Middle school science teacher Christy Fairbairn loves her job and wants to stay in Santa Cruz County, but she and her husband, an ecologist, can’t afford the high rents. Too many fantastic teachers and staff, she writes, are leaving our community because of the high cost of living. To keep our schools thriving, she says teachers and school staff need workplace housing now.
K-12 Education
Posted inEducation
Live Oak School District to appoint board member, vote on lease agreement with Community Bridges
The Live Oak School District governing board has a full agenda for its Wednesday meeting, including appointing a new board member to a vacant seat, voting on a lease agreement with nonprofit Community Bridges and approving an updated list of layoffs.
Posted inEducation
New superintendent Heather Contreras brings deep Santa Cruz County ties, willing ear to PVUSD
Pajaro Valley Unified School District Superintendent Heather Contreras comes from a family of educators, and a family that once made its home in Watsonville. With the district facing ongoing challenges including declining enrollment, she’s starting out with a “Look, listen and learn” tour.
Posted inEducation
California could require kids to learn how to manage money. Should voters decide curriculum?
An initiative that looks likely to appear on the November ballot and that would require a personal finance class in high school circumvents the usual process for curriculum changes.
Posted inEducation
Scotts Valley Unified School District weighs November bond for new stadium, other upgrades
Scotts Valley Unified School District is considering a bond measure after its board unanimously backed a plan detailing $76 million in facility upgrades. Officials hope better athletic facilities can stem the district’s declining enrollment.
Posted inEducation
‘Fentanyl High’: Student filmmaker explores root causes of teen drug crisis
After a schoolmate was expelled for overdosing in class, student filmmaker Kyle Santoro began exploring the roots of the opioid crisis among teens and what was causing his fellow classmates to self-medicate. His film “Fentanyl High” screens Thursday at the Rio Theatre in Santa Cruz and May 15 at CineLux Green Valley in Watsonville.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
I spent a decade struggling with body image; now I’m 19 and still learning to love food and myself
Isabella Counts, a UC Santa Cruz sophomore, has spent her life worrying about her weight and look. She put herself on diets as early as sixth grade. She is not sure she will ever fully overcome her struggle with body image, but she is trying. Writing is helping.
Posted inEducation
Santa Cruz County school districts ramp up plans to build teacher, staff housing
As school districts face challenges retaining staff and teachers due to the rising cost of living in Santa Cruz County, they’re also trying to push forward one potential solution: building and renting out their own workforce housing at below-market rates. Santa Cruz City Schools hopes to have workforce move into a development by 2027.
Posted inFood & Drink
Live Oak farmers market: School district will consider moving market to nearby school
On Wednesday, Live Oak School District agreed to consider whether one of its schools could become a new home for the Live Oak farmers market. But the soonest that could happen is December, leaving the market’s immediate future uncertain.
Posted inEducation
Live Oak School District trustee Paul Garcia resigns amid ongoing turnover
Live Oak School District governing board member Paul Garcia resigned Wednesday, the latest in a string of resignations to hit the struggling school district in recent months. The board hopes to fill the vacancy at its May 8 meeting.