WATSONVILLE — The Pajaro Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees on Wednesday will consider adopting this year’s budget, a 430-page document that covers every aspect of the district’s day-to-day financial operations.
The discussion will likely be a long one. The Pajaro Valley Federation of Teachers has long accused the district of overstating its deficits and underestimating its ending balance. The union also says that the district withholds reserves that could otherwise be used for teacher raises.
District officials, meanwhile, warn that ending fund balances come largely thanks to one-time funds. They also say that PVUSD must first reign in out-of-control healthcare costs and tamp down deficit spending before increasing costs via salary increases.
Under state law, school districts must adopt a final budget by July 30. The approved budget will then move to the Santa Cruz County Office of Education for review.
The trustees will also consider a plan to adopt Footsteps2Brilliance, an educational smartphone app designed to help children learn to read. The app would cost $150,000 per year for the service, which would allow anyone within the boundaries of the district to download it and use it for free.
In other action, PVUSD officials will respond to a June 13 Santa Cruz County Grand Jury report that criticized the district for not adequately reporting financial information about Measure L to the public.
The Pajaro Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees will meet Wednesday at 7 p.m. in the Watsonville City Council Chambers on the fourth floor of the Watsonville Civic Plaza at 275 Main St.
For information, visit www.pvusd.net.
