South County officials were busy this week as Chula Vista’s elementary school board voted to raise trustee stipends from $750 to $3,000 per month, a 300% increase that will make the district’s board among the highest‑paid in San Diego County.
School board pay hike
At the August 12 meeting, trustees Francisco Tamayo, Jessica Tolston and Lucy Ugarte approved the new pay scale, while Delia Dominguez Cervantes and Keren Ramirez Dominguez voted against it. The raise will lift annual board compensation to $223,000. Tamayo, who is also running for Chula Vista mayor, said the increase follows a state law that lifted a decades‑old cap on trustee pay and noted that the district’s stipends have not changed since 1984.
Critics quickly responded. Watchdog Bertha Lopez questioned the justification on Facebook, and community member Nadia Ayub warned that “rich elected officials” could leave the city short of services if voters do not pay attention.
Homeless‑services agreement with Imperial Beach
In a separate council vote, Chula Vista approved an agreement allowing homeless residents from Imperial Beach to use the city’s 65‑bed tiny‑home shelter and rental‑assistance program. Imperial Beach will reimburse Chula Vista for the costs. Mayor John McCann framed the deal as a regional solution, noting a 25% decline in the city’s unsheltered population.
Two council candidates, Angelica Martinez and Greg Martinez, expressed concern that the agreement could overextend Chula Vista’s resources. Councilmember Michael Inzunza also criticized the plan, saying it could increase crime and that the city should not become the South Bay’s homelessness hub.
Southwestern College governing board race
Former Chula Vista mayor and state assemblymember Mary Casillas Salas announced a challenge to incumbent board member Robert Moreno for a seat on the seven‑member Southwestern College governing board. Salas, a Southwestern graduate, said her experience in state and local government will help guide the college’s push toward four‑year degree programs.
Moreno objected to Salas’s ballot designation “Retired Mayor Chula Vista,” arguing she was term‑limited rather than retired. The county registrar approved the designation. Salas later asked the Democratic Party’s South Area Caucus to reconsider its endorsement of Moreno; the caucus voted 16‑14 to keep Moreno’s endorsement.
Both candidates emphasized a shared goal of expanding four‑year degree options for local students, but the race has taken on a partisan tone as each seeks support from party structures.
Community reaction
The series of votes highlights growing tension among South County leaders as they balance budget constraints, public‑service expectations, and political ambitions during an election year. Residents and watchdog groups continue to monitor how these decisions affect local services and taxpayer dollars.
Original reporting: Voice of San Diego — read the source article.
