Superintendent's Weekly Update

March 13, 2026

Dear PUSD Staff and Families,

Thank you for your continued partnership in supporting our students, schools, and community. Below are a few highlights from this week’s Board of Education meeting.

District Budget Update

At the meeting, Board members received an update on the district’s financial outlook. Overall, the news is encouraging. Our budget remains stable as we make midyear adjustments, with modest increases in state funding, savings from vacancies, and careful spending in areas such as supplies and student services. While some costs, including utilities and special education services, have increased, the district planned for these pressures and our reserves remain healthy as we continue working toward a balanced unrestricted budget by 2027–28. More details are available in this week’s Board Brief.

Recognizing Our District Employees of the Year

We are proud to recognize five exceptional members of Team PUSD who have been named this year’s District Teachers of the Year and District Classified Employees of the Year. Melissa Lathram, Instructional Assistant at Sunset Hills Elementary School, and Carlos Pantoja, Warehouse Specialist in Food and Nutrition, were named District Classified Employees of the Year. Our District Teachers of the Year are Josh Bess, Elementary Teacher at Willow Grove Elementary School; Cherene Askar, Science Teacher at Mesa Verde Middle School; and Jose Lucero, English and AVID Teacher at Westview High School. These individuals represent the very best of PUSD through their professionalism, care for students, and dedication to their craft. You can read more about these honorees and see the full list of site recipients on our website.

AI in Education: Community Conversation

Our Studio701 interns recently released another video in their Excellence in Education series featuring perspectives from students, staff, and families on AI in education. You can also watch a recording of the recent "Learning in the Age of AI" community event online. This important conversation will continue as we engage our community around how AI can support teaching and learning in our schools.

I appreciate your continued partnership as we work together to support every student in Poway Unified.

With gratitude,

Ben

On the latest episode of Straight from the Supe, instructional assistants Lizette Vega Pineda, from Twin Peaks Middle School, and Jaimee Gopen, from Morning Creek Elementary School, discuss the role of IAs at PUSD and their incredible work to support our world-class learners.

Watch or listen on your favorite podcast platform!

Join us in congratulating our 2025-2026 District Teachers and Classified Employees of the Year: Melissa Lathram, instructional assistant at Sunset Hill Elementary School; Josh Bess, teacher at Willow Grove Elementary School; Jose Lucero, teacher at Westview High School; Cherene Askar, teacher at Mesa Verde Middle School; and Carlos Pantoja, Food & Nutrition warehouse specialist!

Throughout their roles, each one of this year’s winners have embodied Poway Unified’s vision to create the culture and conditions to empower world-class learners. We are thankful for their dedicated passion to support our students throughout our district!

Learn more about our 2026 winners and see the full list of winners here.

Congratulations to Oak Valley Middle School on being named a 2026 California Distinguished School! OVMS was one of only 408 schools across California to receive the distinction, which highlights schools in the state that are paving the future of education through exemplary instruction.

We are proud of the incredible work by OVMS and its educators to support the PUSD vision to create the culture and conditions that empower our world-class learners.

The teaching garden at Abraxas High School has been selected as the state project of California Garden Clubs, Inc., which also donated $14,000 to support the program’s expansion. The garden serves as an outdoor classroom that provides hands-on learning, vocational training, and a sense of purpose for students, while producing more than 65,000 pounds of fresh food for local families over the past 11 years.

Read the full story to learn how the garden is changing lives and growing its impact.

Poway Unified is now accepting applications for the 2026–2027 Student Board Member. This position gives one high school student the opportunity to represent student perspectives at Board of Education meetings and serve as a liaison between students and district leadership.

Current PUSD high school juniors in good standing are eligible to apply. Applications are open now and must be submitted by March 27 at 4:30 p.m. The selected student will serve during their senior year, attending monthly Board meetings and participating in the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council.

Students can learn more and apply here.

Staff and families are invited to share their perspectives as the district explores the development of a Student Cell Phone Policy. The results will inform the development of a thoughtful and balanced approach to student cell phone use during the school day.

If you haven’t already, please take a few minutes to complete the survey by March 15. Click here to participate.

• Employment Opportunities
• New Student Enrollment
• Board Meeting Agenda and Minutes
• District Calendars

• April 6 - 10, 2026 - District Recess, Spring Break

Click here for the full calendar.