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When you think about it, our feet are pretty amazing. For most, they're an unfaltering foundation - two shock absorbers we rely on daily to hold our weight and propel us through life. Comprised of dozens of bones and hundreds of ligaments, muscles, and tendons, the average person's feet take a fair beating every day - on average, people stand for about four hours every day and take around 5K steps as well. Because your feet are smaller than most other parts of your body, they endure an enormous impact with each step, adding up to hundreds of tons of weight daily.
Strangely, when our feet, ankles, or toes begin to hurt, we do our best to ignore the pain and push through the day. We even give up sports and outdoor activities that we love. Unfortunately, ignoring pain and delaying treatment will further damage your feet and, by proxy, your whole body.
If you're living with foot and ankle pain or have given up on fun activities like hiking and jogging, it's time to change. Why sacrifice a life full of outdoor activities in our beautiful part of the world when you can visit an expert podiatrist in Del Mar, CA?
Welcome to North County Foot and Ankle - where men and women just like you get new leases on life through some of the most advanced podiatric treatments available in California. With more than 50 years of combined experience treating a wide range of foot and ankle problems, our pioneering doctors have helped hundreds of people reclaim their love of walking, jogging, and life in general.
What makes North County Foot and Ankle stand out from other foot and ankle doctors in Del Mar? Unlike some foot doctors, our podiatrists work with a client-first mentality. When you walk through our front doors, the time you spend in our office is all about you. We believe in a strong physician-patient relationship fortified by one-on-one attention and honest communication.
Before offering foot pain treatment options, we perform a thorough evaluation, taking into account your individual needs, goals, and preferences. Once that's done, we'll discuss your treatment options in detail and come to a mutual decision regarding the best treatment plan for you.
Whether you have a minor hangnail or need complex surgery, you will receive the same level of compassionate care from our medical team. As board-certified podiatrists in Del Mar, our doctors are proud to treat you. You can rest easy knowing they will take the time to explain what's causing your foot pain, what treatments are best suited to your problem, and what steps you should take after treatment.
And while our podiatrists are uniquely qualified to perform surgery, we often recommend non-surgical options, using treatments like orthotics to relieve foot, arch, and heel pain. From sports injuries and bunions to gout and blisters, we're here to help you live life to the fullest without nagging, debilitating foot pain.
Patients visit our foot clinic in Del Mar, CA, for many podiatric problems, including:
If you're dealing with chronic foot pain or are concerned about a long-lasting symptom that affects your daily life, we're here to help. Unsure if you need to call to make an appointment? These symptoms are often signs that you might need to visit our foot and ankle doctors:
Most people over 40 know that strange body aches and pains become more common with age. The same can be said with our feet. As we get older, our feet usually spread out and lose the fatty pads that help cushion our feet. If you're overweight, the ligaments and bones in your feet also take an extra beating. Also, with age, foot abnormalities that you were born with become more pronounced, as the joints in your feet lose flexibility and become rigid. To make matters worse, the skin covering your feet dries out, resulting in more cuts, scrapes, and infections.
It's clear that we endure more foot pain as we get older, but what kind of foot pain should we be most concerned about? It can be hard to tell - pain from what looks like normal bruising may actually be a sign that something more serious is occurring. That's why we're listing some of the most common symptoms of serious foot problems. That way, you're better educated and have a better shot at figuring out whether you need a simple bag of ice or a visit to your podiatrist in Del Mar, CA.
When you sprain your foot or ankle or suffer an acute injury, it's normal for your foot to swell up. This type of swelling typically goes down after 48 hours have passed. However, if you hurt your foot and the swelling is severe and doesn't go away after a couple of days, it's cause for concern. Persistent swelling often indicates an ankle or foot injury that needs podiatric care.
North County Foot and Ankle Pro Tip: If you notice persistent swelling of any kind on your body, it's wise to see a doctor. Ankle swelling, in particular, could be a warning sign that a blood clot or heart issue is present.
It's normal for your foot or ankle to "smart" after you stub your toe or twist your ankle. However, if you're experiencing ongoing ankle and foot pain, it's probably not normal. The pain doesn't have to be sharp, either - if you have dull pain, tenderness, or weakness that lasts more than two days, a trip to the foot doctor may be in order.
Minor ankle and foot injuries, like sprains, are quite common. When a sprain happens, it's normal to experience some instability or weakness afterward. Chronic instability, however, is a more serious problem. Long-term instability or weakness may signify torn ligaments or something worse. If you've had trouble standing or walking for a long time, it's best to make an appointment at a foot clinic in Del Mar.
North County Foot and Ankle Pro Tip: Podiatric experts like those at North County Foot and Ankle may have a long-term solution to help reclaim your mobility without surgery. Give our office call today to learn more!
Stiffness is a normal symptom that should be expected with sprains, plantar fasciitis, and arthritis. Often, you can alleviate such stiffness with rest, weight loss, stretching, or even new shoes. With that said, if you're experiencing ongoing stiffness, it could be a red flag that something more serious is going on.
When you've been sitting for a long time, you may have noticed a popping sound from your feet when you stand. That sound is perfectly normal. So long as it's painless, you've got nothing to worry about. However, if you feel pain when you hear a popping noise, it could indicate a subluxation or dislocation, which are conditions that require a podiatrist's attention.
If you're not sure whether you should be concerned about a painful foot or ankle symptom, give our clinic in Del Mar a call ASAP. Our helpful technicians can help answer your questions and set up a time for you to speak with one of our friendly podiatrists.
Here are just a few of the typical foot problems we treat daily.
Do you have intense heel pain that appears when you first stand up, only for it to disappear after a few steps? If so, you could be one of the millions of people in the U.S. suffering from plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis is most often caused by an inflamed ligament covering bones on the bottom of your feet. Also called "Policeman's Heel," this painful condition is a common reason for heel pain, but it won't go away on its own.
Almost all cases of plantar fasciitis will get better with easy, non-surgical treatments and lifestyle changes. A good place to start is by refraining from activities or sports that cause pain, like jogging, hiking, running, or aerobic exercises.
Common treatment options at North County Foot and Ankle include:
Orthotic shoe inserts provide you with the arch support that your feet need, especially with shoes like women's flats that don't have much foot support. We also recommend wearing shoes that are appropriate for the activity you're enjoying, like hiking boots on your favorite trail and running shoes on the street or track.
Stretching regularly with gentle exercises can help prevent plantar fasciitis and stop flare-ups. Stretching your calves, specifically, reduces heel pain effectively. After you schedule an appointment at our foot clinic in Del Mar, one of our doctors can explain the proper exercises in more detail.
Wearing a brace or splint while you sleep will keep your plantar fascia stretched. That way, when you wake up and take your first steps of the day, you shouldn't have as much pain because your plantar fascia won't have a chance to tighten up overnight.
North County Foot and Ankle Pro Tip: If you're still struggling with plantar fasciitis after using orthotics, treatments like orthobiologics, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatment, or extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) may be more effective.
Ingrown toenails are among the most common foot maladies in the United States. Though common, ingrown toenails can be painful, resulting in swelling, bleeding, pus, and more. Various factors cause ingrown toenails, such as heredity, trauma, hygiene, nail conditions, and improper trimming. Thankfully, with the help of an expert, most ingrown toenails can be treated at home or in a podiatrist's office.
Ingrown toenails happen when the corners and sides of your toenails grow and eventually dig into the flesh around your nail. Most often occurring on the big toe, ingrown toenails become a serious concern when they are left untreated or when an infection is involved. To determine whether your ingrown toenail needs an evaluation by a foot doctor in Del Mar, CA, keep an eye out for initial symptoms and infection symptoms:
To help prevent infection, try cutting your nails in a straight line, and don't cut them too short. Do not cut your nails to match the shape of your toe.
When your toenail becomes ingrown, you need doctors with real expertise in diagnosing and treating foot problems. At North County Foot and Ankle, our doctors are highly qualified to treat the underlying conditions causing your ingrown toenail. That way, you can enjoy long-term relief and also learn the ways to prevent ingrown toenails in the future.
If you have a bony bump near the bottom joint of your big toe, chances are it's a bunion. Bunions are deformities on your feet that are formed when your front foot bones become misaligned. When this happens, the misaligned bones cause the top half of your big toe to point inward toward your second toe. From there, your tendons will tighten, which pulls your toe even further inward. Once your toe is pulled more inward, the bottom joint of your big toe will bulge outward. The bulge you see is actually what we refer to as a bunion.
Without treatment, your toe pain can worsen, and the bunion can grow. Painful swelling in the balls of your feet can also cause hammertoe. Hammertoe happens your second toe is bent out of shape by your misaligned big toe.
Luckily, North County Foot and Ankle is California's go-to clinic for bunion treatment in Del Mar, CA. Our highly-trained doctors can stop these uncomfortable conditions from happening and help prevent worse conditions from developing.
Jason Morris, a board-certified podiatric foot surgeon in Del Mar, CA, is one of the top podiatrists in the greater San Diego area and has successfully treated patients with bunions for over ten years. He offers advanced treatments for bunion pain, such as:
Our hand-made orthotics, which are worn in your shoes, are molded to fit your foot exactly, correcting bone misalignments and relieving pain much better than cookie-cutter, store-bought options.
Drs. Morris and Redkar performs state-of-the-art triplanar correction surgery using 3-D digital imaging and a minimal incision approach. This procedure is very effective and works by rotating misaligned big toe bones back to the proper position. Once your toe bones are back in position, a metal plate is attached to your bones so that they remain aligned over long-term use.
Drs. Morris and Redkar may recommend both surgery and custom orthotics to keep your foot pain-free and your bunion from growing back.
Request ConsultationIf you’ve been enduring foot or ankle pain that affects your mobility and quality of life, why not make a change for the better? At North County Foot & Ankle Specialists, our podiatrists in Escondido help patients of all ages. Drs. Morris and Redkar take a patient-first approach with all of our podiatry services. Both are highly qualified and recipients of prestigious awards.
Featured in Los Angeles Magazine’s prestigious Top Doctors list of 2021, Dr. Avanti Redkar is a board-certified podiatrist that specializes in foot and ankle pathology. Dr. Redkar earned her undergrad degree in biology at the University of Scranton and her master’s degree in nutrition at SUNY Buffalo. She attended podiatry school at the New York College of Podiatric Medicine. Her three-year surgical residency at Good Samaritan Hospital in West Islip, New York, included foot and rearfoot surgery, wound care, and hyperbaric medicine training. Dr. Redkar also completed a one-year fellowship in sports medicine and ankle reconstruction.
After a rigorous three-year residency at the University of Pittsburgh, Jason Morris, DPM, moved to sunny California to practice podiatric medicine. Once there, Dr. Morris worked as an attending physician at UCLA Medical Center and Cedars Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles. Since relocating to the Escondido area, he has been a staff physician at Palomar Medical Center in Escondido and Poway. Dr. Morris is a podiatric foot and ankle specialist with board certification in rearfoot and forefoot reconstructive surgery. Dr. Morris has undergone extensive training in sports medicine, ankle trauma, diabetic limb salvage, and reconstructive surgery.
If you've been enduring foot or ankle pain that affects your mobility and quality of life, why not make a change for the better? At North County Foot & Ankle Specialists, our podiatrists in Del Mar help patients of all ages. Drs. Morris and Redkar take a patient-first approach with all of our podiatry services. From minor bunion treatments to complex issues like foot fractures, every treatment option we consider is chosen with your best interest in mind.
Our podiatrists are members of several professional organizations, including:
If more conservative treatments are better for your condition, non-surgical solutions like custom orthotics may be the best route. If you need ankle or foot surgery, our podiatrists will complete your procedure with time-tested skill and precision. Because, at the end of the day, our goal is to provide you with the most effective foot and ankle pain solutions with the quickest recovery options available.
Contact us online or via phone today to schedule an appointment at our Del Mar office. By tomorrow, you'll be one step closer to loving life without foot or ankle pain.
The project would add 259 residential units, including one-third afforable, on a north bluff property where many local residents have opposed multi-unit housing Aug. 29, 2023 11:52 AM PTApplicants for Seaside Ridge, a proposed 259-unit apartment complex on Del Mar’s north bluff, have submitted a response to the city’s June 30 letter that deemed the project application ...
Aug. 29, 2023 11:52 AM PT
Applicants for Seaside Ridge, a proposed 259-unit apartment complex on Del Mar’s north bluff, have submitted a response to the city’s June 30 letter that deemed the project application “incomplete.”
The back and forth between the city and applicants has persisted since last October, when the preliminary development application was submitted. Del Mar has disputed the legal basis of the project, but the applicants argue that a state housing law known as the Builder’s Remedy should allow it to proceed as a by-right project that overrides local zoning regulations.
The property at issue, owned by Carol Lazier, was also the proposed site for the comparatively smaller Marisol hotel project, which Del Mar residents rejected in a March 2020 ballot measure.
Here are some of the highlights from the latest Seaside Ridge missive, signed by attorney Whitney A. Hodges, about several key sticking points between both sides:
The city of Del Mar has to provide zoning for 113 units of affordable housing, based on the state’s sixth cycle Regional Housing Needs Allocation that requires each community to add more housing at all income levels.
Del Mar’s housing element, which was approved a few months ago following about two years of back and forth with the state, includes properties that can accommodate that necessary affordable housing. The Del Mar Fairgrounds is the centerpiece of that effort, with the city in negotiations for 60 affordable units on the state-owned property.
“The City’s 6th Cycle Housing Element clearly identified several properties in the City, including the State Fairgrounds site as adequate sites that meet RHNA obligations consistent with state housing law,” Del Mar Principal Planner Matt Bator wrote in the June 30 letter, the city’s last communication to the Seaside Ridge side.
The north bluff, where Seaside Ridge would go, was identified in the housing element as a backup option if city and fairgrounds officials can’t make a deal.
“The fact the City has highlighted the Fairgrounds as a preferred site for housing, does not — and cannot — take away from the fact the Project site has been approved as a candidate site for densified housing pursuant to the 6th Cycle,” read the Seaside Ridge response.
The two sides were also at odds over whether the project adheres to the Coastal Act and California Environmental Quality Act. The city’s June 30 letter said that the Seaside Ridge application “neglects to recognize that all State Housing laws remain protective of environmental and coastal resources.”
“The State did not allow its mandated housing programs to override the State’s long lineage of protecting coastal resources and sensitive environmental habitats,” according to the city. “Each housing law clearly states that neither the California Coastal Act nor CEQA is to be superseded.”
The Seaside Ridge response says that the application doesn’t claim that the project would be exempt from either environmental law. It adds that the density bonus would apply within the coastal zone in a manner consistent with state law.
“The Project team recognizes that CEQA is not limited by the State Density Bonus Law,” the letter continued. “CEQA analysis must be completed on the Project as a whole, including any requests submitted under the State Density Bonus Law. However, this does not mean that the Project application, including the requested density bonus, incentives and waivers, somehow is violating CEQA. To the contrary.”
A state law known as the Builder’s Remedy requires a local government without a compliant housing element to approve housing projects with at least 20% affordable housing, commonly referred to as “by-right” development that can supersede local zoning laws.
Del Mar’s position is that the Builder’s Remedy only comes into effect when an application is deemed complete. So far, the city has not deemed the Seaside Ridge application complete because it doesn’t adhere to the city’s Local Coastal Program, which outlines the parameters for development in the coastal zone.
“For the proposed project site, it is the Local Coastal Program that defines the density standards and is the controlling Coastal Act standard that cannot be unilaterally waived,” the city wrote.
But the Seaside Ridge side argues that the project meets the criteria under state law to proceed.
“Here, because the City did not have a substantially compliant housing element, it may not disapprove an affordable housing project for inconsistency with the zoning and land use designation.”
The city also contends that Seaside Ridge requires a Design Review Permit application.
“Discretionary Design Review Permit approval is required for all development in the City of Del Mar not otherwise exempted,” according to the city letter.
Seaside Ridge’s response reiterated that the applicant believes the project is by-right and shouldn’t be subject to any discretionary review: “For reasons stated above, Seaside Ridge is a by-right project and would not be subject to the City’s discretionary Design Review process. The fact that the City does not have an objective component of its Design Review process or a ministerial Design Review Permit is not a burden on the applicant.”
Del Mar City Council members approved a series of “guiding principles” on July 24 that they will use on a short-term rental ordinance, with further discussion about the parameters of the ordinance scheduled for September.The city currently allows short-term rentals that were in operation prior to April 2016, pending a permanent set of regulations. The process to draft and adopt those permanent regulations has been beset by litigation, disagreement with the Coastal Commission, and the COVID-19 pandemic.“We&rsqu...
Del Mar City Council members approved a series of “guiding principles” on July 24 that they will use on a short-term rental ordinance, with further discussion about the parameters of the ordinance scheduled for September.
The city currently allows short-term rentals that were in operation prior to April 2016, pending a permanent set of regulations. The process to draft and adopt those permanent regulations has been beset by litigation, disagreement with the Coastal Commission, and the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We’re in a position where we need to establish new policies and regulations, and that means processing a new ordinance,” said Amanda Lee, the city’s principal planner. “And during that time, the forbearance will continue to be maintained, in effect, to accommodate the existing STRs.”
The guiding principles that the council wants to include in the ordinance are consistency with the community plan, maintaining the character of the city’s residential zones, minimizing adverse impacts to adjacent properties, and establishing enforcement protocols that don’t require additional expenses for the city, among others.
During the council’s regularly scheduled September meetings, there will be discussion about litigation involving short-term rentals that is shaping policy throughout the state, as well as short-term rental policies that other California cities have adopted.
In 2017, the Del Mar council adopted a short-term rental policy that required short-term rental reservations to be a minimum of seven days and limited hosts to renting 28 days per year. But that policy never went into effect because it didn’t get approved by the California Coastal Commission, which wanted the city to loosen those limits to a minimum of three days per reservation and maximum of 100 days for hosts to rent every year.
According to a city analysis, there were 116 short-term rentals advertised in Del Mar from January through April 2023, in addition to many more that were advertised as Del Mar rentals even though they were outside the city’s borders. The average cost was $630 per night and the average stay lasted 3.7 days.
Historically, short-term rentals in Del Mar have been popular during the summer racing season and for students. In recent years, sites such as Airbnb and Vrbo have made it easier for homeowners to enter the short-term rental business. They’ve also stoked concerns about housing units essentially being erased from the market if they’re used only as short-term rentals, exacerbating the statewide housing crisis.
“There has been a long-term tradition of having short-term rentals and vacation rentals,” Del Mar City Councilmember Dave Druker said. “We want to make sure as we create these ordinances that we understand that is what’s happened in the past. My assumption is that we’re not going to turn around and say that short-term rentals are not allowed, period.”
Council members in the city of Solana Beach have also been discussing updates to the city’s short-term rental policy.
Kimberly Jackson, who lives in Del Mar and has operated a short-term rental company for 13 years, added: “It has been a tradition here, not only during racetrack season but also year-round.”
The property closed suddenly about two years ago until wastewater management issues could be resolvedDel Mar Horsepark will reopen in July, culminating a years-long process after the facility suddenly closed two years ago because of wastewater management issues, forcing the cancellation of events and the horses that were boarded there to move somewhere else.A longtime home to horse shows and other events, the 65-acre horsepark is located about 1.5 miles east of the Del Mar Fairgrounds at the corner of El Camino Real and Via d...
Del Mar Horsepark will reopen in July, culminating a years-long process after the facility suddenly closed two years ago because of wastewater management issues, forcing the cancellation of events and the horses that were boarded there to move somewhere else.
A longtime home to horse shows and other events, the 65-acre horsepark is located about 1.5 miles east of the Del Mar Fairgrounds at the corner of El Camino Real and Via de la Valle in the San Dieguito River Valley.
The slate of events this summer includes a July 15 grand reopening event with free admission (but $20 for parking), food, live music and other festivities beginning at 4 p.m. The lineup of shows include the HITS Del Mar Sunshine Classic from July 12 to 16, a county hunter/jumper show from July 22-23, Del Mar Summer Festival I from Aug. 2 to 6, Summer Festival II from Aug. 9 to 13, Summer Classic I from Aug. 23 to 27, Summer Classic II from Aug. 30 to Sept. 3, and a fall lineup that includes the Del Mar Fall Preview Channel II from Sept. 22 to 24 and Del Mar Fall Classic from Sept. 27 to Oct. 1.
The Del Mar Fairgrounds Board of Directors, which oversees the state-owned property, decided to lease the property to a company that would assume responsibility for rectifying those issues. Last year, the board awarded the lease to special events company HITS LLC. The request for proposal mentioned an estimated $4-6 million for the necessary water improvements, although reconfiguration of the site could alter that estimate. Del Mar Fairgorunds spokesperson Tristan Hallman said HITS has not provided a final cost yet.
A Change.org petition by Friends of Del Mar Horsepark collected more than 17,000 signatures by supporters who wanted to reopen the horsepark as soon as possible.
“Our whole campaign from the beginning was to find somebody to lease the place and refurbish it, including the water, and run horse shows out of it and include other activities,” said Carla Echols Hayes, one of the leaders of grassroots group Friends of Del Mar Horsepark. “All of this research and all of this work has come together in a positive way.”
Hayes was also appointed to a six-member horsepark advisory board to focus on “the development and the future of the Del Mar Horsepark,” according to the HITS website.
“All of this research and all of this work has come together in a positive way,” Hayes said. “This was really worth the effort for lots and lots and lots of reasons.”
Dale Harvey, general manager of the horsepark, said in a statement that “the team is hard at work preparing” the venue for the grand reopening.
“The improvements that are underway will offer exhibitors a world-class experience at one of the most beautiful venues in the country,” Harvey said.
Tom Struzzieri, a part owner and director of HITS, has presided over multiple facilities throughout the country, including two in California.
“The benefit of being a lifelong horseman, rather than just an investor, gives me a unique perspective in not only developing and designing facilities, but also in acting as a horseman in the coordination of events,” he said in a statement last year after HITS won the lease to horsepark. “These skills will be instrumental after witnessing the challenges the sport has experienced this past year. I look forward to starting the project of renovating one of the most iconic horse facilities in the country, and then producing some of California’s most outstanding events.”
Enrollment in the Del Mar Union School District continues to decline. Districtwide enrollment for the 2023-24 school year is now at 3,734 students, down from 4,132 in 2019 and 3,753 students last year.With the enrollment decreasing, the district is now considering adding transitional kindergarten, at the board’s direction.The district’s enrollment projections are driven by birth rates by zip code, the number of students generated from residential developments and tracking “cohort survival,” the mi...
Enrollment in the Del Mar Union School District continues to decline. Districtwide enrollment for the 2023-24 school year is now at 3,734 students, down from 4,132 in 2019 and 3,753 students last year.
With the enrollment decreasing, the district is now considering adding transitional kindergarten, at the board’s direction.
The district’s enrollment projections are driven by birth rates by zip code, the number of students generated from residential developments and tracking “cohort survival,” the migration of students among each grade level. The district sees an increase of current students by grade level of about 3% each year—the only grade level change that has seen a decline is from fifth to sixth grade when many families opt to enter the private school system.
Birth rates for the Carmel Valley and Del Mar zip code for the current kindergarten class born in 2018, were at 635 children (89 in Del Mar and 536 in Carmel Valley). The district had expected a kindergarten class of 475 but it currently sits at 349 students. Last year’s kindergarten class was 392 students.
“We were anticipating a higher number of students coming to enroll at our schools but, as of July 17, they were not materializing,” said Ryan Stanley, assistant superintendent of human resources.
The kindergarten enrollment window remains open and they are projecting 390 students in the kindergarten class, significantly lower than the numbers by all demographics projections.
The enrollment trends are not unique to Del Mar, Stanley said. About two-thirds of districts across California are also experiencing decline and K-12 enrollment in the state has also dropped below 6 million for the first time. The last two years, enrollment has been impacted by the pandemic and many districts expected this to be the “bounce back” year, Stanley said, however, the lower numbers they are experiencing may now represent the new normal.
Starting in the 2024-25 school year, the district is anticipating an increase of 100 additional K-6 students with the reopening of Del Mar Heights School.
At the board’s July 26 meeting, Assistant Superintendent of Business Services Chris Delehanty said the declining data they have been receiving gave them a lot of pause—districtwide, they could be down to 3,400 students in the next five years, impacting programs and space. A special board meeting was scheduled in July to share new information with the board as the district weighs options moving forward.
For facilities implications, there will be open rooms at most school sites this coming school year, a total of 19 districtwide. There are four empty rooms at Ashley Falls, Torrey Hills, Ocean Air and Sycamore Ridge; two at Pacific Sky, and one at Del Mar Hills (all classrooms are occupied at Carmel Del Mar and Sage Canyon).
The decline in enrollment means no new revenue into the district but a decrease in expenditures. Delehanty said the board’s direction has been for staff to explore the feasibility of adding in transitional kindergarten.
Transitional kindergarten (TK) refers to the first year of a two-year kindergarten program that uses a modified kindergarten curriculum that is developmentally and age-appropriate. By 2025-26, TK is expected to be fully phased in for all 4-year-old children statewide at no cost to families.
According to the California Department of Education, all school districts are required to provide TK to age-eligible children, “as a condition of receipt of apportionment”. The Del Mar district, as a community-funded basic aid school district supported by property taxes, does not receive state funding for TK.
Of the 133 districts that are TK eligible in the state, eight don’t offer it and five are in San Diego County: TK is also not offered in four other local basic aid districts: Encinitas, Cardiff, Rancho Santa Fe and Solana Beach.
Historically the majority of the board has supported TK but questioned how they would fund it. As Delehanty explained, the cost for one K-6 section is $143,000 on average, the total cost for a staff member. The cost for transitional kindergarten (TK) section is $186,000, as the district is required by law to have another adult in the classroom with the certificated teacher.
Delehanty said staff is projecting that in the 2023-24 school year, they could potentially have 3.1 TK sections.
Trustee Katherine Fitzpatrick, a longtime advocate for TK, said the situation highlights the difference between basic aid schools and schools that receive funding from the state per average daily attendance (ADA)—Del Mar is not dependent on enrollment so when enrollment decreases, they basically have more money to spend, she said.
“We’ve seen the light with enrollment, it’s really down this year so now we’re talking about TK. But TK is being delivered in 90% of basic aid districts across the state,” Fitzpatrick said. “Let’s deliver the instruction and the curriculum that the rest of the four-year-olds in our state are given access to. We are falling behind in that regard. We are just as capable financially and in all other regards to be able to provide this program.”
Fitzpatrick said she would love the district to start offering TK this coming school year, knowing there are empty classrooms and waiting lists at preschools all around.
While he believes the district should be offering TK, board President Gee Wah Mok’s concern is that they offer a sustainable program that lives up to district standards. Mok said he wasn’t sure it was feasible to start a program now with just weeks before school starts on Aug. 14.
“I believe in TK, I think it’s necessary,” said Mok, himself a father of a four-year-old.
Looking ahead, Stanley and Delehanty said the district would continue to review the demographic forecasts and start seeking input from current and prospective parents as well as teachers—they need to have conversations with the Del Mar California Teachers Association about the impacts of starting this new program.
The board is expected to continue to discuss the TK topic at upcoming workshops.
Edited Press ReleaseDel Mar, CA – July 18– HITS Del Mar Horsepark, a renowned equestrian facility, extends its heartfelt appreciation to all those who attended and contributed to the resounding success of the Grand Re-Opening of Del Mar Horsepark. The vibrant celebration, held on July 15 at our Del Mar Sunshine Classic, marked a triumphant return of the cherished venue and showcased the community’s unwavering support.The event was a testament to the power of unity and collabor...
Edited Press Release
Del Mar, CA – July 18– HITS Del Mar Horsepark, a renowned equestrian facility, extends its heartfelt appreciation to all those who attended and contributed to the resounding success of the Grand Re-Opening of Del Mar Horsepark. The vibrant celebration, held on July 15 at our Del Mar Sunshine Classic, marked a triumphant return of the cherished venue and showcased the community’s unwavering support.
The event was a testament to the power of unity and collaboration, as HITS Del Mar Horsepark recognized the integral role played by its dedicated family and crew. Their relentless efforts, spanning countless hours, were crucial in making this momentous occasion a reality. Without their unwavering commitment, the Grand Re-Opening would not have been possible.
“We extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who came out to support and celebrate the Grand Re-Opening of HITS Del Mar Horsepark,” expressed Dale Harvey, General Manager of Del Mar Horsepark. “The overwhelming response from the community has been incredible, this achievement truly belongs to each and every one of you.”
Furthermore, HITS Del Mar Horsepark acknowledges the unyielding support from the community, whose voices were instrumental in the push to reopen this historic facility. Through their persistent rallying and advocacy, they paved the way for the return of a beloved riding venue, reinvigorating the equestrian landscape in Del Mar. The heartfelt appreciation of HITS Del Mar Horsepark extends to all those who pushed for its revival and ensured its accessibility to the public once again.
Del Mar Horsepark proudly kicked off its highly anticipated Grand Re-Opening with an electrifying display of athleticism and precision at the renowned Dog Agility Classic. The event showcased exceptional teams, consisting of horses and dogs, as they skillfully navigated a series of challenging obstacles in their quest for the ultimate achievement – securing the fastest time. Hannah Loly and Asombro had the fastest combined time with their doggy partner and took home the first-place ribbon.
The night highlighted the thrilling $100,000 Bentley San Diego Grand Prix, which showcased the incredible skill and talent of the participating riders.
In a spectacular performance, Cassio Rivetti and Billy Dorito captured the first-place ribbon, the Monica Ward Memorial Trophy, and were awarded an Antares Sellier saddle. Additionally, Cassio Rivetti’s groom, Víctor Fidel Cejudo Cruz, was recognized with the $500 groom’s award, acknowledging his invaluable contributions to the team’s success.
Cassio Rivetti continued to impress, securing the second-place position on his second horse, Chagall de Toscane. The third-place ribbon went to Juan Manuel Luzardo and Big Stan.
Alyce Bittar and her mount Cézanne B blazed through the course, securing the fastest time in the $1,000 U25 Classic presented by Interactive Mortgage. Their outstanding performance not only earned them the top spot in the U25 but also secured them a remarkable fifth overall position in the prestigious $100,000 Bentley San Diego Grand Prix.
As HITS Del Mar Horsepark enters this new chapter, it is committed to providing a world-class experience for riders, trainers, and spectators alike. The Grand Re-Opening celebration served as a testament to the enduring passion and resilience that defines the equestrian community.
For more information about HITS Del Mar Horsepark, including upcoming events and programs, please visit HitsDelMar.com and follow us on social media for updates.
Original press release courtesy of HITS.
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