News Writing: Leaguetown Strikes Again

    After principal Foster Reide laid off five teachers because of federal budget cuts, the Student Council and the Parent Teacher Association circulated petitions of higher level Spanish classes for the upcoming school year.

    “I know the petitions are circulating, but there is nothing I can do,” Reide said. “If the students and parents want to affect change, I suggest they talk to their lawmakers and ask for more money for our district.”

    In the 2011-12 school year, only Spanish I and II are offered, and only juniors and seniors will be allowed to take those classes. All students have to complete new choice sheets for their schedule by May 13.

    “With this change, I can’t take Spanish II until my junior year. It’s going to hurt my education and my transcript for college,” freshman Ashley Diatha said.

    More than 300 parents have signed the PTA’s petition opposing the elimination of the higher level Spanish classes.

    “Students and parents are complaining about the Spanish III and IV cuts, but the alternatives were worse,” counselor Bob Hayes said. “This is the best solution we have for next year.”

    The classes cut next year include Spanish III and IV, creative writing, marine biology and animal science, and Advanced Placement world history.

    “Superintendent [Maria] Chavez cut everything she could before we finally cut teachers. We must offer Spanish I and II for students to get into good colleges,” Reide said. “But we can’t afford to offer more.”

    The Student Council created a petition with intentions to have every student and sign it.

    “I plan to send our petition and a letter explaining it to every state representative and senator for our area,”  Student Council vice president and junior Tessa Williams said. “They need to know they are hurting our school, our students.”

The average number of students in a class right now is 27.

    “The schedule is going to be tough now,” Hayes said. “I’m afraid our average class size may be as high as 34.”

    Reide was told to cut seven positions but ended up cutting five teachers and six classes.

    “We are not upset with Mr. Reide and Dr. Chavez, but we want them to hear us,” PTA president Sue Roomer said.