With dozens of layoff notices expected to be handed out to local educators by the conclusion of this week, many community members have expressed concerns about their children’s future educational opportunities.
No notices have been officially handed out to teachers yet, but the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District’s Board of Education has taken more than one of the necessary steps to do so soon. In fact, a recent communication forwarded to the district’s board lists more than 50 employees who could soon receive notice that their services are no longer needed.
In response to the potential losses, nearly 100 community members have taken the podium at various board meetings in recent weeks to persuade district leaders to find a way to keep its educators. Some of these speakers include members of Samohi’s wrestling team, who emotionally shared why their beloved coach and teacher should not receive a pink slip.
At the start of the season, the local wrestling team eagerly discussed how Jason Mun found his way to the local high school. With smiles and laughs, wrestlers shared how the program, which was at one time in danger of being cut, was growing and hoping for a championship run. In February, their smiles had faded as the team spoke to a room full of attendees and the district’s board.
Senior Jonathan Zhang was the first athlete to take the podium during the meeting to share how instrumental Coach Mun has been in his peers’ lives.
“Despite being a “skinny, nerdy, Asian kid… Coach mun still welcomed me to the team to come and train with the team. He didn’t stress wins and losses but instead wanted me to focus on my own personal growth,” Zhang said. “From him, I have gained more confidence in myself and have become stronger — both physically and mentally… Without wrestling and coach Mun, I would not have been able to have been accepted into the UC Irvine honors program or received a letter of invitation from the chancellor at UC Santa Barbara.”
Kristena Nichols, a junior on Samohi’s team, agreed with her teammates’ sentiments when she took the podium a few minutes later. Like her peers who would later join her, Nichols shared how she has grown as a student and athlete under Mun’s guidance.
“I didn’t come to Samo until my Sophomore year so I didn’t know anyone when I came last year. My first class was taught by Coach Mun,” who immediately welcomed me to the team and helped me in-and-out of the classroom, Nichols said. “For me, wrestling has made a huge impact on my high school experience,” and it’s likely others would say the same.
“I’m on my way out but I leave behind a bunch of great kids who are preparing for the next season — whose dreams of being a champion are still in reach, ” senior Ian Gomez added. “They need Coach Mun to get them there. Please don’t take this (team) away from them.”
The group’s remarks went unaddressed since the board is unable to respond to speakers about public comments. When district staff was later asked about the status of the coach and Engish teacher, they said SMMUSD cannot comment on personnel issues. But it was mentioned that the Samohi wrestling program will continue with its current coach.
brennon@smdp.com
