CHULA VISTA, Calif. — Southwest High School parents and students gathered at Monday’s school board meeting to address their worry about some CTE classes potentially getting removed.
“One hand gave these teachers a great raise and put them on the teachers schedule and the other hand sent them to the school site where they’ll probably be released because the principals can’t afford these extra teachers,” Southwest High School Teacher, Cynthia Rettenmund said.
The decision to cut the program comes amid budget concerns. The teachers recently negotiated a contract and Rettenmund tells CBS 8, funding for CTE staff is now the responsibility of the school.
“I think it’s really unfair that our opportunities are getting taken away just because they want to raise the salaries of the board members,” Southwest High School 2026 Class President, Ariani Villanueva Solis said.
Rettenmund shares that Southwest High School implemented an eighth-period day five years ago, allowing students to take Avid and an elective. She says, in those five years the school has tripled its college acceptance rate. It's one of the reasons some students are attending Southwest High School.
“If the classes aren’t available, I’m pulling him out of the school and he’s one of those A+ students that his grades are good so if he’s not going to have the opportunity there then I’m not going to keep him in that school,” Southwest High School Parent, Nicoma Jackson said.
This program allows students to take classes in their field of interest and set them up for what they want to do after graduation, its the reason many students and parents showed up to the board meeting even exceeding capacity and leaving some people standing outside.
“I’m really furious that our district is taking a few hundred thousand dollars per say and destroying the kids' future,” Rettenmund said.
Sweetwater Union High School district could not give a statement since the item was not on the agenda Monday night. Students hope that by showing up, board members can reconsider their decision.
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