Interested in Vocational Agriculture

My son is a freshman at Valencia High School in Placentia. He is enrolled in the Vocational Agriculture Program. It is one of his classes. He has been in the program for 2 years. We have just been informed that one of the assistant superintendents at the district office will recommend to the board to close the program down in June. Why? I don’t understand why they would deprive my son and the other students of an education in business management and taking on responsibility.

It has been published that California agriculture plays a vital role in the economy of our state. The district should understand that this type of education will always lead students to jobs. The kids not only learn how to raise and care for their animals, but they are also taught horticulture. I know this county is still very much interested in landscaping and how to care for plants.

The program has been at Valencia for more than 50 years. I was graduated from Valencia in 1972, and my memories of the Agriculture Farm are that it was, and still is, very important to the kids who were involved.

In this day and age of so much drug and alcohol abuse, this program should not be shut down. It teaches the students responsibility, love, and caring. If need be, they work at it 24 hours a day. In fact we should have more programs like this to help keep the kids busy and off the streets. I know the parents are responsible for their kids, but it helps to know that the school district is helping out with programs like agriculture.

As a concerned parent, I hope the board will see fit to keep and support this program for a very long time.

ELEANOR LOZANO

Placentia