Our mission is to uphold accountability, transparency, and fiscal responsibility to protect the public education of every child in Pacifica and ensure a strong future for the Pacifica School District.
We are a group of Pacifica parents, residents, business owners, and community members who care about our children’s education. We know access to quality education strengthens communities and is best for the City of Pacifica.
Our Mission: To uphold accountability, transparency, and fiscal responsibility to ensure that all children in Pacifica have access to a high-quality education.
What we believe: Pacifica is a community that has a long history of ‘doing more with less’. But to do that, we have to be incredibly careful how we use our funds – using care to prevent wasteful spending and costly advisors, being accountable for our decisions, and being very transparent in how we plan to use our resources. We hold ourselves and the school district to these high standards that our children deserve.
What has happened and why we’re organizing
The Pacifica School District announced plans to close and consolidate school campuses in January 2025, leading to the creation of the Pacifica Citizens Alliance to organize, dive deeper into the reasoning behind the decision and to voice their concerns and opposition. Why?
To stop the Waste
of Taxpaxer’s Dollars
Construction costing over $5 million began in June 2024 at Ocean Shore, just six months before the board announced the school would be vacated. Vallemar School also completed millions of dollars of improvements that completed in 2024. All were paid for by Measure Bonds, meaning the district taxpayers pay the 3%-4% yield until the bonds are paid back.
The district placed dumpsters at four school sites two days before a one-week break and six weeks before teachers knew if they’d be transferred or laid off. At $1,300 per week per site, this will cost taxpayers $83,200, despite the district claiming budget issues.
No transparency or accountability
The district has repeatedly ignored community concerns, provided unclear budgeting, and failed to communicate effectively.
The district has not engaged the entire community, despite multiple documented requests from parents, teachers, community members, businesses, and others.
They refuse to engage in conversation, requiring public comment only at board meetings, or email communication that is never responded to. (Board members ARE allowed to speak to people if less than 3 board members are present. Our board chooses not to).
Worse, the board appears to not even understand the details of their decision, relying on their consultants to provide answers to the most basic, if not all, questions.
Leadership is not local
It’s based in L.A.
Superintendent Dr. Darnise Williams resides in Los Angeles.
Chief Business Office Dr. DeWayne Davis, brought in by Williams, also resides in Los Angeles.
Consultant Dusty Nevatt, Financial Advisor, hired by Williams as a ‘perma consultant”, also resides in the Los Angeles area.
While residency is not required, it is a matter of understanding our community’s needs and values, and working together to achieve these goals.
Headlines
Pacifica School District budget figures vary
County and district projections differ
https://www.coastsidenews.com/news/pacifica-school-district-budget-figures-vary/article_e87a2bb2-d8d1-11ef-9f50-2bc74f1ae41c.html
Pacifica School Board Votes to Close Ocean Shore Elementary
https://www.kron4.com/video/pacifica-school-board-votes-to-close-ocean-shore-elementary/10402098
New Pacifica schools superintendent named in L.A. probe
Former Superintendent Darnise Williams Implicated in LAUSD Extra-Pay Scandal
School union leaders complain of poor communication
“I feel like we have communication, whether it’s good or bad, with district office personnel. It’s the challenge of getting board members to interact and be present, (getting them to) attend events and what not”