Michelle Rodriguez led Pajaro Valley Unified School District and its approximately 19,000 students through many challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the Pajaro River levee breach, and also helped bring new arts programs and develop its career technical education pathways.
Pajaro Valley Unified School District
Posted inK-12 Education
PVUSD rejects claim filed by parents of Aptos High stabbing victim; sister files separate claim
The complaint from Alexa Sarabia Aguilar says Pajaro Valley Unified School District and Aptos High were not prepared for the events that led to the death of her younger brother, and mishandled the response that might’ve saved his life. On Wednesday, the school board rejected a similar claim filed by his parents last year.
Posted inK-12 Education
Parents of Aptos High stabbing victim file claim against PVUSD
The parents of the boy killed on the Aptos High campus took the first legal step Tuesday that is often a precursor to a lawsuit — filing a claim.
Posted inK-12 Education
PVUSD board votes to return SROs to campuses but with twist: Officers to pair with mental health clinicians
Pajaro Valley Unified School District Superintendent Michelle Rodriguez says this pilot program is among other new safety measures that will be implemented. An emotional, divided crowd of more than 100 turned out at the Henry J. Mello Center in Watsonville on Wednesday night.
Posted inK-12 Education
Aptos High tragedy: Campus police program back on table; sheriff says suspects have gang affiliation
On Tuesday afternoon, Aptos High School was locked down for nearly three hours after a student was fatally stabbed and two others were taken into custody in an attack officials said was gang-related. County and school leaders convened in a virtual community meeting Thursday to discuss safety measures for the school moving forward.
Posted inK-12 Education
‘It doesn’t make sense’: County’s top cop decries PVUSD decision to break relationship with sheriff’s office
Santa Cruz County Sheriff Jim Hart says he doesn’t understand the Pajaro Valley Unified School District’s decision to sever ties with his office. “I hear the advocates for defunding the police and about the school-to-prison pipeline,” he said, “but with this county, we know that’s not true.”
Posted inK-12 Education
In wake of outcry and infighting, PVUSD board will consider bylaw changes
Next week trustees governing the Pajaro Valley Unified School District will consider a list of possible policy changes — including restricting public comment time and docking trustee pay for unexcused absences.
Posted inK-12 Education
PVUSD trustees censure former president Acosta, reveal email that expands superintendent saga questions
The resolution censuring PVUSD trustee Georgia Acosta raises a litany of issues, some predating the brief ouster of Superintendent Michelle Rodriguez. And an email revealed Wednesday raises new questions about whether Acosta coordinated aspects of the firing with two people outside the district.
Posted inK-12 Education
PVUSD board votes against paying $16K in legal fees authorized by its former president
What happens next depends on the law firm that did the work: Dannis Woliver Kelley. The firm could once again bill the district, absorb the loss — or bill former school board president Georgia Acosta herself.
Posted inK-12 Education
PVUSD school board to review $16K in questionable legal fees racked up during superintendent saga
Former Pajaro Valley Unified school board president Georgia Acosta might have violated policy by tallying up more than $16,000 in legal fees relating to the brief dismissal of the district superintendent Michelle Rodriguez — without approval from the rest of the board.