Community Mobilizes Against Cunha Teacher Layoffs as Enrollment Forecast Darkens

The Cabrillo Unified School Board's April 9 meeting was overtaken by an extraordinary outpouring of opposition to the proposed elimination of two teaching positions at Cunha Intermediate School — 14 speakers, 232 student signatures, and a letter signed by the entire Cunha faculty — while an enrollment consultant delivered data showing the district could lose 130 students in three years as birth rates collapse.

• 232 student signatures and 14 speakers flood board meeting to oppose cutting two Cunha teaching positions that would eliminate AG Science, STEAM, and sound lab electives

• Enrollment projected to drop 130 students districtwide in three years, with kindergarten-age cohorts potentially shrinking by a third within four years

• Board approves two electric school buses at under $200,000 district cost via state CalStart grant

• $719K Farallone View Elementary School playground approved, but board member raises equity alarm about Hatch Elementary's 500+ students

• Superintendent pledges to explore CTE funding to enhance rather than cut the ag program, calling staffing changes "preliminary"

Students, Teachers, Ranchers Unite to Save Cunha Positions

Fourteen speakers — students, parents, teachers, ranchers, and union representatives — packed the public comment period to oppose the proposed elimination of math teacher Marcelline Springer and AG Science teacher Chris Benoit at Cunha Intermediate School.

Why it matters: Losing two full-time positions would eliminate three elective programs — AG Science, STEAM, and Sound Lab — push class sizes above 33, force teachers to give up prep periods, loss of scheduling flexibility for students with IEPs, and sever the pipeline feeding the award-winning Half Moon Bay High School FFA program.

Where things stand: Seventh grader Lucas opened public comment with 232 student signatures and 10 teacher signatures. Audrey, also a seventh grader, testified that electives shaped her career aspirations and made middle school worth attending. Ninth grader Emily argued the middle school ag class is essential for building interest in FFA. Tamara Arriaga, the high school FFA chapter secretary, credited the middle school program with transforming her confidence:

"Because of the foundations I built in middle school and the support of an amazing teacher, I have gained the confidence to speak in both English and Spanish — a skill that bridges communities and opens doors."

Science Teacher Casey Owen read a letter signed by every Cunha teacher:

"Eliminating these two positions will have an immediate and significant impact on our students' experience and outcomes."

Ruth Ann Wolk, the 20-year math department chair, reported that Cunha math scores rose 8% this year — an unprecedented increase she attributed to reasonable class sizes. Shannon Murray, a former 19-year district teacher, warned of a pattern:

"Many of us have left after decisions where our advocacy for students seemed to be unheard or potentially unwanted."

Laura Butterfoss, Cunha's special education department chair, spoke on behalf of the entire SpEd department, testifying that AG Science and STEAM are uniquely accessible to students with IEPs and neurodivergent learners:

"Our staff has personally witnessed this impact on a nonverbal student — him voicing his care and love for animals when he does not speak very often."

The agricultural community turned out in force. Sonia Myers, the Half Moon Bay High School AG teacher who built the Little Cunha Farm, noted the Farm Bureau was upset at the news. Rancher Vince Fontana argued the FFA students in the room represent the future of food production. Nancy Fontana, a San Mateo County Farm Bureau board member, urged the board to continue both positions, emphasizing that the county's agricultural heritage is irreplaceable once lost.

English Language Development teacher Yolanda warned that class sizes of 34 would devastate support for English learners, for whom electives also represent the accomplishment of getting reclassified out of ELD. Cunha science teacher Kurt Murray argued the district is not experiencing near-term budget problems and urged the board to develop existing talent rather than eliminate positions.

A representative from Cabrillo Unified Teachers Association (CUTA) and Paul Harrison, California School Employees Association (CSEA) representative, both spoke in support of retaining the positions, with CUTA warning that large class sizes and teacher uncertainty undermine recruitment in a district already struggling to attract educators.

The other side: Superintendent Dr. Ramon Miramontes took responsibility for communication failures and stated the changes are preliminary, with nothing finalized until May 15.

"I don't want to eliminate the AG program, I want to enhance it. I want to strengthen it. I want to bring more sections to it. So we're working on how we do that by still being fiscally responsible."

He said the district is exploring Career and Technical Education (CTE) funding through Strong Workforce and Golden State Pathways grants to bolster the program.

Vice President Peter Cerneka acknowledged receiving approximately 50 emails and speaking with a dozen people. He urged grace while noting fiscal constraints including ongoing deficit spending, and called for better transparency:

"I will say that I do support strategic exceptions to some of the decisions that we have to make, especially if we can see that these things could have positive academic outcomes. We can see that they're strongly supported by the community."

Decisions: No formal vote was taken — staffing changes are a personnel matter.

What's next: The May 15 deadline will determine whether the preliminary staffing adjustments become permanent. The superintendent's commitment to explore CTE funding alternatives sets up a decision point at an upcoming board meeting on whether grant opportunities can preserve or expand the ag program.

Enrollment Forecast: A Third Fewer Kindergartners in Four Years

The Demographic Cliff Arrives

Tom Williams of Enrollment Projection Consultants delivered the 2025-26 enrollment forecast, and the numbers paint a sobering picture for the district's long-term planning.

Why it matters: The high school is projected to lose 81 students next fall and 139 cumulatively over three years, as the last large kindergarten cohorts — those that entered before 2016 — graduate out. Elementary and middle school numbers remain relatively stable for two years before declining as much smaller birth cohorts reach school age.

Where things stand: Kindergarten enrollment has dropped from the upper 200s before 2014 to below 190 in every year since. But the most alarming data point is forward-looking.

"What correlates to the current kindergartners is 170. What correlates to the kindergartners four years from now is 124," Williams said. "That's essentially a third less kindergarteners four years from now."

The geographic pattern is equally troubling. Williams noted that enrollment in the district's most affordable housing has dropped 31% over six years, while higher-value neighborhoods show more stability. Two Mid-Peninsula Housing (Midpen) developments — Cypress Point in Moss Beach (affordable, expected 2027-28) and a proposed 70-unit project on Main Street — are the only significant sources of enrollment gains from new housing.

Vice President Peter Cerneka asked about the expanding Catholic school in town; Williams said it is not yet showing up as additional losses in district data. Williams also found no significant shift of students to private schools and noted that districts on the other side of the hill are basic-aid funded and have no incentive to recruit Cabrillo students.

Public commenter Kenan flagged a discrepancy between enrollment numbers approved in a November consent agenda item and the numbers in the presentation, asking which figures are accurate.

What's next: The enrollment forecast directly underpins the difficult staffing and budget decisions the district is already confronting — including the Cunha positions that dominated public comment. As birth cohorts continue to shrink, the board will face recurring pressure to right-size staffing against declining revenue.

Board Approves Electric Buses at Fraction of Full Cost

The basics: The board unanimously approved two related items — the Zero Emission School Bus and Infrastructure (ZESBI) grant agreement with CalStart (5-0) and the purchase of two full-size electric school buses totaling approximately $882,000 (5-0).

Why it matters: The CalStart grant covers over 75% of the cost, reducing the district's out-of-pocket expense to under $200,000. Superintendent Dr. Ramon Miramontes emphasized the deal: without the grant, the buses would cost nearly $1 million. Charging stations are included in the ZESBI grant separately from the bus purchase, and additional stacking grants are being explored.

Vice President Peter Cerneka framed the risk for the public: unexpected maintenance costs would have to exceed several hundred thousand dollars before the deal would not be worth it. Board Member Breanna Lafontaine asked about field trip logistics, noting current bus drivers must return early for afternoon routes. Miramontes said the district is exploring hiring part-time drivers for Tuesday/Thursday trips.

Decisions: Both items passed 5-0 by voice vote (plus one student advisory vote).

Farallon View Playground Approved, but Equity Gap Looms

The board unanimously approved a $718,587 contract with Miracle Play Systems for a new ADA-compliant, marine-themed playground at Farallone View Elementary School, funded through Measure K bonds. Staff noted that parts of the existing play structure had been removed or taped off as unsafe.

The other side: Vice President Peter Cerneka repeatedly voiced concern about the disparity with Hatch Elementary, the district's largest school with over 500 students, many low-income:

"I'm looking at Hatch and I'm saying, we have so many more kids that go to that school. And the playground options at that school, the field, that is something that we're going to have to address."

Board President Lizet Cortes countered that the Moss Beach community deserves the investment and the playground also serves as a community resource. Superintendent Dr. Ramon Miramontes acknowledged the aesthetics gap across schools and said the district is exploring Prop 2 reimbursements to stretch improvement dollars. Board Member Breanna Lafontaine expressed enthusiasm and hoped the playground would be available to families on weekends.

Decisions: Passed 5-0 by voice vote. The equity concerns raised about Hatch signal a likely future debate over how remaining Measure K bond dollars are allocated.

Kings Mountain Posts Strong Scores With 41 Students

Principal David Jones presented on Kings Mountain Elementary, a small school of 41 students in three combination classrooms (TK-5) located in the hills off Highway 35. English Language Arts (ELA) scores are 46.1 points above standard; math is 8.6 points above. Every student — 100% — reports they can name at least one adult they trust at school.

Enrollment started at 49 but dropped to 41 due to job transfers, housing changes, and immigration. However, school tours are up and enrollment is projected to exceed 50 next year. Jones highlighted new community volunteer programs where retired residents come every Thursday and Friday to support reading, enrichment, and a new woodworking hour. Superintendent Dr. Ramon Miramontes praised the multi-age teaching philosophy.

Minor Items

• El Granada Building C lease amendment: Board approved a $37,478 amendment with Rodan Builders to finalize DSA compliance for the 99% complete classroom building, funded from bonds. Passed 5-0.

• Consent agenda: Approved 5-0 by roll call vote (Cortes, Cerneka, Lafontaine, Alexander, Daniel all voting aye).

• Pilarcitos High School counselor grant denied: Student Board Member Martin Juarez reported the grant application for a new counselor at Pilarcitos High School was not approved, and the current counselor is expected to leave her position soon — raising concerns about student mental health support at the alternative school.

• Spanish-language restorative justice training: Pilarcitos hosted the district's first 100% Spanish-language restorative justice training for elementary yard duty supervisors. The training was successful enough that another session was requested.

• California School Boards Association (CSBA) legislative update: Board Member Carmen Daniel reported on CSBA's four-bill package focused on state accountability for achievement gaps, protection of Prop 98 funding guarantees, full COLA funding, and district insolvency protections. "They're trying to withhold money from it. And basically it's undermining the basic principle that Prop 98, that guarantee should be the floor of the funding that we get, not the ceiling," she said.

• Board retreat: Board members worked on the board handbook and superintendent goals at a recent retreat.