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THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2010
www.SDNEWS.com Volume 26, Number 3
B AT T L E L I N E S F O R M I N G ?
Forum to explore PLHS charter-school option BY SCOTT HOPKINS | THE BEACON
arge waves pummeled Ocean Beach and its pier Sunday, making for some spectacular entertainment for the crowds that gathered to soak up the beautiful weekend weather. Unfortunately for lifeguard Mike Neal (above), who was doing some big-wave surfing to stay sharp and in shape for future rescues, a 12-foot wave crashed into him, snapping his board cleanly in two. The wave action did draw plenty of spectators (left), including two youngsters (below) who found the pier padlocked because of the intense surges. The swell out of the northwest triggered a high-surf advisory through Monday. PHOTOS BY JIM GRANT I THE BEACON
E L M O S G N I K A M S E V A W S U SERIO
A group of local parents will host an informational forum Feb. 2 that will explore a changeover of Point Loma High School (PLHS) to charter-school status. Sponsored by the Point Loma Cluster Schools coalition, proponents believe they can exercise rarely-used “parent trigger” legislation to gain control of the 85year-old institution — a move that concerns many local educators. The forum will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Barnes Tennis Center, 4490 West Point Loma Blvd. and feature three prominent charterschool advocates.
Point Loma cluster schools include PLHS, Correia and Dana Middle schools and Barnard, Cabrillo, Dewey, Loma Portal, Ocean Beach, Silver Gate and Sunset View elementary schools. The combined enrollment at the 10 sites is more than 6,000 students. The “trigger” in this scenario is PLHS’s status as a program improvement school for the last two years and its state academic performance index (API) test score below 800 points. Last year’s API score at PLHS was 758. The school will become triggereligible if it remains in program SEE CLUSTER, Page 10
Officials launch workshops to tackle airport issues, growth BY SEBASTIAN RUIZ | THE BEACON San Diego County Regional Airport Authority officials kicked off a campaign to solicit public input during a workshop Tuesday at the Courtyard Marriott Hotel at Liberty Station. The Airport Authority is working to complete an update to its land-use compatibility plan — the document governing types of future development around Lindbergh Field. Over the next several months, the Airport Authority will host several workshops and steering committee meetings designed to gather public comment and concerns over noise, airspace protection, flight disturbances, environ-
ment and safety. Suhail Khalil, co-chairman of the Peninsula Community Planning Board Airport Committee, was among the participants at the introductory meeting. He said future changes to airport development regulations will directly affect Peninsula residents. “Every property owner in the [airport map] zones is going to be affected,” said Khalil. “And not in a good way.” The updates to the land-use plan adopted by the airport cover four general topics. Technical issues will be addressed, one topic per steering committee meeting. SEE AIRPORT, Page 10
Sunroad Boat Show to be 10 percent bigger BY LEE CORNELL | THE BEACON
This is mainly due to the show bringing in more brokers who can display used boats this year. The San Diego Sunroad Boat Show will begin For many years, the show was held at the today and run through Jan.30 at the Sunroad San Diego Convention Center, Behun said, but Resort Marina on Harbor Island. it moved to the more intimate setting of Harbor The event showcases the latest boats avail- Island last year. able on the market. This year’s version will see “Now, it’s more of a homier feel in this giant a 10 percent increase in growth, which tent,” Behun said. “I think eventually as the includes more booths and more products than economy improves the boat show will get biglast year, as well as an expansion of in-water ger.” boats. He added that dealers are seeing an increase “It’s the premier boat show in San Diego,” in sales recently because of the good deals being said Jim Behun, the show’s producer. offered in today’s slow economy. Behun said organizers have had to open up SEE BOAT SHOW, Page 3 another dock for increased in-water products.
The 2011 Sunroad Boat Show will include more booths and more products than last year, as well as an expanded COURTESY PHOTO number of in-water boats.