Editor,
For over two years, Students First — a grassroots coalition of 1,200+ students, parents, educators and community members — has advocated for restoring Honors courses in SUHSD. We began with a basic question: Did removing these courses, without a board vote or community input, improve outcomes for underrepresented students?
Instead of answers, we were dismissed. Staff labeled us a “vocal minority.” When we submitted over 1,200 petition signatures, their legitimacy was questioned.
We were told to wait for the Strategic Plan. Parents helped shape that plan, which clearly calls for expanded access to rigorous coursework and honoring student choice. Since adoption? Silence. No effort to reconcile policy with the plan.
Meanwhile, the district limits parent voice to staff-heavy site councils or a Superintendent’s Advisory Council that is invitation-only. That’s not collaboration — it’s exclusion.
And it’s especially ironic from a district that claims to champion Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. What does “inclusion” mean when diverse community voices are sidelined? What does “equity” mean when opportunity is removed rather than expanded?
We are not fringe actors. We’ve led PTAs, chaired foundations and served on site councils — in service of all students. We believe in high standards and educational equity. We believe in lifting students up — not limiting their potential.
We’ve participated respectfully and in good faith. But good governance requires listening, not filtering. SUHSD must reengage its families and model the inclusion it promotes.”
Linda McGeever
Portola Valley
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(6) comments
we need "choice" in education.
We need to get rid of School Districts, Superintendents and Boards of politicians with absolutely no background to run any sort of educational institution.
"School Choice" or "Choice School" or "School of Choice" is exactly the thing that has killed off public education in California. All these "bad school districts" like LA, SF, OAK, San Mateo/Foster City or Redwood City have used "choice" as a means to segregate their district and create "failing schools". Because there is more federal and state money coming to districts with lots of "failing schools".
Running "bad and failing schools" is exactly the "choice" we have to take away from these people. It's time to outlaw Magnet Schools.
I mean real choice. a magnet school is still a state school. public schools and public education aren't the same. think GI Bill.
Let's start with money is never the issue. All Bay Area 'bad school districts' are highly overfunded (its called excess ERAF), but also highly mismanaged. So what could all that money really be doing?
There are four different ways to provide choice:
1. The best school districts provide choice in each and every school (music, PE, language, acceleration, etc.). This districts have full enrollment.
2. Improving School Districts (aka segregated districts) often use magnet programs at various long-income schools to de-segregate their district and improve financials.
3. Bad School Districts (like San Mateo, Redwood City, SF or LA) use Magnet Schools ("Schools of Choice") to segregate their district and then ask for more money to "fix their failing schools". That is a financial pyramid scheme leading to lower enrollment.
4. Especially in bad school districts people are asking for "School Choice" to take their money to private schools. That thinking is understandable, but also highly fraught.
In cities with category 1, no one is asking for a voucher system. Why would I want to take my money to a private school which has the main goal of making money. Their teachers are paid less, get no benefits and usually don't stay long. They are also not certificated. Goal to make money with no quality control - that is a bad combination.
Rural communities love their public schools and hate the "voucher systems" that lead to school closures and lower educational outcomes.
Thanks for your letter, Ms. McGeever. It seems to me that if SUHSD isn’t listening or providing answers, you may want to begin using the tactics of today – lawfare. Whether against SUHSD or their members. In parallel, you may want to work to oust SUHSD board members who are not listening. Good luck. It is noted that the Supreme Court is currently listening to arguments from parents vs. school boards in relation to opting out of troublesome and controversial teachings. That decision may help your desired outcome. Ultimately, if it comes down to it, parents may want to consider withdrawing kids from SUHSD.
"withdrawing" sounds good but without vouchers would be too expensive for many. I find this subject fascinating. media has limited choice to abortion.
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