Westview students and community demand durability for Filipino classes; district pledges to offer courses if a qualified teacher is hired

Community members and students told the Poway Unified School Board on June 11 that the abrupt removal of Filipino language sections at Westview High School must not become permanent. Ramesses Serban, who said he co‑chairs a community task force, described learning of the change on the day of graduation and organizing a petition that he said collected about 1,000 signatures from students, parents and alumni.

Student leader Zoe Santero told the board she and peers learned the classes were removed on the last day of school and that a subsequent meeting with Westview administrators cited low enrollment and staffing as reasons. “We received 1,000 signatures from Westview students, parents, alumni and community members showing support for restoring the classes,” Santero said.

Students who spoke at the meeting said the program supports cultural identity and pathways such as the biliteracy seal. Amani Padua, a Westview junior, said student organizers had rapidly mobilized and asked the board to help make the program sustainable rather than rely on year‑to‑year rescues.

Associate Superintendent Peterson delivered a factual update on behalf of Westview administration: the district and Westview are committed to offering Filipino courses 1–4 and 5–8 for the upcoming school year, provided the site can onboard a “highly qualified” teacher and maintain enrollment. Peterson said the administration would work with the Filipino community and student leaders to support recruitment and enrollment efforts.

Parents and community leaders at times framed the issue as more than a single class. Christie Nerva Kyogu described Filipino language education in the region as a decades‑long effort and urged the board to sustain programs that connect students to heritage and belonging.

The board did not take a separate vote on the course during the meeting; Peterson’s statement served as the administration’s commitment and included a pledge to coordinate the hiring and community outreach needed to maintain the program. Several speakers said they planned follow‑up meetings with Westview staff and the district to clarify posting timelines and teacher onboarding deadlines.

The district’s public statement that evening replaced immediate questions about whether the program would return with new questions about timelines, hiring criteria and how the district would measure whether the restored offerings would persist beyond the coming school year.