Superintendent's Weekly Update
October 3, 2025
Happy Friday PUSD!
This week, our Board of Education held the second of two special meetings on long-range priorities. As mentioned last week, the September 22 workshop focused on district goals. On Monday, September 29, the Board turned its attention to facilities needs.
Highlights from the Facilities Workshop:
Summer Projects: Staff shared updates on 38 projects completed over the summer to make our campuses safer and more welcoming.
Facility Use Fee Study: A review of last year’s facility use program showed that costs were higher than the revenue generated by their use. Staff are developing a revised fee structure to ensure our spaces remain both accessible and financially sustainable. More details will come at a future meeting.
Deferred Maintenance Plan: Staff previewed a new internal dashboard to help track and prioritize repairs across the district. They also highlighted urgent projects that will be addressed first, underscoring our commitment to safe, well-maintained schools.
Facilities Master Plan: Staff provided an update on the 2021 plan, shared ideas for future improvements, and outlined cost estimates so we can plan carefully for the years ahead.
Project Financing: Staff explained that, with current resources and possible state reimbursements, the district currently can fund less than 13% of the Facilities Master Plan projects. A general obligation bond was introduced as one potential option to address the funding gap. At the October 9 meeting, the Board will consider a contract for research and polling services to explore this possibility.
The Board provided feedback to help refine these plans and set priorities for future consideration and action on facilities upgrades throughout PUSD.
You can read the Board Brief for more details about the September 29 workshop.
Sincerely,
Ben
Language Immersion Expansion Survey
Earlier this week, we shared information about our language immersion programs and asked for your input as we consider expanding these offerings.
If you haven’t done so already, please take a few minutes to complete the survey by Friday, October 10, 2025. Your feedback is essential in helping us understand community interest and guide future decisions. Click here to take the survey.
Bus Driver Applicants Wanted
Did you miss out on this year’s Bus Bonanza hiring event? Not to worry! Poway Unified is looking for new bus drivers to join its ranks. The district offers training sessions its transportation program is recognized as one of the best in the state. You can learn more about becoming a district bus driver at this link.
New Volunteer Application Process
Earlier this week we launched a new online volunteer application process designed to make volunteering easier and more efficient. This upgrade reflects the valuable feedback we’ve received from families, and we appreciate your partnership in helping us improve the volunteer experience.
At this time, we ask that only those who already have a planned activity or program to volunteer for complete the application. This will allow us to process applications efficiently and ensure volunteers are ready when needed. Families without a current volunteer role do not need to take action now, but we will continue to share opportunities as they arise. For more information, please visit this link.
Support the Dream to STEAM Campaign
The PUSD Foundation recently announced the launch of its annual Dream to STEAM giving campaign, which helps fund Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM) opportunities for students across our district. Because Poway Unified receives the lowest per-pupil funding of any unified school district in San Diego County, the Foundation plays a vital role in bridging the gap to provide the experiences our students need to thrive.
Click here to learn more and donate today!