News Briefs

Scotts Valley superintendent search under way
The Scotts Valley Unified School District Board of Education has invited Scotts Valley residents to participate in the search process for a superintendent after Superintendent Susan Silver announced her retirement this spring.
Residents can attend a meeting with search firm Leadership Associates from 5 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 10, in the Scotts Valley Middle School multipurpose room, 8 Bean Creek Road, in Scotts Valley.
People can also send answers to the following questions by e-mail to le******************@*ox.net:
– What are the desirable qualities, characteristics, background and experiences for the next superintendent?
– What do you see as the strengths of the district and the major challenges facing the district in the years ahead?
E-mailed responses should mention Scotts Valley Unified School District.
Financial help available for county residents
Low- to moderate-income families can received financial education and counseling, and legal support services for free through Santa Cruz Community Ventures.
Santa Cruz Community Ventures received a $150,000 grant from the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Investor Education Foundation and United Way Worldwide to help locals move past legal and financial problems to financial sustainability. Topics include worker’s compensation, understanding credit and debt, bank accounts, spending plans, consumer’s rights and more. For information: Ellen Murtha, 460-2345.
Employers can also offer these classes at no cost to their employees by contacting Irma Ranzuglia, 460-2343 or ir************@******cu.org.
Swimming pool open to public
The summer season begins June 13 at the SLV Aquatic Center at San Lorenzo Valley High School, 7105 Highway 9, in Felton. Open lap swimming and recreation hours are from 1 to 3:50 p.m. daily and from 6:30 to 8:25 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
Family memberships are available for $60 for valley residents and $120 for others. Day use is $5.
Swimming classes are offered through Cougar Swim School.
For information: 239-4228 or www.cougarswimschool.com
Two Scotts Valley events for Giants fan in coma
A children’s festival is planned in the Kings Village Shopping Center on Mount Hermon Road from 1 to 4 p.m. May 14, followed by the Scotts Valley Grand Prix from 1 to 9 p.m. May 15 on Scotts Valley Drive. Organizers of both events will donate part of their proceeds to the Bryan Stow fund to help pay medical costs for Stow, the San Francisco Giants fan from Santa Cruz who was beaten outside of Dodger Stadium and remains in a coma.
The May 14 festival will feature live music, an obstacle course, face painting, bounce houses and face painting. American Medical Response, Stow’s employer, will be there with an ambulance, and a live auction and raffle will begin at 3 p.m.
The day was organized by Drawn2Art director Rachael Cartwright and Kings Village businesses.
For information: 439-9233.
Burn season ends
Backyard burn season is over in Santa Cruz County. The last legal day to burn dry yard trimmings and vegetation was Saturday, April 30, the Monterey Bay Unified Air Pollution Control District has announced.
Such fires are not permitted during the summer months because of fire danger and increased air pollution.
The burn ban will be in effect through Nov. 30.
For information: www.mbuapcd.org.
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