Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Measure S topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Parents, students and unions press board: back Measure S and recognize Cesar Chavez Day
Summary
Several public commenters urged support for Measure S, citing facilities needs, and students and teachers presented a petition asking the district to recognize Cesar Chavez Day by shifting a teacher development day to March 31. The Western States Regional Council of Carpenters voiced union support for Measure S and offered volunteer help.
Multiple community members and students used the meeting's public comment period to push local priorities: support for Measure S (a proposed school bond) and a petition to make Cesar Chavez Day a recognized district holiday.
Jonathan Ericson, a parent and former principal, told the board he strongly supports Measure S, saying the bond is needed to fix aging facilities and would relieve pressure on the district's operating budget. "I hope that everybody here is voting for it ... it's a few hundred for the year but think about your property value," he said.
Students and faculty presented a petition requesting that the district recognize Cesar Chavez Day on March 31. Paula Valenzuela said nearly 400 students at Redondo Union High School had signed the petition and proposed that the district move an existing teacher professional development day in March to March 31 to create the recognition without adding a new day off. Senior Oriana Chovet and teacher Amanda Duran spoke in support, describing the cultural and educational benefits for Latino and immigrant students.
Ray Lawson, representing the Western States Regional Council of Carpenters, said the union supports Measure S and would provide volunteers and, if selected, local labor for renovation projects. PTA and Redondo Beach Council PTA leaders later confirmed council endorsement and local organizing for the measure.
Board members clarified that the district calendar is negotiated with employee associations and said details about moving a development day would require discussion with bargaining partners. No board action to change the calendar or endorse/oppose Measure S was taken at this meeting.
