Watsonville City Council Approves Change to Ceiba College Prep Zones, Keeping School Open

WATSONVILLE, CA (KION-TV) — UPDATE MARCH 1, 2023 AT 9:42 AM — After a lengthy meeting Tuesday night, the Watsonville City Council voted 4-3 to approve Ceiba College Preparatory Academy’s request to remain in its seat. on Lokastnaya street.

The zoning change transforms the school zone from industrial to institutional.

Council members who voted in favor of the rezoning included Watsonville Mayor Eduardo Montesino, Maria Orozco, Cristal Salcido, and Jimmy Dutra.

Council members who opposed the proposal included Vanessa Quiros-Carter, Casey Clark, and Ari Parker.

The rezoning will be subject to terms proposed by Councilor Orozco.

Ceiba will provide an online form on its website that will allow neighbors to file complaints. Over the next 60 days, the school will hold a meeting to discuss safety issues. The school will be required to hold public meetings twice a year.

The school will be required to submit quarterly reports to the city council on a quarterly basis. These updates include the city’s complaint log, outreach to the business community, and the introduction of safe routes to the school.

Ceiba College Prep may be closed permanently

The future of Ceiba College Preparatory Academy will be decided at a special Watsonville City Council meeting Tuesday night.

The City Council will decide on a special use permit and rezoning that will allow the school to remain permanently on Locust Street.

If the city council had voted against it, it could have resulted in the permanent closure of the school.

Ceiba College Preparatory Academy is a charter college preparatory school for grades 6-12 with a current enrollment of 525 students. The academy opened in 2008 and has been at its current location on Locust Street since 2014.

Last April, the Watsonville Planning Commission voted 3-2 in favor of the zoning changes. However, the vote failed because it required a majority vote.

Ceiba College Preparatory Academy Principal Josh Ripp says the academy has 98 percent high school graduates. He also said that the academy’s student body, which is 95% Hispanic and 90% socioeconomically disadvantaged.

On Friday, parents and students held a march at Watsonville City Plaza, shouting “Don’t Close Ceiba” and “Si Se Puede.”

City Council meeting will be held at 5:30 pm in the Watsonville City Council Chamber. The meeting will be broadcast live on the city’s website.