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In today's newsletter:
Also on today's calendar: A Proper Autumn Tea and 9 more events.
Today's riddle: Why do some birds fly south for the winter? 🤔 (Answer below!)
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1. PVUSD Superintendent Heather Contreras confirmed to leave for San Luis Obispo (santacruzlocal.org) — Pajaro Valley Unified families in Watsonville will soon see a major leadership change, as Superintendent Heather Contreras has been confirmed to leave for San Luis Coastal Unified in 2027. Her contract, salary details, and end date at PVUSD are set, raising urgent questions about how and when the district will search for a new superintendent.
2. PVUSD Forced into Special Meeting to Save Millions (tpgonlinedaily.com) — Watsonville's Pajaro Valley Unified School District nearly risked millions in Prop. 28 arts and music funding when a trustee refused to approve a required state report. With only four board members present, the disagreement forced an emergency Sept. 30 meeting to ensure the district's 14,100 students at 30 sites don't lose critical arts dollars.
3. A housing boom is underway in Santa Cruz. Why is the rest of the county so far behind? (lookout.co) — Watsonville is lagging badly on its state housing goals, reaching only about 9% of its eight-year target despite zoning downtown for dense apartments and easing parking rules. The story explains how weaker market demand, airport limits, and lower state funding advantages hamper local projects, and explores regional funding ideas that could help Watsonville attract more affordable housing investment.
4. Justin Griffis scores three TDs as SLV pulls away from St. Francis (fresnobee.com) — Watsonville football fans saw a busy weekend, with St. Francis falling 28-6 at home to San Lorenzo Valley while Pajaro Valley shut out Gonzales 28-0 for its first league win. The games, played in Watsonville, featured standout rushing performances, key defensive plays, and set up important upcoming home matchups for both St. Francis and Pajaro Valley later this month.
5. Sentinel reporter wins California School Board Association's Golden Quill Award for PVUSD coverage (santacruzsentinel.com) — PVUSD families in Watsonville are seeing their district's stories recognized statewide, as Sentinel reporter Nick Sestanovich earns the California School Boards Association's Golden Quill Award for his coverage. His reporting has spanned ethnic studies debates, teacher negotiations, leadership changes, and uplifting pieces like Watsonville High twins simultaneously earning diplomas and associate degrees through Cabrillo College's dual enrollment program.
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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: "Why do some birds fly south for the winter?" — Because it's too far to walk..! (Thank you Theresia F. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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