Guest Commentary | PVUSD Trustee Sparks Division Over School Resource Officer Program

A Call for Unity and Safety in Education

The recent Pajaro Valley Unified School District Board meeting highlighted the critical importance of maintaining a safe and supportive environment for students. The discussion centered around the renewal of the school resource officer (SRO) program, which has been a cornerstone of campus safety for many years. This meeting was not just about policy; it was a reflection of the community’s values and priorities.

As a community member and advocate for student safety, I attended the meeting to express my strong support for continuing the SRO program. I was joined by fellow residents, parents, religious leaders, and representatives from the Santa Cruz County Republican Central Committee. Our shared message was clear: student safety should never be compromised for political gain.

Unfortunately, the meeting was marred by a hostile atmosphere created by a vocal group of activists. One of the most concerning aspects was the behavior of Trustee Gabe Medina, who engaged in unprofessional conduct throughout the session. He frequently interrupted other trustees, spoke over the board president, and made divisive, racially charged remarks. His actions not only violated basic decorum but also undermined the values of unity and respect that leaders are expected to uphold.

Trustee Medina's behavior is a stark example of what we should strive to prevent on our school campuses. His rhetoric promotes toxic division and grievance-based activism. Instead of fostering a positive environment for students, his approach would instill a sense of distrust and perpetual victimhood. This is not progress—it is regression, moving away from the ideals of equality and mutual respect that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. championed.

Despite the disruptions, the board ultimately voted to renew the SRO contracts with the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office and Watsonville Police Department. This decision reflects the will of the community and the importance of campus safety. Trustees Flores, Turley, Dodge Jr., and Navarro supported the renewal, while only Medina and Carrasco opposed it. Trustee Flynn was absent due to medical reasons.

Medina's attempts to halt the vote were likely a response to the overwhelming community support for the SRO program. Two separate 2025 surveys showed nearly 80% favorability for the program among parents, school staff, and the broader community. I encourage Medina and others who oppose the SRO program to consider hiring a nonpartisan, independent agency to conduct another professional survey of parents and staff.

In my own comments, I emphasized how my background as a pastor, teacher, lifeguard, and first responder has taught me that safety requires both education and proximity. Just as lifeguards don’t wait until someone is drowning to intervene, SROs provide a consistent and positive influence before crisis ever strikes.

Tragically, it took the fatal stabbing of a student at Aptos High in 2021 to bring this program back after it was recklessly removed in 2020 amid national protests. We must not repeat that mistake. Parents, staff, and students overwhelmingly support the presence of SROs, and it is our duty to honor that collective voice rather than capitulate to a disruptive minority.

Thank you to everyone who showed up to speak truth with grace and clarity. Let us continue to be faithful stewards of liberty, truth, and common sense.