WATSONVILLE — The Pajaro Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees approved a proposal Wednesday to hire a public information officer to serve as a spokesperson for the district.
According to the job description available online, the position will allow the district to communicate with the public, and would create a way for the district’s various departments to communicate with each other.
The spokesperson would also coordinate programs and events for the public and communicate with the media, all “to project a positive image of the District.”
Trustee Kim De Serpa said she has wanted to establish the position for the past six years.
“We have an amazing staff and amazing teachers,” she said.
In addition, the district is rebuilding the visual and performing arts program, as well as the music program, De Serpa said.
De Serpa pointed to a recent grand jury report that accused the district for a lack of public outreach.
“This is a position that will further the goals of the board,” she said. “I feel like this position can put out the good works that we do.”
The spokesperson would earn from $85,569 to $102,182. With benefits, that number would be close to $140,000.
PVUSD Superintendent Michelle Rodriguez said school districts in San Jose, Oakland and Monterey have similar positions.
Chief Business Officer Melody Canady said the hire would not impact the current budget.
Still, the proposal did not sit well with a handful of teachers who attended the meeting.
“I saw the dollar number on this and my jaw dropped,” said Starlight Elementary School teacher Erin Levi.
Levi said teachers already serve that function, disseminating information to the parents of their students.
“I feel there are a lot of ways we can motivate teachers to get this information out to the community,” she said.
Ann Soldo Elementary School teacher Deborah Mallard called the proposal “insulting,” and asked the trustees to table the proposal until the next budget report is released in September.
Mallard said she has attended several board meetings, where she has heard discussions about the district’s financial troubles. The proposal came in the midst of contract negotiations, she added.
“There is low morale in this district, and it seems like it is you versus us,” she said.
Trustee Karen Osmundson said such a position could benefit the district, but agreed that the vote should be put on hold.
“I just think we need to wait a bit before we do this,” she said.
Trustee Maria Orozco said that she values the teachers’ input, but said the position would help the district reach a broader audience.
“The way I see this position is, we need a way to keep our parents involved,” she said. “To the larger community that information is often unavailable.”
Trustee Willie Yahiro said the spokesperson could also help disseminate safety information, such as when children are missing or when federal agents are conducting immigration raids.
“It’s really frustrating when we can’t get that information out to families that need it,” he said.
Trustee Leslie DeRose said that, because the position will have no impact on the district’s budget, a no vote would be “symbolic.”
“We can’t stop moving this district forward every time we’re in negotiations,” she said.
The proposal passed 4-2, with trustees Osmundson and Jeff Ursino dissenting. Trustee Georgia Acosta was absent.
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To see the job description, visit tinyurl.com/yakcmsvk.
