As of Wednesday, April 17 here is what we know.  Due to the anticipated budget cuts, the District wants to eliminate two Kennedy teachers.  In order to accommodate this, the school administration has proposed that students will only be allowed to take 6 periods.  This means that either they will not be able to take Zero Period (effectively eliminating Marching Band) or if they sign up for zero period, they will not be allowed to take a sixth period class.  Not very many students will be able to take this option and still get all their required classes in.  They can either take periods 0-5 or 1-6, not 0-6.  As you might imagine, this will have a devastating effect on Marching Band and actually the entire music program.

This restriction is not just a possibility, it is already in effect for the 8th graders at Walker who are already registering for 9th grade.  Also, did you know that Kennedy is the only high school in the AUHSD imposing this restriction? 

This community has made strong attempts to live here because they value the long and reputable tradition of the music programs at Kennedy.  This fact was a major reason for a $19 million Performing Arts Center located on Kennedy's campus.  Also, we know that admittance officers at colleges and universities like to see students with continuity of four years in a program like band.

The first step is to send email and regular mail expressing your concern to the following persons:

Kelly Wilson, Principal, Kennedy High School, 8281 Walker St., La Palma CA 90623 email:  wilson_k@auhsd.us

Dr. Joseph Farley, Superintendent, Anaheim Union High School District, P.O Box 3520, Anaheim, CA 92803 email:  farley_j@auhsd.us

Dr. Denise Selbe, Superintendent for Human Resources, Anaheim Union High School District, P.O Box 3520, Anaheim, CA 92803 email:  selbe_d@auhsd.us

Ann Piercy, Board Member, Anaheim Union High School District, P.O Box 3520, Anaheim, CA 92803 email:   piercy_a@auhsd.us

Brian O'Neil, Board Member, Anaheim Union High School District, P.O Box 3520, Anaheim, CA 92803 email:   oneil_b@auhsd.us

Jordan Brandman, Board Member, Anaheim Union High School District, P.O Box 3520, Anaheim, CA 92803 email:   brandman_j@auhsd.us

Another thing you can do is attend the upcoming Fiscal Emergency Town Hall this Saturday, May 10th, from 1PM – 3PM at Marshall Middle School , 5870 E. Wardlow Rd. , Long Beach , CA   90808 , hosted by Assembly Member Warren Furutani.  A number of legislators will be present.  The forum will look at the impact of potential budget cuts on the state and allow for opportunities for those attending to voice concerns about possible budget cuts, explore alternatives and strategies to budget cuts, and connect with other organizations against the proposed budget cuts.  Please attend. 

Depending on your response, you might want to follow up with a phone call or better yet a personal meeting. 

We will update this page as we get more information.  Check out the What's New page if you want to know quickly if anything has changed on this page.