Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: What happens to PVUSD now that Superintendent Contreras is leaving?

And on the Watsonville Patch calendar - A Proper Autumn Tea

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Cheers Watsonville! We're back, helping you stay up to date with what's happening. Let's take on the day together! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • What happens to PVUSD now that Superintendent Contreras is leaving?
  • Why one trustee's protest nearly jeopardized PVUSD's arts funding millions
  • Why is Watsonville falling so far behind in building needed housing?

Also on today's calendar: A Proper Autumn Tea and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: Why do some birds fly south for the winter? 🤔 (Answer below!)

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Weather forecast:

  • Monday: Periods of sun with a shower, with a high of 70 and low of 45 degrees.
  • Tuesday: Mostly sunny and nice, temps: high: 73, low: 45.
  • Wednesday: Mostly sunny and nice, with a high of 77 and low of 48 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. PVUSD Superintendent Heather Contreras confirmed to leave for San Luis Obispo (santacruzlocal.org) — Pajaro Valley Unified families in Watsonville will soon see a major leadership change, as Superintendent Heather Contreras has been confirmed to leave for San Luis Coastal Unified in 2027. Her contract, salary details, and end date at PVUSD are set, raising urgent questions about how and when the district will search for a new superintendent.
   

2. PVUSD Forced into Special Meeting to Save Millions (tpgonlinedaily.com) — Watsonville's Pajaro Valley Unified School District nearly risked millions in Prop. 28 arts and music funding when a trustee refused to approve a required state report. With only four board members present, the disagreement forced an emergency Sept. 30 meeting to ensure the district's 14,100 students at 30 sites don't lose critical arts dollars.
   

3. A housing boom is underway in Santa Cruz. Why is the rest of the county so far behind? (lookout.co) — Watsonville is lagging badly on its state housing goals, reaching only about 9% of its eight-year target despite zoning downtown for dense apartments and easing parking rules. The story explains how weaker market demand, airport limits, and lower state funding advantages hamper local projects, and explores regional funding ideas that could help Watsonville attract more affordable housing investment.
   

4. Justin Griffis scores three TDs as SLV pulls away from St. Francis (fresnobee.com) — Watsonville football fans saw a busy weekend, with St. Francis falling 28-6 at home to San Lorenzo Valley while Pajaro Valley shut out Gonzales 28-0 for its first league win. The games, played in Watsonville, featured standout rushing performances, key defensive plays, and set up important upcoming home matchups for both St. Francis and Pajaro Valley later this month.
   

5. Sentinel reporter wins California School Board Association's Golden Quill Award for PVUSD coverage (santacruzsentinel.com) — PVUSD families in Watsonville are seeing their district's stories recognized statewide, as Sentinel reporter Nick Sestanovich earns the California School Boards Association's Golden Quill Award for his coverage. His reporting has spanned ethnic studies debates, teacher negotiations, leadership changes, and uplifting pieces like Watsonville High twins simultaneously earning diplomas and associate degrees through Cabrillo College's dual enrollment program.
   

📸 Around Watsonville

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Watsonville

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📣 Watsonville Shout Outs!

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Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

 

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Our cat Zuko found his way home this morning!
    Thank you to all our neighbors who helped us with information and kept looking out for him. We are so happy hes home safe (Nextdoor Seaview Ranch)
  • Went out to the Watsonville Speedway tonight with my family (12 of us) and had a great time watching the destruction derby and the motorcycle show.
    It was a great family event. Everyone there seemed to be having a good time. (Nextdoor Sunnyhills Holly)
  • Albertsons Company posted a job opening for Starbucks Barista in Freedom. Apply here.
  • North Monterey County Unified School District posted a job opening for Substitute Pool - Custodian in Castroville. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Watsonville here.

Ok Watsonville! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: "Why do some birds fly south for the winter?" — Because it's too far to walk..! (Thank you Theresia F. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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