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*Don Haught, interim superintendent
*Don Haught, interim superintendent


==Discriminatory policies==
On July 31, 2008, the GUHSD governing board voted unanimously in favor of a resolution for the endorsement of [[California]] [[Proposition 8]].<ref>{{cite news | first= | last= | coauthors= | title=Resolution for the Endorsement of Proposition 8 - The California Marriage Protection Act | date= 2008-07-31 | publisher=Grossmont Union High School District | url=http://portal.guhsd.net/portal/page/portal/GUHSD_SUPER/BOARD/BOARD_DOCS/Resolutions/Support%20of%20Prop%208.pdf |format=PDF| work = | pages = | accessdate = 2008-10-13 | language = }}</ref> The controversial ballot measure, which California voters approved by [[simple majority]] on November 4, 2008, amended the [[California constitution|state constitution]] to read: "Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California."


In its resolution, the governing board refers to the measure as the "California Marriage Protection Act." Previously, in November 2007, [[California Attorney General]] [[Jerry Brown]] had retitled it "Limit on Marriage. Constitutional Amendment".<ref name="november-07-title">{{cite web
| title = Initiative No. 07-0068
| publisher = Attorney General of California
| date = November 29, 2007
| url = http://ag.ca.gov/cms_attachments/initiatives/pdfs/i737_07-0068_title_and_summary.pdf
|format=PDF| accessdate = 2008-10-29}}</ref><ref name=bar>{{cite news|url= http://www.ebar.com/news/article.php?sec=news&article=2655 |work=[[Bay Area Reporter]] |date=January 31, 2008 |title=Anti-gay initiative drive back on |author=Seth Hemmelgarn}}</ref> By July 3, 2008, the ballot label had been revised to read: "Eliminates Right of Same-Sex Couples to Marry. Initiative Constitutional Amendment."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/bp_11042008_pres_general/prop_8_titlesummary.pdf |format=PDF|title=Ballot Label (Proposition 8) |publisher=California Secretary of State |date=2008-07-03}}</ref>

Rather than side with each of the state's largest newspapers, both U.S. senators, [[Dianne Feinstein]] and [[Barbara Boxer]], [[United States Speaker of the House|U.S. House Speaker]] and California representative [[Nancy Pelosi]], [[California Governor]] [[Arnold Schwarzenegger]], mayors [[Gavin Newsom]], [[Antonio Villaraigosa]] and [[Jerry Sanders]] of [[San Francisco]], [[Los Angeles]] and [[San Diego]], respectively, [[California State Superintendent of Public Instruction]] [[Jack O'Connell]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.noonprop8.com/action/engage-online/videos-1/|title=Prop 8 has nothing to do with schools|accessdate=2008-10-30}}</ref> and the [[California Teachers Association]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.noonprop8.com/about/who-opposes-prop-8|title=Who opposes Prop 8?|accessdate=2008-10-30}}</ref> the governing board chose to associate itself with private, religious organizations such as [[The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/commentary/california-and-same-sex-marriage|title=California and Same-Sex Marriage| accessdate=2008-09-05}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.heraldextra.com/content/view/280669/3/|title=LDS Donate Millions to Fight Gay Marriage|accessdate=2008-09-17}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.washblade.com/2008/9-19/news/national/13307.cfm|title=Prop 8 supporters see surge in donations |accessdate=2008-09-19}}</ref>which provided a significant amount of financial donations in support of the proposition.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.heraldextra.com/content/view/280669/17/|title=LDS donate millions to fight gay marriage|date=2008-09-16|accessdate=2008-10-30}}</ref>

The governing board's resolution raises questions about the judgement of its members and, moreover, the role that religious ideologies should or should not play in the [[public education in the United States|public education system]]. In this case, the school district aligned itself with non-secular and mostly non-governmental groups to uphold certain moral standards. By openly supporting discrimination, however, it set a poor civic example to its students.

In 2001, the GUHSD board decided to censor a film promoting tolerance of [[gay]], [[lesbian]] and [[bisexual]] students.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/op-ed/editorial2/20020320-9999_1ed20bottom.html|title=Selective hate: Narrow-minded board cuts tolerance film|accessdate=2008-10-30}}</ref> "The Truth About Hate," a video examining the nature and consequences of [[bigotry]], contains a segment with comments from the mother of an openly bisexual teen whose bullying by classmates led him to commit suicide.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.glsen.org/cgi-bin/iowa/all/booklink/record/1578.html|title=The Truth About Hate (Video)|accessdate=2008-10-30}}</ref> The video also mentions the brutal murder of [[Matthew Shepherd]], a gay college student in [[Wyoming]], and depicted a gay police officer talking with youths. Priscilla Schreiber appears to have been largely behind the move to delete these segments from the film. Schreiber complained that the portrayal of a gay authority figure sent a message that [[homosexuality]] is "normal and acceptable."


==Feeder school districts==
==Feeder school districts==

Revision as of 10:22, 9 November 2008

Grossmont Union High School District (GUHSD)
Standort
Map
San Diego East County
,
California,

Vereinigte Staaten
Information
TypPublic
Established1920
Grades9-12 and adult education
Governing boardDick Hoy
Jim Kelly
Priscilla Schreiber
Robert Shield
Larry Urdahl
SuperintendentRobert Collins, Superintendent
Websitewww.guhsd.net

The Grossmont Union High School District (GUHSD) is a public school district located in eastern San Diego County, California, and serves high school, adult school, and Regional Occupational Program (ROP) students in the cities of El Cajon, La Mesa, Lemon Grove, and Santee; and the unincorporated communities of Alpine, Casa de Oro, Crest, Dehesa, Dulzura, Jamul, Lakeside, Mount Helix, Rancho San Diego, and Spring Valley.

Formed in June 1920, the district is overseen by a five-member governing board and operates twelve high schools (nine regular, two charter, and one continuation); a regional occupational program (ROP); and special education and adult education services. The day-to-day operations are managed by the superintendent, who is appointed by the board.

The Grossmont Union High School District utilizes a strategic plan that includes a mission statement, district guidelines, core values, and annual goals and objectives. The district's schools are accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).

Four of the district's high schools—Helix, Mount Miguel, Santana, and Valhalla (twice)—have be recognized as a California Distinguished School by the California Department of Education.

In March 2001, the district and two of its high schools—Santana and Granite Hills—made nationwide headlines in the US when, in a span of seventeen days, a total of two students were killed and twenty students and two teachers were wounded when two students, in separate incidents, opened fire at their schools.

History

  • 1920 - Grossmont Union High School District formed.
  • 1939 - Grossmont High School rebuilt.
  • 1998 - Helix High School becomes the district's first charter high school.
  • 2001 - March 5, Fifteen-year-old Santana High School student Charles “Andy” Williams shot and killed two other students, Bryan Zuckor, 14, and Randy Gordon, 17, and wounded 13 others at the Santee campus. Williams pleaded guilty and in 2002 was sentenced to 50 years to life.
  • 2001 - March 22, Granite Hills High School shootings.
  • 2007 - July 1, Steele Canyon High School becomes the district's second charter high school.
  • 2008 - Day of silence controversy at West Hills High School. [citation needed]

Schools

The GUHSD has the following twelve high school campuses (listed in order of year opened):

Programs and services

In addition to its high schools, the districts operates:

  • East County Regional Education Center (ECREC)
  • East County Regional Occupational Program (ROP)
  • Foothills Adult School
  • Grossmont Work Training Center
  • Homestead / Frontier (special education)
  • Viking Center (special education - severely disabled)

Strategic plan

Mission statement

"Through excellence in teaching and in partnership with parents and the community, our mission is to graduate life-long learners who are productive members of a global society."

Governing board and superintendent

Governing board

  • Priscilla Schreiber, president
  • Larry Urdahl, vice president
  • Robert Shield, clerk
  • Dick Hoy, member
  • Jim Kelly, member

Superintendent

  • Don Haught, interim superintendent

Discriminatory policies

On July 31, 2008, the GUHSD governing board voted unanimously in favor of a resolution for the endorsement of California Proposition 8.[1] The controversial ballot measure, which California voters approved by simple majority on November 4, 2008, amended the state constitution to read: "Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California."

In its resolution, the governing board refers to the measure as the "California Marriage Protection Act." Previously, in November 2007, California Attorney General Jerry Brown had retitled it "Limit on Marriage. Constitutional Amendment".[2][3] By July 3, 2008, the ballot label had been revised to read: "Eliminates Right of Same-Sex Couples to Marry. Initiative Constitutional Amendment."[4]

Rather than side with each of the state's largest newspapers, both U.S. senators, Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer, U.S. House Speaker and California representative Nancy Pelosi, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, mayors Gavin Newsom, Antonio Villaraigosa and Jerry Sanders of San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego, respectively, California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell,[5] and the California Teachers Association,[6] the governing board chose to associate itself with private, religious organizations such as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,[7][8][9]which provided a significant amount of financial donations in support of the proposition.[10]

The governing board's resolution raises questions about the judgement of its members and, moreover, the role that religious ideologies should or should not play in the public education system. In this case, the school district aligned itself with non-secular and mostly non-governmental groups to uphold certain moral standards. By openly supporting discrimination, however, it set a poor civic example to its students.

In 2001, the GUHSD board decided to censor a film promoting tolerance of gay, lesbian and bisexual students.[11] "The Truth About Hate," a video examining the nature and consequences of bigotry, contains a segment with comments from the mother of an openly bisexual teen whose bullying by classmates led him to commit suicide.[12] The video also mentions the brutal murder of Matthew Shepherd, a gay college student in Wyoming, and depicted a gay police officer talking with youths. Priscilla Schreiber appears to have been largely behind the move to delete these segments from the film. Schreiber complained that the portrayal of a gay authority figure sent a message that homosexuality is "normal and acceptable."

Feeder school districts

  • Cajon Valley Union School District
  • La Mesa-Spring Valley School District
  • Lakeside Union School District
  • Lemon Grove School District
  • Santee School District

Notable alumni

Notable faculty

  • Cathy Zemlick, 2001, Founder GMCHS
  • Roy Anthony, Valhalla, 1995 California Teacher of the Year, Instrumental Music 9-12
  • Robin Ballarin, West Hills, 2004 San Diego County Teacher of the Year
  • Marjorie Sue Blass, 1980 San Diego County Teacher of the Year
  • Barry Bosworth, 1994 San Diego County Teacher of the Year
  • Margaret Ruth Chaimson, 1981 San Diego County Teacher of the Year
  • Nadia Maria Quintana Davies, 1982 San Diego County Teacher of the Year
  • Charles Robert Downing, 1985 San Diego County Teacher of the Year
  • Susan Emerson, 1997 San Diego County Teacher of the Year
  • Lewis V. Freed, 1985 San Diego County Teacher of the Year
  • Myrra L. Lee, Helix, 1977 National Teacher of the Year
  • June M. Mott, 1979 San Diego County Teacher of the Year
  • Jane Collins Schaffer, 1982 San Diego County Teacher of the Year
  • Elinor Van Den Akker, 1975 San Diego County Teacher of the Year

See also

References

  1. ^ "Resolution for the Endorsement of Proposition 8 - The California Marriage Protection Act" (PDF). Grossmont Union High School District. 2008-07-31. Retrieved 2008-10-13. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  2. ^ "Initiative No. 07-0068" (PDF). Attorney General of California. November 29, 2007. Retrieved 2008-10-29.
  3. ^ Seth Hemmelgarn (January 31, 2008). "Anti-gay initiative drive back on". Bay Area Reporter.
  4. ^ "Ballot Label (Proposition 8)" (PDF). California Secretary of State. 2008-07-03.
  5. ^ "Prop 8 has nothing to do with schools". Retrieved 2008-10-30.
  6. ^ "Who opposes Prop 8?". Retrieved 2008-10-30.
  7. ^ "California and Same-Sex Marriage". Retrieved 2008-09-05.
  8. ^ "LDS Donate Millions to Fight Gay Marriage". Retrieved 2008-09-17.
  9. ^ "Prop 8 supporters see surge in donations". Retrieved 2008-09-19.
  10. ^ "LDS donate millions to fight gay marriage". 2008-09-16. Retrieved 2008-10-30.
  11. ^ "Selective hate: Narrow-minded board cuts tolerance film". Retrieved 2008-10-30.
  12. ^ "The Truth About Hate (Video)". Retrieved 2008-10-30.

additional references

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