Unified District will collect $11 million for magnet schools
Magnet schools across the San Diego Unified School District were awarded nearly $11 million in federal grants recently.
The grants cover a period of three years.
The grants total roughly $3.5 million for the current school year; $3.4 million in 2008-’09; and $3.6 million in 2009-’10. According to district officials, the grants are the first for San Diego Unified since 2003.
Grant recipients include Barnard Elementary, Birney Elementary Academy of International Studies International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program and Joyner Elementary MicroSociety.
More than 21,000 students are enrolled in magnet schools district-wide, including 1,800 students enrolled in the programs affected by the latest round of grants, said school officials.
Council rejects condo conversion cap
A proposal to limit the number of apartment units that could be converted to condominiums in one year failed to pass the San Diego City Council after members voted 6-2 to reject the cap on Sept. 25.
Councilman Jim Madaffer said the amendments to the condo conversion regulations were “poorly crafted,” and made a motion to reject them. The cap would have set a limit of no more than 1,000 units per year that could be converted into condos.
“The cap tries to control the market. We shouldn’t put any arbitrary number,” said Madaffer, who represents the 7th District.
District 2 Councilman Kevin Faulconer agreed with Madaffer, saying he could not support any version of amendments to existing regulations.
Another regulation criticized by Madaffer would have required the city to survey the tenants of the residential units proposed to be converted.
Madaffer said he had questions over the purpose of the survey and didn’t see its usefulness. Madaffer said there were no specifics as to when the residents would be interviewed and what types of questions would be asked.
Council members Toni Atkins and Donna Frye voted against the motion, which referred the matter to closed session. State law allows local government agencies to discuss litigation in closed session.
The amendments to condominium conversion regulations were also related to an attempt to settle a lawsuit filed by attorney Cory Briggs. The annual cap was offered to end the lawsuit.
Briggs represents the Affordable Housing Coalition and Citizens for Responsible Equitable Environmental Development. Briggs told the council it could lose in court.
The condominium regulations also included a provision that Briggs receive $75,000 to cover his legal fees. That was part of the motion that failed.
“Mr. Briggs should drop his lawsuit,” Madaffer said.

Library seeks SD authors
The San Diego Public Library is looking for local authors who published a book in 2007 to submit their work for the 42nd annual Local Authors Exhibit.
The exhibit will showcase local talent through the month of February 2008, with a special preview reception for participating authors on Jan. 26, 2008.
The exhibit will take place in the lobby of the Central Library in downtown San Diego, 820 E St.
Local authors who wish to participate are urged to call the San Diego Public Library, (619) 236-5847. The deadline for submission is Dec. 1.