Creative Arts: A Community of Artists- Learning and Growing Together.

If that's true, then why are we losing teachers who have been here for almost two decades?

Why is the school being completely renovated, but two of our biggest art programs are being cut?

How does the Saint Paul Public School District expect to call Creative Arts Secondary School an art school, if they take away the 'arts'?

As you may know, the Minnesota House of Representatives has discussed a budget plan that would leave $165 million of the government surplus to education. The senate has proposed a $365 million budget plan. That would save schools state wide from losing their art programs and keep good teachers in their positions.

Which is where this becomes a personal matter for students, teachers and alumni of Creative Arts Secondary School in St. Paul, MN.

On May 4th, we were made aware that our Principal Dr. Valerie Littles-Butler (Doc), and Associate Principal Kara Admunson, were put on administrative leave, but we were never told why. That night, the whole student body was sent an email by the Assistant Superintendent Theresa Battle that, in short, said two unlicensed teachers had been teaching two elective classes, and those students' Grade Point Average may be affected, and Seniors in the high school may not graduate on time, as the credits received in those classes were deemed invalid by having unlicensed teachers. The classes that had been found to be affected, were Photography, and Beginning Recording Arts- Two of the biggest arts programs at Creative Arts- and for good reason. Adam Bucher (Booker), who teaches Beginning and Advanced Audio Production classes, and Leocadio Herrera (Cadex), teaches Photography, Digital Imaging, and Filmmaking classes.

In addition to being phenomenal teachers, both Booker and Cadex are active artists in their respective fields.

Booker is a DJ (under the name Booka B), produces music professionally, sells his paintings, and has been a featured artist in Juxtapose Magazine.

Cadex is a working graphic designer, web page designer, photographer, and countless other things. He sells, and helps his students sell their art.

They have been employed with SPPS for a decade and a half, and were hired as Community/Creative Arts Specialists. Both have undergraduate art degrees, and were granted variances to teach in a classroom. HR's statement that they were not granted these variances were completely false. From what mainstream media is reporting about this, it is said that Human Resources for SPPS has said they never received these special variances, or teaching licenses required to legally teach, until today, when Cadex submitted an application for a one year license, which would satisfy the time he needs to finish up his actual state licensure. But they also said that Booker was hired in 2009, and Cadex was hired in 2000, meaning there are links missing in the HR department's story, and employment records on both Cadex and Booker. If Cadex and Booker had these licenses, they would have been granted before the dates they were supposedly employed.

We have also been informed that 8 teachers in total, will be let go due to these budget cuts. These teachers would be primarily coming from the fine arts, and electives courses. State wide, that's hundreds of dedicated teachers out of their jobs. We are just one tiny school. Cadex and Booker have developed a strong reputation for caring about their students, helping them, and inspiring them to do what gives them purpose. In a school designed to fit the needs of students who don't belong in mainstream public schools, due to their mental health status, or their uniqueness that found them bullied and tortured in other schools, this is a devastating blow. On a strictly emotional level, out of our 163 high school students, 3/4 of us spent today in and out of tears, because of the impact craters those teachers made on our lives. Many students have gone as far as to say they wouldn't be alive if it hadn't been for them. Who knows how many other teachers in the State of Minnesota, have made similar impacts on their students, are now losing their jobs and having to leave behind students who cared about them, and felt safe in their company, when no other place felt safe. Teachers like that make schools a home away from home. Take away the teachers, and all you have is a big brick building, and some students who could really use some inspiration.

Not only are they trying to take out two of the biggest art programs at an art school, they are taking the heart and soul out of so many generations of students that have, and currently attend Creative Arts High School.

This petition is to get the state legislation to give better funding to our schools state wide, but also to have Superintendent Silva reinstate Adam Bucher, and Leocadio Herrera's positions. If we win, the states education budget will rise, and schools can keep their arts programs, and all the teachers who have built them from the ground up. Booker and Cadex get back into their rightful place inside the walls of Creative Arts High School, and students state wide, keep their incredible teachers.

If we lose... Schools will slowly break down completely. It's not fair to have the budgets cut, and the teachers fired, when it's completely avoidable, and we have the money to do it.

edited on 5/10/15- misinformation correction