School Trustee Gets Time To Move

Karen Osmundson is looking for a rental in North Monterey County.

The Pajaro Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees member has 60 days to move back into the district or a new trustee could be appointed to her seat.

The discussion about Osmundson’s current residence, at 995 San Miguel Canyon Rd., shifted from to a management plan that could preserve Osmundson’s position on the board.

Her rental is a few feet outside of the school district.

So Osmundson will have until Dec. 7 to move back in district. If not, the board will declare her seat vacant and take nominations. Appointing someone to the seat could take another couple of months and Osmundson would be eligible to reapply, should she find herself living back within the bounds of District 3.

Osmundson inadvertently moved outside of the school district in May when a dispute with her ex-husband forced her from their jointly owned Baker Road property.

Osmundson said her current rental puts her a mere 4 feet outside PVUSD and the neighbor children attend the district’s schools.

But legally, that holds no value.

“Whether you’re a foot away or you’re actually in Chicago, it doesn’t matter,” Trustee Willie Yahiro said. “You’re outside the area.”

Osmundson, who was visibly upset by the conversation, retorted, “Thanks a lot, Willie.”

The school board acknowledged that Osmundson’s relocation outside the district was an accident and a temporary situation.

Her attorney, Robert Taren of Santa Cruz, pointed out that Osmundson still owns the Baker Road property, is registered to vote there and her driver’s license is tied to that address.

He asked the school board “not rush to judgment in this case.”

eventually led to tabling the matter for nearly two months. Some board members expressed frustration with the process.

 “We are spending too much time on an honest mistake,” Trustee Jeff Ursino said. “Let’s talk about students.”

The matter will be before the board again Dec. 7, unless Osmundson moves before then. Then the issue would be moot.

“It’s not easy to find a place in my area. It’s very, very difficult,” she said. “I just need time.”