At the district's Dec. 18th Parent Brown Bag budget presentation, a standing-room-only group of concerned parents were in attendance to have their questions answered by district administrators about the possibility of losing electives, even at magnet schools.

According to district officials, the loss of a sixth period at middle schools would result in a loss of five to eight teachers per school site and a loss in the number of remedial reading courses and electives, like foreign languages, that are offered. And, the reduction would result in saving the district $2.5 million.

The core classes—like math and English—would not be affected by the change in class periods. Physical education is included in the core curriculum that must be offered to every student. Under the district's guidelines, each student is required to receive 120 minutes of physical education per week.

"The only reason we are considering consolidating is because it could be done," Superintendent Linda Murray said. "Teachers in the district are contracted to work five periods, so for the sixth period we have to add teachers."

Murray also said that although some nearby school districts have teachers contracted to work six-period days, this option is not being considered by San Jose Unified.

At the meeting, Murray also presented comments that had been brought to her attention in previous meetings with parents and students regarding the impact of losing elective classes.

Some included erosion of parent support for schools, possible loss of teachers' jobs, lessening of motivation for youth to come to school and, because of the diminished school day, too much unsupervised free time for the children after school. Murray confirmed that district administrators were listening to the community's comments and encouraged more to get involved. In the early 1990s, when electives were cut from schools, some parents said it took four years to get them back into the schools and even more time to get them running successfully.

"We are looking at every possibility available right now, so hopefully we won't have to do this draconian thing that will erode our education," Murray said.

Castillero Middle School parent Amy Peck attended the meeting and said she wants the district to know how these cutbacks will directly impact her child's education. Along with other Castillero parents, she passed out nearly 500 fliers to parents at the school the day before the meeting and also called local television stations to get them involved.

"They can't take away these classes that get kids out of bed and going to class every day," she said. "I've been emailing everyone I know about this meeting."

The state's proposed budget will be announced in January by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. Murray said the district wants to have its budget solidified by June 2004. But she also said administrators want to have firm plans for the changes that will be made to all San Jose schools finalized by the end of February to present to the district's governing board.

Along with Peck, many parents at the meeting wanted to know how they could help the district—monetarily or otherwise—to save sixth-period classes. Murray told parents to be politically active and write local legislators, and it was also mentioned that another parcel tax, to alleviate the effects the economy is having on area classrooms, may be on the ballot next November.

Peck said the Castillero parents will be joining forces with Hoover Middle school parent John Engell in a plan to save sixth-period classes, called "Save our Middle Schools." Engell informed the district that the group has already compiled a list of 75 reasons the elective period should be saved and is planning a website to help mobilize the cause.

"We know there isn't a single person who wants to make these cuts," he said. "We are doing this to protect our children."