The quality of life in San Benito County erodes further as
decision makers shrink options for our youth. Free Lance reporter
Danielle Smith was a co-witness of the San Benito High School Board
of Trustees at 11:45pm on March 22, when they decided that students
who want to attend summer school for
”
enrichment
”
courses will have a 1-in-3 chance of getting in.
Editor,
The quality of life in San Benito County erodes further as decision makers shrink options for our youth. Free Lance reporter Danielle Smith was a co-witness of the San Benito High School Board of Trustees at 11:45pm on March 22, when they decided that students who want to attend summer school for “enrichment” courses will have a 1-in-3 chance of getting in.
The state reimburses the district fully for summer school remediation courses, but will only reimburse up to 5 percent of enrollment for non-remediation courses, i.e. 150 students. Last year, 835 students voluntarily registered for summer school enrichment with 507 finishing. The board decided to dedicate local funding for an additional 100 students, capping enrichment class registration this summer at 250 students.
This is unfair to students who have planned their course schedules according to the availability of summer school. Families have counted on summer school for decades. Trustee Evelyn Muro acknowledged the importance of summer school as a community resource in an area where teenagers have limited options for jobs and internships. Picture 500 teens – who could be studying and strengthening their college applications – with nothing constructive to do. Retiring Superintendent Slater mentioned that students can access summer school in other school districts that offer it, but we all know those are miles away. Staff had not researched whether Gavilan College can offer a feasible alternative.
Parents can monitor board agendas at http:sbhsd.k12.ca.us/home/board/schoolboard.htm. At a future meeting, the board will decide the policy for allocating the 250 summer school enrichment slots to the 500-800 interested.
Jennifer Coile, Hollister
