“Questionable Endorsements of three PVUSD Trustee candidates by CSEA 132
I learned that California School Employees Association( CSEA) Chapter 132 endorsed PVUSD Trustee candidates Ms. Georgia Acosta ( Area 2), MR. Oscar Soto ( Area 3) and Mr. Adam Scow ( Area 6). I also learned that their three opponents for each could not participate in the candidate forum organized by CSEA on September 24th. I had an opportunity to take a look at email communication between CSEA Chapter 132 and candidate Ms. Carol Turley ( Area 3) and CSEA Chapter 132 and candidate Mr. Gabriel Medina ( Area 3) on September 19th respectively. According to the email communication, both Ms Carol Turley and Mr. Gabriel Medina received the first email from CSEA Chapter 132 regarding the candidate forum on September 19th. Both of them responded to the email by CSEA Chapter 132 on the same day and were told that they could not participate in the candidate forum because the cut-off date was September 16th.
The CSEA Chapter 132 sent an email to Mr. Gabriel Medina on the same day and said ” we did not send out invitations. ”
In the case of candidate Ms. Jessica Carassco, we learned that an invitation to her was sent one day before the candidate forum and she could not participate.
Even though CSEA Chapter 132 made an apology to Ms. Carol Turely and Mr. Gabriel Medina by emails on September 19th, they endorsed Ms. Georgia Acosta, Mr. Oscar Soto and Mr. Adam Scow. They should rescind their endorsements if they truly acknowledge their mistakes.
Takashi Mizuno
Watsonville
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Soto Must Go
Once again, the PVUSD school board has acted in a way that contradicts its values. At the September 25th board meeting, during a discussion on whether to hold a special election or make an appointment to fill Jennifer Holm’s seat, Vice President Oscar Soto referred to the community as ignorant. At the October 23rd board meeting, student trustee Daniel Esqueda shared that, based on his conversations with students, they felt hurt by these comments. He reminded the board that its governing handbook emphasizes values like empathy, and insisted that board members hold themselves accountable to those standards. Rather than responding with empathy or reflection, Vice President Soto reacted to Student Trustee Esqueda’s remarks by singling him out, threatening him, and personally attacking him. This behavior is unacceptable. PVUSD leadership should embody respect and accountability—not intimidate those who ask for it. PVUSD needs new leadership.
Bobby Pelz
Teacher Watsonville High School
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Kristen Brown the Best Choice for District 2 Supervisor
District Two voters need a passionate, experienced leader who has already addressed road repairs, housing affordability, and improvements to broadband service in rural areas. Only one has the skills, experience, passion, and energy to serve us and our children into the future: Kristen Brown. A fourth-generation County resident, Kristen is dedicated to serving all of us in the Second District and will deliver to rural and urban residents alike. Eight years on AMBAG, focused on regional policies that benefit the Counties and Cities of Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz, and eight years as mayor are just part of Kristen\’s remarkable resume. Kristen requires no training; she already does the work of a Supervisor. She\’s Chair of the County Regional Transportation Commission and Santa Cruz Metro. She served as Capitola Mayor through COVID-19 and historic storms. The County\’s essential workers endorse Kristen: the Pajaro Valley Federation of Teachers, the Cabrillo College Federation of Teachers, the Professional Firefighters Local 3535, and the Deputy Sheriff\’s Association all endorsed Kristen Brown for Supervisor. Kristen is the only candidate who agreed that “Climate Change has announced itself,” and this earned her the endorsement of the Sierra Club. She has the endorsement of Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis, Supervisors Felipe Hernandez and Justin Cummings, and all the local Democratic Clubs and the County Democratic Central Committee. These endorsements don\’t come easily; they prove a track record of collaboration and consensus-building. Vote for Kristen!
Barry Scott
Rio Del Mar
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No on Measure M
I urge voters to carefully consider Measure M and vote NO. The Pajaronian\’s October 11, 2024 article (PVUSD asking voters to support Measure M to improve school facilities) leads one to believe the bond money would be used to build a performing arts facility for the students at Pajaro Valley High School. However, the truth is, there is no mention at all of this project in the ballot language. Why? Instead, Measure M states vague uses that could be used at any of the 31 schools listed, and a “robotics program” at an unspecified location. Can voters trust that the PVHS students will really get a performing arts facility if Measure M is approved? How can voters trust there would actually be Citizen Oversight when, according to the PVUSD website, the Measure L bond ($150 Million approved in 2016) oversight committee has not met with any meaningful purpose in four years? https://www.pvusd.net/Departments/Business-Services/Measure-L-Bond-Citizens-Oversight-Committee/ PVUSD then-Finance Director Mr. Joe Dominguez criticized the poor use of the Measure L bond monies for playground projects in 2019, saying many projects were started but few were completed, due to mismanagement. Sadly, his contract with the District was not renewed. The PVUSD spending is out of control and not accountable to the voters. Finally, Measure M\’s high cost of bond debt to property owners and renters alike will further drive up the cost of living in a County that is already deemed the most expensive place to live in the nation. At $60/100,000 assessed value of all parcels, Measure M would add an average $360 or more. This would harm those on fixed incomes afford to live here. Measure M does not allow exemptions for seniors, disabled or veterans. The administration at PVUSD is top-heavy. Wouldn\’t it make more sense to trim that high cost and use the money the District has to pay teachers a better salary so that they can afford housing here, rather than building housing for them, and making them indentured servants? Does it make sense that PVUSD would expand into the business of property management for staff housing when the administration cannot properly manage maintenance costs of our educational facilities? On-campus staff housing would subject students to unknown security problems. All of this at a time when student enrollment is declining? Please vote NO on Measure M and force the top-heavy PVUSD administration to be held accountable and manage finances within the District\’s means…just as you and I must do.
Becky Steinbruner
Aptos
I walk by 3 or 4 schools daily. I see Tesla’s, Jaguar’s, Range Rover’s, BMW”s in their school’s parking lots. I don’t think the teachers should make voters pay for their housing nor should we pay for them to charge their electric cars, cars most of us can’t afford.
Teachers get more time off than any other employee in our city, all holidays and spring, summer, winter breaks, better health insurance than any other jobs in town plus a good retirement. I think they get enough money to live on. NO ON M.