By Alexander J. Schorr
Photo, left, via Grossmont Education Association: angry crowd turns back on Acting Superintendent Sandra Huezo and the GUHSD board
By Miriam Raftery
March 9, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) –A student walkout is slated for 12 p.m. Monday at all Grossmont Union HIgh School District schools during the lunch hour, though the district has sent a memo warning students that leaving school is considered truancy. In addition, picketing by parents and teachers is planned before school starting around 7:45 a.m.
The students and parentwill be protesting the district board majority’s vote last week to fire 49 teachers, including all campus librarians, as ECM reported . A petition opposing the firings now has over 3,400 signatures.
“According to the department of education, a ‘large’ district such as the GUHSD has to have a teacher librarian” says Laura Preble, a retired 30-year Monte Vista High School librarian. “Library techs are not qualified to do what teacher librarians do; teacher librarians have to get a special credential to do what they do. The board, except for Chris Fite, seems more concerned with future students than current students," she told ECM. "High school libraries are not silent. They are the heart of the school where collaboration, study, research, reading, and clubs often meet. In cutting so many student-service positions, the board is really saying they do not care about our students, whose needs are great.”
The Board has moved its Tuesday, March 11 meeting to Grossmont High School in the old gym at 6 p.m. with a rally before at 5 p.m. Speaker cards will be available starting at 3:30 p.m. The district has sent a memo stating that only 500 people will be allowed into the gym, with no saved seating allowed, nor standing, extra chairs, or sitting on the floor. A link will be provided for overflow audience members to watch the meeting. “The board will retreat again if the audience is rowdy,” the district has warned.
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.