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San Diego diocese bans homeschool groups on parish properties

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San Diego diocese bans homeschool groups on parish properties


A newly issued policy in the Diocese of San Diego forbids homeschool groups from using space at area parishes, while allowing parishes to rent space to non-Catholic schools on a case-by-case basis. 

St. Joseph’s Cathedral in San Diego, California. Credit: Nehrams2020/wikimedia. CC BY SA 3.0

Some homeschooling co-op groups in the diocese were reportedly notified of the policy only days before beginning weekly classes, with one group forced to find an immediate alternative location to accommodate weekly classes offered for at least 40 children.

While the Diocese of San Diego has not responded to The Pillar’s questions on the policy, sources in the diocese say it comes amid growth in homeschooling in the region, and tension in the San Diego diocese over the phenomenon. 

A memo sent to parish and school administrators last week explained that “the use of parish facilities by charter schools, home school programs, or private school programs is prohibited, both because such usage can undermine the stability of nearby Catholic schools and lead people to think that the Church is approving and advancing particular alternative schools and programs.”

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The policy — dated Sept. 1 but reportedly distributed Sept. 18 — explained that “the purpose of parish facilities is to celebrate the good news of Jesus Christ and to serve the needs of the Catholic community. This includes the teaching mission of the Church.”

“Parish run schools and religious education programs are the primary means by which the Church accomplishes its teaching mission for children and young people,” the text added.

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Sources in the San Diego diocese told The Pillar that the memo comes amid tension in the area, especially as the number of homeschoolers in the area is on the rise. 

Homeschool enrollment increased by 78% across California between 2017 and 2023, making the state one of the fastest growing regions for homeschooling in the country. In the San Diego Unified School District, homeschooling has grown even faster — by nearly 130% since 2017, jumping from 420 school students that year to 961 in 2023.

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Private schools in the area have also experienced growth with 14.8% of students in the San Diego metro area attending private school in 2022, up from 10.7% in 2019. 

But even with many Catholic schools in the area filled to capacity — and homeschool seeming to represent little threat to their viability — the rise of homeschooling has reportedly presented challenges at some San Diego parishes, and for some diocesan officials.

According to a source with knowledge of the issue — who declined to be named because he was not authorized to speak on the record — the tension is a combination of practical issues which have arisen in parishes, and of perceptions about homeschooling communities among diocesan officials.  

One catalyst for issues, sources say, is that some homeschooling communities have reportedly requested in recent months to conduct their own sacramental prep initiatives, apart from ordinary parish CCD programs — despite diocesan policy emphasizing that homeschooling families should utilize established parish catechetical classes. 

“For some people, there’s a sense — right or wrong — that the homeschool parents don’t want their kids going to CCD with other kids from the parish. And that’s caused frustration,” one source told The Pillar.

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“Some parishes just don’t want to deal with anything outside the norm,” a source explained, “but on the other hand, homeschool families haven’t always approached the parish well when there are issues. So that becomes part of the narrative.”

At the same time, sources have said that some diocesan officials have little experience with homeschooling, and that some have expressed suspicion about the theological commitments of homeschooling families.

“The homeschool stuff stands out in the chancery,” one source told The Pillar, “and not in a good way.”

Diocesan policy promulgated in 2020 emphasizes that homeschooling families are required to participate in parish sacramental preparation programs, and that religious education of children “cannot be done independently of the parish.” 

“All religious education must be carried out in a way that builds unity within the Church. No home schooling can be tolerated which does not promote the understanding that being a Christian is not a private matter of individual choice but rather of a personal vocation within the context of the Church lived out in the experience of the parish community,” the 2020 policy states.

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While the new San Diego policy is dated Sept. 1, documents reviewed by The Pillar suggest the diocesan presbyteral council was consulted about the issue in mid-September, with a memo sent to priests and school administrators Sept. 18.

The presbyteral council of the diocese reportedly supported the policy, according to several sources close to the chancery. 

The policy also permits the rental of unused school buildings to a “non-Catholic educational program or school,” but only on “a case-by-case basis with approval by the Bishop, always emphasizing that there are no conflicts in its mission with Catholic doctrine and that such a rental will not harm neighboring Catholic schools.” 

In some U.S. dioceses, long-term rental arrangements of closed school buildings, often to charter schools, have been a financial boon to struggling parishes. 

In San Diego, at least one homeschooling group with roughly 40 students has begun meeting at a family residence for weekly co-op enrichment classes, while others are reportedly continuing to meet at parishes, as pastors and administrators seek clarity about when the groups will have to leave — especially those with formal leases to rent spaces from parishes.

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But while a timeline has not yet been established, “eventually these co-ops will be exited from parish properties,” one San Diego priest wrote last week to homeschooling families, in a memo obtained by The Pillar. 

The Diocese of San Diego has not responded to interview requests on the subject.

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San Diego, CA

UNLV faces San Diego State after Hamilton’s 24-point performance

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UNLV faces San Diego State after Hamilton’s 24-point performance


UNLV Rebels (16-14, 11-8 MWC) at San Diego State Aztecs (19-10, 13-6 MWC)

San Diego; Friday, 10 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: UNLV faces San Diego State after Kimani Hamilton scored 24 points in UNLV’s 92-65 victory over the Utah State Aggies.

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The Aztecs have gone 13-2 in home games. San Diego State is eighth in the MWC with 9.0 offensive rebounds per game led by Miles Heide averaging 2.0.

The Rebels have gone 11-8 against MWC opponents. UNLV ranks eighth in the MWC shooting 34.4% from 3-point range.

San Diego State averages 79.1 points per game, 0.6 more points than the 78.5 UNLV gives up. UNLV averages 7.2 made 3-pointers per game this season, 1.9 fewer made shots on average than the 9.1 per game San Diego State allows.

The teams play for the second time in conference play this season. San Diego State won the last meeting 82-71 on Jan. 24. Miles Byrd scored 23 points points to help lead the Aztecs to the win.

TOP PERFORMERS: Reese Dixon-Waters is shooting 35.9% from beyond the arc with 1.6 made 3-pointers per game for the Aztecs, while averaging 13 points. Byrd is averaging 10.2 points and 5.1 rebounds over the past 10 games.

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Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn is shooting 50.9% and averaging 20.6 points for the Rebels. Hamilton is averaging 1.4 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Aztecs: 5-5, averaging 74.9 points, 28.9 rebounds, 13.7 assists, 6.9 steals and 4.2 blocks per game while shooting 46.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 69.0 points per game.

Rebels: 6-4, averaging 84.1 points, 32.3 rebounds, 14.7 assists, 6.4 steals and 4.8 blocks per game while shooting 50.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 80.8 points.

___

The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

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Military bases in San Diego County increase security following Iran attacks

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Military bases in San Diego County increase security following Iran attacks


SAN DIEGO (CNS) – Military bases in San Diego County and nationwide have increased security measures due to last weekend’s U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran, prompting traffic delays near base entrances, enhanced ID checks and access restrictions.

The Naval Air Station North Island on Coronado ports three aircraft carriers, including the San Diego-based USS Abraham Lincoln, which led some of the first-wave attacks on Saturday.

Naval Base Coronado warned motorists of possible traffic delays at all base entry points due to the increased security measures.

Targets included Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps command and control facilities, Iranian air defense capabilities, missile and drone launch sites and military airfields.

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The U.S. operation, dubbed “Epic Fury,” and Israeli operation, “Raging Lion,” began striking targets at 1:15 a.m. Eastern Time Saturday.

As of Tuesday, at least six U.S. service members had been killed in action.

The strikes also killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Hosseini Khamenei, who had been Iran’s supreme leader since 1989, making him the longest-serving head of state in the Middle East.

Iran’s offensive forces claimed to have struck USS Abraham Lincoln with ballistic missiles, but according to an X post from U.S central Command, “The Lincoln was not hit. The missiles launched didn’t even come close. The Lincoln continues to launch aircraft in support of CENTCOM’s relentless campaign to defend the American people by eliminating threats from the Iranian regime.”

Those with concerns regarding the heightened security can contact San Diego County’s Office of Emergency Services at 858-565-3490 or oes@sdcounty.ca.gov.

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SD Unified moves forward with layoffs of classified employees

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SD Unified moves forward with layoffs of classified employees


SAN DIEGO (KGTV) — Less than 3 weeks after the San Diego Unified School District finalized a new contract with teachers, the school board voted unanimously on Tuesday to move forward with layoff notices for other district employees.

The layoffs affect classified employees — workers who are employed by the district but are not teachers and are not certified. That includes bus drivers, custodians, special education and teacher aides, and cafeteria workers.

The district says it is eliminating 221 positions — 133 that are currently filled and 88 that are vacant — to save $19 million and help address a projected $47 million deficit for the next fiscal year.

Preliminary layoff notices will go out on March 15, with final notices by May 15.

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The district estimates about 200 classified employees will receive preliminary notices, but of them, about 70 are expected to lose their jobs based on union-negotiated bumping rules.

Bumping allows employees with more seniority to move into another position in the same classification, thereby “bumping” a less senior employee out of that role.

Lupe Murray, an early childhood special education parafacilitator with the district, said the news came as a shock after the teacher strike was called off.

“When the strike was called off, I’m like, ‘Yes!’ So then when I got the email from the Superintendent, I’m like, ‘Wait, what?’ So, I think everyone was shocked,” Murray said.

The district says it sends out annual layoff notices, as all districts in the state do.

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Before Tuesday’s board meeting, classified employees rallied outside, made up of CSEA (California School Employees Association) Chapters OTBS 788, Paraeducators 759, and OSS 724. They were joined by parents, students, and the San Diego & Imperial Counties Labor Council, AFL-CIO.

Miguel Arellano, a paraeducator independence facilitator with San Diego Unified and a representative of San Diego Paraeducators Cahpter 759.

“What do we want? No layoffs! When do we want it? Now!” the crowd chanted.

Arellano said he felt compelled to act when he learned about the potential layoffs.

“The first thing that went through my mind was that I need to speak up. I need to protect these people,” Arellano said.

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Inside the meeting, the board heard emotional, at times tearful testimony from classified employees before voting unanimously to move forward with the layoff schedule.

Superintendent Fabi Bagula said the district has tried to protect classrooms from the cuts.

“We have tried our best to only, I mean, to not touch the school. Or the classroom. But now it’s at the point where it’s getting a little bit harder,” Bagula said. “What I’m still hoping, or what I’m still working toward, because we’re still in negotiations, is that we’re able to actually come to a win-win, where there’s positions and availability and maybe even promotions for folks that are impacted.”

Arellano warned the layoffs could have a direct impact on students.

“We are already spread thin, so, with more of a case load, it’s going to be impossible to be able to service all the students that we need to have,” Arellano said.

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Follow ABC 10News Anchor Max Goldwasser on InstagramFacebook, and Twitter.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.





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