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Teacher and students bring petitions to Sunnyside board, allege loss of arts offerings and schedule harms at STAR
Summary
A STAR math teacher presented two petitions with more than 100 signatures each alleging removal of an art class, imposition of a non‑required foreign language course and schedule changes that could limit students' credit‑earning opportunities. The board asked for a Friday report on local site meetings.
Jean Capasinski, a math teacher at STAR, delivered two petitions (each with more than 100 signatures) and read an essay from a student describing concerns about equity, transparency and program decisions at the STAR alternative campus.
Capasinski told the board she previously raised safety and equity concerns and received no substantive response. The petitions call for restoration of at least one art class, cite loss of electives compared with mainstream high schools and oppose a mandated foreign‑language class that is not a local graduation requirement. She said a schedule change that moves seminar to period 3 to accommodate a foreign‑language teacher in period 4 would block many STAR students — including working students and Youth on Their Own participants — from leaving in period 4 for employment or work‑study credit.
"We want our art classes back…We think it is unfair, unreasonable, and unlawful that we are offered absolutely nothing," Capasinski said, presenting the petitions and an essay from a STAR student.
Board President asked operations staff (Mr. Castellum) to provide results from a STAR meeting and a Friday report; administration agreed to follow up. Student advisory members later urged a stronger feedback loop so that student input yields visible follow‑up and clearer communication about implementation decisions.
What happens next: administration committed to a Friday report that summarizes the STAR meeting results and to follow up with the petitioners and school stakeholders.
