WATSONVILLE >> After a failed censure vote against him, a trustee with the Pajaro Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees has fought back against the board’s leaders by sending them a letter announcing his intention to file a defamation claim unless they agree to arbitration and settle for $35,000.

Area 3 Trustee Gabriel Medina issued the letter May 9 to Board President Olivia Flores and Vice President Misty Navarro. Both were the only two trustees to vote in favor of the resolution, which would have sought to formally reprimand Medina over various comments and actions since being sworn in to his position five months ago.

These claims included ceding his time during board comments to allow two members of the public to speak, belittling district employees over social media, referring to Jewish audience members who opposed the Community Responsive Education ethnic studies contract as “segregationists” and using the phrase “you people,” which resulted in accusations of antisemitism.

He also motioned to censure former Trustee Kim De Serpa for her role in the ethnic studies contract’s defeat two years earlier, when that was not on the agenda; reportedly told a board member in closed session to “shut the (expletive) up” and told Navarro, “Come at me, Barbie” after she reportedly compared his demeanor to that of President Donald Trump.

The censure would have barred Medina from serving in a leadership position for the remainder of his term.

The board voted 4-2 at its May 7 meeting to reject the censure, with trustees Jessica Carrasco, Joy Flynn and Carol Turley joining Medina. Trustee Daniel Dodge Jr. was absent.

In the letter, Medina said Flores and Navarro made “false and damaging statements” against him in an official capacity.

“These actions have caused substantial harm to my professional reputation, emotional well-being, and my ability to carry out my duties as an elected official,” he wrote.

Specifically, Medina wrote that the statements have resulted in him losing speaking engagements, harm to community trust and the disruption of his ability to represent his constituents. He also estimated that it resulted in an estimated $8,000 to $10,000 in current and anticipated fees for legal consultation, mental health support and defense of his reputation.

Medina wrote that he would proceed with arbitration if he receives a response by May 26.

“Rather than pursue immediate litigation, I am offering to resolve this matter through private arbitration,” he wrote. “I believe this path serves the public interest by avoiding unnecessary legal costs and keeping this dispute out of the courtroom.”

If he does not receive a response, Medina wrote that he would move forward with other legal remedies, including filing a formal complaint. He also told other publications that he would drop the matter if Flores and Navarro issue him a formal apology.

In an email to the Sentinel, Flores wrote that she did not have a comment on the letter.

“I would just really love the board to be able to get back to focusing on our students and their achievements,” she wrote. “As a member of the Board of Education, my highest priority is ensuring every student not only has the opportunity to succeed but also crosses the finish line with graduation. Congratulations to the Class of 2025. Our focus must remain equipping our students with the academic support, resources, and encouragement they need to complete their K-12 journey fully prepared for the future.”

Navarro said when she first received the letter, she thought it was a joke.

“I was shocked and offended, and it felt like a blackmail letter,” she said.

Navarro said she does not plan to respond to it.

“I don’t think it has any merit,” she said.

Navarro was disappointed that most of her fellow trustees did not support the censure resolution, emphasizing that it was largely intended as a slap on the wrist.

“We were hoping that that would be enough to maybe get him to wake up and realize that his behavior was not appropriate,” she said. “All of the trustees said they felt uncomfortable with his behavior. The only reason a censure didn’t pass is because they were concerned it would make things worse and his behavior would get worse, and they were trying to find a way to come together and work together as a board.”

Navarro said she felt Medina had a lot of talent as a trustee but reiterated that she felt his behavior was a concern.

“Trustee Medina has a lot of energy and passion, but he’s really struggling in going from community activist to elected official,” she said.

Medina did not return a request for comment.