Superintendent's Weekly Update

January 23, 2026

Team PUSD,

I’m pleased to share some updates from last night’s Board of Education Meeting.

Please join me in congratulating Chamille Dixon, who was appointed as the new Principal of Oak Valley Middle School. Chamille most recently served as Assistant Principal at Rancho Bernardo High School and brings more than a decade of experience as both a teacher and school leader. You can view the full announcement here.

The Board reviewed results from a December Facilities Bond Feasibility Study exploring the potential for a future facilities bond. While the study showed strong community support for maintaining educational quality and many proposed facility improvements, the final ballot test reflected 49% support, below the 55% required for passage. Key concerns included tax sensitivity, cost-of-living pressures, and lingering trust issues related to past financial decisions. No final decision was made, and the Board will continue to assess options, timing, and next steps at an upcoming meeting. The study will also help guide future community engagement and communication.

The Board also reviewed the District’s 2024–25 independent audit, which met all state and GASB requirements. The audit identified four findings with no fiscal impact, related to year-end closing procedures, ASB documentation, attendance verification, and Expanded Learning Opportunities Program compliance. Corrective action plans are in place, and I appreciate the continued partnership across our schools and departments in strengthening systems and processes.

A mid-year update on local measures of student success showed modest improvements in Average Daily Attendance and reductions in chronic absenteeism overall, particularly at elementary and middle schools. OCIS participation more than doubled, helping recover instructional days, and suspension rates remain low. Academic results were generally stable, with strong elementary outcomes and continued improvement among English learners, long-term English learners, and students with disabilities. Additional student success data will be shared in upcoming meetings.

Finally, the Board received an update on the Governor’s January Budget Proposal. This budget largely continues existing programs, with a lower cost-of-living adjustment assumption of 2.41%, resulting in approximately $2.5 million less in projected revenue than assumed when the District adopted its budget in June. While LCFF funding reflects an increase, declining enrollment may offset additional revenue. Staff will continue refining assumptions and will further discuss budget development at the February 12 budget workshop.

Thank you for your continued partnership and support as we work together to create the best possible learning environment for our students.

With gratitude,

Ben

This week, Poway Unified students Emily and AJ join Dr. Ben Churchill to discuss life as a senior and how to combat "senioritis" and finish the year strong!

Watch or listen on your favorite podcast platform!

On Friday, the ribbon was cut on an innovative space at Westview High School, ushering in future opportunities to prepare students for careers in science and engineering. Poway Unified School District and Westview students, staff, families, and partners celebrated the opening of the school’s new Career Technical Education building, which will house programs focused on real-world career pathways.

Guests were given tours of the facility by students, who provided demonstrations of their work in engineering and robotics and shared how the building and programs have helped facilitate their learning. The 4,288-square-foot facility features instructional space designed to support modern teaching and learning needs. It prioritizes flexibility, technology integration, and hands-on learning environments meant to adapt as programs evolve, supporting a range of instructional approaches and unique student experiences. Learn more about the new CTE building at this link.

Rancho Bernardo High School student Sarah Yoo has been named a 2026 YoungArts Award Winner in Design, earning national recognition for her creativity and impact-driven work. Sarah has also received multiple Scholastic Art & Writing Awards (Art) over several years, reflecting her continued excellence as a young designer. For her YoungArts submission, she presented two projects: an environmentally focused toy design that promotes sustainability and a communication app designed to support nonverbal autistic children.

The communication app has since been officially released on the App Store, bringing her design work into real-world use. The YoungArts Awards recognize the nation’s most accomplished artists ages 15–18 through a highly competitive selection process. Award recipients join a lifelong community of artists and gain access to mentorship and professional development opportunities. We are proud to celebrate Sarah’s achievement and the meaningful ways her creativity is making a difference. Learn more at this link.

Del Norte High School junior Anna Fang has been named to the 2026 U.S. National Junior Team, marking her second consecutive year earning this national honor. Anna continues to establish herself as one of the country’s top junior golfers. She has competed at the highest levels of amateur golf, advancing to match play in multiple U.S. Girls’ Junior championships and qualifying for the 2024 U.S. Women’s Amateur. Anna also represented the United States internationally as a member of the 2025 Junior Ryder Cup Team.

Inspired by professional golfers Lydia Ko, Nelly Korda, and Bryson DeChambeau, Anna continues to excel on the national and international stage. Read the full story at this link.

Please be on the lookout for a unique survey link via email from ThoughtExchange (notifications@thoughtexchange.com) for this year's Team PUSD survey. If you have not yet seen it, please check your spam or junk folder. The survey takes about 10 minutes to complete and remains open through January 28.

Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. If you have any questions or have trouble finding your link, please contact communications@powayusd.com. Your input will help us better prepare our students for the challenges and opportunities of the future.

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

• January 26, 2026 - Professional Growth Day (Non-student Day)
• February 3, 2026 - Career Speaker Series: Futures in Healthcare (Reserve your seat)
• February 16 - 20, 2026 - Presidents Week (District Recess)

Click here for the full calendar.