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More than 20 Hollister Prep School walked out of class on May 22 to protest proposed staffing cuts.
The students made their way from the campus located on South Street to downtown Hollister carrying signs that read “No lay offs, we need teachers” and “Stop HPS layoffs.” The students were accompanied by some parents and Navigator Schools CEO Caprice Young,
Near the Navigator Schools administration office located on 650 San Benito Street, students gathered to chant and ask passersby to honk.
Young said a draft budget presented to the board included eight position cuts for next school year and that the board will take action next month. She said the cuts do not include teachers.
Three days ahead of the protest an email from a parent urged other parents to contact the board of directors to voice their opposition to the proposed cuts to safety, office, supervision and intervention staff.
“Families are already witnessing growing concerns regarding student behavior, supervision and campus safety,” the email states. “Implementing further layoffs or reductions to student-facing support positions would only increase those concerns and place additional strain on remaining staff and students.”
The email also states that if layoffs continue, that many families will reconsider participating in Smarter Balanced Assessment System testing. According to the California Department of Education, it’s a computer-based test and performance task that assesses students’ knowledge in English language arts and mathematics.
Seventh grade student Oscar Lizarraga-Purtle,13, said he walked out to make a stand against the proposed cuts and to show it also impacts students.
Students walk out of the Hollister Prep School campus on South street and head toward downtown Hollister. Photo by Noe Magaña. 
Navigator Schools CEO Caprice Young speaks to the protesting students near the administration office in downtown Hollister. Photo by Noe Magaña. 
Hollister Prep School student Oscar Lizarraga-Purtle (left) protests near campus against proposed staff cuts. Photo by Noe Magaña.
Lizarraga-Purtle’s parents also participated in the walk-out and said they were proud of him for standing up for what he believes in.
“We’ve been really happy here for eight years and we love our staff and we need the staff,” Amy Purtle said.
Her husband Oscar Lizarraga said they have three younger children attending Hollister Prep and that he wanted the charter school to look at other means of cutting costs such as reducing wages or fundraising.
“Whaterver they can to keep staff would be great,” he said.
Young said she was proud of the students for using their voice, noting the students self-organized and that she found out about it last night.
She said she was there to support their First Amendment right to protest but also to make sure they were safe. She added that students were not looking at any consequences for walking out of class.
“As long as they are peaceful and safe, this is what it is,” she said.
Young said she wished the charter school was not in such a position but that it has used reserves and grant money for the last two years to make up for the loss of federal funds that were tied to COVID-19.
“We can’t keep doing that and so we have to lay off eight people,” she said.
She said all public schools are facing financial challenges, not just charter schools. Navigator Schools operates four area schools located in Hollister, Gilroy, Watsonville, and Hayward, according to its website
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