Change is finally coming to PGUSD!

Since our last update, we have some great news to share!

Months into the school year, the district finally implemented the universal Transitional Kindergarten (TK) enrollment policy required by California law (the very policy that parents and community members had been advocating for from the beginning).

This is an important victory, and it happened because so many people spoke up. Thank you to everyone who signed the petition, contacted district leaders, attended meetings, and kept the issue in the public eye.

While we're pleased with the outcome, it also raises an important question: why did it take so long to implement a policy that was already required by law?

The good news is that we have an opportunity to improve how decisions are made going forward.

This November, a majority of the PGUSD Board of Trustees seats are up for election. If you've ever wanted to help shape the future of our schools, now is the time to get involved.

If you, or someone you know, is considering running for the board, there is a community ready to support candidates committed to common sense, accountability, and putting students first. Please reach out if you'd like to connect with volunteers who are eager to help with a campaign, or if you'd simply like to join our volunteer list.

These Board of Trustees seats have often been uncontested in recent elections, and when races have been contested, the winning margins have typically been only a few hundred votes. Individual community members truly can make a difference.

LEARN ABOUT RUNNING FOR OFFICE

County Candidate Information Session

• Wednesday, July 8, 2026
• 5:30–7:30 PM
• Government Center, Cayenne Room, 1441 Schilling Place (North Building), Salinas
• The county will also make an online version of the session available. Be sure to register using their signup form.

PGUSD Board Candidate Information Session

• Thursday, July 9, 2026
• 6:00–7:30 PM
• PGUSD District Office, 435 Hillcrest Ave., Pacific Grove

Board seats up for election in 2026
District area map.

• Area 1 (red): Ottmar's district (northwest Pacific Grove, including the Point, Grove Acres, and Asilomar north of Sunset Avenue)
• Area 3 (green): Hazen's district (northeast Pacific Grove, including the Ocean View and Central Avenue neighborhoods, from Caledonia Park to David Avenue and extending uphill toward Sinex)
• Area 5 (orange): McNary's district (southwest portion of the district, including the area near the animal hospital and into Pebble Beach)

Board seats up for election in 2028

• Area 2: Wach's district
• Area 4: Shammas's district

Thank you again to everyone who helped bring about this change. Winning universal TK implementation shows what an engaged community can accomplish. Now we have an opportunity to build on that success by electing leaders who will make our schools more responsive and focused on students from the start.

Sincerely,
Taylor Moulton
moulton.lane@gmail.com
(831) 200-4040