STAR teacher tells Sunnyside board art elective shouldn’t be replaced with foreign language
Loading...
Summary
A STAR math teacher told the board the school's art position was terminated and would be replaced by a foreign-language position; the teacher said students, parents and staff were not consulted and urged the district to preserve the art class that supports student identity and community.
During the public-comment period at the Sunnyside Unified board meeting, a STAR math teacher urged the district to keep the school's art elective after learning the position would be terminated and replaced by a foreign-language slot.
The teacher said the staffing change "was made without asking or informing our community" and described the art class as "the heart and soul of our school," telling the board it supports student identity and expression, particularly for Native American students. The speaker said STAR has a waiting list and that electives are limited; students need about eight elective credits to graduate and STAR currently offers only art and marketing as in-person electives.
The speaker acknowledged a desire to increase college access but argued that replacing art with foreign language would not serve many STAR students, who benefit from hands-on electives and trade-focused pathways. She urged the board to research the decision and consider alternatives such as summer language courses and transfer options rather than removing art.
Board members thanked the speaker and a board member asked staff to research the staffing change further.
