WATSONVILLE — Pajaro Valley Unified School District has made a tentative offer for classroom space to a recently approved charter school.
If approved by the Pajaro Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees during its meeting Wednesday, Watsonville Prep, run by Navigator Schools, will occupy seven portable classrooms at E.A. Hall Middle School.
According to PVUSD Superintendent Michelle Rodriguez, five of these will be for classrooms, one for administration and one for special education.
Navigator has had a rocky road in its journey to the district. On Jan. 9, the California Board of Education approved Navigator’s charter application to launch a school in Watsonville in August. But that was preceded by two denials, one by PVUSD in May, and again by the Santa Cruz County Board of Education in August.
PVUSD officials have expressed concern that the charter will take space from a district already overburdened with current space.
Under a California law known as Prop. 39, a school district must provide space within its boundaries to any charter school that is approved.
Under that law, the school district must present a “preliminary offer” by Feb. 1. The charter school then provides a response by March 1, which is followed by a final offer by April 1. If accepted, the district and charter would finalize the agreement by May 1.
Navigator is also considering renting the Porter Building at 280 Main St., according to the City Council agenda for the Jan. 22 meeting. The item is listed as closed session, so few details will likely be released until a contract is signed.
Representatives from the charter company are scheduled to negotiate for “price and terms of payment” for the building, which formerly held Ceiba College Prep charter school.
Navigator Director of Community Outreach Kirsten Carr said the organization is keeping all its options open, and was waiting to see the offer from PVUSD before making a decision.
Navigator Schools plans to start with 180 students in kindergarten through second grade, and add one grade per year until sixth grade. The school’s charter calls for a total of 420 students.
Navigator CEO Kevin Sved has said the organization is “aggressively” seeking a long-term location.
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The Pajaro Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees will meet Wednesday at 7 p.m. in the District Office Boardroom at 292 Green Valley Road in Watsonville. To see the agenda, visit bit.ly/2U8JxtF. For information, visit www.pvusd.net.
