Where'd the Kids Go?

The mayor is just flat ignoring the budget the city council passed and will not fire the top managers the Council cut. And you thought budget drama was over.  Local water managers are demanding an apology from one of their colleagues. Apologies after demands for apologies are always the best apologies. We’ll explain why this matters.  And Jakob published an extraordinary analysis and maps this week of how many fewer kids there are in San Diego schools. Why that is.   SHOW NOTES SEGMENT 1  Meet the Beat: Voice in North County Join our North County reporter, Tigist Layne on July 24 at the Escondido History Museum at 6 p.m. to talk about the stories she’s watching that impact residents in North County. Seats are limited. RSVP at vosd.org/events. Politifest Buy Your Tickets for Politifest 2025 Politifest is back on Oct. 4, and this won’t be our usual public affairs summit.  This year, we’re bringing together community leaders to go head-to-head in our first ever Solutions Showdown. Hear their ideas and cast your vote on which proposals you think could solve the biggest issues facing San Diego. Save on tickets with early bird pricing at vosd.org/politifest SEGMENT 2 San Diego City Budget Mayor: Nah, I Won’t Be Laying Staff Off by Mariana Martínez Barba July 15, 2025 SEGMENT 3  Where’d the Kids Go San Diego County’s Schools Have 27,000 Fewer Students Than a Decade Ago. It Will Get Worse. Over the past decade, enrollment at San Diego County public schools has decline by about five percent. That means there are 27,000 fewer students in local schools. State officials are projecting rates of decline will only get worse, which will force educators to make some hard decisions.  by Jakob McWhinney July 15, 2025 SEGMENT 4 Water Wars Water Managers Want Apology by Scott Lewis July 9, 2025 Scott Lewis, CEO and editor in chief at Voice of San Diego. Andrea Lopez-Villafaña, managing editor Bella Ross, social media producer Jakob McWhinney, education reporter and theme music composer. Xavier Vasquez, podcast producer Journalism is integral to a healthy democracy: Support independent, investigative journalism in San Diego County. Become a Member: Voice Member BenefitsJoin today and receive insider access.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re drowning in education news this week.  The Trump administration’s grant freeze has put millions of school funds in jeopardy. The decision has some school leaders scrambling.  Our Jakob McWhinney got nerdy and figured out just how much money San Diego County stands to lose. Also, a San Diego Unified Board Trustee is calling it quits after one term. We’ll explain why.  And, meet our new City Hall reporter, Mariana Martinez Barba!   SHOW NOTES INTRO 00:00:44 SEGMENT 1 00:01:33 - Support VOSD SEGMENT 2 00:02:15 - Banter SEGMENT 3 00:08:27 - Spring Valley Swap Meet Addressing false ICE sighting https://www.instagram.com/p/DL7-rW-vAjn SEGMENT 4 00:13:45 - Meet our new City Hall beat reporter Mariana Martinez Barba https://www.reportforamerica.org/ BREAK 00:19:14  SEGMENT 4 00:19:24 - Drowning in Education News Trump Froze $50 Million in Education Funds. Here’s How Hard Each Local District Was Hit The Trump administration’s freezing of a slew of federal grants has left $50 million for San Diego County schools up in the air. https://voiceofsandiego.org/2025/07/10/trump-froze-50-million-in-education-funds-heres-how-hard-each-local-district-was-hit/   The Learning Curve: San Diego Unified’s Board President Won’t Run for Reelection Cody Petterson, who won a seat on the board in 2022, won’t seek reelection. But he may run for a different office. https://voiceofsandiego.org/2025/07/09/the-learning-curve-san-diego-unifieds-board-president-wont-run-for-reelection/   Trump Grant Freeze Puts Tens of Millions of Local K-12 Funding in Jeopardy In the latest disruption of education norms, the Trump administration froze more than $6 billion in federal grants. Even if the freeze doesn’t become permanent, it could have serious ramifications for local schools. https://voiceofsandiego.org/2025/07/08/trump-grant-freeze-puts-tens-of-millions-of-local-k-12-funding-in-jeopardy/ TRT 00:45:49   Scott Lewis, CEO and editor in chief at Voice of San Diego. Andrea Lopez-Villafaña, managing editor Bella Ross, social media producer Jakob McWhinney, education reporter and theme music composer. Xavier Vasquez, podcast producer Journalism is integral to a healthy democracy: Support independent, investigative journalism in San Diego County. Become a Member: Voice Member BenefitsJoin today and receive insider access.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The county is back in the hands of Democrats.    Imperial Beach Mayor Paloma Aguirre is set to fill the vacant seat on the San Diego County Board of Supervisors. The county has so much going on – there are big questions around the sewage crisis, homelessness, housing, budget, immigration.    The list goes on and on – and South County reporter Jim Hinch joins us today to dish on what Aguirre’s victory means for the direction of the county.    San Diego Unified is doubling down on its restorative justice efforts. But the district is also losing funding for some key positions. We’ll explain.    SHOW NOTES INTRO 00:00:00 SEGMENT 1 00:00:51 - Support VOSD SEGMENT 2 00:01:55 - Banter SEGMENT 3 00:07:17 - Aguirre Wins D1 Race (whew!)Aguirre’s Win Puts Democrats in Charge at Pivotal Time Tuesday’s election of Imperial Beach Mayor Paloma Aguirre to fill a vacant seat on the San Diego County Board of Supervisors puts Democrats back in control of San Diego’s most powerful governmental agency – just as the county confronts a range of pressing challenges. https://voiceofsandiego.org/2025/07/02/aguirres-win-puts-democrats-in-charge-at-pivotal-time/     SEGMENT 4 00:27:47 - Restorative Justice in SDUSD. What is it and what does this mean? The Progress Report: San Diego Unified Leaders Expand Restorative Discipline Policy As Funding DipsSan Diego Unified’s board recently passed a new restorative justice policy they hope will help improve implementation. But they also lost funding for some of the key positions that support that work.  https://voiceofsandiego.org/2025/06/26/the-progress-report-san-diego-unified-leaders-expand-restorative-discipline-policy-even-as-they-cut-funding/   TRT 00:58:31 Scott Lewis, CEO and editor in chief at Voice of San Diego.Andrea Lopez-Villafaña, managing editorBella Ross, social media producerJakob McWhinney, education reporter and theme music composer.Xavier Vasquez, podcast producer Journalism is integral to a healthy democracy: Support independent, investigative journalism in San Diego County.Become a Member: Voice Member BenefitsJoin today and receive insider access.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The city has a new budget. There was a veto. A veto override and then an Instagram slam. We have a special guest, Councilmember Vivian Moreno is here. She’ll give us the insider take.  And the push to raise the minimum wage for hospitality workers is going forward.  And, the mayor has a new job!   SHOW NOTES   INTRO 00:00:00   SEGMENT 1 00:00:39 - Support VOSD   SEGMENT 2 00:06:39 - Vivian Moreno   SEGMENT 3 00:11:06 - Mayor’s IG Story “Today, some on the City Council attempted to fully override my veto—and failed. While the Council chose to override some items, the restored hours at libraries, rec centers, and lakes that San Diegans rely on will remain in place.” Mayor Todd Gloria SEGMENT 4 00:28:51 Audio Clips: 00:23:28 - Marni Van Wipple on the Council override of the Mayor’s veto.Start at 1:44:42 "I want to thank the Mayor for all the work ... whole city at once"   SEGMENT 5 00:28:51 Minimum Wage Hike   00:30:53 - Diana Puetz, Padres ITEM-1: Hospitality Minimum Wage Ordinance for Certain Workers at Hotels, Event Centers, Amusement Parks, and Zoos Within the Geographic Boundaries of the City of San Diego Start at 57:05 - 57:29  "The ordinance doesn't apply broadly or equitably ...... Why doesn't that apply to your own workforce."   00:34:45 Brigette Browning, Labor Council ITEM-1: Hospitality Minimum Wage Ordinance for Certain Workers at Hotels, Event Centers, Amusement Parks, and Zoos Within the Geographic Boundaries of the City of San Diego Start at 1:50:37 - 1:51:05 “I want to applaud you all ...... for the workers who work in their hotels.”   SEGMENT 6 00:46:01 Supes Race   SEGMENT 7 00:55:59 Hot Take   TRT 00:58:31   Scott Lewis, CEO and editor in chief at Voice of San Diego. Andrea Lopez-Villafaña, managing editor Bella Ross, social media producer Jakob McWhinney, education reporter and theme music composer. Xavier Vasquez, podcast producer Journalism is integral to a healthy democracy: Support independent, investigative journalism in San Diego County. Become a Member: Voice Member BenefitsJoin today and receive insider access.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The mayor does not want a chief operating officer gosh darn it! The most dysfunctional budget cycle in the city of San Diego continues with a big list of vetos from Mayor Todd Gloria.  And the biggest political battle in San Diego is finally nearing its end. Our reporter Jim Hinch went to a debate between Imperial Beach Mayor Paloma Aguirre and Chula Vista Mayor John McCann and he’ll tell us how the race is looking.    SHOW NOTES INTRO 00:00:00   SEGMENT 1  00:01:14 - Support VOSD :) When we hired Tigist Layne to cover North County three years ago, we set out to provide northern cities with the coverage they deserve. But to keep doing that work, we need YOUR support.  Escondido resident, Jack Raymond, has put forth a $50,000 match to fund our North County coverage for the rest of the year. We have just $18,000 left to raise to meet our match and to keep our journalism going.  Support Tigist's reporting and Voice in North County by giving at vosd.org/givenorthcounty and have your gift matched today.  SEGMENT 2 00:03:44 - SDUSD Superintendent Vote  https://voiceofsandiego.org/2025/06/18/san-diego-unified-has-a-new-permanent-superintendent/ San Diego Unified Has a New (Permanent) Superintendent by Jakob McWhinney   SEGMENT 3 00:10:07 - Billboard Story Update and Corrections https://voiceofsandiego.org/2025/06/14/politics-report-prepare-for-digital-billboards/ Politics Report: Prepare for Digital Billboards by Scott Lewis   SEGMENT 4 00:23:28 - D1 Supe Race Update https://voiceofsandiego.org/2025/06/18/supe-candidates-spar-over-taxes-homelessness-and-trump/ Supe Candidates Spar Over Taxes, Homelessness – And Trump Democrat Paloma Aguirre and Republican John McCann made their pitch to voters in a televised debate Tuesday. But the real star of the show, given how often his name came up, might have been President Donald Trump. By JIm Hinch    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Federal immigration agents are trying to hit their quotas of people to arrest and deport and it’s causing some distressing scenes across California. On the eve of big protests, where are we headed? We’ll grapple with it.  For the first time in more than 100 years, owners of single family homes in the city of San Diego will have to pay for trash pickup. It almost didn’t happen. We’ll go through the tense meeting.  And with that, the city balanced its budget, sort of. The Council wants to take some big risks.    Show Notes: The Learning Curve: ICE Arrest in Oceanside Highlights Impact of Immigration CrackdownJob Corps Trump’s Cuts Thrust San Diego Students into Chaos and HomelessnessWhen President Donald Trump’s administration abruptly announced the shuttering of the more than 60-year-old Job Corps program at the end of May, many students who live at the San Diego site didn’t have a place to go. It’s only gotten more chaotic. San Diego City Council Avoids a Whole Lotta Budget Cuts, for Now The city’s budget for the year that begins in July is balanced – at least for now – with the help of assumptions the city will more swiftly pursue paid parking at Balboa Park and the San Diego Zoo, move forward with digital billboard ads, charge fees on credit card transactions at parking meters and cut about a dozen additional positions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An immigration raid in the early dinner hours at a popular restaurant in South Park has led to a week of backlash among local leaders. We’ll talk about what we know.    We’re in the final days of this epic budget process at the city of San Diego. Will the beloved fire pits survive???   And finally, the giant water agencies based in San Diego and Los Angeles have resolved their 15-year legal dispute. We’ll explain how interesting it is and a fascinating little fight they started right after it.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s memorandum time in the city of San Diego’s budget saga. Councilmembers may be headed for a historic standoff with the mayor. We’ll do a little history lesson to show how interesting it could get.    Only 58 percent of San Diego Unified high schoolers are on track to graduate. Rather than get them on track, they’ve decided to create a new trackSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There had been some controversy about whether the Mayor and San Diego City Council would have to dip into reserves to handle their budget deficit – now it appears they have no choice. We’ll explain how bad the city’s finances are getting.    South County is now home to a massive hotel and convention center many years in the making. The mayor of Chula Vista like all south bay officials was proud. But he quickly distanced himself from his real estate company that appears ready to cash in on an adjacent project.    And Jakob’s got an update from the telenovela that is Grossmont Union High School District.   SHOW NOTES:  (Links to VOSD articles mentioned during the show and links for further reading) San Diego County Grand Jury Findings VOSD: Grand Jury Finds Faults in San Diego Unified’s Bond Program Among the report’s findings, the grand jury concluded the district had ‘consistently failed to inform,’ voters of bond-induced tax rate increases or provided detailed lists of projects. San Diego Budget Crisis KPBS: San Diego’s highest paid city employees? Cops racking up overtime and earning over $400,000 City of San Diego City of San Diego Public Hearing on the Fiscal Year 2026 Draft Budget and May Revision. Chula Vista Mayor and Amara Bay VOSD: Chula Vista Mayor Distances Himself from His Own Real Estate Company  Chula Vista Mayor John McCann’s real estate company filed paperwork enabling it to do business under the same name as a high-profile bayfront redevelopment project McCann has promoted as mayor. After Voice of San Diego asked about the arrangement, McCann said he was divesting himself from the company. GUHSD Drama Continues to Unfold VOSD: Grossmont Board Gives Final ‘Yes,’ to Layoffs, Inks Six Figure Resignation Settlement with Chief of Staff After months of uproar, Grossmont Union’s board did what everyone was scared they would – they finalized layoff notices. Later that night they also approved a settlement agreement with a district administrator whose journey back to Grossmont sparked concerns of serious conflicts of interest. Scott Lewis, CEO and editor in chief at Voice of San Diego. Andrea Lopez-Villafaña, managing editor Bella Ross, social media producer Jakob McWhinney, education reporter and theme music composer. Xavier Vasquez, podcast producer Journalism is integral to a healthy democracy: Support independent, investigative journalism in San Diego County. Become a Member: Voice Member BenefitsJoin today and receive insider access.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The city of San Diego is officially at legal war with La Jolla separatists. Why a ballot measure push a couple years ago is related.  The mayor’s revised budget is still pretty ugly and still gets rid of beach bonfire rings. And finally the budget also has set up an nasty little standoff between the city and county over a homeless shelter in the Midway area. They have stopped letting people into the tent and the operator is furious.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.