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Monterey County Prep charter petition submitted; public hearing set for Dec. 17, board decision Jan. 14
Summary
Navigator Schools submitted a countywide charter petition (Monterey County Prep) on Oct. 27 seeking a July 1, 2026 effective date. Staff outlined the legal review timeline, public hearing on Dec. 17 and a board determination on Jan. 14, 2026; a public commenter urged the board to scrutinize demographic impacts and potential resegregation.
Michelle Archuleta, director of compliance for the Monterey County Office of Education, told trustees that Navigator Schools filed an initial countywide charter petition titled Monterey County Prep on Oct. 27 and requested an effective date of July 1, 2026 for a five‑year term. Archuleta outlined statutory review steps: staff and legal counsel will review the petition, a public hearing is scheduled for Dec. 17, and the board’s determination is set for Jan. 14, 2026; the staff report of findings must be posted 15 days before the board decision.
Archuleta emphasized that a countywide charter must propose instruction not generally provided by the county office and that each department (business office, special education, educational services) will review components of the petition. She said staff and legal counsel will guide trustees through the March‑style matrix of required findings and encouraged trustees to submit questions in advance so consultants can prepare.
At the Dec. 17 public hearing the board will accept oral testimony from supporters and opponents and then consider the staff report and legal findings before the Jan. 14 decision. "The decision will be at the pleasure of the board," Archuleta said.
During the public comment period, Pete Hiddif (who identified himself as a superintendent in PSD) urged trustees to examine the demographics of students served by charters and warned that some charter activity has contributed to resegregation in other counties. The board affirmed it will follow the legal timeline and requested materials be circulated to trustees ahead of the county committee meeting and the public hearing.
