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Trustee pulls garden‑education contract for cost breakdown; staff to return June 18
Summary
Trustee Wax pulled a contract for garden‑education services (consent item Y) citing concerns about high hourly costs and limited cohort size. Principal O'Meara and Director Silviora said districtwide garden programming is expanding; the board directed staff to return with a cost breakdown and options at the June 18 meeting.
Trustee Wax asked the board to pull Consent item Y (a contract for garden‑education services at Pacific Grove Community High School), saying she was concerned about the contract’s cost per hour and the limited number of students served. Trustee Wax described figures from the contract as high relative to the cohort served and asked whether the program could be expanded or the contractor’s price reduced.
Principal O'Meara said the program provided substantial value for students and community partners had supported an inaugural prom for an IPP cohort; she said staff are discussing ways to expand participation and integrate school food services. Director Silviora noted the district plans to grow garden projects across sites over coming years and that it will take time to align staffing and operations.
The board directed staff to prepare a written breakdown of costs, describe expansion options and return with that information — staff said they aim to return on June 18 so the contract can be considered with clearer cost and scope information.
