The recent PCS Board of Education meeting held on June 24, 2025, highlighted significant discussions regarding staffing and instructional minutes at local middle schools, particularly focusing on the Spanish language program at PACS (Petaluma Accelerated Charter School).

One of the primary topics was the current hiring status for a teaching position that had been shared between Casa and McKinley schools. It was confirmed that this position is not open at the moment, as the teacher has been reassigned to Casa, leaving McKinley without a dedicated instructor. This staffing change raises concerns about the educational resources available to students at McKinley, particularly in light of the ongoing demand for language instruction.

The conversation then shifted to the possibility of adding additional instructional time for Spanish classes at PACS. Board members expressed a desire to increase the weekly instructional minutes to better align with offerings at other middle schools, such as Petaluma Junior, which provides significantly more Spanish instruction. Currently, PACS offers only 55 minutes per week, which is substantially less than the 230 minutes available at Petaluma Junior. This discrepancy has led to concerns that students at PACS may be at a disadvantage in language acquisition compared to their peers.

The feasibility of extending instructional minutes was discussed, with officials noting that any changes would require collaboration with labor partners to ensure compliance with existing agreements and to fit within the overall school schedule. The board acknowledged the need for a structured approach to potentially increase instructional time while maintaining a balance with other educational requirements.

In conclusion, the meeting underscored the challenges faced by the PCS Board in addressing staffing shortages and enhancing language instruction at PACS. As discussions continue, the board will need to consider how best to support students' educational needs while navigating the complexities of staffing and scheduling. The outcomes of these discussions will be crucial in shaping the future of language education within the district.