As a heat wave gripped the region, Lookout journalists spoke with workers from Santa Cruz to Capitola to Watsonville about how they were getting through it, shift by shift.
Education
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
What California’s new antisemitism law means for Santa Cruz County schools
A new California law this year brings stronger protections against antisemitism – and new standards for what is taught – in Santa Cruz County classrooms, writes Aptos resident Gil Stein. Teachers unions and other opponents warned that AB 715 would silence teachers and interfere with discussion of Israel and the Middle East, but courts have so far rejected that argument. Here, Stein raises the question: Is demanding accuracy and freedom from discriminatory bias really an attack on free speech?
Posted inEducation
A Pajaro Valley school board race is raising bigger questions about who should be eligible for public office in California
Whether a criminal record should matter to voters is playing out in the race for the Pajaro Valley Unified School District governing board, where candidate Curt Wilcox has a felony assault conviction and a history of run-ins with law enforcement. California law doesn’t stand in his way — but many think it should factor into their decision.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
What does a $950 bus ride have to do with Jack O’Neill’s Santa Cruz legacy?
Jack O’Neill believed every child should have the chance to experience the ocean. Land-use attorney Monica Hammer, who sits on the planning commission for the City of Santa Cruz and the board of O’Neill Sea Odyssey, learned about the ocean’s power from her Danish father, an avid sailor. Once we form a relationship with the natural world, we have a reason to care for it, she writes. Today, a lack of transportation – about $950 in school bus fare – is keeping some classes of local children from making that connection, and from discovering an ocean that is waiting less than an hour away. O’Neill hopes to change that by providing up to 85% of the transportation costs.
Posted inEducation
After Pajaro Middle teachers demanded principal’s removal, district appoints her to new admin role
Pajaro Middle School teachers say they’re relieved that Principal Nicole Killian is moving to a district office role. In May, they gave the district superintendent a vote of no confidence and demanded her removal.
Posted inEducation
Do later school start times help California students? Here’s what new study says
Later school start times can disrupt family schedules and cost districts money, but a new study says the benefits for sleep, mental health and academic achievement for California students makes the change worthwhile.
Posted inEducation
Pajaro Valley Unified hires new chief business officer after years of CBO turnover
Pajaro Valley Unified School District’s governing board hired Victoria Knutson, currently Newark Unified’s chief business officer, to fill the CBO role at a $248,418 salary — the district’s fourth person in that position in roughly three years, as trustees hope her experience will help guide upcoming school closures.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Will Newsom let immigrant college students without legal status work at their campuses?
It’s been a four-year battle to allow students without legal status to work at California’s public colleges. The Legislature passed another bill to allow this. Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed it the previous time. What will he do now?
Posted inEducation
What families need to know about the free mental health services provided by Santa Cruz County public schools
Santa Cruz County schools are asking parents to share their children’s health insurance information – a no-cost step that could determine whether districts can afford to keep offering free student counseling and mental health services.
Posted inEducation
Lo que las familias deben saber sobre los servicios gratuitos de salud mental que ofrecen las escuelas públicas del condado de Santa Cruz
Las escuelas del condado de Santa Cruz están pidiendo a los padres que compartan la información del seguro médico de sus hijos, un paso que no tiene ningún costo y que podría determinar si los distritos pueden seguir ofreciendo servicios gratuitos de consejería y salud mental a los estudiantes.
