News

I am sorry to read that Anzar High School students may be offered a way to avoid a “more math-intensive science course” by skipping chemistry. One has to wonder how students who are also completing the A-G Mathematics requirement can possibly be floundering in the elementary mathematics/arithmetic contained in a high school chemistry course. The opportunity provided in a chemistry course to solidify basic skills such as handling fractions should not be avoided by students who will be seeking employment in a 21st century which increasingly values numerical facility. One can also ask how post-secondary admissions personnel will view “integrated science courses” sold to students as a way to avoid mathematics. Students should stick with chemistry and deal with any course problems by seeking the free tutoring available to them in the local area.

The San Benito County Board of Supervisors passed a resolution at the March 17 meeting reducing the stipend to grand jury members to the lowest amount of any county in California, effective with the 2015-16 term. The board had previously restored the 20 percent “administrative fee” to the grand jury 2014-2015 budget. For the last several meetings, board members had admonished the grand jury for not being frugal.