PVUSD trustee Georgia Acosta sent an email seeking outside “approval” of an agenda for the meeting at which the district’s superintendent was dismissed. One intended recipient has close ties to her reelection campaign. So what does it all mean?
Nick Ibarra
Follow Nick Ibarra on: Twitter. Ibarra has a track record of reporting that has shone light into almost every corner of Santa Cruz County. Raised in the Santa Cruz Mountains, he came to journalism from an early background in the tech industry — working in systems administration and developing software. Before returning to his roots to report for the Santa Cruz Sentinel, he held an editorial role with Bay Area News Group and contributed reporting to publications such as Scientific American, Sierra Magazine and KQED Radio. His work has earned several statewide awards and appeared in newspapers across California, including the Mercury News, East Bay Times and Orange County Register.He is proficient in Spanish.“Bringing Santa Cruz County the depth and quality of coverage it deserves is personal to me,” he said. “Lookout has the talent, the resources and the vision to do exactly that — and I couldn’t be happier to join this team.”
Posted inHealth & Wellness
A ‘baffling injustice’: PVUSD parents frustrated by plans for little classroom time this spring
Some Pajaro Valley Unified School District parents are growing increasingly concerned about the district’s comparatively slow path back to in-person learning this spring, as well as its plans for more limited time in classrooms.
Posted inHealth & Wellness
Santa Cruz County school districts ‘confident’ in full return this fall after distancing guidelines eased
All 10 public school districts in Santa Cruz County expect to be able to fully reopen classrooms in the fall so long as the spread of COVID-19 stays low, officials announced Wednesday. And some districts are considering increasing students’ in-person time this spring.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Perception of Watsonville and its needs depends on the generational group you ask, survey shows
The March 23 city council meeting had no shortage of action, including details on a community survey that revealed what residents think of the city, a tax cut for the cannabis industry and a two-year city budget that is in the works.
Posted inK-12 Education
PVUSD trustees censure former president Acosta, reveal email that expands superintendent saga questions
The resolution censuring PVUSD trustee Georgia Acosta raises a litany of issues, some predating the brief ouster of Superintendent Michelle Rodriguez. And an email revealed Wednesday raises new questions about whether Acosta coordinated aspects of the firing with two people outside the district.
Posted inEducation
Cabrillo College’s first community event on potential name change draws rebukes, apology
Historian Iris Engstrand’s depiction of college namesake Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo was ‘Euro-centric, anti-indigenous,’ school officials say. ‘I’m sorry they so misinterpreted what I was really trying to put across,’ Engstrand replies.
Posted inHealth & Wellness
In-person learning time varying greatly countywide. How does your school district stack up?
Santa Cruz County students returning to classrooms under hybrid learning models can expect to spend between 3 and 15 hours learning in person each week — depending on their grade level, and their school district. A look at every district, along with an expanded school reopening calendar.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Regents — once again — approve UCSC’s controversial Student Housing West plan after years of delays
It’s been the subject of years of debate and still-ongoing litigation. But in two meetings this week, the University of California Board of Regents gave Student Housing West a big boost, setting the stage for possible construction early next year.
Posted inK-12 Education
Parents call for commitment, clearer path to full reopening of Santa Cruz County schools
Newly formed parent group Families for Santa Cruz County Schools is urging districts to solidify plans for a full-time reopening of classrooms in the fall — and give parents more of a seat at the table.
Posted inEducation
Should Cabrillo College change its name? Community conversations to begin
A community dialogue is beginning this week as part of a reevaluation of the legacy of Spanish explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, for whom Cabrillo College is named. A discussion on the explorer’s life is set for Thursday, leading off a series of events.