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.
Live Oak School District
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.
Posted inEducation
Live Oak School District parents, teachers concerned by speedy timeline for new superintendent search
Live Oak School District hopes to have a new superintendent on the job by July 1 – less than three months, and just one day after current superintendent Daisy Morales leaves office. Some parents and teachers say the process is being rushed.
Posted inEducation
Enrollment decline, budget worries add urgency to consolidation talk across Santa Cruz County’s 10 school districts
The backlash over Live Oak School District’s budget cuts has renewed questions among teachers, parents and even some trustees over whether Live Oak – and other school districts like it – should be folded into neighboring districts to save money. The idea also has its critics.
Posted inFood & Drink
Live Oak School District’s farm-to-cafeteria nutrition program gets students involved and eating healthier
A team of educators, dietitians and students are working to create an ambitious nutrition program at for the Live Oak School District that blends agricultural education, culinary education and nutrition. The program uses locally grown produce from small farms and student labor via a Food Lab class to create healthful meals for more than a thousand students daily.
Posted inEducation
Live Oak School District board rescinds widely unpopular principal switch
After an outcry from parents, staff and teachers against the decision earlier this month to switch principals at two Live Oak School District schools, the district’s governing board announced Thursday morning it rescinded the reassignments.
Posted inEducation
Firings, resignations and finger-pointing: How Live Oak School District fell into crisis
Live Oak School District Superintendent Daisy Morales announced her resignation on March 15 after months of turmoil. Interviews with district staff and teachers describe a breakdown of trust between staff and leadership over the past year.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Santa Cruz County ballot measures: M defeated, K, L, N and all school bonds pass
Lookout’s ongoing coverage of 2024 ballot measures before voters in Santa Cruz County.
Posted inEducation
Live Oak School District superintendent Daisy Morales resigns amid ‘errors’ in budget-cut process
Morales’ resignation comes as the district has been mired in a budget crisis that has forced it to issue dozens of layoff notices to teachers, school workers and administrators and prompted the resignation and firing of two senior budget administrators. District officials now say some of those budget cuts may have been unnecessary.