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🌱 Patch AM: Why PVUSD hired a new deputy superintendent amid painful Watsonville layoffs

And on the Watsonville Patch calendar - Urban Works-World Danz Classes- In Person — SPINSC

Friday May 22nd Patch AM

Good day Watsonville! We're here again with what you need to know today. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☀️

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In today's newsletter:

  • Why PVUSD hired a new deputy superintendent amid painful Watsonville layoffs
  • Why Watsonville families are fighting a proposed special education campus shuffle
  • How Watsonville’s Wildcatz reached CCS playoffs after a rough league season

Also on today's calendar: Corralitos Farm & Garden Market and 2 more events.

Today's riddle: Why did the weatherman's cheeks turn pink? 🤔 (Answer below!)


From our Partner Today's Watsonville Patch AM is brought to you in part by T-Mobile. After investing billions to light up their network from big cities to small towns, T-Mobile is America's best mobile network in the US, according to Ookla Speedtest. We thank T-Mobile for their support in helping to keep communities like ours connected and for making today's Watsonville Patch AM possible. Find a T-Mobile store near Watsonville.


Weather forecast:

  • Friday: Areas of low clouds, then sun, with a high of 63 and low of 52 degrees.
  • Saturday: Areas of low clouds, then sun, temps: high: 64, low: 54.
  • Sunday: Areas of low clouds, then sun, with a high of 64 and low of 51 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Pajaro Valley school board approves new deputy superintendent position in contentious vote (santacruzsentinel.com) — Pajaro Valley Unified’s board in Watsonville narrowly approved creating a new deputy superintendent position, hiring Modesto administrator Mark Herbst despite intense pushback over timing, salary and process. Many Watsonville teachers and community members argued the role feels insensitive after recent layoffs, while supporters said Herbst’s experience could boost curriculum and student outcomes across local schools.    

2. Community, trustees urge against relocating Duncan Holbert Preschool, Renaissance High School (santacruzsentinel.com) — Parents, staff, and trustees in Watsonville are pushing back against a proposal to move Renaissance High School onto Rolling Hills Middle School’s Watsonville campus and scatter Duncan Holbert Preschool’s special education program across multiple elementary schools. Concerns center on preserving Duncan Holbert’s specialized, centralized support system while still addressing serious water contamination and access issues at Renaissance High’s current La Selva Beach site.    

3. Mariners crowned SCCAL champion following undefeated season (pajaronian.com) — Watsonville High’s Wildcatz softball team has clinched an automatic CCS Division IV playoff berth despite a tough league season and will travel to face top-seeded Notre Dame of Belmont on Saturday. The story also highlights Aptos High’s undefeated SCCAL title run and their upcoming Division I quarterfinal, but Watsonville players and stats get a solid spotlight.    

4. Securing Azure AI Applications: Against Prompt Injection (microsoft.com) — A recent AI security explainer highlights how a chatbot at Chevrolet Watsonville was manipulated into making absurd “offers,” using it as a cautionary tale about prompt-injection attacks. While the piece mainly targets enterprise Azure AI developers, it underscores how even a local dealership’s brand and customers can be exposed when chatbots aren’t properly secured and monitored.    

5. Advocates urge Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission to ‘save the tracks' (santacruzsentinel.com) — Santa Cruz County rail advocates are ramping up a “summer of action” to pressure transportation officials to keep rail tracks in place while building out the Coastal Rail Trail, a decision that could shape future transit options for Watsonville residents. Former Watsonville mayor Lowell Hurst joined other speakers urging a hybrid rail-trail design, while county leaders warn of steep costs, long timelines and funding hurdles.    


📸 Around Watsonville

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🗓 Events Nearby

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Just had a customer of mine complaining about her earthquake emergency shut off keeps shutting her gas off, went over and try taking to her about the semi's that go by her house and shake the ground as if a earthquake just hit ,she started to yell
    at me and telling me that I ripped her off, as soon as she said that an 18 wheeler passed right by her house and tripped the emergency shut off. I… (Nextdoor Crestview)
  • Looking to expand my vendor list for my Home Concierge business.
    Can anyone recommend trustworthy service providers that I can connect with? Must be licensed and insured. I'm looking for the following: Handyman… (Nextdoor Webb Road)
  • Big 5 Sporting Goods posted a job opening for Assistant Manager Trainee- Part Time in Watsonville. Apply here.
  • Pajaro Valley Unified School District posted a job opening for TEACHER (After School Expanded Learning Program) in Watsonville. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Watsonville here.

Ok Watsonville! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: He saw the climate change! (Thank you Gary M. for sending it in!)Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!


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