Watsonville High softball coach Art Doten addresses his players after a game Monday against Scotts Valley. Doten said the softball program is in good shape — provided enough teams play in its fundraising tournaments — even if it loses funding due to Pajaro Valley Unified School District budget cuts.

In the wake of $14 million in cuts made last week, departments throughout the Pajaro Valley Unified School District are assessing how they might be affected next year, when the cuts take effect.

In a meeting that dragged into the early hours of the morning Thursday, the board of trustees slashed funding for dozens of programs and services. The next day, the trustees laid the groundwork to cut nearly 200 positions.

The two gloomy days brought small rays of good news. The three high school athletic directors whose positions were on the chopping block were retained, and seven elementary school assistant principals kept their jobs.

During the two meetings, nearly 100 people passionately addressed the board, asking them to spare bus service as well as nursing, teaching and clerical positions. Most of these were eliminated or suffered some loss.

The Register-Pajaronian takes a close look at some of the more sensitive issues.

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*Photo by Eric Anderson*

For the complete article see the 03-10-2009 issue.

Click here to purchase an electronic version of the 03-10-2009 paper.

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