Los Gatos Weekly-Times

LGHS parent asks the board to investigate political rally

By Cecily Barnes

At last Tuesday's high school board meeting, parent Irwin Joseph approached the board with an ax to grind regarding the anti-Proposition 215 press conference that was held at Los Gatos High School one week before the Nov. 5 elections.

"I had to hear from my kids that they were pulled out of class to attend this press conference. This was partisan politics brought into the school," Joseph said. "There were kids taken out of class and herded into the auditorium."

On Oct. 30, a group of political bigwigs flocked to LGHS on a whirlwind anti-Proposition 215 campaign tour. According to Los Gatos Police Chief Larry Todd, LGHS was chosen because of football coach Butch Cattolico's recent decision to implement voluntary drug testing for his players. White House drug czar Barry McCaffery, U.S. Sen. Dianne Fienstein, Santa Clara County Supervisor Ron Gonzales, Los Gatos Mayor Randy Attaway and San Jose Mayor Susan Hammer crowded into the high school's auditorium and took turns condemning 215 before television cameras and reporters. The sign-wielding crowd of teenagers, thrilled to be out of class, provided at least the look of a large crowd of supportive young people.

Before the conference, LGHS Principal Ted Simonson sent all his teachers a memo regarding when the conference would be held and inviting them to attend with their classes.

"Second-period teachers who would like to bring their classes to the conference may do so. Your students should be in the audience well before 9:15 if you plan to attend," the memo reads.

Despite the fact attendance was voluntary, Joseph thought it was irresponsible not to present both sides of a ballot proposition.

"This was not education; this was politics. And politics in this form does not belong in the high school," said Joseph. This did not teach kids how to evaluate a decision or research an opinion. It taught kids you get herded into a room, and your're supposed to believe whatever your told."

Simonson insists that the press conference was an educational experience for the students. He explained the event was made available to teach the kids how a press conference operates, not how Proposition 215 is wrong.

"It was an opportunity for our kids to see a U.S. senator in action, and to see how a major press conference is not a spontaneous event that pops up," Simonson said. "You don't get many opportunities for kids to go and see how those things operate."

Nonetheless parents like Joseph believe their children were used as political pawns. Seeking recourse, Joseph sent a letter to the school board requesting they investigate the matter and reprimand those who "overstepped the bounds of fairness, of reasonableness and of respect for the students of the high school."

Trustee Ron Adolphson said the matter is under investigation, but he does not foresee any disciplinary action.

"I think that some of the things that took place were inappropriate, and believe me, those things won't happen again," Adolphson said. "But disciplinary action--what does he want, public humiliation?"