Tenth‑grader urges stronger district support for theater and arts programs

At the district’s second public comment period, a tenth‑grade student, Zillah Abadana, told the board the high‑school theater program struggled this year and asked for more staffing and technical support.

"This year has been really hard for the theater program, especially for the students involved," Zillah told the board, urging officials to provide roles such as a backstage manager, lighting and sound technicians, a music director and a tech director so productions are safe and high quality. She said parents and families stepped in after this year's problems but that students need consistent district support to sustain participation.

Another student speaker described the arts as essential to students’ sense of belonging and recommended the district solicit student feedback through surveys to guide program decisions. The public commenters connected those requests to the earlier budget discussion, noting that some proposed cuts and furniture timelines affect arts classrooms and production capabilities.

The board did not vote on program funding at the meeting; administrators and board members acknowledged the points and said they would consider them as they finalize budget choices and capital priorities ahead of the May budget hearing.