The Winston School is a non-public, nonprofit school for students with learning differences nestled on a hillside with an ocean view in Del Mar. Since 1988, this school has supported children who struggle in their neighborhood public schools. Many of them are living with physical and emotional disabilities.
This safe haven for children with special needs is in danger of being closed because of a complicated joint land purchase and lease agreement with the City of Del Mar.
The lease required the Winston School to provide the city with a redevelopment plan for the property in a process that started in 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic crisis and shutdown caused numerous delays and miscommunications. The final extension deadline was July 23.
“July 23rd came and went, and Winston still did not submit a complete plan. It was still missing," said Del Mar Mayor Terry Gaasterland. "It was elements that the planning Department said it had to have, and we had no choice but to do what the next step was. And that was to terminate the lease.”
Last week, the Del Mar City Council met in a virtual special closed session to decide the fate of the lease. After less than half an hour of discussion the council voted unanimously to terminate. The lease runs out in 2023 and the school faces an uncertain future.
