In a significant win for students at Daniel Pearl Magnet High School in Los Angeles, music teacher Wes Hambright was reinstated on September 23, just a week after plans to remove him and Spanish teacher Glenda Hurtado were announced due to budget cuts and low enrollment. The decision followed a student-organized protest, where approximately 70 students, parents, and teachers rallied against the removal of the two beloved educators.
“We’ve gained another member of our family back, but our work isn’t over yet,” said Nadia Buer, a sophomore and one of the protest organizers. While the students celebrated Hambright’s return, their efforts continue as they push for Hurtado’s reinstatement as well.
The teachers’ removal came after a district-led assessment on September 13, which found a drop in the school’s enrollment—from 220 students in 2023 to 188 this year. District officials explained the decision was part of their annual process to ensure that staffing levels reflect student-to-teacher ratios.
Despite Hambright’s return, Hurtado remains displaced, though she has been serving as a substitute for her own class. Spanish is a required subject for graduation at Daniel Pearl Magnet High School, and the district plans to move these classes online if Hurtado is not reinstated.
Daniel Pearl Magnet High School, known for its focus on journalism and communications, is one of the smallest schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District. The school, named after journalist Daniel Pearl, who was killed in Pakistan in 2002, is located in the Lake Balboa neighborhood of Los Angeles.
Student leadership, in solidarity with the displaced teachers, postponed spirit week and homecoming events, stating that “when students are downtrodden and dispirited due to the gutting of beloved departments, we cannot celebrate at a time when the things we love are being removed.” The students plan to continue their protests, with another walkout scheduled for later in the week.
While district representatives have yet to announce whether Hurtado will be reinstated, the students remain determined to ensure both teachers return to their school community.
