PVUSD launches fundraising campaign to build a new turf field at Pajaro Middle School

PAJARO, Calif. (KION-TV)- UPDATE ON JAN. 24, 2024 AT 6:25 PM- The Pajaro Valley Unified School District is launching a campaign to raise $1.5 million to build a new synthetic turf field at Pajaro Middle School.

The district says they surveyed students about their hopes for their return to campus and the universal request was for a new field.

Pajaro Middle School has flooded twice over the past 30 years including March 2023.

The planned repairs that were approved by the state and Monterey County do not include an improved field which the school district says represents the agricultural community it serves.

"I was disappointed, but my attitude is you get up the next day and figure out how we're going to do it. The kids deserve it. said Murry Shekman, Interim Superintendent. "The kids are clamoring for it. And we're building support in the community."

Parents like Rocio Reyes have voiced out the need for a field in the community.

"Well, for the development of our children, who are already the ones who attend school most of the day and practice their physical education and sports," said Reyes.

Rocio Reyes has five kids and one plays football. She says her son got hurt playing on the field before the flooding.

"Years before, when my son, the oldest, played soccer there he twisted his foot because of the holes," said Reyes.

Once that money is raised – the district says it would take them less than 6 months to construct the field.

"Putting afield there is for the kids, but it'll also be for soccer leagues. It'll be for, parents who want to play ball. It'll be open on the weekends, will develop mou with groups of the community," said Shekman.

If you want to donate, you can make checks payable to the Pajaro Valley Unified School District Pajaro Middle School Field Fund and mail to 294 Green Valley Road, Watsonville, CA, to the attention of the Office of the Superintendent. PVUSD’s Federal Tax ID will be shared with donating parties.
If you have questions or wish to set up a facility tour, feel free to call PVUSD’s Interim Superintendent Murry Schekman directly at 831 840-7675 or email him at murry_schekman@pvusd.net.

The "Build the Field," campaign seeks to raise $1.5 million by August 2024 to complete the project.

PVUSD interim superintendent gives tour of damage at Pajaro Middle School

UPDATE ON DEC. 14, 2023 AT 5:48 PM: Pajaro Valley Unified School District Interim Superintendent Murry Schekman, gave KION a tour of the extensive damage at Pajaro Middle School.

"It broke my heart," said Schekman. "This is the second time in my career that this school was flooded."

The library suffered the most damage during the flooding in March.

"Counselors office is over there, a beautiful sunken area where kids' hangout and read, bookshelves all around, and we'll bring it back," said Interim Superintendent, Schekan. "Obviously, things were destroyed quite a bit."

Schekman said there's a lot of things they need to fix at the school.

"We need to redo electrical in almost every place, do the sheetrock, do the flooring, paint" said Schekman. "So, it's not major construction, but it's a fair amount of work, $7-10 million dollars."

Schekman said they will be starting construction in January.

On Dec. 6, the Monterey County Board Supervisors cut funding from the Pajaro Relief Plan that would have helped the rebuilding process of the school.

The school district would have received $2 million from the county which would have helped rebuild the community field.

"We're going to pull some money from the district. I think we can get matching funds from the community," said Schekman. "That's going to be plan you'll be able to read about because we're formulating it right now."

Schekman says they want to install turf on the field that would last 10 years.

Schekman says once the construction officially starts at the school, they expect the project done by June 2024.

State approves construction plans to rebuild Pajaro Middle School

On Wednesday, the Pajaro Valley Unified School District announced that the Division of State Architect have approved construction plans to rebuild Pajaro Middle School.

The school district said that they have opened up contractor bids and the district bid opening will occur on January 16 at 205 Blackburn Street in Watsonville and will share a contract recommendation at their next board meeting scheduled for January 24, 2024.

The school has been closed since March when the classrooms and the turf field suffered damage from flooding.

School district officials said that construction of the school is expected to begin in February and finish construction on June 30, 2024.

Currently, 130 sixth grade students are attending classes at Hall District Elementary or Ohlone Elementary School. There are also 300 seventh or eighth grade students at Lakeview Middle School.

The district said that most of the project costs will be covered by FEMA, Cal OES and district insurance. However, the district said that most of the expenses will not be funded by FEMA or Cal OES.

PVUSD says that they might have to shift $2 million from the general fund to complete repairs to the school and install a new turf field.

This comes after Monterey County Board Supervisors had to cut upgrades from their Pajaro Relief Plan on Dec. 6.