Monterey County holds public hearing on Navigator Schools' countywide charter petition; decision set for January

The Monterey County Board of Education opened a public hearing Oct. 27 on a petition from Navigator Schools to establish a countywide TK—12 charter called Monterey County Prep for a five-year term from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2031. Board President Heather Owen said the meeting was a fact-finding hearing under California Education Code section 47605.6 and that the board will not act tonight; staff will publish recommended findings and the board will render a decision at a second hearing in January 2026.

Navigator representatives summarized an 800-page petition and said the charter would phase in campuses and ultimately serve about 3,000 students across Salinas, Seaside, Marina and the Greenfield/Soledad area. Supporters — including current Navigator staff, teachers who said they would join a founding team and families — described higher test scores, full-inclusion special-education models and wraparound services. Opponents — including local superintendents, district administrators, union leaders and classroom teachers — warned of fiscal harm to districts, unclear transportation plans and a lack of demonstrated unmet need.

"This is not a decision-making hearing here tonight," President Heather Owen said when opening the public hearing. The board read into the record the names and positions of those who submitted written comments and said oral commenters would be limited to two minutes each under a timed stoplight system. The county board must approve or deny the petition within 90 days of receipt; staff confirmed the board's decision will occur at the January 2026 hearing.