This story has been updated with quotes from PVUSD Board Vice President Misty Navarro, and a response from Trustee Gabe Medina.
The Pajaro Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees on Wednesday will consider a proposal to censure Trustee Gabe Medina.
When a body of elected leaders censures a fellow member by majority vote, it is a formal reprimand for behavior deemed unacceptable. Censure does not come with sanctions.
The reason for the reprimand, however, is not clear. Board President Olivia Flores did not respond to requests for comment.
In a Facebook post, Board Vice-President Misty Navarro said that Medina’s behavior since joining the board has been “reprehensible,” and pointed to the YouTube video of the Nov. 13 2024 meeting at bit.ly/44UUFSE
“His actions are not conducive to the values we aim to instill in our children, nor do they contribute to the betterment of our district,” Navarro wrote. “Regardless of your stance on this matter, it is crucial to express your opinion and emphasize that such behavior is detrimental to our students, teachers, and the district’s mission. The financial burden caused by his actions, amounting to thousands of dollars, is a disservice to our taxpayers and undermines the support our students and teachers deserve. Moreover, his persistent attacks on my reputation and his mistreatment of PVUSD staff, Board President Olivia Flores, Superintendent Dr. Contreras, and former Chief Business Official Jenny Im are unacceptable. It is time to reclaim respect and civility in our board meetings.”
Medina did not respond to a request for comment. In a post on his Substack page, he called the censure politically motivated, and said he has been pressured to resign his position since he joined the board this year.
But he said the move is not about his conduct. Rather, it is about the content of his messages.
“…about the positions I’ve taken and the truths I’ve spoken,” he said in the post. “From the beginning of my term, I’ve been transparent in my commitment to equity, justice, and accountability. I do not represent the narrow interests of the board leadership; I represent the hundreds of community members who sent me here to fight for them. My duty is to the teachers, parents, students, and residents who have demanded transparency and truth. I will not back down from that responsibility.”
Medina added that the action against him is part of a trend occurring across the U.S., targeting people who “challenge systems of colonialism, capitalism, and ongoing Indigenous genocide.”
As a result, Medina said he has been labeled antisemitic—an accusation he rejects.
“I’m not surprised by the censure,” he said. “It’s what happens when someone refuses to stay quiet, refuses to play along, and refuses to abandon the people they were elected to serve,” he wrote.
Medina says he will address the issue during the Wednesday meeting.
PVUSD spokeswoman Alicia Jimenez said that the issue would be discussed Wednesday, and said the district had no further comment.
The last time the board approved a censure was in March 2021 against then Trustee Georgia Acosta.
In other action, the board will consider a contract with Boston, Mass.-based Facing History & Ourselves to provide training for teachers to deliver ethnic studies curriculum.
In its proposal, the company says it “is not a dedicated Ethnic Studies trainer or curriculum provider,” but that it supports teachers, schools, districts, county offices of education and the California Department of Education in implementing the California Ethnic Studies Model Curriculum (ESMC).
The company states in its website that its curriculum is taught in every U.S. state, and in more than 100 countries.
If approved, the company would deliver six sessions from June—December 2025. The district would pay $120—$350 per participant, depending on the meeting schedule and format.
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The Watsonville City Council will meet at 6pm in the Watsonville City Council Chambers, on the fourth floor of the Civic Plaza at 275 Main Street. For information, visit bit.ly/3YZs4Yw
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The Watsonville City Council will meet at 6pm in the Watsonville City Council Chambers, on the fourth floor of the Civic Plaza at 275 Main Street. For information, visit bit.ly/3YZs4Yw
Medina is not good for the school district. Why prolong it? Medina needs to step down.
What does this have to do with the kids and their education? This is the worst school district with the worst education system, the schools are riddled with sexual predators, teacher shortages, and all everyone is fixated on is pushing Medina out because their feelings are hurt? Snowflake behavior. He’s only ever spoken about giving kids education and helping then, it manages to get derailed and it turns into adults centering their own feelings. Everyone do yourselves a favor and ask your kids what THEY want to learn about. Its nothing but a bunch of whiny, crybaby grown adults in these discussions who offer no real value to childrens education, safety or future.
“What does this have to do with the kids and their education?”
You are right. Medina needs to focus on education, not indoctrination.
Everything you don’t like is indoctrination? How convenient.