Quick Take
Pajaro Valley Unified School District Chief Business Officer Gerardo Castillo announced his resignation this week after less than a year on the job. His departure comes as the district grapples with continued strains on its budget.
Pajaro Valley Unified School District’s chief business officer announced his resignation this week after about eight months on the job.
Gerardo Castillo was hired last September and started on the job Oct. 1. His resignation comes a year after the previous CBO, Jenny Im, resigned.
“My short tenure at PVUSD since October of last year is not a reflection of my colleagues, and especially not of Dr. [Heather] Contreras, but rather due to a recent change in health for one of my family members,” he said in a statement. “This has significantly shifted our circumstances, making it essential that I accept a professional opportunity closer to home to prioritize my family.”
In a message to staff Friday morning, the district said Castillo made the decision to resign and take a new role with Sacramento City Unified School District.
“While we are saddened to see Gerardo leave PVUSD, we are deeply grateful for his service, leadership, and dedication to our district,” district officials wrote. “During his time with PVUSD, Gerardo helped guide important financial and operational work in support of our schools, students, and staff.”
The district said it will begin searching for a new CBO soon and is committed to a “smooth transition.”
According to his statement, Castillo said the district is facing significant challenges, from declining enrollment to rising healthcare costs.
“Addressing these issues requires difficult but necessary actions, and the ongoing work regarding school consolidation and school closures must continue if the district is to achieve fiscal stability,” he wrote. “While we recognize that there are strong opinions surrounding these issues, the ongoing public discussion and differing interpretations of our fiscal realities have made it more difficult.”
During school board meetings, teachers union representatives have argued against recently approved layoffs and the district’s budget projections, saying that PVUSD is manipulating the budget in order to make more cuts than necessary. However, many school districts are facing similar budget challenges across the state.
The Pajaro Valley Federation of Teachers said in a statement that despite Castillo’s departure, its priority continues to be to put students first.
“We look forward to engaging the district in this mediation process and reaching an agreement that prioritizes our students and staff,” the union wrote.
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