Students Want To Be Heard

Trinidad High School students protested Friday morning to make sure they are being heard loud and clear by the D-1 Administration and the School Board. Up to 100 students were part of the 45 minute, out of school event. The students are worried about potential budget cuts because of a shrinking spending plan. There is a concern about the potential for fewer teachers and possible extra fees they think could target them.

School Board President Charlene Bertolino told me that, “The reality is were running short on money. We cannot sustain the budget we are on right now. If we do, we will be bankrupt within a year.” She said there is nothing concrete about how many teachers may be lost. However she did say if that happened there would be a slight increase in class size, but not significantly. She also believes it wouldn’t impact the student education.

Parent, Melanie Santistevan told me that students and other parents have raised many concerns and questions at board meetings and never received a firm answer to their questions. She and her children supported the protest of the board and the administration’s handling of the budget, “However, we don’t want to go against them, we want to work with them.”

Bertolino wants that cooperation with parents and students, too. She says there is no firm budget plan in place or specific cuts set in stone. She wants parents and others to be part of the process. There is a town hall style meeting set for Wednesday, February 1st at 6 p.m. at the Trinidad Middle School Auditorium. Bertolino wants their input and for them to be on committees to help decide what stays and goes within the budget.