Parents in Salinas are pressing the Salinas Union High School District over campus safety issues and recent layoffs affecting student support services, amid several “secure campus” alerts and a tragic student incident.”I can affirmatively share that every one of our campuses have, you know, individuals that love and care for their children, our students, every single day of the week, and they’ll do everything that they can to protect them,” said Zandra Galvan, SUHSD Superintendent.The district used tonight’s regular meeting to focus on student safety and wellness, following days of security alerts at Alisal High School and cuts to mental health staff throughout the district. Parents voiced their frustrations directly to district leaders, emphasizing the need for transparency.”It’s really sad that it’s normal to us,” one parent said.Another parent stressed the importance of transparency, saying, “Trust is built on transparency; that’s incredibly important, and that’s all we’re asking for. We know our children are safe, but we need that communication and transparency.”To ease parents’ fears, staff outlined emergency protocols currently in place, explaining that a “secure campus” alert means increased security is triggered, and district policy prioritizes safety. Despite recent events, some students expressed feeling safe at school.”All of our students were all safe, and I know that they do everything that they can to keep us safe. And they put us first. So that’s why I overall feel safe at school,” said Lali Solis, an Alisal High student. District leaders highlighted the support for student wellness, noting that more than 200 staff members, including counselors, social workers, and behavioral specialists, are dedicated to this cause.”There’s a lot of positions that we have throughout our district that we’re going to be highlighting tonight. So people will see how our students are really taking care of when it comes to mental health,” said Galvan. However, recent cuts to the restorative justice staff are seen as a lost resource for students who need it most.”The big thing for restorative justice is getting to know you on a human level. And we tell our students that we’re not here to be an authority to you. We’re not here because we’re above you just because we’re a staff member. We’re here because we care about you,” said Rachel Alfaro, a Restorative Justice facilitator at Salinas High School. It’s been a tough year for Alisal, with a student killed by another student just off campus, frequent security alerts, and students and families on edge. District leaders say they are listening and remain committed to keeping students safe.”We breathe that sigh of relief that everyone is safe, just as you do, and we walk them all out the hallway just as they are ours,” said an Alisal High staff member. The district also promises more public forums to provide as much transparency to families as possible.
SALINAS, Calif. —
Parents in Salinas are pressing the Salinas Union High School District over campus safety issues and recent layoffs affecting student support services, amid several “secure campus” alerts and a tragic student incident.
“I can affirmatively share that every one of our campuses have, you know, individuals that love and care for their children, our students, every single day of the week, and they’ll do everything that they can to protect them,” said Zandra Galvan, SUHSD Superintendent.
The district used tonight’s regular meeting to focus on student safety and wellness, following days of security alerts at Alisal High School and cuts to mental health staff throughout the district.
Parents voiced their frustrations directly to district leaders, emphasizing the need for transparency.
“It’s really sad that it’s normal to us,” one parent said.
Another parent stressed the importance of transparency, saying, “Trust is built on transparency; that’s incredibly important, and that’s all we’re asking for. We know our children are safe, but we need that communication and transparency.”
To ease parents’ fears, staff outlined emergency protocols currently in place, explaining that a “secure campus” alert means increased security is triggered, and district policy prioritizes safety.
Despite recent events, some students expressed feeling safe at school.
“All of our students were all safe, and I know that they do everything that they can to keep us safe. And they put us first. So that’s why I overall feel safe at school,” said Lali Solis, an Alisal High student.
District leaders highlighted the support for student wellness, noting that more than 200 staff members, including counselors, social workers, and behavioral specialists, are dedicated to this cause.
“There’s a lot of positions that we have throughout our district that we’re going to be highlighting tonight. So people will see how our students are really taking care of when it comes to mental health,” said Galvan.
However, recent cuts to the restorative justice staff are seen as a lost resource for students who need it most.
“The big thing for restorative justice is getting to know you on a human level. And we tell our students that we’re not here to be an authority to you. We’re not here because we’re above you just because we’re a staff member. We’re here because we care about you,” said Rachel Alfaro, a Restorative Justice facilitator at Salinas High School.
It’s been a tough year for Alisal, with a student killed by another student just off campus, frequent security alerts, and students and families on edge.
District leaders say they are listening and remain committed to keeping students safe.
“We breathe that sigh of relief that everyone is safe, just as you do, and we walk them all out the hallway just as they are ours,” said an Alisal High staff member.
The district also promises more public forums to provide as much transparency to families as possible.