To the editor,
The Paso Robles Joint Unified School Board is demonstrating how disconnected they are from the immediate needs of the district they serve. Rather than focusing on ways to get students back to school or bringing unity to racial divisions, the elected trustees have been using their time to go through details of what led to the district’s financial issues during Chris Williams’ time as superintendent. The SLO County Grand Jury has thoroughly reviewed information, found several errors and failures by the district, and made recommendations.
At a time to rebuild; to adhere to the recommendations of the grand jury – the board has decided to use more energy attempting to dig up criminal evidence on and attack respected individuals of our community. One of those people is PRJUSD Deputy Superintendent Jennifer Gaviola.
–The Paso Robles School Board to hold a meeting Saturday morning to revisit the San Luis Obispo County Grand Jury report which was critical of the district for financial mismanagement during Superintendent Chris Williams’ administration. The board held three meetings to go point-by-point through that report. The board agreed with all but a couple of elements of the jury’s findings. Now, they will discuss crafting a response to the jury, which is required by law.
PRJUSD Board President Chris Arend wrote a draft response to initiate discussion. All seven board members may meet Saturday morning at the PRJUSD District Office to write a formal response to the board.
Two libraries in two distinct areas on the Central Coast have stepped up to carry on being a direct resource for all ages during a time when most facilities have had to limit or halt their services during this pandemic. The doors of the Paso Robles City Library were temporarily closed for several months, but it never stopped providing services to the community, especially online access to digital material and ensuring students had library cards, according to librarian Angelica Fortin. click to enlarge Photo Courtesy Of Bruce Cook
LIBRARY CONNECTIONS The Paso Robles and Santa Maria City Libraries have only heightened their resourceful natures by adapting to the pandemic and offering virtual services to their respected communities.
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Libraries up and down the Central Coast are learning how to meet the community where they re at during the pandemic
By MALEA MARTIN & KAREN GARCIA
Libraries have always been about more than the books. A library is a community gathering space, a place to access the internet, and a creative learning environment. So when the pandemic not only forced the city of Santa Maria Main Library’s physical doors to close, but also threatened its funding, the stakes were high for community members who rely on these resources.
ON THE GO
The Santa Maria library’s bookmobile allows library services to meet people where they’re at, something especially needed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
–The Paso Robles Joint Unified School District Board of Trustees met at the district’s office and via teleconference on Tuesday evening.
Newly elected board members took the oath of office, including Dorian Baker, Jim Reed, and Nathan Williams. Trustee Chris Bausch was also sworn in after being reelected in the November General Election.
The new board nominated two candidates for the position of president of the school board, Chris Arend and Chris Bausch. The board voted 4-3 to elect Chris Arend as president.
Christopher Arend
The trustees took an hour-long break to go into a closed session. When they returned, Butler Elementary School Principal Damien Capalare reported on activities at Butler School. He talked about the teachers reaching out with distance learning and the various staff people involved in supporting the students.