Five of the ten speaker slots at last night’s Berkeley High School board meeting were taken up with the ongoing debate over Principal Jim Slemp’s proposal to cut certain science classes to channel funds towards closing the school’s achievement gap.
Turnout was estimated to be around 20-30 parents and teachers. The president of the board, Karen Hemphill, said the board had not seen the proposal in question. Speaking on the topic were teachers Marty Sicular-Mertens and Evy Kavaler, and parents Paul Lecky, Susan Helmrich and Priscilla Myrick.
The parent-run Equity and Science body, which is campaigning to keep science spending, reports that the item is planned to be on the Board agenda for January 13 as an informational item, probably presented by Principal Slemp. Then it will probably be back on January 27 as an action item, for a possible vote.
The Berkeley Daily Planet has published a full report on last night board’s meeting. Read it here.
Update: The Berkeley High School Jacket has a good report too, including comments from Principal Slemp, Read it here.
