Morning Lookout: SLV gets new Superintendent; paddle-out to commemorate Juneteenth

By Tulsi Kamath

Source: Lookout Santa Cruz

Good Morning! It’s Friday, June 11 and it’ll be partly sunny with a high of 72. You should try to get out and enjoy the weekend while the temperatures are still mild because next week is predicted to bring a heatwave our way.

SLV Unified has a new Superintendent — promoted from within the ranks — to take over from Laurie Bruton who is set to retire this month. But how will he handle the ongoing misconduct probe against several teachers and staff that he will inherit?

Meanwhile, as we get closer to June 15, we are getting more clarity about the state of the pandemic and the new rules that will apply in California. Where must you wear a mask and where can you go without? We have answers for you here.

Let’s dive in:

Misconduct probe still ongoing, SLV school district taps new superintendent from within its own ranks

A new superintendent is taking the reins at San Lorenzo Valley Unified School District as the cloud of a misconduct probe into several staff members continues to hover overhead. One of the major tasks incoming district chief Chris Schiermeyer will face as he takes the helm will be the investigations underway after a slew of misconduct allegations emerged against several teachers and staff. Read more from our Nick Ibarra here.

FULL COVERAGE: Read all of Lookout’s coverage of the SLVUSD sexual misconduct probe here

Sunday’s Liberation Paddle-Out: ‘There are Black people in this town — and they’d like to be part of this’

The Black Surf Club Santa Cruz has grown to 90 members in less than a year.

Last year’s traditional Juneteenth celebrations had to be canceled or truncated due to COVID-19, and during this year’s planning, Esabella Bonner “wasn’t sure if there would be able to be a Juneteenth.” But the organizer of the Black Surf Club Santa Cruz persevered and the pandemic has waned. Read more from Lookout contributor Liza Monroy here.

Make parody great again? Roy Zimmerman takes lefty musical satire back on road post-Trump, post-COVID

Roy Zimmerman’s Trump-bashing “The Liar Tweets Tonight” was a pandemic internet darling. Now he’s venturing back out to see how musical satire plays in real life, starting Saturday at Michael’s on Main in Soquel. Read more from our Wallace Baine here.

COVID 2021 Updates

Hermosa Beach, CA - May 14: A mix of masked and non-masked people enjoyed The Strand of Hermosa Beach, CA

California COVID-19 plunges to new lows, fueling hope big reopening won’t bring new surge: California will fully reopen its economy next week under remarkably favorable conditions, with the COVID-19 risk rapidly receding and new cases being reported at the lowest levels in 14 months. The numbers and rapid rollout of vaccinations have given public health officials even more confidence that life can return to some semblance of normal without the horrific surges that thwarted California’s two previous attempts at reopening. Read more here.

Carlos Hernandez holds his mask while getting a haircut from Sarah Cordiey at Spiros Barber Shop

Who can stop wearing masks, and where: California’s COVID reopening rules explained: After weeks of discussions, officials this week offered the clearest outline yet of what is to come. In general, Californians who are two weeks removed from their last vaccine dose will be allowed to go mask-free in nearly all settings, with some exceptions. Here is what you need to know.

Another COVID Read: Kaiser launches COVID-19 vaccine trial for children 5 to 11 in Northern California (LA Times)

Around the state...

Recall Newsom volunteer Kerin Kay holds up a sign during a petition signing event at SaveMart

Democrats push for speedy Newsom recall as new analysis pegs cost at $215 million: Democratic lawmakers are taking steps to move up the date of the all-but-certain election to recall Gov. Gavin Newsom — a sign they may be listening to arguments that doing so could help him stay in office. An analysis released yesterday by the state Department of Finance projects the recall election against Newsom will cost at least $215 million. Read more from our partners at the LA Times.

California appeals judge’s ruling that overturned the state’s assault weapons ban: California Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta filed an appeal Thursday of a federal court decision that overturned the state’s ban on assault weapons, arguing that the law is needed “to protect the safety of Californians.” The appeal seeks to reverse Friday’s decision by a federal judge who said the state’s three-decade ban on assault weapons is an unconstitutional infringement on the rights of California gun owners that “has had no effect” on curtailing mass shootings. Read more from the LA Times here.

Around the county...

San Lorenzo Valley Water District awarded state grant for fire fuels reduction (Santa Cruz Sentinel)

Spicing up his life: Former Silicon Valley tech engineer launches new food venture in Watsonville (The Pajaronian)

Scotts Valley schools halt flag-raisings, will establish policy (Scotts Valley Press Banner)

That’s it for today. If you’re enjoying our coverage, please tell your family and friends about our Lookout Newsletter & Text Center, where they can sign up for all the newsletters and alerts we offer. You can also keep tabs on everything we’re publishing through the day by bookmarking our website and following us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

To ensure you’re staying informed about all the goings-on in Santa Cruz, consider becoming a Lookout member. Our content isn’t possible without community support.

Have a great day!

Tulsi Kamath
Managing Editor