After not renewng an ethnic studies contract with Community Responsive Education last year over antisemitism concerns, Pajaro Valley Unified School District is considering hiring a new ethnic studies consultant. Despite vocal opposition, students, teachers and most trustees praised the program’s impact in a meeting on Friday. There are two town halls scheduled before a May board decision.
Pajaro Valley Unified School District
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PVUSD revives debate over controversial ethnic studies program at Friday meeting
Pajaro Valley Unified School District’s governing board will hold a special study session Friday about the district’s ethnic studies curriculum. The trustees won’t be making any decisions Friday, but might vote on a new contract for a consultant in May.
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Ceiba charter school to remain in current location under proposed deal
Ceiba College Preparatory Academy in Watsonville has been in a legal battle to be able to stay in its current location for years. During a Wednesday meeting, Pajaro Valley Unified School District’s governing board will vote on an agreement officials believe will allow them to stay.
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Father of Aptos High principal confirms she didn’t resign
After Aptos High School Principal Alison Hanks-Sloan announced that she wouldn’t be returning to the school as principal next year, teachers and parents were shocked and confused. The father of Hanks-Sloan told Lookout he has seen a letter from the district’s human resources department that informs Hanks-Sloan that she’s being reassigned from her position, and isn’t a resignation letter.
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Aptos High principal tells school she won’t return for next academic year, inspiring a petition to keep her there
Aptos High School teachers and families were shocked and saddened to hear that Principal Alison Hanks-Sloan won’t be returning to the position next year. District officials say she resigned, but teachers believe she was told to leave.
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Teachers say Aptos High School to keep 7-period schedule for upcoming academic year
Aptos High School will continue to have a seven-period schedule as opposed to a six-period schedule for the 2025-26 school year after teachers raised concerns that layoffs and district attempts to lower costs put the seven-period schedule at risk. Teachers union president Nelly Vaquera-Boggs said teachers were assured they’ll keep the seven-period schedule for the upcoming year.
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Paid internship brings next generation to Watsonville city government
Incoming juniors and seniors in Pajaro Valley Unified School District may apply for the City of Watsonville’s Summer in the City internship program, which provides youth with career readiness skills, leadership and civic engagement activities, and opportunities to participate in local government.
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With district layoffs looming, Aptos High teachers rally in support of seven-period schedule
Aptos High School teachers say layoffs coming to Pajaro Valley Unified School District will reduce the number of teachers and courses they can offer and won’t be enough to maintain their seven-period schedule. District Superintendent Heather Contreras said PVUSD isn’t switching the school to a six-period schedule, but teachers say they’re “not getting clear answers.”
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PVUSD’s Pacific Coast Charter School faces closure vote
A Pajaro Valley Unified School District charter school that opened in 1999 will be considered for closure by the district’s governing board during its Wednesday meeting following a rating of “low performing.” Pacific Coast Charter School’s governing council endorsed the closure during a meeting last month.
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Pajaro Valley Unified School District chief business officer resigns after contentious budget vote
After the Pajaro Valley Unified School District governing board rejected most proposals for layoffs at the district during a meeting last Tuesday, Chief Business Officer Jenny Im resigned the next day. School officials said her departure is a loss for the district and community.