A group of big-time lawyers, students and a business mogul have lined up try to disrupt teacher protection rules in California, particularly the seniority system that decides who can stay if layoffs come.
Lawyers for teachers unions and others trying to defend the system called Richard Barrera, a member of the San Diego schools board and the leader of the local Labor Council, to the stand.
He changed his tune from 2010 on the impact of layoffs to schools in poorer area and offered a bold defense of the way things work.
More Problems for SDPD
A female police officer has filed suit against the San Diego Police Department.
She says she was harassed by fellow officer, demoted when she complained and ultimately a victim of a “good old boy network” within the department.
That sure contrasts with what Chief Shelley Zimmerman said earlier this week in a different lawsuit. In that case – a civil suit being brought by a victim of ex-cop Anthony Arevalos – Zimmerman said there’s no need for a jury to weigh in on whether the department has a history of covering up misconduct, because she’s already implemented lots of changes in her two months on the job.
What NASSCO Pays the Port
The shipbuilding giant NASSCO and the Port – where the company’s located – are in the midst of re-examining their lease agreement to make sure the public’s getting a fair deal for that prime real estate.
At least one group thinks NASSCO gets a “sweetheart deal” – and it does pay about 40 percent less per square foot than two other shipbuilding companies nearby.
But the Port is allowed to give discounts, especially when it comes to securing good-paying jobs like the ones NASSCO provides.
What We Learned This Week
• Some San Diego schools let nonprofit foundations run their websites. The County Grand Jury says that’s a no-no.
• We’re still not spending enough to keep streets from getting worse – despite the arrival of “The Infrastructure Mayor.”
• Clairemont residents (Clairemontanans?) all but brought the pitchforks out against a plan that would raise the height limit around a trolley stop near their hood.
• We still elect judges. And there’s a lot of, um, colorful characters who run for those seats.
• The city says Airbnb hosts should be paying hotel taxes. They mostly don’t.
• California school districts are using far fewer capital appreciation bonds.
Quick News Hits
• The government’s laser focus on security at the U.S.-Mexico border means it has neglected important economic, social and cultural issues, according to a new report co-written by urban studies rockstar Richard Florida. (U-T San Diego)
• The mayor of Temecula caught the ire of a liberal blog (and Councilman David Alvarez) when she said homeless people in her town were in their situation “by choice.”
• Our Morning Report scribe Randy Dotinga was on KPBS’s “Roundtable” to talk about the latest developments in the push for a higher minimum wage, and who’s supporting what.
Quote of the Week
“There’s other communities. (Councilwoman) Myrtle Cole’s begging for this kind of attention, begging for this kind of infrastructure and building. This isn’t blighted. This is a very vibrant, healthy, family-oriented community.” – Councilman Ed Harris, on the city’s proposal to increase density and the height limit around a planned trolley stop in Clairemont.