When the door to woodshop was closed last spring, a can of worms was opened. Though students outside the group of 20 who signed up for the class this year may or may not be disappointed by its cancellation, the removal of woodshop signifies a larger issue to which all students can relate. 

Woodshop was a class where students could express themselves, where those interested in a neat hobby or careers in carpentry or other trades could find their start. Its disappearance is only the latest in a string of similar cases. 

In the past, the high school offered courses like auto shop, metal shop, home economics, computer-assisted drafting and even pre-engineering. Though some of these classes might seem outdated or alien now, to the students taking them, they were a way to find their places in a school full of musicians, athletes and brains. Courses focusing on hands-on work and little-known yet nonetheless useful skills were an outlet for people with interests that would otherwise have no place in a high school setting, as is the current situation. 

The removal of one of the last remnants of these specialty classes is one more step toward having a school that caters only to those students who find their passion in English, mathematics and science. With the cost of each class running something close to a staggering $25,000, the administration has been forced to set its priorities straight and can’t fund classes with lower enrollments.

By removing classes like woodshop, the high school not only inhibited students’ passion and creativity, but also reduced the number of classes that allow students to earn applied arts credits. If the school is unable to afford keeping this class alive, it should instead offer a suitable alternative for those fascinated by things like industrial technology, who deserve a chance to further investigate possible careers.

Since Los Gatos High offers classes like home economics and industrial tech—which includes woods, metals and construction—students can potentially attend one of these classes during a regular school period with the permission of both schools. Like instances in which middle school students take classes at the high school, these students’ passion and dedication toward these classes would far outweigh any inconveniences.

This solution or a similar one would begin to repair the damage done when woodshop was sacked and complementary cases regarding long-forgotten classes were highlighted. To counteract the effects of woodshop’s cancellation, the school should provide another outlet for those still interested.  Though the door to woodshop is closed tightly shut for now, it would be better if another door opened for students in the future.