SF High Schoolers Direct Action gets Satisfaction

Mission District, SF, CA (1/20/01)

Today, during the protests of GW's coronation, students at the Real Alternatives Project High School (RAP) occupied their school building and forced representatives from the School District to negotiations. The approx. 15 students made the following demands (all related to the issues of funding and student voice);

* The hiring of full-time administrative staff. (The school's current staff contains only four teachers, who handle many administrative functions while also teaching classes for RAPs students-- approx. 80-100)
* Counseling staff (both academic and general counseling)
* Student control over all new hiring decisions to be certain that new staff represent the diverse communities and backgrounds served by the school.
* A Library (students currently have no on-site access to reference materials.)
* Basic supplies (like pencils, a FAX machine, etc.)
* Parking permits for the school's four teachers.

After negotiating with the School District's reps, a time-table was drawn up of short- and long-term goals. The reps agreed to sign on to the letter in return for the students vacating the building.

The Real Alternatives Program has been in existance since 1969. Many of the students at the RAP high school are considered "at risk" youth, and have been expelled from multiple other city high schools. Teachers, staff, and other supporters were present today to show their support for the students' action. Recently elected School Board member Mark Sanchez was also present, showing his support for the students. Sanchez is the only career teacher currently serving on the School Board.

Three volunteers with SF Food Not Bombs heard about the occupation and came to show their support and offer to deliver hot meals, were the occupation to continue into the night. (This turned out to be unneccessary.)

Shereen, a journalist with Oakland's National Radio Project, supplied some of the details of this report.