On this November’s ballot, five school bond measures, totaling $525 million, propose making infrastructure repairs to roofs and athletic fields, modernizing classrooms, and in some cases, building rental apartments for staff and teachers. District leaders talked to Lookout about some of the major projects the bond measures, if approved, would fund.
Live Oak School District
Posted inFood & Drink
Coming to Santa Cruz County school cafeterias: More meals made from scratch
Last week, staff members from kitchens at five different local school districts participated in a weeklong training on how to incorporate more from-scratch foods into their menus. Since California’s Universal Meals Program launched during the pandemic, local schools have seen a surge in students getting at least one meal per day on campus. New funding is making it easier for schools to pursue more healthy options for kids, but school representatives say their biggest challenges are logistical, including time for training and preparation, and having adequate staff.
Posted inEducation
New Live Oak School District superintendent Pat Sánchez: Stabilize the budget, improve the culture
Since his first day on the job July 1, new Live Oak School District superintendent Pat Sánchez has focused on rebuilding the district’s finances and culture. In an interview with Lookout, he also talked about his vision for increasing enrollment.
Posted inLatest News
Santa Rosa district hires ex-Live Oak superintendent Morales over staff, parents’ objections
Daisy Morales, who resigned in March amid fiscal and other turmoil at Live Oak School District, will lead the much larger Santa Rosa City Schools district in Sonoma County after that district’s board approved her hiring in a 5-1 vote Wednesday night.
Posted inEducation
Live Oak School District board approves new superintendent Patrick Sánchez, moves ahead with workforce housing bond measure
Patrick Sánchez, 57, will start serving as Live Oak School District superintendent on July 1. The governing board, with member Jeremy Ray absent, voted unanimously both to approve Sánchez’s one-year contract and to move forward in placing a $45 million workforce housing development bond measure on the November ballot.
Posted inEducation
Live Oak School District board to vote on hiring Patrick Sánchez as new superintendent and on workforce housing bond
The Live Oak School District governing board will vote at its Wednesday meeting on the selection of a new superintendent, Patrick Sánchez, after Daisy Morales resigned in March. Her last day is June 30.
Posted inFood & Drink
‘Field of Dreams’ in reverse: How an unused baseball diamond could become a farm for Live Oak School District
A team of educators, farmers and activists is working to transform an unused baseball field on the Del Mar Elementary School campus in Live Oak into a farm for the district. The farm would grow food for the district’s nutrition program, educate students on agriculture and food production, and serve as a community hub. The project has been approved by the district and is currently seeking funding.
Posted inEducation
Live Oak School District sees more unrest as superintendent letter surprises parents, teachers
Live Oak School District parents and teachers say they were surprised to read a recent letter from the outgoing superintendent about the district’s budget crisis. In it, Daisy Morales disagreed with a County Office of Education financial assessment, leveling allegations that county superintendent Faris Sabbah rejected.
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
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.