By Jondi Gumz
You’ve probably noticed signs popping up in the Pajaro Valley Unified School District: “You Can’t ACHIEVE Your Dreams if you don’t SHOW UP to chase them.”
This motto was chosen out of 487 suggestions submitted by students.
A student at Watsonville High submitted the winner — anonymously.
Aptos High Choir directed by Finley Asmuth, one of 2 student groups to perform. The other was McQuiddy’s Mustang Mallet Ensemble led by Miran McPoland.
Even Superintendent Heather Contreras does not who should get the credit. She imagines this student talking to their parents, explaining this is my idea.
I’m hoping the student will come forward so Aptos Times can share their story.
The new superintendent’s top priority is improving attendance, which has been an issue since Covid, and which could boost funding.
Her goal is 98%.
She wants everyone to help.
“Have no shame,” she said. “If you see a child in Target, ask ‘Why are you not in school?’’”
Contreras shared this with a crowd of people at Watsonville Civic Center community room Friday morning, Oct. 4, reporting on the state of the school district.
There are challenges: 60% English learners, 81% of students living in poverty, 16% with special needs, 10% migrants, and 9% without permanent housing.
The district budget is $326 million, and not surprisingly, 85% is spent on salaries and benefits.
Why PVUSD?
“I saw an opportunity in a community I love,” said Contreras, who previously was in Modesto.
Her grandfather taught at Watsonville High, she has family in Salinas, and she attended family reunions in Aptos.
At work, she sees “passion for the right things. It’s a great district now, but it’s going to be better.”
What’s working?
- Dual Language Studies: 1,251 students at six schools
- Arts & Music: Music at all 16 elementary schools, band at all six middle schools and dance and visual art at all 3 high schools
- Career Technical Education: 1,251 students in 26 career pathways and 78 UC college-prep courses (this is what led to Aptos High students building a tiny home on wheels)
- Secondary Athletics: 1,345 girls in 50 sports, including the new flag football; 1,646 boys in 46 sports and 916 in 34 co-ed sports
- Family Engagement: 9,510 students and family members at 15 monthly meetings and 47+ themed sessions
- School Connections: 74% of elementary students, 36% of middle schoolers, and 37% of high school students report supportive relationships
Daniel Esqueda, an Aptos High senior selected as the student trustee on the Pajaro Valley school board, talked about relationships and sense of belonging. His presentations was impressive and his remarks can be found at https://tpgonlinedaily.com/ensure-every-student-feels-they-truly-belong/.
Contreras said he “rose to the top” of all the students who applied.
Rather than dismissing the runner-ups with a thank you, she offered them positions on her new student advisory board, which Esqueda meets with before board meetings to prepare his report. This way, he can represent all the high schools.
The advisory group was asked to bring issues to her attention. One of the first has already been acted upon: They asked for more training of substitute teachers. Staff had asked for strategies to help new teachers be successful; this year, new teachers are to get more feedback from peers and mentors.
What needs attention?
Starting in 2027-28, a state law mandates a semester course in personal finance, which will be a graduation requirement.
A new law AB3216 requires a policy to limit cell phone use by July 1, 2026. PVUSD has a pilot project at two sites where students are required to put away cell phones during school hours. This, with outreach, will be used to develop the policy.
The superintendent told a story about how PBIS helps create a safe learning environment. PBIS stands for Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports. Two students who were fighting got suspended. The two were brought together and told: You made a choice that’s not great — what can we do so you make better choices?
“They are actually friends now,” Contreras said.
Declining Enrollment
PVUSD has 16,687 students, including preschool and adult education, and 2,383 staff — one of the largest employers in Santa Cruz County.
The transitional kindergarten to grade 12 enrollment is 14,735, which is what the district is funded for.
That number is down 16% — 2,888 fewer students — since 2017 and projections predict a drop to 13,501 in 2026-27.
The decline accelerated during Covid, when health concerns shifted public education to learning online.
Contreras said families are moving and the birth rate has dropped, due to concerns about being able to afford a child.
Fewer students means less funding, and Contreras sees a need to “right size” the district.
She has created the Sustainable Budget Team to make recommendations to the Board and Superintendent on strategies to reorganize the district’s programs to ensure quality educational programs and fiscal solvency. Members are:
Family Representatives
Marlon Olmos, Elementary School; Luz Sotelo, Elementary School; Ana Maldonado, Elementary School; Richard Gray, Elementary School; Sergio Perez, Elementary School Alternate; Carina Quiroz, Middle School; Yande Cervantez, Middle School; Jasmin Prado, Middle School; Rosemary Castro, High School; Graciela Lomeli, High School; Nancy Souza, High School; Ashley Yoro Flowers, High School
Labor Partners
Ari Parker, PVFT; Emily Halbig, PVFT; Gus Paz, CSEA; Diane Martinez, CSEA; Michael Floor, CWA
District Office Leaders
Margarita Ponce, Director, Finance; Pamela Shanks, Director, HR, Classified Staff, Alternate
School Site Administrators
Caryn Lane, Elementary Schools Administrator; Katie Kriscunas, Middle Schools Administrator; Dr. Selene Muñoz Casas, Middle Schools Administrator, Alternate; Susan Graulty, High Schools Administrator
Community Partners
Adriana Mata, Pájaro Valley Prevention and Student Assistance; Nora Yerena, Raíces y Cariño; Isabelle Tuncer, El Sistema, Alternate
Since September, they committed to meeting 8 times 6-8 p.m. with the committee to present recommendations to the school board at the first meeting in January. Meetings are livestreamed. Remaining dates: Nov. 6 and 20, Dec. 10 and 18. Information is at www.pvusd.net/Departments/Business-Services/Finance–Budget/Finance-and-Budget/Sustainable-Budget-Team/index.html
Dawn Acosta Valdivia, a parent who works in the business office, said she was pleased with the Community Schools initiative, started in 2022, in which her child’s elementary school is linking with the middle school her child will attend.
Kendra Fehrer of Heartwise Learning has worked with the first seven schools, and now 24 schools are participating.
Contreras said the key is “shared leadership at the school site if done with integrity and listening. Top down won’t work.”
TOP PHOTO: State of the District photo op.