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Pajaro Valley board schedules special session on ethnic studies after months of community pressure
Summary
After months of public campaigning and a year of contentious debate over a contractor for a proposed 'liberated ethnic studies' curriculum, the Pajaro Valley Unified School District board set a dedicated study session for March 28 to hear experts, students and community members and to consider whether to reinstate the contractor agreement.
The Pajaro Valley Unified School District board voted on Jan. 15 to schedule a special study session on ethnic studies for March 28 at 5:30 p.m., a move intended to allow extended presentations and public input into a heated debate that has stretched through much of the 2024–25 school year.
The decision follows repeated public testimony urging the board to restore a two-year contract with CR (often called the "C" contract in public comment), a consultant that trained local teachers in a version of liberated ethnic studies prior boards did not renew. Supporters — students, teachers and community organizations — filled the public comment period on Wednesday, saying a community-designed ethnic-studies curriculum improves attendance and engagement and calling for expert-led professional development.
"We are not going anywhere — support ethnic studies, bring back C," said a community speaker who summarized repeated appeals from students and parents. Students who testified said ethnic-studies classes have brought them back to school and helped them see themselves in the curriculum.
Board members emphasized the need for an evidence-based, community-responsive process. Trustee Carasco and others said the board wanted to learn more and hear from experts; Trustee Navaro offered a public apology on behalf of the board to a scholar who supporters said was slandered under the previous governance.
Superintendent Dr. Heather Contreras described the March study session as a "deep dive": the proposal is to begin with closed-session work for board members, open the study session for experts and presentations in the mid-evening and allow substantial public comment. Trustees agreed to invite scholars and community representatives and to provide background materials in advance.
Why it matters: The issue has become a flashpoint for the district, pitting community advocates and many educators who seek a locally responsive curriculum against critics who raised allegations about the contractor’s approach and sources. The March session is intended to provide a longer, more structured forum for deliberation before the board makes any contractual decision.
What’s next: The board set March 28, 5:30 p.m., as the special meeting date and asked staff to publish agenda materials and solicit expert panels and community presenters in advance. The board said it will consider next steps after that session, including whether to place any contract or renewal on a future consent or action agenda.
