Strong schools build strong communities. I am fighting for both.
Dr. Misty Navarro is an emergency medicine physician, a PVUSD parent, and your Area 7 school board trustee.
Endorsed by business and community leaders including:
Kim De Serpa
Kristal Salcido
Chris Clark
Casey Clark
Shebreh Kalantari-Johnson
Daniel Esqueda
Ari Parker
Bud Colligan
Paul Bailey
Robert Ridino
Joseph Stern
Olivia Flores
Jen Holm
Marc Monte
Dr. Misty Navarro
Dr. Misty Navarro is an emergency medicine physician, a PVUSD parent, and your Area 7 school board trustee. She has spent much of her career training and teaching, investing in the people who come after her.
Misty credits her professional success to public schools, which provided her with a quality education that did not ask where she came from, and teachers and counselors who believed in her. She has spent much of her career training and teaching, investing in the people who come after her.
Misty was raised by a working class, teenage mother and helped raise her younger brother. From the time she was thirteen her mother ran a licensed home for children with disabilities. Every morning before school Misty helped care for those children before getting herself ready. She has been working in various jobs since she was twelve.
Misty was educated in public schools and earned a full academic scholarship to the University of Southern California, where she majored in psychobiology and neuroscience. She attended the UC Davis School of Medicine on a merit scholarship, moving onto a residency in emergency medicine at Stanford University.
Misty has served as an Associate Professor and preceptor for physician assistant students at CSUMB, mentoring students from the same community she grew up serving. She has served on the Salinas Valley Hospital Foundation Board, the Community Advocacy Committee at SVMH, volunteered with federal disaster response teams, and has been committed to the Santa Cruz and Monterey County communities throughout her career.
Misty is an Associate Physician at Kaiser and has an affiliated faculty role at Stanford, where she will help train the next generation of emergency medicine residents from both Kaiser and Stanford programs.
Misty lives in the Rio del Mar/Seascape area of Aptos with her two teenage sons who attend Aptos High School, and her two dogs.
Platform
Misty's time on the PVUSD Board reflects the same qualities that have defined her throughout her life: thorough preparation, a commitment to service, and an unwavering belief in the importance of public institutions to our community.
As your trustee here is what I have helped accomplish:
Brought LETRS literacy training to PVUSD
The evidence-based reading program behind Mississippi's dramatic gains—with a stipend for every teacher who completes it.
Implemented SWUN Math
A structured math curriculum districtwide. Our students are already showing improvement.
Prevented a state takeover
Voted for the difficult budget measures that addressed a structural deficit and kept local control of our schools.
Launched a first-of-its-kind aviation pathway
Students now build a fully operational airplane with Joby Aviation while earning FAA certification credit.
Launched PV Elevate and dual enrollment at Pajaro Valley High
Students now earn college credit while still in high school. PV Elevate exceeded its enrollment goal in its first year with 130 students and a waiting list.
Passed a phone-free schools policy
Effective July 2026. In TK-8, devices stay off and put away the entire school day, including lunch and recess. In high school, phones are off and out of sight during instruction. No devices in restrooms or locker rooms, at any grade. Emergencies, medical needs, and IEP requirements are protected.
Rewrote our homework policy
Homework must be purposeful, clearly explained, and completable in a reasonable time. And winter break is now genuinely a break: no assignments given, and nothing due the first week back. Sleep, family time, and activities outside school matter to student success.
Building goals and guardrails for our superintendent
A clear map of where this district is going — and how we will measure whether we get there.
Raised teacher compensation through training stipends
Better pay and stronger skills at the same time.
Maintained School Resource Officers
Supported keeping the officers our students, staff, and families overwhelmingly want in our schools.
Bridged mental health gaps
Partnered with community organizations and the County Office of Education to keep serving students after painful budget cuts. This is still a work in progress as we look to expand mental health supports.
Advocated for less screen time
Especially at the elementary level. Back to pen, paper, and real books.
Advocated for updated disciplinary policy
Implementing clear consequences for students in a graduated fashion so that students can learn and teachers can teach. Currently there are limited measures for teachers outside of the extreme.
Stood up for respect in the boardroom
Because how the adults behave sets the tone for every school in this district.
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Endorsements
"I worked alongside Dr. Misty Navarro in the Emergency Department where I was always impressed by her intelligence, compassion and excellence in treating our patients and families. When the position for Area 7 on the board of trustees became open, I knew she had the drive and tenacity to serve, demanding the very best for all students in PVUSD. I wholeheartedly give her my strongest endorsement to continue serving our community on the PVUSD school board."
"Misty and I worked side by side in the emergency department for a decade. During our time together, I saw firsthand how deeply caring and passionate she is, always going above and beyond for her patients and working tirelessly to improve our department. I know she brings that exact same dedication, work ethic, and heart to the PVUSD School Board as our Area 7 Trustee. As both a resident and a parent in Area 7, Misty has my full support for re-election."
"Misty is a wonderful advocate and a responsive trustee."