Cuts Hit Close to Home

Budget cuts to education aren’t anything new to California, and it isn’t a big surprise that the state is threatening even more in the near future. The Alhambra Unified School District (AUSD) has lost 6-7 million dollars, drastically impacting teachers and students. The effects of the cuts, such as larger class sizes, are threatening to escalate, especially with the possibility of an additional 2.5 billion dollar reduction throughout the state in the next two years. This year, AUSD has already canceled its adult education program which resulted in 29 teachers being laid off. The teachers, parents and students affected by these cuts hope that the March 4 rally brought much needed attention to the education crisis in California.

“This is not an education fight, [it is] a community fight,” said math teacher Dr. Rosalyn Collier, a teacher at AHS and Alhambra Teacher Association (ATA) vice president.

With school and activities going on in an average student’s life, it’s easy to be unaware of issues in the outside world. However, the steep budget cuts to education will affect us directly, and the rally held on campus has called attention to the growing problem. Educators and students showed their support by wearing black, mourning education. In fact, students were so enthusiastic about the rally that a student walkout was allegedly planned. During fourth period on Thursday, school administrators sent a message to teachers warning students that stepping off campus would result in a fine. It is unknown whether or not any student attempted to walk out.

By StaffWriter Catherine Chiang