Pacific Grove families deserve better — not fewer teachers, overcrowded classrooms, and last-minute decisions. Yet that's exactly what the Pacific Grove Unified School District (PGUSD) is proposing for our youngest learners.

We’re calling on PGUSD to keep its promise of equitable, high-quality early education for every child in our community. Join us in demanding that our district prioritize children, not cut corners.

What’s at Risk?
PGUSD is considering policies that would:

• ❌ Eliminate guaranteed access to neighborhood schools for many families
• ❌ Delay school placement decisions until summer, leaving families scrambling
• ❌ Increase class sizes by reducing the number of teachers
• ❌ Discriminate against kids by deciding Transitional Kindergarten (TK) access based on birthdays — a practice that will be unique among surrounding districts, and in defiance of California’s Universal TK policy

All while claiming there’s no money to do better.

But Here’s the Truth:

• PGUSD is a basic aid district — which means that we raise so much school funding with our property taxes that we do not rely on state funding (in our case, we have 44% more funding per student than average in the state).
• Since 2018, the school district's revenue from property taxes increased 6% each year — yet enrollment is down 12% over that same period.
• Despite fewer students, class sizes have grown.
• Temporary state and federal aid was spent on non-essential programs (like consultants) instead of preparing for Universal TK.

Our district has the resources — it just needs to prioritize what matters most: our kids.

We Call on the PGUSD Board of Trustees to:

1. ✅ Hire and retain enough TK and Kindergarten teachers for every eligible child
2. ✅ Guarantee students can attend their neighborhood school
3. ✅ Assign students early — not days or weeks before school begins
4. ✅ Offer TK to all eligible children — without discrimination

Pacific Grove is known for its commitment to great schools. That’s why families move here, live here, and invest here. Let’s live up to that legacy — not walk away from it.

📢 Sign this petition to protect early education in Pacific Grove. Our kids deserve a strong start — and your voice can make the difference.