Brookings High School students protest budget cuts displacing over 200 classmates and classes
May 13, 2024 | Brookings School District 05-1, School Districts, South Dakota
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The Brookings School Board meeting on May 13, 2024, highlighted significant concerns regarding recent budget cuts affecting Brookings High School. Students voiced their frustrations over the loss of classes and teachers, which they argue will have lasting impacts on their education.
Riley Schwanler, a representative for Brookings High School students, opened the discussion by detailing the consequences of the budget cuts, which included the dismissal of three teachers, two of whom were involved in Career and Technical Education (CTE). Schwanler noted that over 200 students would be displaced due to the elimination of key classes, such as horticulture, career preparation, and relationship education. He emphasized that the cuts would lead to overcrowded classrooms, with some classes projected to have as many as 41 students, making it difficult for teachers to provide adequate attention to each student.
Christina Mistral, a junior at the high school, echoed these concerns, stating that the cuts do not reflect the needs or desires of the student body. She initiated a petition that garnered over 240 signatures, demonstrating significant student support for reconsidering the budget cuts. Mistral urged the school board to listen to students and prioritize their educational needs.
Samuel Cogarty, a sophomore, also spoke on behalf of the students, highlighting the importance of the classes being cut and the negative impact on their educational experiences. He called for the board to take the students' voices into account when making budgetary decisions.
In addition to the discussions on budget cuts, the meeting also celebrated academic achievements. High school counselors announced that two students, Cameron Lounsbury and Owen Burns, were selected as National Merit U.S. Presidential Scholars, a prestigious recognition for their academic excellence.
The meeting concluded with a call for the school board to consider the implications of their financial decisions on students' futures, emphasizing the need for a balanced approach that values both fiscal responsibility and educational quality.
Riley Schwanler, a representative for Brookings High School students, opened the discussion by detailing the consequences of the budget cuts, which included the dismissal of three teachers, two of whom were involved in Career and Technical Education (CTE). Schwanler noted that over 200 students would be displaced due to the elimination of key classes, such as horticulture, career preparation, and relationship education. He emphasized that the cuts would lead to overcrowded classrooms, with some classes projected to have as many as 41 students, making it difficult for teachers to provide adequate attention to each student.
Christina Mistral, a junior at the high school, echoed these concerns, stating that the cuts do not reflect the needs or desires of the student body. She initiated a petition that garnered over 240 signatures, demonstrating significant student support for reconsidering the budget cuts. Mistral urged the school board to listen to students and prioritize their educational needs.
Samuel Cogarty, a sophomore, also spoke on behalf of the students, highlighting the importance of the classes being cut and the negative impact on their educational experiences. He called for the board to take the students' voices into account when making budgetary decisions.
In addition to the discussions on budget cuts, the meeting also celebrated academic achievements. High school counselors announced that two students, Cameron Lounsbury and Owen Burns, were selected as National Merit U.S. Presidential Scholars, a prestigious recognition for their academic excellence.
The meeting concluded with a call for the school board to consider the implications of their financial decisions on students' futures, emphasizing the need for a balanced approach that values both fiscal responsibility and educational quality.
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