By Miriam Raftery

March 9, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) –A student walkout is slated for 12 p.m. Monday at all Grossmont Union HIgh School District schools during the lunch hour, though the district has sent a memo warning students that leaving school is considered truancy. In addition, picketing by parents and teachers is planned before school starting around 7:45 a.m.

The students and parentwill be protesting the district board majority’s vote last week to fire 49  teachers, including all campus librarians, as ECM reported . A petition opposing the firings now has over 3,400 signatures.

“According to the department of education, a ‘large’ district such as the GUHSD has to have a teacher librarian” says Laura Preble, a retired 30-year Monte Vista High School librarian. “Library techs are not qualified to do what teacher librarians do; teacher librarians have to get a special credential to do what they do. The board, except for Chris Fite, seems more concerned with future students than current students," she told ECM. "High school libraries are not silent. They are the heart of the school where collaboration, study, research, reading, and clubs often meet. In cutting so many student-service positions, the board is really saying they do not care about our students, whose needs are great.” 

The Board has moved its Tuesday, March 11 meeting to Grossmont High School in the old gym at 6 p.m. with a rally before at 5 p.m. Speaker cards will be available starting at 3:30 p.m. The district has sent a memo stating that only 500 people will be allowed into the gym, with no saved seating allowed, nor standing, extra chairs, or sitting on the floor.  A link will be provided for overflow audience members to watch the meeting.  “The board will retreat again if the audience is rowdy,” the district has warned.