Editorial: Important lesson at Poway High
THUMBS UP to the California Highway Patrol and to Poway High School officials for putting on an “Every 15 Minutes” program, a simulated but extremely realistic display of a fatal drunk driving accident. The accident was staged on Titan Way and was viewed by members of the school’s junior and senior classes. It’s been done before, but the impact is always the same: a sobering reminder to young drivers. An important lesson learned, we hope.
THUMBS UP to the Poway Unified School District for deciding to install privacy stalls in the locker rooms in all middle and high schools. The stalls will be available for students who, for whatever reason, are uncomfortable changing in front of other students.
THUMBS DOWN to the City of San Diego for shortening the stamped concrete median constructed on the north side of West Bernardo Drive near its intersection with Rancho Bernardo Road. It was to be 230 feet long, but after reportedly receiving “requests from the community,” the median was shortened to 150 feet. This was after 80-plus additional feet of road was torn up and some of the median constructed. The final — shorter — median does nothing to deter vehicles from crossing traffic lanes and causing accidents when entering or exiting the new Phil’s BBQ or the gas station. Wasn’t that the point of the median? Its counterpart on the south side prevents crossing traffic to and from the other gas station/shopping center.
THUMBS UP to members of the Poway City Council for having the backbone to buck possible political backlash and increase their salaries, effective after the November election. No increases have been approved in Poway for eight years. Under state law, salaries can be increased up to 5 percent a year, meaning the Poway salaries could have been jacked up 40 percent. Instead, the council voted to raise their monthly pay by 14.5 percent and to make the elected mayor’s salary 40 percent higher than council pay, reflecting the position’s additional responsibilities. Mayor Steve Vaus took the lead on this touchy subject and handled it very well.
THUMBS UP to the three PUSD teachers and two non-teachers honored this month with top honors. Carole DeBruin (Abraxas High), Joe Gizzo (Meadowbrook Middle School) and Megan Gross (Del Norte High) have been selected as “Teachers of the Year” in the district and will be considered for countrywide recognition. Christa McIntosh (Stone Ranch Elementary) and Nancy Dannhauser, (district office) were selected as “Classified Employees of the Year.” Congratulations to each of these outstanding employees!
