FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — Students and alumni from Roosevelt High School’s Fashion Design course urged district leaders Tuesday night to keep the class from being eliminated.
During the Fresno Unified board meeting, students delivered emotional testimony asking the district not to sunset the course.
The district’s only fashion pathway, offered through Career Technical Education, teaches students everything from sewing skills to producing a full fashion show in their senior year.
District officials said the course is under consideration for cuts because of low enrollment.
According to the district’s website, pathways such as Fashion Design provide students with practical skills, industry insight and real-world experience that prepare them for college, careers, and beyond.
“This isn’t just a program; this isn’t just a class; this is education,” Roosevelt senior Branden Vue. “This is skills that could be taught to younger generations that they could use and it’s being ripped right from under us.”
David Chavez of Fresno Unified Human Resources said enrollment numbers have remained low.
“The enrollment has been less than 20 students in the class and its even capped at 24. This specific class and you never even get to the cap. The amount of interest in the course of students signing up for it just isn’t there,” he said.
District officials said the possible elimination of the Fashion Design course would not affect Roosevelt’s Theater Program within its School of Arts.
If the course is dissolved, the school’s principal has guaranteed that students interested in fashion could pursue related opportunities through the theater department.
The district said it expects to make a final decision on the future of the Fashion Design course in the next couple of weeks.
For news and weather updates, follow Christina Lopez on X and Instagram.
Copyright © 2026 KFSN-TV. All Rights Reserved.