Focus on Pajaro Valley
Pajaro Valley Unified School District covers a 150-square-mile, predominantly rural and agricultural area. PVUSD serves over 20,106 students from Watsonville, Aptos, Freedom, Aromas, and Pajaro. The District has sixteen elementary schools, six middle schools, three high schools, as well as alternative schools, childcare centers and charter schools. The majority (66%) of PVUSD students are or were at one time English learners, 83% are low-income qualifying for free or reduced price meals, 10% are migrant, and 14% receive special education services. In addition, the District serves 59 foster youth and 16% of students meet criteria for homelessness due to multiple families living under one roof (all pre-COVID-19 numbers).
Expansion of Pajaro coverage
Working with the County Office of Education (COE) and the Pajaro Valley School District (PVUSD) Cruzio quickly developed a plan to expand coverage and provide free and subsidized high-speed internet to dozens of low-income families and students. The program provides families with free internet service including state-of-the-art home wifi for three months and then a heavily-discounted rate thereafter.
Demand for the service was overwhelming and clearly there was an opportunity to expand the program and serve many more families. Working closely with COE and PVUSD, Cruzio developed a plan to utilize district-owned properties to distribute wireless internet to many, many more families, students, and teachers.
Equal Access Santa Cruz 