WATSONVILLE—The Pajaro Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees on Wednesday approved a series of 11 expenditures at eight schools aimed at preparing for students to return to class in January.
The projects include upgrades to heating, ventilating, and air conditioning systems (HVAC), and window replacements.
In all, the trustees approved just over $602,356. Nearly all of this is covered by $20 million in aid the district received from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, also known as the CARES Act. The one-time funding must be spent by the end of 2020.
A portable classroom at Watsonville Charter School of the Arts—which will cost $13,600—will come from the district’s general fund.
The projects to increase air flow through classrooms is thought to be a necessary measure to slow the spread of Covid-19.
“We are going to do whatever we can to make sure we’re ready to come back in January,” PVUSD Superintendent Michelle Rodriguez said.
In addition to the upgrade projects, the trustees also approved $276,688 to purchase temperature screening devices, which staff will use to make sure students and staff do not have fevers before coming onto campus.
The purchase from Salinas-based Alvarez Technology Group includes 70 screening kiosks and 15 handheld thermal cameras, in addition to accessories and training.
PVUSD officials are currently working on a plan to allow students to return for in-person instruction for the second semester of the 2020-21 school year, said district spokeswoman Alicia Jimenez.
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Project list (School: project | cost | funding)
- Alianza Charter School: Windows | $12,300 | CARES
- Hall District: Windows | $13,150 | CARES
- Hall District: HVAC | $35,721 | CARES
- WCSA: New portable | $13,600 | PVUSD General Fund
- WCSA: HVAC | $45,660 | CARES
- Ann Soldo: HVAC | $30,791 | CARES
- MacQuiddy: HVAC | $59,959 | CARES
- Mintie White: HVAC | $26,762 | CARES
- Ohlone: HVAC| $42,065 | CARES
- Starlight: HVAC | $45,660 | CARES
