WATSONVILLE – The recently reinstated Pajaro Valley Unified Superintendent Michelle Rodriguez returned to work Monday morning, just hours after the Board of Trustees voted to rescind the termination of her contract.
During a three-day span and two special board meetings, Rodriguez received overwhelming support from the community after she was fired Wednesday unexpectedly. The community flooded both meetings with nearly 500 public comments between the two meetings which lasted more than 10 hours combined.
“I’ve been really grateful for the outpouring of support,” Rodriguez said. “The enormity of support and compassion that I received has really provided me with strength courage and support to provide for our students, community and families.”
She believes the level of support from the public is part of the reason she was reinstated to her position. That sentiment could very well be true. Two trustees on the board stated the reason behind their decision to change course was because they believed it was in the best interest of their constituents.
However, the former board president Georgia Acosta revealed that several trustees who originally voted to remove Rodriguez received death threats toward them and their families. She immediately announced she planned to rescind her vote and stated the safety of her family came first.
Former Vice President Oscar Soto followed suit with a similar announcement.
The Watsonville Police Department has not been following any leads on the alleged death threats, according to PIO Michelle Pulido.
“As of right now, we have not received any reports from any Watsonville residents stating they have received any death threats,” she said. “Any person that may have been a victim of a crime here in Watsonville, we ask them to come forward.”
The actions taken by the community members were condemned by other board members. Newly appointed President Jennifer Holm stated that community members should continue to feel strongly about the issues in their community, but there is still a level of respect that is due to everyone within the community, including public servants.
The board unanimously reinstated the beloved superintendent. Acosta remained steadfast in her reasoning and reaffirmed why she was voting to rescind the original decision.
“For reasons previously stated, I am going to say, ‘aye,’” she said. “Again, I want to thank President Holm for condemning the comments and the things that have taken place against her colleagues.”
Rodriguez’s return to the office on Monday was the first time she returned to the office since her termination on Wednesday which was decided by a 4-3 vote. The decision was never explained to the public or Rodriguez.
“They have still not told me,” she said. “I have no idea.”
However, Schacher offered a brief explanation to why the decision was made, at least for her own reasons for originally voting to terminate the superintendent’s contract.
At Sunday’s meeting, Schacher alluded to issues that had been happening across the district in her opening statements. Schacher mentioned an issue that happened at Cesar Chavez Middle School in December of 2019 as an example. The school was without heat for several months in the winter.
“I speak for the students, parents and staff, who have raised red flags and valid concerns over the past two years,” she said. “They all deserve an equal opportunity to learn in a healthy and safe environment without the ever-cumbersome ZIP code bias. In our collective society, we must take care of each other and apply the same equity throughout all the schools in the same district.”
However, Rodriguez has reaffirmed her commitment to the students with her district time and time again during the last few days. As she returns to work, she expressed interest in putting recent events behind her and start working where she left off on Wednesday.
“I’m glad that we’ve moved past this,” she said. “Were all pledging to work together. That’s why we’re in the position that were in, to be able to support our students. One thing I always hold dear is ensuring that were putting students in the center of what we’re doing. Our students are the ones that suffer when we don’t have meeting of the mind with adults.”
While some families and teachers have expressed frustration with Rodriguez, several have also been pleased with her performance, especially during a pandemic. A large part of her work was finding ways to cut the budget while impacting students as little as possible during the pandemic.
“I really do think that our families and our students have benefited from our collective courageous work during this pandemic,” Rodriguez said. “I know that staff has really given every ounce of themselves. I believe our tireless work continues.”
Trustee Shakeup
The reinstatement of Rodriguez wasn’t the only action taken during Sunday’s meeting. The board of trustees saw a complete overhaul of its hierarchy.
Acosta and Soto were unseated as president and vice president respectively. They were replaced by Holm, who will take the reins as the new president, and Schacher, who will be second in command as the new vice president. The two were unanimously seated into their new positions.
Trustees cited mismanagement of recent events as to why the board needed to be restructured.
“I am very concerned about the way this was handled,” Holm said. “This isn’t the leadership I want to see for the district, and I ask you to reconsider whether or not you really are willing to be the leaders this district needs.”
Wednesday’s action of Rodriguez’s termination was done so with no transparency from the board. That did not sit well with scores of community members.
“The way this was handled was done in such a way that there hasn’t been an opportunity to explain to the public. There’s been no statement to the public at all,” Holm continued. “This was a boulder dropped into the pond of this community, and it was damaging. We can do better than this. We can be stewards of our constituents and still maintain privacy.”
The beginning of Friday’s special meeting was mismanaged, as well. Acosta attempted to block the hearing of nearly 200 public comments and brought in her own legal representation to try and represent the board.
The board was not fond of either move and called for long-time legal counsel of the board, Lou Lozano, to be brought into Friday’s meeting. That never happened.
Sunday, the board also solidified Lou Lozano as the board’s legal representation for all future matters in a unanimous decision.
The Link LonkFebruary 02, 2021 at 07:31AM
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Reinstated PVUSD superintendent returns to work - Santa Cruz Sentinel
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