The student-led effort to assure they will get a well-balanced education continues to gain strength in Carlsbad. On Friday, April 6, before the start of the school day, from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. in front of Carlsbad High School, the students will continue efforts to protest proposed cuts to both the teaching staff and the classes offered at the high school.
Their story is simple: They know they need a complete, well-rounded education in order to compete in the world marketplace. They claim that the current school board and superintendent have squandered the school district’s resources on an unneeded new high school (currently under construction). The superintendent continues to throw money at it, despite the fact that it is likely going to remain unoccupied for some time.
To balance the budget the school board and “district management” have proposed to eliminate many programs and fire teachers like those in the visual arts and others classes — programs that are essential to obtaining a well-rounded education.
The students are saying NO.
In addition to the planned protest on Friday, April 6, the students appeared last Wednesday at the school board meeting to give blistering testimony regarding what they believe has been poor management on the part of the current superintendent and the school board. The superintendent, who likely would be facing a significant salary cut at the least, has announced he will “retire early” at the end of the school year.
The student’s campaign to “Occupy their Educational Future” will likely continue once they return from spring break, which begins next week on April 9.
Richard and Helen Nielsen-Eckfield live in Carlsbad.
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