Superintendent Contract Extension Issue
Temple City Board Members discussed Superintendent Dr. Chelsea Kang-Smith’s contract renewal on Nov. 14. TCHS graduate, Jennifer Der, spoke in support of Dr. Kang-Smith by describing a close personal connection with the superintendent. Temple City Education Association President and Oak Avenue Intermediate teacher Ms. Debra Maurey gave a short presentation as well, reading from board policy and urging the board to reconsider Dr. Kang-Smith’s contract renewal. The board then voted to table the issue and vote again at a later time.
Proposition 30 and Measure S Results
Proposition 30 and Measure S passed in the state of California and in Temple City, respectively.
Prop 30 will temporarily raise taxes for those making over $250,000 a year for seven years, increase sales tax one-fourth of a cent per dollar for four years, and prevent both college tuition hikes and budget cuts estimating up to $6 billion to California public schools.
Measure S calls for the renovation of TCUSD schools with the issue of a $128.8 million bond. Revamps in technology, security and heating and cooling systems are just a few of the many upgrades to come.
Students Experience Theft
While walking into their locker room after their last practice of the season, the girls tennis team couldn’t help but notice that their bags had been rummaged through and for some, cell phones and money had been stolen.
Theft is an ongoing problem in both the girls and boys locker rooms since there is no supervision during class time.
The only immediate solution, according to Coach Savay Lieu, is in the hands of the students themselves. Coach Lieu suggests on making sure to lock personal belongings in lockers. Students have reported thefts throughout TCHS in places such as the music, choir and auxiliary rooms.
Tran to Sit Out for Football C.I.F.
Varsity football left tackle and guard Junior Dadrian Tran sustained injuries during the Homecoming game against La Cañada on Oct. 26. A La Cañada player elbowed Tran’s head and another player rammed into his back. Tran now has bruises on his head, a sprained spine, torn knee cartilage and pinched nerves. Due to his injuries, Tran had to sit out the rest of the games.
“I started training again last Thursday,” Tran said. “I have just been doing physical therapy and light weight lifting at school to build up my strength.”
Musical Auditions for “The King and I”
The auditions for “The King and I,” began on Nov. 14 and 15. Prospective lead actors and chorus actors bustled around the choir room to present their best in hopes of landing a role in the musical. Students sang and recited lines of the character they tried out for. Members of the BrighterSide Singers are excited to participate in the musical as the challenge of the play’s music and dances spark great interest and determination.
“Beauty and the Deceased” Performance
The Rams Repertory Company of TCHS will present “Beauty and the Deceased” by Marc Holland and Michael Davis on Nov. 29 and 30 at 7:00 p.m. in Rm. 601.
Pre-sale tickets are available for $5 and general admission is $7. Senior Alex Vicario, Junior Mackenzie Byers and Sophomore Alec Velazquez landed the lead roles of the performance.
Cal State Universities Increase Fees
The California State University Board of Trustees is considering raising fees to encourage students to graduate sooner and free up space at CSU’s by $30 million annually. A fee of $372 per unit will be imposed on super seniors, students who need more than four years to graduate. Approximately 9,000 students at Cal State campuses are super seniors. If a student needs to repeat a course to make up credit, he or she will have to pay and additional $91. Lastly, if a student takes on a course load of 18 units or more then he or she will have to pay $182.