Teachers’ Union Mobilizes Community Against Layoffs in Watsonville

The Pajaro Valley Federation of Teachers (PVFT) has taken a stand against proposed layoffs affecting over 160 staff positions within the Pajaro Valley Unified School District. In a decisive move, union representatives delivered a petition with more than 1,000 signatures at the school board meeting on March 15, 2025, urging the Board of Trustees to reverse its decision.

The union’s efforts come as the board previously approved these staff cuts during a meeting on December 11, 2025, largely funded by one-time federal COVID relief funds. With the deadline for issuing pink slips approaching, the PVFT organized a community event titled “A Night of Civic Engagement” to rally support against the layoffs. This gathering took place in the Community Room of the Watsonville City Council Chambers, adjacent to the school board meeting venue.

Attendees were provided with pizza and materials to create signs and letters directed to local and state representatives, advocating for education reform. The meeting was live-streamed to ensure community members could participate and engage with the proceedings.

Brandon Diniz, the president of the Pajaro Valley Federation of Teachers, emphasized the need for an alternative space for community engagement, especially after recent board meetings saw disruptions leading to the audience being cleared. “The way things are going, I think a lot of folks want a space to come together and engage civically,” he stated.

Diniz highlighted critical concerns regarding school funding in California, pointing out that the state is one of the few that bases funding on student attendance rather than enrollment. He noted that adjusting this funding model could potentially inject an additional $6 billion into the state’s education system.

The union is advocating for increased concentration funds for students in special populations and is urging the district to explore alternatives to layoffs, such as implementing a Supplemental Employee Retirement Plan approved by the board in January. Diniz argued for a more measured approach, stating, “Let’s not eliminate up to 160 staff.”

As the petition circulated, the urgency of the situation became more pronounced. “We’re two weeks from March 15, and they haven’t given them yet,” Diniz remarked, underscoring the need for swift action.

Among those attending was Debra Mallard, a fifth-grade teacher at Ann Soldo Elementary School. She created a sign reading “We can’t do more with less” and expressed her dismay at the proposed cuts to counselors and intervention teachers. “All the cuts that they’re proposing really go to the heart of students,” she said, noting the essential support these roles provide.

Mallard’s concerns reflect a broader sentiment within the community, particularly at Title 1 schools like Ann Soldo, where many students struggle to keep pace with their peers. “For kids who are behind for whatever reason, intervention helps catch those kids before it is too late,” she added.

The sentiment was echoed by Monica LaFleur, a union representative and teacher at Valencia Elementary School, who warned that running schools without essential staff like nurses and counselors jeopardizes both students and teachers. “It’s scary,” she said, calling for cuts to be made at the district administration level instead.

In a speech prior to the board meeting, Ashley Yoro Flowers, president of the California School Employees Association, expressed optimism about the union’s demands, stating, “We’re not asking for something that is impossible.”

As the crowd, energized by the theme “Take the Power Back” by Rage Against the Machine, moved into the board chambers, the atmosphere intensified. During public comment, many shared personal stories about the potential impact of layoffs. Watsonville High School student Melina Lopez lamented the absence of a counselor, stating, “I have no one to go to for when I have questions about college applications.”

Union representatives Emily Halbig and Eileen Shea presented a resolution urging the board to rescind the layoffs. This was met with a display of support as attendees placed pages of the petition on the podium and chanted “Put students first,” prompting a brief recess from the board.

In closing remarks, Diniz reiterated the need for ongoing community organization and engagement. He urged the board to utilize the Community Room as an overflow area for future meetings and advocated for a more inclusive approach to managing disruptive behavior. “We’re not going to relent until you put students first,” he affirmed, signaling the union’s commitment to advocating for educational support in the Pajaro Valley.