Superintendent's Weekly Update

February 13, 2026

Team PUSD,

Thank you for your continued dedication to our students and families. The care, professionalism, and commitment you bring to our schools each day make a difference for our community, and I am grateful for your work.

I would like to share a brief update from the Board’s Special Budget Workshop held on February 12.

At the workshop, Associate Superintendent of Business Support Services Eric Dill reviewed our current financial position as we prepare the Second Interim Financial Report. Since First Interim, we have made meaningful progress in reducing the District’s unrestricted deficit. That progress reflects thoughtful stewardship and careful decision-making across the organization.

At the same time, updated state revenue projections, including a lower projected COLA for next year, present new financial pressures that we must continue to navigate responsibly.

To support long-term fiscal stability, the Board reviewed a set of reduction strategies totaling approximately $10 million in ongoing and one-time solutions. These strategies focus on aligning staffing with enrollment trends, restructuring or reducing select high-cost programs, continuing district office efficiencies, and ensuring eligible expenses are supported by the appropriate funding sources. Collectively, these steps are designed to protect classrooms while meeting our fiscal responsibilities.

With these actions incorporated, our multiyear projection shows the District returning to structural stability in 2026–27. Staying on this path will help us safeguard the programs and supports our students depend on.

I recognize that budget discussions can be challenging. Please know that every decision is guided by our commitment to students and by the shared responsibility we have to ensure the District’s long-term strength. I will continue to keep you informed as we refine the budget and move toward adoption in June.

For additional details, please view the Board Brief. The next regular meeting of the Board of Education will be held on Thursday, February 26, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.

I hope you enjoy the long weekend and have a wonderful Valentine’s Day.

With gratitude,

Ben

This week, Senior Publications Technician Darryl Yee discusses how his early career experiences led him into printing and the incredible work that his publications team produces for our teachers and students.

Watch or listen on your favorite podcast platform!

Custodial Operations Supervisor Gustavo Bernal and his wife, Trisha, were highlighted recently by The San Diego Union-Tribune for their extraordinary story of family, strength, and love. The couple shared how their life changed after near-tragedy and the incredible lessons of overcoming challenges to support their two children with special needs. Gustavo tells the paper, “Life doesn’t stop. It just looks different and its through us.” Read the article here.

Mt. Carmel High students were trained on CPR/AED and other life-saving skills Friday, in an event hosted by the campus' Heart Club, Compress and Shock Foundation, AMR, and REACH Air. The event included hands-on training from flight paramedics, who landed a REACH Air helicopter on campus as part of the demonstration. Paramedics also explored different career pathways with students interested in working in the emergency medicine field.

The Special Olympics has presented Poway High School with an official Unified Champion Schools National Recognition banner that will be displayed in the school’s gym. The banner recognizes Poway High's role in fostering a socially inclusive environment through its Unified Sports programs, which promote camaraderie and inclusion in sports, and the campus' ongoing work to ensure that all students feel welcomed, valued, and empowered.

Congratulations to Poway High and everyone involved with building a culture of inclusion and support through Unified Sports!

Abby Weisman, a senior at Del Norte High School, created a catalogue of literature celebrating Jewish writers and storytelling. Working with Del Norte Teacher Librarian Michelle Furtado to pull together the collection, Abby organized the donation of books for all levels of readers to promote the inclusion of Jewish literature in PUSD libraries.The books will now be sorted before staff catalog the literature into school libraries for all readers to enjoy.

We celebrate Abby and all her work to promote reading and bring unique perspectives and voices in literature to our libraries!

Poway High School athletes delivered an outstanding performance at the Ayala Women’s Wrestling Invitational last month, a prestigious two-day event featuring competitors from more than 90 high schools. The tournament included 15 weight classes, giving athletes the opportunity to compete and excel within their divisions. Poway proved once again to be a wrestling powerhouse, earning four individual championship titles.

Individual champions included Ava Fodera (105 lbs), Isabella Fodera (110 lbs), Ava Ebrahimi (120 lbs), and Aleia Apostol (125 lbs). We are incredibly proud of our student-athletes for their hard work, resilience, and competitive spirit!

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

• February 16 - 20, 2026 - Presidents Week (District Recess)

Click here for the full calendar.