This school year, there were 6,459 fewer students enrolled at San Diego County’s traditional public schools than last year. That 1.6 percent decline is the largest drop in enrollment since 2020, when pandemic closures led to a wave of student departures.
The new numbers aren’t a surprise. They mark the 11th year in a row of declining enrollment at local non-charter schools. Last year, local traditional public schools had 59,138 fewer students than they did in the 2014-15 school year, a more than 13 percentage point decline.
That long-term trend, driven largely by high costs of living and declining birth rates, has already forced some local districts to close schools. South Bay Union, which recently voted to close three schools, was hit with another big decline. The district’s five percent drop in enrollment was once again one of the highest in the region.
Why it matters: Because school funding is tied to enrollment, if the trend continues like experts project it will, many more districts will face similarly difficult decisions. Projections from the California Department of Finance predicted San Diego County could lose an additional 100,000 students by 2045.
And thus far, the declines show no sign of stopping. Three-quarters of local districts saw a drop in the number of students enrolled. Among others, National Elementary School District saw a 3.5 percent decline, Escondido Union High saw a 4.6 percent decline and Del Mar Union saw a 4.75 percent drop.
Charter schools, however, fared much better. Local charters added 2,563 students, a nearly three percent increase. That increase was likewise part of a larger trend. Since the 2024-25 school year, charter enrollment has increased in 10 of 11 years.
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Padres Respond to Puffer Vest Chaos
Many of the Padres fans clamoring to get their hands on a puffer vest the team was giving away at Wednesday’s game left empty handed despite waiting hours in line outside the stadium.
The giveaway frenzy caused some fights and a lot of frustration among fans.
Rain check? The team apologized for the wait times and directed fans to a survey. “We intend to make this right by issuing members a one-time raincheck due to the circumstances,” read a statement.
Repeat after us, “I will not let a puffer vest disrupt my peace.”
South County Report: What’s Next for Chula Vista?
City officials are in the early stages of planning the next five years for Chula Vista.
South County reporter Jim Hinch writes that the city’s 25-page draft strategic plan document, which includes goals and policy priorities, touches on almost everything from roads and sidewalks to libraries, parks and public safety.
The City Council met to discuss the plan this week, but comments and questions ran so long, they decided to schedule a workshop for a later date. Hinch explains what’s in the draft plan in his latest newsletter.
Newly Homeless Again Outnumber Newly Housed
The number of people becoming homeless in San Diego County outpaced the number moving into homes in March.
The Regional Task Force on Homelessness reported that 1,101 people became homeless for the first time and 1,086 exited homelessness.
Your monthly reminder: For most of the last few years, local efforts to house homeless residents haven’t kept up with the flood of people losing their homes. That equation must change to dramatically reduce homelessness.
In Other News
- The San Diego Unified School District is set to expand a free after-school care service for elementary and middle school students starting this fall. The state moved the district to a new tier of state funding allowing them to offer spots to as many as 40,000 students according to a district senior director. (KPBS) Last year, our Jakob McWhinney reported on some of San Diego Unified’s big after-school care moves.
- Tens of thousands of people living in areas near the polluted Tijuana River are being exposed to sewage and toxic gas. A proposed state bill would require the state’s standard to reflect health risks associated with the gas that raw sewage emits, hydrogen sulfide. (Associated Press)
- Tribal leaders of the San Pasqual Band of Mission Indians have written to the state and federal services hoping to stop construction of a housing development in Poway. Members of the tribe say controlled explosions at the site are driving red-tailed hawks and other birds away. (inewsource)
- A San Diego City Council committee voted against a proposal that would have reduced the city’s hourly special event parking fee, the parking enforcement window and the enforcement zone. Councilmember Raul Campillo plans to present a revised proposal in a couple months. (Union-Tribune)
- San Diego City Attorney Heather Ferbert’s office has filed a lawsuit against fire truck manufacturers over an alleged monopoly that profits off the taxpayers and municipalities. The county filed a similar lawsuit earlier this month. (Union-Tribune)
The Morning Report was written by Jakob McWhinney, Andrea Sanchez-Villafaña, Lisa Halverstadt and Rami Alarian. It was edited by Andrea Sanchez-Villafaña.