Students and choir leaders tell Colton Joint Unified board ‘we are teens, not teachers’ as they press for a new choir teacher

Students from Grand Terrace and Washington Alternative told the Colton Joint Unified School District board on Nov. 18 that their choir programs are struggling without a teacher and with broken equipment.

"When we told administration about this, they told us they'd get it fixed as soon as possible. Now, it's a month and 10 days later and we still have not gotten an update," said Falen Ponce, who identified themself as choir treasurer at Grand Terrace High School, describing a piano that failed two days after their teacher left and ongoing lack of access to the program's music library and funds.

Tyrone Neely, who introduced himself as choir president, said the group has been running the class on student leadership alone and asked the board to restore a qualified teacher so students can regain structure and progress. "We are teens, not teachers," Neely said.

Bianca Relas, who identified herself as the choir secretary, told the board she developed confidence through choir and asked for a leader who will provide stability and mentorship. "A choir teacher doesn't just teach music theory. They teach courage," she said.

Board members acknowledged the students and asked staff to follow up. Board President Bertha Flores thanked the students for speaking and said staff and principals would be asked for a status report and next steps. "We hear you," she said, promising staff follow-up and copies of the letters students delivered.

What happened: students reported that their choir teacher left in early October, that a piano broke shortly after, and that they lack access to music materials and program funds. They described carrying out planning for fall and winter concerts while unpaid or unsupported by administration.

Why it matters: district music programs provide arts education and social-emotional supports for students; prolonged vacancies and missing equipment can disrupt instruction, performances and extracurricular funding. Board members asked for a report on repairs, access to funds and hiring timelines.

What’s next: board members asked staff to follow up directly with students and parents and requested an update to the board on actions to repair equipment, restore access to the music library and fill the teaching vacancy.

The public comment segment ended with the board promising outreach and follow-up to the students and families who spoke.