Pajaro Valley Unified School District

October 2024

 

Dear PVUSD Educational Community,

 

As I reflect on my first five months as Superintendent of Pajaro Valley Unified School District, I am truly honored to have had the opportunity to meet so many of you—our resilient students, dedicated staff, engaged families, and supportive partners. In this 2024-2025 school year, I want to share the current state of our district and the collective vision guiding our forward momentum. We at PVUSD remain committed to providing an inclusive, equitable, and high-quality education to every student, preparing them for success in college, career, and life. Through the continuing commitment to Whole Child, Whole Family, Whole Community, we are already making positive impacts this year as we strengthen coherence across initiative in key areas that directly affect our students, staff, families and community:

 

Attention to Attendance - Student attendance plays a vital role in academic, social emotional and developmental growth. PVUSD is intensifying efforts to address chronic absenteeism through community outreach, family engagement, and student-centered support. Our new attendance awareness campaign is building energy to improve attendance and sharing the benefits of regular attendance with students and families. 

 

Academic Excellence and Growth - We remain committed to ensuring all students meet and exceed state academic standards. To support students' academic success, our district is explicitly focusing on targeting support and resources to students across all grade levels, who need it most across. 

 

Community School Initiatives - Thanks to significant grant funding, we are implementing a community school strategy that is closely connected to our Whole Child, Whole Family, Whole Community approach. Community schools activate a comprehensive teaching and learning environment that educates the whole child, strategically leveraging community partnerships and the voices of student, family, and community in shaping each school's priorities and vision for student success and well-being.

 

Enriching the Student Experience - We take great pride in advancing innovative and standards-based learning experiences that reflect our students strengths, interests and talents. From recognition as one of the Best Communities for Music Education in the nation to our Tiny Home construction projects featured in our expansive Career Technical Education program, and the Culinary Garden and Teaching Kitchen instructional spaces at Starlight Elementary, PVUSD has become an exemplary district in the Central Coast region. 

 

Fiscal Responsibility and Sustainability - We are committed to ensuring that district financial health remains strong. With the formation of the Sustainable Budget Team, we are activating diverse voices and perspectives from across our community to draft collective recommendations to the Board of Education on how we use our resources to best serve students and maintain long-term fiscal solvency.  

 

As we look ahead, I remain optimistic and energized by the progress we are making, the goals we have set and our collective belief that together we will build a community where all children thrive.

 

Thank you for your continued partnership, dedication, and belief in our students. 

 

Sincerely,