The Santa Cruz County Office of Education’s free Career Advancement Charter has seen enrollment grow 332% since 2021 as more adults return to school to earn high school diplomas and pursue new career goals. For graduates like Yumi Mondragon and Rebeca Reyes, the program’s flexibility and support have helped them overcome past barriers and continue their education.
K-12 Education
Posted inLatest News
Santa Cruz County’s heat wave, one job at a time
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.
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 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 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.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
A Lookout View: California’s rules for public office need a second look – especially on school boards
California rightly does not treat every criminal conviction as a lifetime ban on public service. But the standards might need to be different when an elected position carries responsibility for children. The Pajaro Valley school board race has exposed gaps in both eligibility standards and candidate verification. Lookout’s editorial board believes AB 2691 should pass — and that lawmakers should keep working to get the balance right.
