Parents and students urge board to reverse proposed cuts that would eliminate middle‑school electives

Hundreds of community members and students told the Cabrillo Unified School District governing board on Thursday that proposed staffing adjustments would damage middle‑school learning and local career pathways.

Seventh‑grader Lucas LaFontaine and other Cunha students described petitions and testimony they organized, saying the loss of two teachers "will take away most core electives," and that electives such as agricultural science, STEAM and the sound lab are central to student engagement and future opportunities. "These teachers have taught me and my sister throughout Cunha experiences and they're good teachers," Audrey Cruz, a seventh‑grader, told the board.

A staff letter read at the meeting and signed by Cunha faculty listed specific program losses: elimination of the agricultural science elective, STEAM and sound lab; adding prep‑time assignments to remaining teachers; and projected class sizes "well beyond" current averages, in some cases near 33 students. "Eliminating these two positions will have an immediate and significant impact on our students' experience and outcomes," the letter said.

Math department chair Ruth Ann Wolk, citing recent gains, warned the changes could reverse progress: Cunha's math scores rose 8 percent this year, she said, and "this didn't happen with plus‑sized classes." Several speakers representing local agriculture and FFA argued that the little Cunha farm, built with grants and community donations, is an entry point into local CTE and FFA pathways at the high school. Ag teacher Sonia Myers said the farm had won awards and provided hands‑on, inclusive learning; FFA chapter officer Tamara Arriaga described how the elective prepared her for leadership and bilingual outreach.

Union and employee representatives reinforced that larger class sizes and elimination of electives disproportionately affect students with special needs and English learners. Yolanda Ow, the district ELD lead, said electives are often the first courses students access after meeting ELPAC exit requirements and that removing them robs students of both enrichment and recognition of progress.

Superintendent remarks at the meeting framed the staffing adjustments as "preliminary" and tied to district fiscal constraints and HR processes. The superintendent told the public the district is exploring grant options and site partnerships to sustain programs and said, "Nothing set in stone until May 15th." Board members acknowledged the community's concerns while emphasizing fiduciary limits and personnel rules that constrain immediate public disclosure.

The board did not take final action on personnel items at the public meeting. Officials said they will continue internal deliberations and that final staffing decisions are expected after the district's scheduled budget and personnel deadlines.