How do you know when a fence installed to deter high-risk jumping from a sea wall is not effective? In the case of the Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Art, it’s when people begin scaling the 6-foot aluminum barrier and use it as a platform for plunging into waters near Black Point.

Due in part to social media, the site’s popularity has spiked in recent years. For safety’s sake, the foundation is now pursing a Plan B: restoring a more natural rocky coastline. While the need to dismantle the basin’s breakwater, constructed in 1937, is vexing, its enticing fence just represents more accidents waiting to happen.

Charter schools chafe at oversight

Between a rock and a hard place — that’s what comes to mind regarding the latest news about the Public Charter School Commission. The commission was created in 2012 to vet and authorize high-quality public charter schools and to improve quality compliance. However, charter schools by definition are experimental so are enabled a fair amount of latitude.

So when the commission began clamping down, some charters complained the oversight to be too aggressive and counterproductive. That, in turn, has spurred an investigation by the state Board of Education. So many good intentions, but so many layers and complexities.