Business class at Rangeview. All of these classes will cease to exist here. (Schuyler Yager)

By Schuyler Yager, Reporter and Op-Ed Editor

Rangeview’s halls on Monday were buzzing with talk of the Broncos’ Super Bowl victory and long weekend adventures, but the buzz quickly wore off for many students when they heard the shocking news that Rangeview’s entire business department will be slashed at the end of the year and all three full-time business teachers will be let go from their positions at Rangeview.

Principal Mr.Fay announced the elimination of the business department in favor of more STEM classes, teachers told students on Monday. Mr.Thomas, Ms.Miller, and Ms.Count all will be striped of their positions at Rangeview for next year. No business classes will be offered next fall.

“What?” said senior Amber Roach when informed of the news. “If anything, we need to have more business; the Financial Algebra class is probably the class I’ll remember the most from (of any class she took at Rangeview).”

The cuts include popular and successful Rangeview business clubs FBLA and DECA. Many students are insulted that they were not confronted about the decision.

“Business probably taught me the most,” said Elvis Ahn, a senior and president of the FBLA organization at Rangeview. “FBLA went to state competition their second year of being a club at Rangeview — the business department has a lot to offer.”

Even students with no connection to the business department were surprised. Daniel Smith, a Junior, said, “It’s unfair to those kids that want to get a headstart on the business approach they want to take. It’s better to start now than to jump into it in college.”

None of the more than a dozen students interviewed for this story students seemed to agree with the decision, and many expressed their outrage on social media.

Mr.Fay declined immediate response. Rangeview has many students interested and enrolled in the STEM program and the program can even attract students who would go to other schools, some teachers said. This is happening while the numbers for the business program are decreasing, and both Gateway and Hinkley recently made similar moves with their business programs.

Several staff members were approached for their opinion on the cuts, but none wanted to be on record unless they could be anonymous, fearing for their job security.

“Mr.Fay was probably backed up on his decision, and it must have been well thought out,” one staff member said. “But it’s too bad we couldn’t keep both programs.”

The news shocked students who have taken to social media to voice their opinion. Twitter has blown up with comments from students, especially DECA and FBLA involved students. DECA president and senior Hailey Dearman wrote a three page open letter to Principal Fay about her opinions and shared that with the world on Twitter.

Students have started using the hashtag #SaveRangeviewBusiness, but so far there has been no response from Principal Fay or Rangeview High School.

Read Hailey Dearman’s open letter here: https://twitter.com/RangeviewReview?lang=en