news EPA closes public schools, opens new charter school
W
ith the construction of a new charter high school in East Palo Alto underway, the Ravenswood City School District will close two public elementary schools. The district approved the closings due to a lack of enrollment and funds — the schools in the district currently serve around half their maximum capacity of students, according to the interim superintendent. Amid this change, the Sequoia Union High School District Board of Trustees voted to approve a new high school’s charter petition in late September 2019. However, members of SUHSD have expressed concerns over the impact charter schools can have on public school resources. Because state funding is based on the enrollment of each school district, RCSD has been forced to cut costs as enrollment has been steadily decreasing for over five years. by ANTONIA MOU and MICHELLE KIM
SHAM(E) Rally participants cheer and hold up signs with clever slogans as cars honk passing by the protest. “Hey, hey, ho, ho, [Senate Majority Leader] Mitch McConnell has got to go,” the group of over 40 protesters chant. Photo by Emma Donelly-Higgins
Trump's acquittal sparks protest
A
RALLY TO PROTEST the Senate impeachment acquittal of United States President Donald Trump occured on Feb. 5 at the corner of El Camino Real and Embarcadero Road. Earlier that afternoon, the Senate voted against Trump’s removal from office on two articles of impeachment — obstruction of justice and abuse of power — bringing the multi-week trial to an end. The trial had no witnesses and all but one senator voted along party lines. “We are here to make a very simple statement, which is that we reject the
non-trial, which is really nothing more than a cover up,” rally organizer Susie Hwang said. Hwang added that she believes the most important thing that people can do to take action is to vote in the upcoming elections. “We have to win at the presidential level, the Senate, we have to defend the House, we have to win state races,” Hwang said. “To win elections we need … a more representative electorate.” by RACHEL LIT and EMMA DONELLY-HIGGINS
Rapidly replacing Principal Paulson
S
by ALLISON CHANG
INCE THE NEWS of the resignation of Palo Alto High School Principal Adam Paulson, Palo Alto Unified School District Deputy Superintendent Karen Hendricks has outlined the process of hiring a new principal. According to the schedule, Paly’s new principal, who will replace Paulson this fall, will be announced in the middle of March.
Paulson announces his resignation via email to community.
Jan. 24
12 FEBRUARY 2020
Needs Assessment took place to get input from students and staff on what they want in the next principal.
Feb. 4
Job posting closes. Candidates are prescreened and initial reference checks occur.
Feb. 18
Candidates begin initial screening interviews with Superintendent Don Austin, Hendricks and Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Education Services Sharon Ofek.
Feb. 21 or 24
