The Coast News, August 28, 2020

Page 1

PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID ENCINITAS, CA 92024 PERMIT NO. 94

THE COAST NEWS

.com VOL. 34, N0. 35

SERVING NORTH COUNTY SINCE 1987

AUG. 28, 2020

SAN MARCOS -NEWS

.com THE VISTA NEWS

.com

TIM FENNELL

Fairgrounds CEO Fennell retires By Jordan P. Ingram

DEL MAR — In the midst of a financial crisis that has pushed the Del Mar Fairgrounds onto the verge of collapse, the 22nd District Agricultural Association on Aug. 25 announced the retirement of longtime fairgrounds’ CEO and General Manager Tim Fennell. Fennell was first named CEO of the stateowned property in 1993, serving for 27 years. “On behalf of the entire board, I would like to recognize Tim for the three decades he has dedicated to the Fairgrounds,” Board President Richard Valdez said in a statement. “We wish him all the very best as he embarks on his much-deserved retirement.” The 22nd DAA’s Board of Directors named Carlene Moore as Interim CEO to replace Fennell. Moore, who first joined the fairgrounds as deputy general manager in 2019, will assume all operational responsibility immediately, according to a media release. Most recently, Moore served as CEO of the Napa County Fair Association, a nonprofit organization in Calistoga, Calif. “I appreciate the opportunity to provide leadership to the Del Mar Fairgrounds and while we have some challenging times ahead of us, the board and our leadership team are dedicated to the survival and recovery of the Fairgrounds,” Moore TURN TO FENNELL ON A9

SURFER’S REQUIEM

RANCHO SFNEWS

.com

A paddle-out honors the life of Encinitas lifeguard Blake Dresner. Story on A9.

HUNDREDS OF SURFERS participated in a “Paddle Out for Blake” on Monday, Aug. 24, at Moonlight Beach in Encinitas. Family members and friends held the event to honor the life of Blake Dresner, a 23-year-old Encinitas lifeguard who suffered a fatal injury on Aug. 15 while surfing in Salina Cruz, Mexico. Photo by Colin Leibold (www.colinleibold.com)

Student enrollment declines amid distance learning By Catherine Allen

REGION — Early data from two school districts show enrollment dropped as distance learning began. Some families are opting in for homeschooling and other alternatives instead. San Marcos Unified and Encinitas Union Elementary School Districts started the 2020-21 year with slumps in enrollment, compared to the same day last year. Previously, both relatively consistent enrollment since 2015, according to Ed-Data. Disenrollment appears more common among younger students, as Encinitas Union’s 11% drop illustrates. This decrease stems directly from COVID-19, Assistant Superintendent Joe Dougherty said. For San Marcos Unified, 33% of disenrollment in elementary came from Graphic by Dan Brendel the transitional kinder-

garten and kindergarten levels, according to Assistant Superintendent Mark Schiel. Total enrollment in San Marcos dropped 5% year on year, comparing the district’s data from day three of each school year. Broken down by grade level, the district saw its largest decrease in middle school, which lost 9% enrollment compared to 2019. Elementary enrollment dipped 7%, while high school enrollment gained 1%. “[San Marcos Unified] takes pride in the education that we provide,” Schiel said. “We believe that our enrollment will return to normal when we are able to return to in-person instruction.” Between the third and fifth day of the school year, San Marcos Unified added 71 elementary students TURN TO ENROLLMENT ON A9

YOU DESERVE TO LIVE YOUR BEST LIFE PAIN SUPPORT GROUP ONLINE for Patients With Chronic/Disabling Pain

Doctors of PT, Local Physicians and Health Experts, and People With Chronic Pain Like YOU

Online ZOOM meeting Tuesday, September 1st at 1PM This week’s topic: Calming Your Sensitive Nerves 760.707.5080 • www.gasparpt.com


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.