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Students urge Martinez Unified board to keep "seventh period," saying cuts would curb electives and college readiness
Summary
Dozens of Alhambra High students and parents told the Martinez Unified Board on March 23 that removing the high school's seventh period would limit electives, weaken college applications and reduce supports for students with learning differences; the board heard the testimony but took no immediate action on scheduling.
At the Martinez Unified School District board meeting on March 23, dozens of Alhambra High School students and several parents urged trustees not to eliminate the school's "seventh period," saying the schedule change would reduce access to electives, advanced courses and essential rehearsal time for performing arts.
"Removing the seventh period would be detrimental to all students on campus," Valeria Gonzales Sandoval, a sophomore, told the board. "Removing the option to take an extra class would make students applying to colleges inferior compared to other applicants." She said a cut would make Alhambra diplomas less competitive.
Students described concrete harms: Samantha Asaki, a junior, said seventh period provides rehearsal time and electives that nurture creativity and mental well‑being; Ramona Hawkins, a freshman, said students who need to retake courses or who attend learning center support rely on the seventh period to fit electives into their schedules. "Students like me with learning differences deserve to be able to have equal access to elective classes," Landon Poston, a senior and technical director for school productions, said.
Parents and community members framed additional concerns. Amy Scott Slovak, who identified herself as both a parent and an officer with the Contra Costa Labor Council, said schedule changes are a subject of bargaining and urged the board to respect the current MEA contract. Several speakers criticized the district's use of Diablo Valley College dual‑enrollment (DVC) for higher‑level Spanish courses, saying evening and online DVC sections create access barriers for students with limited internet, extracurricular commitments or 504/IEP accommodations.
Teachers and program staff reinforced the students' testimony about arts and language programs. Spanish teacher Karen Azevedo warned that losing advanced high‑school language offerings (honors/AP) would discourage students and limit progression to high levels of fluency. Student speakers said the loss of seventh period would particularly affect music, stagecraft and other programs where added rehearsal time or technical classes are scheduled at that hour.
The board did not take immediate action on schedule changes during this meeting. Public comment concluded after the group testimony and the board moved on to other agenda items, including contracts and audits. The district will consider the schedule and policy items in upcoming discussions; speakers asked trustees to preserve seventh period and on‑campus, in‑day language offerings where feasible.
