Yes on Dr. Navarro
The District is about to go into receivership in December after losing 31% of our Elementary students, and the Board has not closed schools or reduced staff to match these losses. Trustee Misty Navarro is insisting on reducing staffing to match the loss of students, and closing schools. That is being fiscally responsible.
Trustee Navarro chose to abstain from approving the PVFT contract. She knew that the Benefit part of the contract and not closing schools would put the District in receivership.
There has been significant academic improvement from new programs introduced by Superintendent Heather Contreras and supported by Trustee Navarro. Of particular significance has been the improvement by Hispanics and English learners. Navarro has been more than a rubber stamp.
Mads Realmuto’s leadership of the Sustainable Schools Advisory panel has been poor. After 11 meetings they have made little progress on which schools to close. He has not shown the leadership necessary to make hard decisions, the ones he would need as a trustee. I would encourage you to watch the videos of the meetings.
Bill Beecher
Aptos
