On Feb. 12, the Pajaro Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees voted to reject proposed staffing reductions that would have impacted certificated and classified employees.
The proposal was brought forward to address the district’s financial standing, accounting for the end of one-time pandemic-era federal funds and due to declining enrollment.
PVUSD Superintendent Heather Contreras formed the Sustainable Budget Team last year; a group of parents, educators, staff and stakeholders to evaluate the district’s finances and identify recommendations to maintain fiscal solvency.
Contreras acknowledged the difficulty of the decision and emphasized the district’s ongoing commitment to financial stability while prioritizing student success.
“No district takes these recommendations lightly, and we recognize the concerns shared by our community,” Contreras said. “At the same time, we must address significant budget challenges due to the expiration of one-time federal funding and declining enrollment. We remain committed to working collaboratively with our board, staff, and stakeholders to identify solutions that ensure the long-term fiscal health of our district.”
PVUSD will explore next steps in the coming days, which may include reconsidering budget adjustments, scheduling a special board meeting, or identifying alternative cost-saving measures ahead of the March 15 notification deadline.
If not addressed this year, the district would face more severe cuts next year, district administrators say.
PVUSD remains committed to engaging with employee unions and community partners to seek sustainable solutions that balance fiscal responsibility with the needs of students and staff.
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Editor’s note: On Tuesday, the Pajaro Valley Unified School District board met in special session for five hours to discuss cuts for right-sizing staffing before the March 15 deadline to send layoff notices.
A third of the district’s funding comes from the federal government, where the Trump administration is scrutinizing spending and looking for efficiencies.
Trustee Gabriel Medina proposed to zero cuts for school staff but that motion failed, and a motion to make cuts also failed. After graduation, “everything (in the budget) will be looked at,” board president Olivia Flores said.
PVUSD is seeking a director of fiscal services.
TOP PHOTO: Heather Contreras