Board says No! No! No! No! No! to Cesar Chavez High

by Peter Nichols

An overflow crowd prepares for a decision on the naming of PVUSD's proposed third high school

The vote was 5 to 2 with Trustees Sandra Nichols and Roberto Garcia supporting the name. Following the Chavez rejection, the board voted 6 to 1 in favor of the name Pajaro Valley High School with Garcia opposed.

The vote followed months of lobbying, high level support gathering, and a petition drive on the part of Latino Organizers led by Jose Sanchez and Luis Alejo. Over 100 Chavez supporters crowded into the overflow boardroom sensing that history was in the making. A neutral observer, who was unaware of the months long debate over the name said, "It looks like it's going to be Chavez."

Speakers favoring the Chavez name overwhelmingly outnumbered those not favoring, and at times encouraged the board to let go of their perceived reluctance to honor the late Latino hero. Some challenged the board to respond appropriately to the overwhelming support the group had brought to the table. Legislators, City Council members, and the area's Congressional Representative had signed-on to the Chavez bandwagon and the group felt the board could not deny their campaign.

When the public comment period ended, Trustee Dan Hankemeier promptly motioned to name the school Pajaro Valley High. The motion was seconded by Trustee Evelyn Volpa and board member comments followed. Had the board taken a vote at that time, the Cesar Chavez supporters would have been denied the opportunity to have their choice nominated and voted upon.

"I believe these advocates deserve a response from this board," Nichols said. "Ignoring their efforts would have been insulting."

Sandra Nichols, PVUSD Trustee and Board Vice-president refers to Robert's Rules of Order to make an amendment forcing a vote on Cesar Chavez High.

Trustee and Board Vice-president Nichols spoke of the "inspiration" the Chavez name would bring to the mostly Latino students the school would serve. Near the end of her remarks, she surprised board members by calling for an amendment to strike Pajaro Valley and insert Cesar E. Chavez. Identifying herself as the official board parliamentarian she briefly reviewed the rules relating to amended motions after which the vote was recorded. Trustees Willie Yahiro, Evelyn Volpa, Sharon Gray, Dan Hankemeier and Board President Carol Roberts rejected the Chavez name.

After the Pajaro Valley name was approved, and with the crowd still stunned from their defeat, Roberts suggested "It doesn't matter what the name of the school is."

Since many in the crowd had spent long hours over several months gathering support, writing letters and making phone calls for the name, a vocal contingent refused to accept her analysis.

"Bull shit!" said one group organizer followed by angry chants and shouts of "Racist" and "You don't belong on this board," from the sign-wielding crowd.

Chavez supporters express anger at the board's decision and comments made by the board president following the final vote on naming the high school

It is unclear whether the group's leaders had accurately estimated their support on the board — and knew they were going to lose — or were somehow deceived into thinking four board members would vote their way. They had hoped for support from Yahiro and Hankemeier, both representing heavily Latino populated areas. Garcia and Nichols had previously indicated how they were leaning. When it was over, leaders of the Chavez naming movement vowed political revenge on those who denied their campaign.

"Shame on those of you who voted against Chavez," wrote Alejo in an email to board members. "You will always be remembered for making this most undemocratic act in the history of this Board."