12 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY july 6-12, 2023 www.montereycountyweekly.com Schools aren’t just a place to study anymore. Besides learning spelling and math, students in transitional kindergarten through 12th grade, and their families, have access to additional services including mental health counseling and before- and after-school programs, sometimes running from 6am to 6pm. Some local districts have implemented unique programs to help families who are struggling to make ends meet. That includes access to a shower and washer/dryer at North Monterey County Unified, or a short-term emergency housing program Monterey Peninsula Unified offered last year—providing temporary housing at Motel 6 for unhoused students and their families. Three local districts—NMCUSD, the Monterey County Office of Education and Soledad Unified—have received implementation grants for such partnership-oriented offerings, known as community schools. “Education of the future is that schools really are the hub of the community and can support students in all aspects of their life,” says Ernesto Vela, assistant superintendent at MCOE. Alisal Union, Salinas City Elementary, Salinas Union High and MPUSD are in the planning stages of community schools. MPUSD Superintendent PK Diffenbaugh says they have spent a year meeting with people in Seaside to understand what services families want. NMCUSD received nearly $6.2 million from the state for a five-year implementation focusing on four campuses: Castroville and Elkhorn elementary schools, North Monterey County Middle and North Monterey County High School. Since the legislature passed the California Community Schools Partnership Act in 2021, the state has invested $4.1 billion in community schools. Dozens of districts have received grants for schools with great need—those with large low-income and unhoused student populations—to focus on the students as a whole and help them and their families to flourish. Districts are working with community leaders and nonprofits to develop plans that will target their needs. Implementation grants, up to $500,000 per year, are for five years. The intention is to provide a starting point that can later be replicated in all schools. Diffenbaugh says MPUSD’s goal is to create a sustainable model that would continue after grant funds run out. “We really have to be thoughtful and strategic about it so that it’s not just a bunch of other add-ons that go away,” he says. ers ended them, or refused to reinstate them after the pandemic. Other problems listed by residents included moldy apartments, clogged rain gutters, problems with garbage disposal, a lack of front-office staff and not enough generators. Residents also complained of disrespectful employees. When one woman asked HumanGood representative Kenetta Jackson if specialized staff training could be provided to remedy attitudes, the audience loudly applauded. We’re not here to complain, the woman said: “We’re here because we want to be able to live peacefully with each other.” (Jackson did not answer the question, later replying, “Respect goes both ways.”) Jackson told residents that cuts have been made in staffing levels, janitorial services and other maintenance because of vacancies at the complex, which has reduced revenues. “I can’t hire six people to help us if we don’t have the funding,” she said. How many vacancies exist was not clear; estimates by residents range from 10-to-20 vacant apartments. A HumanGood spokesperson was unable to provide information about vacancies by the Weekly’s deadline. During the meeting in June, Jackson said they had made progress on the length of vacancies, yet she reported vacancies lasting as long as 245 days, or eight months, despite a waiting list of approximately 500 names. Jackson said they needed to hire an occupancy specialist and blamed a lengthy process to determine which applicants meet income requirements. At the end, Jackson agreed to cleaning the carpets, clearing rain gutters and hiring an occupancy specialist. A month later, a representative of a tenants’ group says the carpets have not been cleaned and the specialist has not been hired; she is unsure about the rain gutters. Before the town hall ended, Jackson agreed to a follow-up meeting, but it’s still not clear when that might happen. Residents report after the town hall the company sent out a satisfaction survey asking for input. One month before the incident with the tenant dying, the California Department of Housing and Community Development inspected Pacific Meadows and found “a lack of onsite property management and unit maintenance.” In September, a spokesperson for HCD said that HumanGood had cleared the findings and was in good standing. On June 30, an email from the HCD media office said that a new inspection is planned based on a recent inquiry. After Class State funds aim to support a more expansive role of schools in communities. By Celia Jiménez news Work Force The Monterey County Workforce Development Board is gearing up for multiple job fairs and recruitments in the month of July. The board partnered with Vallarta Supermarket to offer several recruitment opportunities for a store that is scheduled to open in Salinas this October. There will be weekly recruitments for cashiers, management staff and other departments all month long. 10am-4:30pm Wednesdays-Fridays, July 5-28. Adams Conference Room at America’s Job Center, 344 Salinas St., Salinas. Free. 796-3341. bit.ly/ VallartaSupermarketsCareers. Summer Fun It’s the time of the year again to get kids signed up for Youth Center activities in Marina. The city offers programs for youth, teens and seniors in a healthy environment surrounded by peers. Activities are hosted by the Marina Recreation & Cultural Services Department, with the goal of teaching kindness, teamwork and social skills. Registration opens 4pm-5:30pm Monday, July 10. Marina Youth Center, 211 Hillcrest Ave., Marina. $35/Marina resident; $50/non-resident. You must register in person; space is limited. 384-6009, cityofmarina.org. Democracy in Action The Monterey County Board of Supervisors meets and, as always, accepts public comment. The day’s agenda includes voting on a contract for management of Laguna Seca Recreational Area. 9am and 1:30pm Tuesday, July 11. Monterey Conference Room (second floor), 168 W. Alisal St., Salinas; also on Zoom. Free. 755-5066, co.monterey. ca.us. Helping Hands The Hope Crisis Response Network is looking for volunteers to help repair properties damaged by flooding in Pajaro. The Greenfield Pajaro Response Team will undertake repair projects. Provide a helping hand and get Pajaro back in shape. Projects begin on Saturday, July 15. Free. Contact the organizer, Ariana Rodriguez, at 277-0514 for information on how to participate. Public Policy Want to influence policy in Monterey County? There are several county commission opportunities available in District 1, including positions in civil rights, housing and behavioral health. These positions are perfect for learning about public policy and building your resume with leadership skills. District 1 Office, 168 West Alisal Street, Salinas. Apply online. Free. 7555011, bit.ly/MoCocommissionlist. At Castroville Elementary School, students can find supplies like clothing, shoes and personal hygiene products as part of a community school effort. e-mail: publiccitizen@mcweekly.com TOOLBOX “Schools really are the hub of the community.” Daniel Dreifuss years continued from pg. 10
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