By Alexander J. Schorr
Photo, left, via Grossmont Education Association: angry crowd turns back on Acting Superintendent Sandra Huezo and the GUHSD board
By Abagail Wojnowski
Photo by Miriam Raftery: protesters at Grossmont High School this morning oppose the district sending lay-off notices to librarians, teachers, and other employees.
March 10, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) -- I am writing to express my deep frustration and disappointment over the Grossmont Union High School District’s recent decision to eliminate all credentialed teacher librarian positions. This reckless decision disregards the vital role that librarians play in student success and contradicts the district’s own values of caring, collaboration, and innovation.
As a proud graduate of Mount Miguel High School (Class of 2023) and a current UC Berkeley student, I have experienced firsthand the impact a librarian can have. School libraries are not just about books; they are safe havens where students find guidance, academic support, and community. When I was at Mount Miguel, the library was my refuge—a place to study, decompress, and seek mentorship. The person at the heart of that support system was our librarian, Mr. Jason Balistreri.
By Miriam Raftery
February 27, 2025 (El Cajon) -- At 4:30 today, the Grossmont Union-High School District is holding a special meeting to considering firing 49 employees including all high school librarians. Others targeted include English teachers, psychologists and more.
Opponents of cutting librarians have set up a website at https://sites.google.com/view/save-guhsd-librarians/home. It includes a petition which has gathered over 1,100 signatures as of late this afternoon.
“The Grossmont Union High School District Board majority is pulling the same shady tricks as last year. They are planning layoffs claiming no money when they are holding a 13% reserve fund. This is well over state requirements,” says Jay Steiger, former GUHSD candidate who previously served on the district’s bond oversight committee.
View the full list of 49 positions on the chopping block. The 4:30 p.m. meeting of the GUHSD board will be held today at El Cajon Valley High School’s multipurpose room, 1035 East Madison Avenue in El Cajon.
Source: Grossmont Union High School District
January 17, 2025 (El Cajon) -- Superintendent Mike Fowler has announced plans to step aside from his duties until March 1, 2025, as he receives treatment for a malignant brain tumor. After his diagnosis, Fowler underwent a successful surgery in December. He has now begun a rigorous treatment schedule which will require him to remain on leave through February. As a result, the Grossmont Union High School District (GUHSD) Governing Board took official action during a January 16 Special Governing Board meeting to appoint Sandra C. Huezo as Acting Superintendent.
East County News Service
January 13, 2025 (El Cajon) — Grossmont Union High School District’s governing board has approved a major bond refinancing plan which will save East County taxpayers nearly $19 million by reducing long-term interest costs on its existing school construction bonds.