A Pajaro Valley Unified School District trustee is facing criticism after he left the dais during a board meeting Wednesday, photographed three teachers in the audience and posted the image on Facebook, accusing them of engaging in “shady tactics” in his reelection campaign.
Trustee Daniel Dodge Jr., who is running against Eriberto Estrada for the Trustee Area 4 seat in the Nov. 3 election, took the photograph of teachers Emily Halbig, Chris Webb and Bobby Marchessault during the Oct. 28 meeting.
He later posted the image on his personal Facebook page.
“These are the people behind my opponent’s campaign, social media, and the shady tactics we’ve seen throughout this race,” Dodge wrote. “People not even originally from Watsonville Keep that in mind when you cast your vote. Like and share.”
When Halbig questioned Dodge about the photograph during public comment, he responded, “because you’re famous.”
In a written response to questions from The Pajaronian, Dodge said the comment was sarcastic.
“I took the photograph because I felt it was important to document what was happening,” he said. “I posted it on my personal Facebook account because I believe the community deserves to know what is taking place during this campaign.”
Dodge said he has heard from teachers and community members who claim they were pressured by people associated with Pajaro Valley Federation of Teachers leadership to remove social media posts supporting his campaign.
“I find that unacceptable,” he said. “People should be able to express their political support without feeling intimidated.”
Marchessault, who teaches at Watsonville School of the Arts and serves on the union’s committee on political education, denied that the union has pressured anyone to remove posts.
“Individual members are welcome to support who they want,” he said. “Either Daniel Dodge or Eriberto Estrada.”
Marchessault said the union has conducted phone banking to inform voters about its endorsed candidates, but those calls have not included demands to remove social media posts.
“I have not seen bullying to take anything down,” he said. “I’ve seen contrary opinions shared.”
He said he would welcome evidence of inappropriate conduct.
“If there’s receipts of this, please, as the director of our committee, which is our committee on political education, let me know if that’s happening,” he said. “We would not condone that at all.”
Teachers question trustee’s conduct
Halbig, who has taught in the district for 22 years, said she was particularly upset by Dodge’s suggestion that people who were not born in Watsonville should have less influence in local politics.
“I wasn’t born there,” she said. “But does that mean I don’t care about those kids and I don’t care about schools and I don’t care about the community? Absolutely not.”
Halbig said she emailed Dodge and copied the other trustees to express her concerns about his conduct during the meeting.
She said Dodge responded within minutes, telling her, “I meant every word of it, too.”
Halbig said Dodge subsequently removed the Facebook post, although she did not know why.
She said she felt uncomfortable with some of the responses posted by Dodge’s supporters.
Marchessault similarly said he did not feel threatened, but questioned why Dodge would focus on photographing members of the audience while conducting district business.
“I’m just disappointed with the choice that was made during the meeting,” he said.
Marchessault said the three educators have more than 45 years of combined service to Watsonville schools.
“I personally am proud to live and work in Watsonville,” he said. “I’ve seen a lot of places, and I’ve chosen to be here because I love this community.”
Dodge defended his comments about the teachers’ origins, saying his lifelong connection to Watsonville gives him an understanding of the community that should also be respected.
“I also respect the 44 years of combined teaching service these individuals have given to PVUSD, and I don’t dismiss their contributions to our schools,” he said.
“However, years of employment in our school district are not the same as having lived the experiences and struggles of generations of Watsonville families.”
Dodge said he attended local schools, raised his children in Watsonville and has spent his life in the community.
“Professional experience matters, but so does lived experience and a genuine understanding of the community we serve,” he said.
Campaign dispute
The incident comes amid a contentious race between Dodge and Estrada, whose campaign has criticized the incumbent’s attendance record and circulated information about his past legal troubles.
A Pajaronian review of regular board meeting minutes from January 2024 through August 2026 shows Dodge was marked absent at 15 of 50 meetings, or 30%. Dodge said those absences should be considered in the context of balancing his board responsibilities, career and duties as a single father.
Marchessault said he believes Dodge’s accusations may stem partly from the Estrada campaign’s publication of information about a previous embezzlement case and Dodge’s attendance at board meetings.
Dodge disputed claims that he has missed 40% of board meetings over the past two years, saying other figures have been reported.
“I believe the underlying meeting records and calculations should be made available so the public can judge the information for themselves,” he said.
Dodge also questioned the relationship between the teachers union and Estrada’s campaign, saying campaign materials have been reposted by union supporters.
He acknowledged that sharing campaign information does not necessarily establish direct coordination.
Webb, a Watsonville High School teacher, said he supports Estrada but denied participating in the candidate’s social media campaign.
“I’m not a part of the social media campaign for the Eriberto team,” he said.
Webb also criticized Dodge’s performance as a trustee, citing concerns about school facilities, district leadership and his attendance at meetings.
He said he believes Dodge’s actions Wednesday demonstrated poor judgment.
“What Dodge has done here is more shady than anything Emily or Bobby or I have done, or Eriberto,” Webb said.
Webb said the incident also reached his classroom, where students approached him after seeing the Facebook post.
Estrada’s campaign issued a statement condemning Dodge’s conduct.
“A school board trustee is elected to serve their constituents—not to surveil and intimidate them during public meetings,” the statement said.
The campaign also accused Dodge of blocking teachers and political opponents on social media.
Dodge said he has tried to remain respectful toward his opponent and supporters throughout the campaign, despite public criticism of his record.
“I have never believed that supporting a different candidate should make someone an enemy,” he said.
“However, when I finally speak up and defend myself against what I believe are unfair attacks, I suddenly find myself being characterized as the bully.”
Dodge said he welcomes scrutiny of his record, but believes the same standards should apply to his critics.
“I have always been willing to have my record scrutinized,” he said. “I welcome fair questions and accountability.”
Trustee Area 4 includes Mintie White and AnnSoldo elementary schools, E.A. Hall Middle School and Watsonville High School.
