[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6054429,"mediaKeyId","3337614-51f4dbe0a8cebcaa521c92cdf171edbb","parentId",3337614,"title","Pacific Grove Unified proposes blended UPK model using state preschool; district cites funding limits","audioSeconds",1163,"startMs",1172000,"endMs",2335000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3337614-51f4dbe0a8cebcaa521c92cdf171edbb&start=1172&end=2335","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3337614-51f4dbe0a8cebcaa521c92cdf171edbb/thumbnail_1172000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6054429/California/Pacific-Grove-Unified-proposes-blended-UPK-model-using-state-preschool-district-cites-funding-limits","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6054429-503c7f362ffa0d86fc96ebbf70bfa5e9/orig.mp4?Expires=1773127948&Signature=H6fCPkHWgh0AD8dsMqe47gGs51OjMmfmfkWuuRjMi~5DrJo5nnD9rTY1Vft6Pv1fCUglzJoan~5bgQ2aOOVEcVAGoSdT2RyYWg-O4Mc0xhm3EwUb4MIrbG7G2deq-tPv~wGPMZJH1KwTjW1yEsIcGMMMs6q28Jmn0fMk5ZMONVJ6pC9-DD8XwJxv48Rw9BBMTy7Szk4ie~J5ZkZ19Yh77HaTQ~H6pZ7acnOY8IE1tlFlgutXEWDADRcY7HjR892RZ8y0usIzzek0FyfwHEONMlVKVtBrpJwPKMgVLQHdjrw5UKo0yuDolN7OwoP2pwKTBuHpgtFDlHD7Za39o8R0fg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Pacific Grove Unified","date","2025-05-14T18:49:23Z","article","Superintendent Arthinda Adamson outlined a proposed blended UPK model that would expand access for children who turn 4 between June 3 and Sept. 1 by adapting the district’s existing state preschool program and locating the expanded program on an elementary campus. \"It would be aligned with TK program ... but I want to be clear. You know, it's not a TK program,\" Adamson said, emphasizing that UPK offerings are developmentally distinct from transitional kindergarten.

What the district is proposing: The district would adapt its current state preschool (currently at David Avenue School) into a no-cost blended UPK pathway and move that program to Forest Grove Elementary within the next two years to create an early childhood hub on an elementary campus. The proposed model would offer a full-day schedule, access to enrichment and before/after care, and free meals, and would be staffed by the district’s existing state preschool teachers and instructional aides (Adamson named Erin Hamadi and Kine Samuels as lead preschool teachers).

Eligibility and timing: Adamson said the rollout follows the state phasing plan that expands TK eligibility and that the 2025–26 window would include children who turn 4 by Sept. 1; the district is specifically proposing two no‑cost options for children with summer birthdays (June 3–Sept. 1) this coming year.

Funding constraints and legal guidance: Adamson and other district staff said the district’s basic‑aid status means it does not receive the same state per‑pupil expansion funds other LCFF districts do. She cited Assembly Bill 130 (2021) as the law that phased in expanded TK eligibility and said the AB language ties expansion to funding. The superintendent said the district has sought legal and fiscal guidance from outside advisers, naming SchoolsFirst (capital advisers) and the law firm Lozano Smith.

Alternate option: If demand exceeds capacity, the district proposed a second option that would deliver UPK via the district’s adult‑education/parent‑education program overseen by Principal Barbara Martinez.

Why this matters: Parents at the meeting asked for a full‑choice approach (opening UPK and TK options to all eligible children). District leaders said they are trying to expand access without incurring additional ongoing staffing costs that would worsen a projected multi‑year budget deficit.

Next steps: The district plans family information nights and one‑on‑one meetings with preregistered summer‑birthday families, and said it is partnering with the Monterey County Office of Education (MCOE) UPK team to refine delivery models. The proposal was presented for community input; no board action was taken at the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","PGUSD TK Public Forum May 13, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Superintendent Arthinda Adamson described a proposed blended universal prekindergarten (UPK) model that adapts the district’s existing state preschool and could be placed on Forest Grove Elementary’s campus, while cautioning the district lacks state expansion funds because it is a basic‑aid district.","taxTitle","Pacific Grove Unified, School Districts, California","taxId",60770,"location","California","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":44,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6054434,"Pacific Grove Unified clarifies student placement policy after registration message",792,380000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3337614-51f4dbe0a8cebcaa521c92cdf171edbb&start=380&end=1172","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3337614-51f4dbe0a8cebcaa521c92cdf171edbb/thumbnail_380000.jpg","/articles/6054434/California/Pacific-Grove-Unified-clarifies-student-placement-policy-after-registration-message","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6054434-07ec942b7c6a05c7ffa7cecfcf030d77/orig.mp4?Expires=1773127948&Signature=gyDIHa3zoODtE-7HSgby5KaZy3OCWCp1-sYxFKyUY5xZfas8V4zNa0oBPhcJaXtx3AfdVnR-ovmumLSaA00cdYldiOqKVgj9ejyWOH1hX~-nZfN5eaok4VJeRhRCl815wbyMX3fDivBDk8ES7ForwSPfNEEmVNiWviHOTzhl7zXZ4E5qkdcRr3GoFC69YKrRsFYmDJPn3rgQdzEDoUavqXAcaxwXP9d44dwq0cT1eXcod2HJ5Qw7ue8xk3Mzo8UqveWh1FjIRz~De9y7L-UchStZprt9rjvAQgsfLLtYVeumnebRYr-8si4phEQu8KW-38lAyA2BSK5aeC6nSaprpQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Superintendent Arthinda Adamson told parents at a district information meeting that the district removed a registration notice that had suggested students could be moved after the school year began and that, as policy states, once students are enrolled \"that is their their school of enrollment.\" Adamson said the district had deleted longstanding language on the online registration screen after parents raised concerns.

The clarification is intended to reassure families that the district’s first priority is to place students at their assigned school of residence, Adamson said. She added that reassignment to another school would occur only if a grade at the resident school reached capacity and space was available at the other school. \"If the school reaches capacity, then absolutely we would then ... commit to creative alternatives that can sometimes include ... the creation of combination classes,\" she said, while noting reassignment would be for one school year only.

Why this matters: Families expressed concern that the registration message implied arbitrary midyear reassignments. The district stressed that reassignments are limited, temporary and driven by space constraints; the goal is to keep children at their neighborhood school when feasible.

Most important facts: Adamson said the district removed the online wording after parents brought it to administrators’ attention. She reiterated class-size targets discussed in the meeting: transitional kindergarten (TK) target 24 students per class, kindergarten target 25 with a 27 maximum. Chief of Human Resources (Chief Rogerman) told the meeting that any combination class must comply with the collective bargaining agreement with the Pacific Grove Teachers Association (PGTA), which requires a combined-grade class to be smaller than single-grade classes to reflect the additional instructional demands.

Parents asked how often the district reassigns students midyear; Adamson said this year the number has been very small (five students were reassigned this year, she said) and that many families who are reassigned choose to remain at the receiving school the following year. Board President Elliot Hazen emphasized the district’s intent to preserve continuity for children: \"We all have skin in the game ... we are here to listen,\" Hazen said.

Discussion versus decision: The meeting produced clarifications and a proposed operational approach; there were no formal board votes taken on reassignment policy at this session.

What happens next: Administrators said they will continue to monitor enrollment, share class lists with teachers as numbers firm up, and reach out to families affected by any reassignment with individual conversations and options for the following school year.","Superintendent Arthinda Adamson told families the district removed confusing registration language and reiterated that enrolled students remain at their school of enrollment except in limited, capacity-driven reassignments that are one year in duration.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6054425,"Pacific Grove Unified officials say budget shortfall constrains TK expansion and contributed to staff reductions",6245,790000,7035000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3337614-51f4dbe0a8cebcaa521c92cdf171edbb&start=790&end=7035","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3337614-51f4dbe0a8cebcaa521c92cdf171edbb/thumbnail_790000.jpg","/articles/6054425/California/Pacific-Grove-Unified-officials-say-budget-shortfall-constrains-TK-expansion-and-contributed-to-staff-reductions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6054425-fdc341b3bf96851dbd4042fde30fb40f/orig.mp4?Expires=1773127948&Signature=UySSIrecKrA-merhL-jNahN0eiD9iPQJBy9NFIoQkQeeHg-9mGgL7ogy5dG5qe3M00wnuiS7JwQgFYg6djU9oIaWlp4AwqPSUMw3BiiuLFqvodmTT1tKh10tUA0DM2gFkozKJlSKZJzNpJjJff1kBg3q-fRnEK5~SLn4qfEEczfUQGSDwLEH1KlATvKI49nKJQoO3i-Mq1aMBbovk4H644Hkr744~dxltOJhwdVLGtZHVJATspjUtuFuhYHyQvrQqk86OG-3pWyZGvLUZNBiMS0P-ftioAigfrDjEpVLqQ2Q3styN~wpWf~vJF1NPHmX9IGpaDqsuYaGfn~A4Unt3g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Superintendent Arthinda Adamson and board members told the community the district is managing a multi‑year budget shortfall that limits its ability to expand TK enrollment without adding recurring staffing costs. \"We have been very open and transparent that we are facing a significant, you know, significant deficit spending,\" Adamson said, adding that the district reduced projected deficits but still faces shortfalls in the next two to three years.

Basic‑aid funding and legal interpretation: Adamson said Pacific Grove is a basic‑aid district and therefore does not receive the same state per‑pupil expansion funding as LCFF districts; she said district legal and fiscal advisers (SchoolsFirst and Lozano Smith) have advised that the AB‑driven expansion is contingent on state funding. Parent Nolan Maynard asked who provided that interpretation; Adamson named SchoolsFirst and Lozano Smith as sources of counsel.

Program and staffing choices: Board members and staff described tradeoffs the district has confronted. President Elliot Hazen said the board chose to retain three mental‑health therapists—originally hired with one‑time COVID funding—rather than remove those services, but acknowledged decisions to reduce staff in other areas were painful. A district staff member at the meeting said they had observed district‑office staffing growth over the years while enrollment dropped; trustees replied that outside studies recommended some additional district office capacity and that some recommended expansions had been frozen or reversed in the current reduction plan.

Why this matters: The budget outlook determines whether the district can hire additional teachers to meet lower adult‑student ratios required by full statutory TK expansion, or whether it must pursue lower‑cost options (for example, adapting existing preschool staffing for UPK). Adamson said added recurring teachers would increase the deficit and reduce reserves to levels that could imperil local control.

Numbers and constraints mentioned at the meeting: Adamson noted the district must maintain a state minimum reserve of 3 percent and that basic‑aid districts commonly target a higher reserve (she cited 15 percent as a recommended level for basic‑aid districts). She said the district reduced a projected deficit substantially during winter budget work but still faces a shortfall for the coming years; precise dollar amounts were to be presented at the board’s budget meeting.

Next steps: The district will present the detailed budget at the board meeting on Thursday and continue community briefings. Administrators invited parents to attend the budget presentation and to review the February reductions the district previously discussed.","District leaders told parents the district has a multi‑year budget deficit, is basic‑aid (so lacks certain state expansion funds), and must balance program expansion against long‑term fiscal sustainability; the board kept three mental‑health therapists but also discussed layoffs and other reductions.","actionData","errors"]

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Pacific Grove Unified proposes blended UPK model using state preschool; district cites funding limits

Pacific Grove Unified clarifies student placement policy after registration message

Pacific Grove Unified officials say budget shortfall constrains TK expansion and contributed to staff reductions