding almost unnoticed.

Unlike San Diego with designated city council districts, Escondido elects four members at large (two every two years), and those four people together with the elected mayor comprise the five-member city council.

Two incumbents, Ed Gallo and Sam Abed are reportedly running to retain their seats. They were the top vote-getters and won their seats in November 2004 with 33 percent and 23 percent of the vote respectively. I was unable to locate a Web site for either incumbent. 

The only candidate I found campaigning to unseat them, Olga Diaz, founder of the popular Blue Mug Coffee & Tea does have a Web site though. Filing deadlines have not yet passed, and more candidates could certainly enter the race.

In the intermittent lull between elections, local candidates facing run-offs, as well as the proponents and opponents of 11 state propositions, and obviously the presidential nominees, diligently labor toward a fall victory. (By the way, Gloria Penner's "Political Fix" recently posted an informative synopsis of the propositions for inquisitive and well-coordinated voters). 

This season of preparation reminds me of the kind of planning necessary to build a financial nest egg, or to stockpile emergency supplies, or even to plan a gala wedding reception (nods to Chuck and Randy).

Imperial Beach recently changed their city code to almost close a loophole that allowed alcohol to be openly consumed at the end of the Imperial Beach pier.

The Union-Tribune's June 24 article on the change provides a good summary of the recent changes in local law to ban the consumption of alcohol on local beaches. The issue has been particularly contentious in Pacific Beach. Web sites for and against San Diego's ban on beach alcohol have hotly debated the issue.

Personally, I'm for personal responsibility. I don't like governments or anyone else telling me what to do when I'm not hurting anyone else. 

According to the San Diego County Registar of Voters, the turn-out for yesterday's vote was a record low. Kind of gives "Absentee Voter" a new meaning. Yikes! Are San Diegans not interested in the issues or simply too busy trying to pay for their outrageously expensive housing and gas tanks to vote? Granted, it's an insanely busy time of year with graduation events, end-of-the-season sports parties, awards banquets, and the opening of Sex And The City.

Hey, we have our priorities, after all.

I, like a lot of San Diegans, didn't vote today.  I just recently moved to a new district, and found out I couldn't register in time for this election.  This saddens me some, as this year I've gotten much more interested in the voting process.

Now, as I start watching the returns creep in, I sigh a heavy sigh and wonder why I didn't register my new voting adress earlier.  My fellow bloggers all got to speak their mind through their votes, but I feel the self-imposed neutering of my thoughts already.