Students, alumni and parents urge board to keep Chula Vista High 8‑period schedule and SCPA program

Chula Vista High School students, alumni and parents filled public comment at the Feb. 10 Sweetwater Union High School District Board of Education meeting to oppose a district proposal to change Chula Vista and Southwest high schools from an eight‑period schedule to a six‑period day.

Speakers said the eight‑period schedule allows students to take electives, Advanced Placement (AP) courses and Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathways while keeping up with core graduation requirements. Several speakers said the change would force students — many from low‑income families or who cross the border to attend Chula Vista High — to choose between academics, arts, athletics or job schedules.

Why it matters: Students and supporters said the schedule change would reduce access to specialized pathways — including the district’s award‑winning School of Creative and Performing Arts (SCPA) at Chula Vista High — and limit opportunities that helped many students graduate and enter college or careers.

At the meeting, speakers described organized student actions, school assemblies they missed to attend the board, and requests for more inclusive communication and decision‑making. A number of speakers asked that students, parents, teachers and alumni be included on any committee reviewing schedule changes.

Student comments and community testimony "The 8 period schedule is the backbone of Chula Vista High School. It defends our school culture and opens doors that otherwise wouldn't exist," said a student who identified themself as a senior involved with the SCPA program, describing how the extended day allowed participation in arts, AP and CTE classes.

Cassidy Morioka, a Chula Vista High senior, told the board: "We are being told that this decision is necessary because students aren't taking advantage of the 8 period day. But let's be honest about why. Multiple sources within my school have acknowledged that former administration actively discouraged students from enrolling in 8 periods to save money." Morioka called for transparent data and for the board to allow the school to resubmit or correct the data used to justify the change.

Genevieve Pruett, president of the SCPA Council and a Chula Vista High senior, said the decision was made without student input: "We were never given an opportunity to sit at the table with those making this decision on our behalf." Pruett warned that removing the 8‑period day would harm the school's culture and future course offerings.

Barbara Schroeder, who said she worked in the district for 36 years as a staff accompanist for the SCPA, described attending an elementary school production where students and families said they planned to send their children to Chula Vista High for SCPA opportunities — and said it would be ``heartbreaking'' if the SCPA ceased to exist because the 8‑period day was eliminated.

Students, parents and alumni asked for public forums, town halls and advisory groups that include students and families before a final decision. Multiple speakers described walkouts or student protests staged to raise attention to the proposed change.

District response and next steps Board members and district staff did not make a final decision on the schedule during the public comment period. Speakers asked the board to allow Chula Vista High to resubmit data and to include student representatives in the decision process. Several speakers cited equity concerns, pointing to differences in resources and course offerings at comparably sized schools.

The board did not take immediate action on schedule policy at the Feb. 10 meeting; speakers asked the board to respond publicly and to meet with representatives of students, staff and community members before any change is finalized.

Ending: Speakers asked the board to respond in writing and to schedule public forums; several said they would return to future meetings until they received detailed answers.