Pajaro Valley Unified School District
Trustee Areas 2, 3 and 6 in the Pajaro Valley Unified School District are up for election on Nov. 5.
Trustee Area 2
Georgia Acosta (incumbent)
• Age: 54.
• Residence: Watsonville.
• Occupation: Pajaro Valley Unified School District trustee, business professor at California State University Monterey Bay, owner of Integrated Office Interiors.
Carol Turley
• Age: 62.
• Residence: Interlaken.
• Occupation: Community manager of Pajaro Dunes Association.
What experience qualifies you for this position?
I am the current elected official for Pajaro Valley Unified School District Trustee Area II with an in-depth understanding and knowledge of PVUSD and the current issues affecting PVUSD. Additionally, I have in-depth experience as a business owner and business professor to deal with PVUSD’s complex budget and finances.
As a community manager, I balance a $2 million budget. The bulk of my work has related to helping people solve problems and work through disasters. I have served on the Santa Cruz County Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and have clerked for a Geologic Hazard Abatement District and understand the Brown Act.
What local issues affect you that make you want to run for office?
As an educator/business owner, I understand the value of providing high quality educational opportunities for our youth. In my tenure on the PVUSD Board, we have grown our Career Technical Education Pathways for our students to 28 different pathways, all A-G accredited [prerequisite for UC admission] creating more educational opportunities for students.
As a strong supporter of public education, I recognize that providing quality education to our youth is vital to a productive society.
What’s your plan to recruit and retain teachers and staff? What would you cut from the budget to allow increased compensation for teachers?
PVUSD is currently seeking to have a bond passed on the Nov. 5 election this year. Should the bond pass, there is consideration to look at developing housing for PVUSD teachers and staff in the hope to offer teachers and staff more affordable housing in this region to assist in reducing housing costs.
The board needs to show appreciation and respect to all of our dedicated employees. I am a strong supporter of developing teacher housing. The overall outlook for education on a statewide basis indicates that school districts will need to cut their budgets over the next few years. As a trustee, it will be my responsibility to evaluate teacher and staff salaries against other educational priorities.
What is your experience with accounting and budgets, especially school budgets? Please describe your process of how you’ll work to ensure a balanced budget and adequate reserves.
As a business owner and business professor, I have extensive knowledge and background in accounting and budgets. Additionally, as the elected official for PVUSD Trustee Area II, I have an extensive knowledge, understanding, and background in PVUSD’s budget. Over the summer of 2024 my fellow trustees and I had a special board meeting where we had an in-depth budget session focusing on PVUSD’s budget from the past, to current, and looking at our respective projections for the upcoming years. Through this special board meeting and session on PVUSD’s budget we are looking towards the next steps for PVUSD’s budget in the upcoming year and beyond.
I manage an annual budget of over $2 million which includes fund accounting and facilities maintenance. I will ensure that the well-defined state process is followed. Ensuring that funds are not spent replacing equipment prior to its end-of-use cycle is imperative.
What will you do to ensure that allegations of inappropriate behavior by staff members are investigated thoroughly and training or other corrective actions are taken?
As the elected official for PVUSD Trustee Area II, all matters of concern associated with allegations of inappropriate behavior by staff members are investigated thoroughly by district personnel and brought to the trustees to address in closed session. In my experience as the elected school board trustee, training and corrective actions are taken when necessitated.
Fast action and thorough investigation are necessary to ensure a safe and respectful environment for all district employees, students, and families. I will engage to ensure that issues are handled properly and promptly. If necessary, I will ask for board review of policies and procedures.
How will you advance racial and ethnic equity and address gaps in advanced class enrollment, test scores and graduation rates?
As a Recruitment Equity Advocate in my job as a CSUMB business professor I have had extensive training in equity. I utilize my extensive training and background in equity advocacy in my role as an elected school board trustee to PVUSD as well. Additionally, PVUSD continues to make great strides in racial and ethnic equity. Under the leadership of PVUSD’s new superintendent, this is an area of continued focus for PVUSD and the current Governing Board of Directors.
Students who come from diverse backgrounds are an asset to the district. They bring language skills and different cultures that help to build a more well-rounded student population. As mandated by the state, ethnic studies creates a strong sense of belonging and cohesiveness in our student population. I believe that ethnic studies will result in improved reading comprehension, increased test scores, and student success and improved graduation rates.
In regards to addressing gaps in advanced class enrollment, test scores, and graduation rates, I will work with the superintendent to ensure that counselors push students according to their abilities so that all advanced classes are available to all students who are capable of finding success with the course curriculum. I am keen on tracking attendance, further, I plan on fostering programs that lead to increased attendance and improved graduation rates.
What is the school board’s role in reducing bullying in schools?
Good governance and positive empowering leadership has been the focus of my tenure as the elected official for PVUSD Trustee Area II. The school board is tasked with approving curriculum adoption and as the elected official for PVUSD Trustee Area II, I and the other Trustees have adopted curriculum that supports addressing bullying in schools.
Good governance and positive empowering leadership has been the focus of my tenure as the elected official for PVUSD Trustee Area II. The school board is tasked with approving curriculum adoption and as the elected official for PVUSD Trustee Area II, I and the other Trustees have adopted curriculum that supports addressing bullying in schools.
What policies and training would you support to address COVID-era learning and developmental delays?
During my tenure as the elected official for PVUSD Trustee Area II, we have extended our Expanded Learning program from serving less than 1,000 students on a daily basis to now serving over 9,000 students on a daily basis. Our PVUSD students are able to utilize our Expanded Learning program for additional education support and learning opportunities.
As a nation, we are still reeling from COVID-related issues in regard to disruption of regular school instruction. It is critical that student assessment and counseling services are enhanced to bring students back up to grade level. Further, there should be a system in place for teachers and counselors to identify students needing services such as after-school learning and summer school. This issue is closely tied to attendance. Focusing on attendance will help with this issue as well.
What will you do to address student mental health and prevent suicides?
As the elected official for PVUSD Trustee Area II, I and my fellow Trustees have approved and budgeted for wellness centers in our PVUSD schools to assist and support our PVUSD students and their mental health needs.
I will support staff training in identifying mental health issues as well as parent and student support groups. LGBTQ+ adolescents are attempting suicide at a rate of four times the national rate. Creating an environment of acceptance and ensuring that all students are seen and heard may result in fewer suicide attempts. I will make sure that the district takes full advantage of, and coordinates with, the [Santa Cruz] County Office of Education service for mental health.
Do you support the expansion of ethnic studies curriculum?
As the elected official for PVUSD Trustee Area II, I and my fellow Trustees have approved and adopted curriculum for PVUSD’s enriched ethnic studies. As most public high school districts in the state of California are currently waiting for further direction from California state legislators regarding ethnic studies, we at PVUSD are in the same current situation.
I support ethnic studies. I recognize there is a lot of controversy over ethnic studies but the state of California has mandated that all students graduating after 2030 must have taken an ethnic studies class. Studies such as those conducted by Oakland College have found that students who read books with characters, places and events that align with their cultural backgrounds were 16% more likely to make personal connections and 4% more likely to answer critical thinking questions correctly. According to the National Education Association, their evaluation of research shows that “students who participate in ethnic studies are more academically engaged, develop a stronger sense of self-efficacy and personal empowerment, perform better academically and graduate at higher rates.” The district has chosen to embed ethnic studies across the curriculum. I will support the superintendent’s plan to engage the community, students, and staff to choose a curriculum guide.
What will you do to decrease fights and other violence in schools?
As the elected official for PVUSD Trustee Area II, school safety for all our students and district personnel has always been a top priority for me. I and my fellow trustees have approved the hiring of campus security and school resource officers that are paired with mental health clinicians.
Schools need to be safe places where learning thrives. Steps should be made to determine what is happening in the child’s life that could be causing them to act out. Supporting the student and finding avenues for support such as Pajaro Valley Prevention and Student Assistance are critical. I would like to learn more about the approach of Barrios Unidos and MILPA Collective.
What do you see as the school board’s role in preparing students for life after high school?
School districts have a huge responsibility in preparing students for life after high school. As an educator and business owner in the community, I understand the value of providing high quality educational opportunities to our youth in the community. During my tenure as the elected official for PVUSD Trustee Area II, we have grown our Career Technical Educational (CTE) Pathways for our students to 28 different pathways, which are all A-G accredited, providing our students ample educational and professional opportunities.
Every decision we make should be focused on what will best prepare our students for what happens after graduation. We need to recognize that our students are individuals, with varying skills, talents, and interests. As trustee, I will strive to ensure that class offerings will expose students to the possibilities including university, trade schools, tech careers, etc., and how to navigate their world. Incorporating life skills into existing courses such as learning about interest and insurance in economics, preparing healthy meals in health, and building a strong body in PE, as well as critical thinking will assist our students to be best prepared for life after high school. Students also benefit from mentoring, interviewing business people, and exposure to a multitude of careers.
Trustee Area 3
Oscar Soto (incumbent)
Oscar Soto did not respond to requests to be included in Santa Cruz Local’s Election Guide. The following information was taken from Soto’s campaign statement.
Age: 53
Soto is a veteran and parent.
Gabriel Jesse Medina
• Age: 32.
• Residence: Royal Oaks.
• Occupation: Filmmaker and instructor.
What experience qualifies you for this position?
Soto is the incumbent Area 3 Trustee.
As a lifelong Watsonville resident with a strong background in education and community advocacy, I’m committed to ensuring PVUSD schools meet the needs and dreams of every student. My deep roots and experience addressing systemic issues make me uniquely qualified to serve.
What local issues affect you that make you want to run for office?
As a husband and father of four children who grew up in the Pajaro Valley, we need to continue our focus of transformation in empowering our community and advocating for strong representation on our school board.
Parents have watched over the years as precious funding and educational opportunities have been lost to schools in the northern portions of the Pajaro Valley Unified School District. I will be your voice and fight for your children’s equal and fair share of PVUSD resources.
The long-standing neglect of Trustee Area 3, especially in education and infrastructure, and the frustration of students being ignored by those elected to amplify their voices, drives me to run. I’m committed to ensuring our community receives the attention and progressive changes it needs to thrive.
What’s your plan to recruit and retain teachers and staff? What would you cut from the budget to allow increased compensation for teachers?
I am extremely proud to accept the support of many of our Pajaro Valley Unified School District classified school workers and teachers. Hiring, paying, and keeping qualified teachers and staff to support our students is critical.
To recruit and retain teachers, I plan to offer competitive compensation, professional development opportunities, and explore a four-day school week to reduce burnout. We’ll cut administrative overhead by streamlining processes and redirecting those funds to directly support teacher pay and classroom resources. Additionally, I will optimize facility use and budget transparency to ensure that resources are used efficiently, enabling us to reinvest savings into our teachers, who are the backbone of our educational system.
What is your experience with accounting and budgets, especially school budgets? Please describe your process of how you’ll work to ensure a balanced budget and adequate reserves.
I bring experience from USC’s Peter Stark Producing program and managing instructional programs at various educational levels. My approach to budgeting includes streamlining administrative systems, conducting regular audits, and seeking community input to ensure transparency. By prioritizing spending that directly impacts students and cutting inefficiencies, I will ensure a balanced budget with adequate reserves. I’m also committed to working with unions to ensure fair compensation, as I’ve done in film production, to maintain morale and attract top talent.
What will you do to ensure that allegations of inappropriate behavior by staff members are investigated thoroughly and training or other corrective actions are taken?
I will ensure that all allegations are investigated thoroughly and impartially, with mandatory training for staff on issues like trauma-informed practices and cultural competency. Implementing a Student Bill of Rights will empower students to voice concerns and ensure fair treatment. We will also prioritize restorative justice practices over punitive measures to create a safer and more supportive school environment.
How will you advance racial and ethnic equity and address gaps in advanced class enrollment, test scores and graduation rates?
I will advocate for ethnic studies, aligned high school bell schedules, and comprehensive community integration. Expanding access to dual enrollment, life skills courses, and community-based learning will engage students and close achievement gaps. We’ll also prioritize equitable resource distribution and support programs tailored to underserved students. Through partnerships and mentoring, we’ll empower students to explore career paths, improve test scores, and increase graduation rates.
What is the school board’s role in reducing bullying in schools?
The school board must enforce comprehensive anti-bullying policies, foster positive relationships through trauma-informed practices, and ensure access to mental health resources. We’ll also create safe spaces for marginalized students and involve families and communities in creating a supportive school climate. By promoting respect, inclusion, and proactive measures, we can reduce bullying and create an environment where all students feel safe and supported.
What policies and training would you support to address COVID-era learning and developmental delays?
I support implementing targeted intervention programs to address learning gaps caused by COVID-19, with a focus on equitable access for all students, particularly those from marginalized communities. We must train teachers in trauma-informed practices and differentiated instruction to meet diverse learning needs. Additionally, expanding mental health support and integrating community-based learning opportunities will help students recover academically and emotionally.
What will you do to address student mental health and prevent suicides?
Addressing student mental health is a priority. I will advocate for comprehensive mental health services, including on-site counselors, social workers, and peer support programs. We need to implement training for staff in recognizing mental health issues and create safe spaces for students to seek help. Collaborating with local organizations to provide mental health resources and education will ensure that students receive the support they need to thrive and prevent tragedies.
Do you support the expansion of ethnic studies curriculum?
Absolutely! Expanding ethnic studies is essential for empowering students with knowledge of their heritage and fostering a more inclusive school environment. I will advocate for the full implementation of ethnic studies across all PVUSD schools, ensuring that teachers receive proper training and resources. Ethnic studies not only improve academic outcomes but also build a sense of pride and belonging among students, which is crucial for their overall development.
What will you do to decrease fights and other violence in schools?
Soto wrote in his campaign statement he was proud of “reinstating the School Resource Officer Program for the Pajaro Valley Unified School District helping to keep our school campuses secure.”
To decrease violence in schools, I will advocate for restorative justice practices, which focus on conflict resolution and repairing harm rather than punitive measures. Providing training for staff and students in de-escalation techniques and promoting a culture of respect and inclusion will be key. Additionally, implementing comprehensive anti-bullying policies and increasing access to mental health services will address the root causes of violence and create a safer school environment.
What do you see as the school board’s role in preparing students for life after high school?
The school board must ensure that students are equipped with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in life, whether they choose to attend college, enter the workforce, or pursue other paths. I will advocate for the expansion of dual enrollment, life skills courses, and vocational training programs. By integrating community involvement, internships, and apprenticeships, we can provide students with real-world experience and build a foundation for their future success.
Trustee Area 6
Adam Bolaños Scow (incumbent)
• Age: 41.
• Residence: Watsonville.
• Occupation: Music teacher, environmental advocate and PVUSD school board appointed incumbent.
Jessica Carrasco
• Age: 36.
• Residence: Calabasas area.
• Occupation: Mother, artist, educator, community organizer.
What experience qualifies you for this position?
As the PVUSD school board appointed incumbent, I’ve been serving in this position for 1.5 years and received 2,400 votes when I ran for the seat in 2020 with strong support from the teachers and classified workers. As a music teacher, I have strong ties with students and parents, enabling me to be an effective advocate.
I have worked as an afterschool program coordinator, a summer camp leader, as a substitute, as an instructional aid for kids with autism, in a preschool, elementary, a history teacher at a middle school, and social studies at Watsonville High School and currently at alternative high schools.
What local issues affect you that make you want to run for office?
Continuing to champion the arts, music, and more hands-on learning opportunities. Since appointed, we have raised teacher salaries/benefits to be competitive and I will work so that continues to be that way.
Some of the issues that made me run for office was the need for student empowerment, teacher support and I would like to work with others to increase resources and programs that reflect our diverse community needs.
What’s your plan to recruit and retain teachers and staff? What would you cut from the budget to allow increased compensation for teachers?
Fortunately, we are not in a dire budget situation but we will need to reduce spending with declining enrollment. Over the next year, we will develop a thoughtful plan with public input to keep cuts away from our school sites. As previously stated, I will fight to keep teacher and staff salaries competitive, and to make their work conditions fair and rewarding.
Create partnerships with local universities that have credential programs. My plan is to decrease class sizes from 35 to 25, increase instructional aides, work with community organizations to work with students and I want to increase teacher wages.
What is your experience with accounting and budgets, especially school budgets? Please describe your process of how you’ll work to ensure a balanced budget and adequate reserves.
Since being on the board we have maintained healthy reserves, and I frequently ask for budget support from local experts. Last year I was able to help renew a budget advisory committee that will review our budgets to ensure transparency and fairness.
I have experience working with nonprofit budgets and grants. I am excited to learn how a school budget is similar and different than a nonprofit’s budget. I have already started to reach out to district workers who have experience with the school’s budget and who they themselves have had to balance it so that I may learn from their experiences.
What will you do to ensure that allegations of inappropriate behavior by staff members are investigated thoroughly and training or other corrective actions are taken?
Our district is improving our HR background checks to help ensure we are not hiring people with dubious records. We are improving our trainings across the board in the past year, and have productive relationships with law enforcement when needed.
I would not take any of those actions lightly, I believe that our school district should be a safe space for everyone. I would request various staff reports, have a good thorough investigation by a third party that respects privacy rights, follow through with recommendations and address gaps and or the root cause of behavior collectively.
How will you advance racial and ethnic equity and address gaps in advanced class enrollment, test scores and graduation rates?
We must do better in these areas, particularly in the key 4th-8th grades where kids sometimes can lose interest in school work. Having strong arts and music programs, which I’ve fought to recently improve, can help kids stay engaged with school and keep up their grades the way sports programs can as well. I’m a strong proponent of bilingual education and we must offer the same array of classes that schools in our wealthier areas provide.
In order to advance racial and ethnic equity many things need to happen. For example inclusive policies, curriculum responsive teaching (for everyone, not just students), diversify district positions, empower student voice/education. Advanced Placement class enrollment could increase if students knew what AP classes were, why AP classes are important and get an idea of the work they will be doing. This would eliminate the unknown and increase the amount of students that apply to AP classes. In addition, foster good relationships with students, empower their self esteem and provide fee waivers for exams. Support AP teachers with resources, training and teacher assistants or tutors. In order for students to graduate they need to be connected to their education, school community and need direction to what they want to accomplish in life.
What is the school board’s role in reducing bullying in schools?
The school board works with our superintendent in helping set the tone and build a positive and productive culture for all of our staff. Our superintendent is off to a great start in equipping principals and site leaders with better tools and trainings to engage families and help increase their engagement in our schools. The board also ensures we have adequate counselors at the school sites who address both mental and academic needs. These things are helping increase accountability and this school year is off to a better start already.
The board’s role is to create anti-bullying policies, follow through with them and hold students accountable. Train and help students, teachers and staff get the development that they need to identify, address and to intervene, get that “child’s village” involved. If needed, get resources, mentors or programs to help severe situations.
What policies and training would you support to address COVID-era learning and developmental delays?
We are starting to see a positive rebound after some tough years of COVID’s impact on the mental health of many of our students. Fortunately, we have local partners to help with tutoring and our working with our sites to help address the problematic behavior. The good news is that it is getting better.
Some of the policies that I would support to address COVID-era learning and development delays would focus on helping students to catch up or to get extra help, after-school programs, tutoring, workshops and reaching out to community programs that can assist youth with valuable mentors. The training that I would support would be focused on everyone: the students, staff and teachers. I remember hearing some teachers say that they didn’t believe in mental health issues or anxiety. So training for everyone to understand what trauma is, how to identify it and how to teach while still applying trauma-sensitive practices.
What will you do to address student mental health and prevent suicides?
I have been an advocate for our counselor teams in several ways, ensuring we are paying them well so they stay and help our kids, and ensuring we are properly staffed and supported at the sites. Last year, we began discussions to help build an internship program as well. Finally, having great arts and vocational classes help build positive experiences for our students. Our schools must be a place where our students can discover and develop their gifts, be it in math, arts, science, language, sports, or hands-on learning. When we offer a variety of classes, school is more fun and interesting to more kids and helps build their self-esteem and sense of value.
We need more socio-emotional counselors that are not jumping from one school to another. We need at the very minimum one school counselor to be full-time and stationed at one school. We also need to reach out to organizations to help students with mental health issues and prevent suicides, let’s think out of the box and create a “village” for youth who need it.
Do you support the expansion of ethnic studies curriculum?
We have a homegrown ethnic studies curriculum that I strongly support and offers many different pathways in our schools. It is probably the strongest curriculum in the county.
Absolutely. 100%.
What will you do to decrease fights and other violence in schools?
It requires a mix of counseling, mentorship programs, and security measures as well, which primarily serve as a deterrent to violence on campus, as we have seen work at Watsonville High School.
Create programs for students who get into fights where we hold them accountable and they need to complete a program that helps students deal with anger management, increase physical activity (like a sport or hobby), bring in the arts for self soothing and partner them up with a mentor.
What do you see as the school board’s role in preparing students for life after high school?
Our district must strive to prepare our students to thrive and succeed in a rapidly changing and challenging world. Ensuring that they are able to discover and develop their unique skills is critical. The more skills they are able to develop , the better chance they will have at success in the future. As a board member, I will continue to fight so that all of our schools offer the resources necessary to nurture graduates who can contribute to society in a healthy way.
The board’s role in preparing students for life after high school is to keep students as their priority when they make decisions. For example, when focusing on curriculum to make sure that it balances academics with life skills. Connect the curriculum to everyday experiences and demonstrate how classroom knowledge is applied in the real world. I used to teach a CTE Social Justice Class and I made it very practical so that students would build on their communication skills, presentation strategies, manage group work, partner work and relate the curriculum to their everyday experiences. The board should make sure that high schools have enough counselors with a reasonable amount of students so that they can really dedicate their time to help them. Bring in alternatives to college like vocational school, technical schools’ apprenticeship programs, trade schools, certificates and licenses.