Amid declining enrollment and shrinking state and federal funding, several Santa Cruz County school districts approved significant layoffs this year to maintain long-term financial stability. Districts including Pajaro Valley Unified, Soquel Union Elementary, Live Oak, Scotts Valley Unified and Santa Cruz City Schools proposed cuts affecting dozens of positions, though officials say some reductions could be avoided through attrition or other savings measures.
Live Oak School District
Posted inEducation
Live Oak superintendent resigns, school board approves cutting 6 teachers, mental health clinician, more staff
Live Oak School District’s superintendent announced his resignation effective June 30 as the school board approved nearly 11 staff reductions — including six teachers and a mental health clinician — to address a structural budget deficit driven by declining enrollment and rising costs.
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Tutus, swim caps and accountability: Inside Shoreline Middle School’s beloved principal duo
At Shoreline Middle School, Principal Colleen Martin and Assistant Principal Melissa Nix have built a rare, enduring partnership that blends accountability, empathy and humor — earning them a reputation as the school’s “dream team.”
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Live Oak district will not move to close schools, with report citing new housing and birth increases as potentially boosting enrollment
Live Oak School District has decided not to pursue school closures at this time, citing a potential stabilization of student enrollment over the next few years. Officials are remaining cautious of the projections as the district faces continued uncertainties from federal funding cuts.
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Live Oak School District plan to move students to new school sparks parent backlash
Facing staffing challenges and an unexpected increase in transitional kindergarten enrollment, Live Oak School District is asking families to voluntarily transfer students to another school in the district.
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How Trump’s proposed spending cuts could affect education funding in Santa Cruz County
After President Donald Trump released his proposed federal budget, school officials across the country, and in Santa Cruz County, began estimating what services and programs they could potentially lose funding for. The federal budget won’t be finalized for months but the proposal presents a grim outlook.
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Parents protest as English-only students at dual-language Live Oak Elementary forced to switch schools
Parents at Live Oak Elementary School feel blindsided by the district’s “sudden” decision to move third and fourth grade students in the English-only strand to Del Mar Elementary starting next school year. Superintendent Pat Sánchez said the choice was made to solve staffing issues across the district.
Posted inK-12 Education
Live Oak Jack Rabbit at Shoreline Middle School fundraises for arts programs
The Live Oak Education foundation is hosting the 4th annual Live Oak Jack Rabbit event Saturday, April 26 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Shoreline Middle School.
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Live Oak elementary teachers to join statewide rally Wednesday for better education funding
Live Oak School District teachers will join educators from 32 districts Wednesday in a coordinated push for increased education funding. The district’s teachers say they have reopened contract negotiations on a host of issues, including compensation and class sizes, after two rounds of layoffs.
Posted inEducation
Here’s how Trump’s education cuts are starting to affect Santa Cruz County schools
Santa Cruz County officials say at least one federal program is ending that will reduce funding for food programs at five local school districts. Some superintendents said they’re concerned about every single federal dollar being pulled back in the future.