CHULA VISTA, Calif. — Students in the Sweetwater Union School District are responding to controversial budget cuts by walking out of class at multiple schools this week.
Eastlake High School, Mar Vista High School, Otay Ranch High School, Montgomery High School, Hilltop High School, Castle Park High School, Sweetwater High School, Palomar High School, Mar Vista Academy, and Eastlake Middle School all walked out on Tuesday afternoon with more schools planning walkouts throughout the week.
The students are continuing to protest after the school board made a $20 million cut in an attempt to solve its budget crisis. On the chopping block were 237 positions which included teachers and counselors. 12 high school learning centers closed, and students will be transferred to an independent study program.
Around 1,300 students are expected to be impacted by the move.
A district spokesperson said the program is more efficient now, despite the backlash
Under California law, the district has until March 15 to hand out the pink slips.
The district is currently in a $30 million shortfall so there is still nearly $10 million that needs to be cut. Currently, there is no proposal on what else will be dropped to save the money.
The News 8 Chopper flew over three schools during the protest on Tuesday including Eastlake High School, Otay Ranch High School, and Castle Park High School.
