Speakers advocate for district garden program at AUSD board meeting

By Mike Chaldu · Thu May 21 2026

Trustees honor retiring employees, hear progress on CTE program

ATASCADERO — During its Tuesday, May 19, meeting the Atascadero Unified School District School Board heard from a number of parents and advocates who advocated for two outdoor education programs that are apparently on the chopping block.

The meeting was held without Superintendent Dr. Tom Bennett, who had to take a few days off, according to Assistant Superintendent, Human Resources, Renee Argain.

The Oral Communication from the Public segment had several speakers, most of them asking the board to maintain two programs concentrating on nature and outdoor education: Living Among the Oaks, and One Cool Earth.

Zara Wyly is the LATO Program Manager, and said her program started at Santa Margarita Elementary School and involved taking students to Santa Margarita Ranch to learn about nature through hikes and activities, and has expanded to other AUSD school and other districts. Wyly said that she had got an email from district stating it would no longer supported the program. Wyly added that the district paid for about 7% of LATO's expenses, with the other being earned from grants and fundraising.

"I know there are challenges with funding for education," Wyly said. "I'm here to tell you the dollars that get put in this program comes back in spades."

In addition, another programs, One Cool Earth, which maintains a district garden for students, drew a sizable contigent of parents, students, and supporters, and had eight speakers come up to advocate for the programs.

Perhaps the most poignant was a student named Brooklyn, who wrote a letter about her experiences with OCE, that was read by her mother. The two were joined at the podium by OCE educator Christopher Apple.

"Please don’t shut down the garden program," the letter read. "It helps me to not hurt myself. Mr. Apple is important because he teaches me about plants and lets me touch the dirt. Before the garden, I was angry a lot, wanted to hit things, and couldn’t wait to leave school. Ever since the garden program started, it has made me want to come to school and go the whole day without hitting."

Also speaking was Atascadero resident Steve Wrightson, who is the grandfather of two AUSD students.

Katharine Rondthaler Krieg, the executive director of One Cool Earth, emphasized the importance of the program to the district.

"As you’ve heard tonight, this program is valued, and the impact extends beyond education," she said. "I recognize the financial challenges you face; I don’t envy you," she said. "It's important to recognize the funding for One Cool Earth is leveraged, and we've brought in $90,000 a year for the last 12 years to your district."

The fate of the nature education programs, even came up during Assistant Superintendent, Educational Services EJ Rossi's update on the district's Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP). When the subject of Learning Recovery Emergency Block Grants for the district came up, board members asked if they might be able to use the LREBGs for the LATO and One Cool Earth programs.

However, Rossi said the LCAP needs to identify areas of need, then have the programs evaluated. "In this case, you have to establish and meet a need, and it’s difficult."

In other business:

Rossi gave an update on the district's Career and Technical Education program, which he has envisioned as introducing career paths in elementary school, and continuing through middle and high schools, eventually focusing on a particular path for each student.

He also identified a number of established "economic engines" to provide jobs in the area, including agriculture, technical and wine industries, tourism and hospitality, and health care. He also identified emerging industries such as aerospace and defense, as well as clean tech and renewable energy.

Rossi's presentation drew praise from the board, especially Trustee Corinne Kuhnle.

"This is great. Set up to start fueling passions in our elementary kids," she said. "Give them a vision of where they can go. I’m excited and proud; I feel heart and soul in this."

The meeting began with the district honoring a host of educators and employees retiring at the end of this school year.

Chief among them were Yvonne Davis, a dance teacher for 24 years at Atascadero Fine Arts Academy, whom FAA Principal Tristan Shorba described as someone with "endless patience, energy, and heart." Also honored was 11-year AUSD Computer Technician Bob Irwin, whom Technology Director Morgan Walter termed "truly irreplaceable."

Three Monterey Road Elementary School employees — Counselor Joanne Job, Intervention Coordinator Teri Hillier, and kindergarten teacher Trish Cooley — were honored with poetic odes from Principal Jennifer Isbell and other MRES staff members.

The board will next meet on Tuesday, June 2, at 7 p.m.