Hello, we are students from the Biotechnology shop, a program within Passaic County Technical Vocational Schools (PCTVS). When our building was originally constructed, it was intended to be part of the main PCTVS building—not STEM Academy. However, recently, the administration has decided to move our shop under STEM Academy, even though our building is connected to FX, which is part of the main campus, not STEM. Our schedules are entirely different, and our program is more college-focused than any other shop in STEM Academy or PCTI. STEM Academy follows a block schedule of six periods alternating between A and B days, while the main building runs on a consistent nine-period schedule each day. The Biotechnology program requires this nine-period structure to accommodate our college classes, which are necessary for earning the college credits that lead to an Associate's Degree. Under STEM’s six-period system, we would not be able to meet these requirements. Additionally, STEM is planning to eliminate the A/B day schedule entirely, which has been one of its distinguishing features. This decision to merge STEM and Biotechnology affects students significantly. Biotechnology students have spent the past three years in the main building and have received their education within that structure, which is distinctly different from the one used by STEM. STEM students will also be impacted due to a reduction in available electives and class options. Furthermore, the environment within STEM would be completely different without the A/B schedules. Furthermore, if Biotechnology is absorbed into STEM, students would be required to purchase new uniforms, which are costly, and not all families can afford this added expense. In addition to that, our school is low on funding due to construction and the creation of new shops, causing budget cuts in after-school tutoring programs and busing. The current Biotechnology building was originally designed specifically for our shop, yet it is now being used by various classes that are all part of the main building. On top of that, Biotechnology students would still need to attend classes in the main building, not in STEM, as STEM is already at full capacity. This raises the question of why the shop is being reclassified under STEM in the first place. We are advocating for the Biotechnology program to remain under PCTI and not merge with STEM Academy or fall under its name. PCTI offers a broader and more diverse range of career-focused programs, which align with the interdisciplinary nature of Biotechnology. In contrast, the shops under STEM Academy are more narrowly focused on specific career paths. If STEM wishes to use the Biotech building for its Biomed program, it may do so, but the Biotechnology shop should not be merged with STEM Academy and should remain part of the main PCTI.