Superintendent's Update - February 7, 2025
Superintendent's Update - February 7, 2025
From the Office of the Superintendent
Board Agenda Calendar
View Calendar of Board Items 2024-25
Superintendent Austin’s Message . . .
PAUSD Policies
I have asked our team members to clarify PAUSD policies and protocols regarding immigration officers and our schools. The technical response is found below my comments. The most important part of the message is that we want our students and families to feel safe. We took additional time to review our policies and protocols with our administrative teams and office staff before communicating broadly. Earlier this week, we spent time explaining the topic with our Leadership Team. For context, that team consists of roughly 90 employees. We then repeated the training with the entire District Office. Next, we are conducting training with the office staff of each school site. The time was necessary to calibrate and clarify our roles. There were other steps taken that were too granular to explain in an email message. The bottom line is that we already have strong policies in place. We are on the same page, and our students are protected.
Since 2018 and in accordance with District Board Policy 5145.3, PAUSD has been committed to the success of all students through the belief that every school site should be a safe and welcoming place for all students and their families, irrespective of their citizenship or immigration status. For any student information requests made by immigration enforcement officials, PAUSD will not disclose confidential student information absent parental or guardian consent, consistent with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). For any request to access students or school grounds, PAUSD must receive parental or guardian consent before a student is interviewed, searched, or detained by an immigration enforcement official, absent a signed judicial court order or warrant. In all instances, parents or guardians will be immediately notified of any request made and reason provided by immigration enforcement involving their child.
I have asked our team members to clarify PAUSD policies and protocols regarding immigration officers and our schools. The technical response is found below my comments. The most important part of the message is that we want our students and families to feel safe. We took additional time to review our policies and protocols with our administrative teams and office staff before communicating broadly. Earlier this week, we spent time explaining the topic with our Leadership Team. For context, that team consists of roughly 90 employees. We then repeated the training with the entire District Office. Next, we are conducting training with the office staff of each school site. The time was necessary to calibrate and clarify our roles. There were other steps taken that were too granular to explain in an email message. The bottom line is that we already have strong policies in place. We are on the same page, and our students are protected.
Since 2018 and in accordance with District Board Policy 5145.3, PAUSD has been committed to the success of all students through the belief that every school site should be a safe and welcoming place for all students and their families, irrespective of their citizenship or immigration status. For any student information requests made by immigration enforcement officials, PAUSD will not disclose confidential student information absent parental or guardian consent, consistent with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). For any request to access students or school grounds, PAUSD must receive parental or guardian consent before a student is interviewed, searched, or detained by an immigration enforcement official, absent a signed judicial court order or warrant. In all instances, parents or guardians will be immediately notified of any request made and reason provided by immigration enforcement involving their child.
PAUSD also recognizes the impact of detention or deportation of a student's family member may have on a student. In the occurrence of such an event, school administration will release a student to the individual(s) designated in the student's emergency contact information or to any individual who presents a caregiver's authorization on behalf of the student after school. If school site staff are unable to secure timely care for a student after school, school administration will contact Child Protection Services for aftercare. Students will also have access to any mental health and wellness support services available at each of our schools during this time.
Gunn High School Choir and Staff Show
I had the opportunity to attend the Gunn High School choir and staff show last night. It was a welcomed reminder of why we are here. A HUGE number of staff and students put in time and energy to produce a fun show for a great purpose. People showed enormous bravery stepping outside of their comfort zones. It was everything our schools should be doing. Creating memories should be at the top of the list for kids in high school. They have the rest of their lives to work and worry about every possible political issue. It was the first hour and a half I have enjoyed with my phone turned off in quite a while. We need more shows! Thank you to everyone who participated and made this possible. You are appreciated!
School Board Meeting Protocols for February 11
The protocols for our next school board meeting are found below and will also appear in the agenda packet. We hope that these protocols will be temporary. As a reminder, there is no advantage to being called to speak regardless if a person is in-person or virtual. Our policy prioritizes students speaking first. That is also true of in-person or virtual. This is not a new policy.
Temporary Meeting Protocols for the February 11, 2025, Regular Board Meeting
I had the opportunity to attend the Gunn High School choir and staff show last night. It was a welcomed reminder of why we are here. A HUGE number of staff and students put in time and energy to produce a fun show for a great purpose. People showed enormous bravery stepping outside of their comfort zones. It was everything our schools should be doing. Creating memories should be at the top of the list for kids in high school. They have the rest of their lives to work and worry about every possible political issue. It was the first hour and a half I have enjoyed with my phone turned off in quite a while. We need more shows! Thank you to everyone who participated and made this possible. You are appreciated!
School Board Meeting Protocols for February 11
The protocols for our next school board meeting are found below and will also appear in the agenda packet. We hope that these protocols will be temporary. As a reminder, there is no advantage to being called to speak regardless if a person is in-person or virtual. Our policy prioritizes students speaking first. That is also true of in-person or virtual. This is not a new policy.
Temporary Meeting Protocols for the February 11, 2025, Regular Board Meeting
To ensure a safe and predictable environment, temporary protocols will be in place for the upcoming Board meeting. These adjustments are in response to safety concerns raised by a Board member and are intended to maintain an orderly process while allowing for broad public participation.
Meeting Schedule and Entry Process
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5:20 PM: Doors will open for a brief Open Session reading of the Closed Session agenda before the Board recesses to Closed Session. Comment cards will be accepted only for Closed Session at this time. Comments must directly relate to items posted on the Closed Session portion of the agenda.
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The room will be cleared once the Board recesses to Closed Session.
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6:15 PM: Doors reopen for Open Session.
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6:30 PM: Comment requests for agendized items and Open Forum items and will be accepted electronically only.
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Open Forum comments may not address items appearing on the agenda.
Room Capacity and Priority Seating
Due to safety considerations, entry into the room will be limited based on available seating. Standing in the aisles or along the walls will not be permitted to ensure a comfortable and non-intimidating environment. The following groups will have priority seating:
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Board Members
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Executive Cabinet
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Staff Members Coordinating the Meeting
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Staff Members Presenting
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Student Media
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Association Presidents
To manage capacity, we will admit five (5) students and five (5) adults at a time. The meeting will begin once all seated attendees and speakers are in place.
Public Comment Process
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Students will have first priority for speaking.
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After all students have spoken, public comment will alternate between in-person and virtual speakers. There is no advantage or disadvantage to either format once student comments have concluded.
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If you do not have the opportunity to speak during the meeting, you may submit written comments to board@pausd.org .
Final Capacity Determination
On the day of the meeting, staff will finalize the exact number of audience members allowed in the room based on available seating. Given the anticipated large attendance, we appreciate everyone's patience and cooperation in ensuring a safe and orderly process.
Thank you for your understanding as we work to provide a structured and secure meeting environment.
Showcasing Student Talent: Explore PAUSD’s CTE Pathways
The Innovation Department hosted the Career Theme Pathway Showcase celebrating programs and student works from all six secondary schools was celebrated at Gunn last week. PAUSD career-themed pathways aligned with the California Department of Education, intended to boost students’ college and career readiness and industry connections. Career Technical Education (CTE) teachers and students from each middle and high school showcased the exceptional work and innovative projects they’ve achieved in their classrooms. In addition to showcasing student work, attendees were able to learn more about college and career readiness from industry partners, Palo Alto Middle College High School, and our work-based learning teacher. This year, NAF recognized several CTE courses with banners, acknowledging their role in leading students toward being future-ready.
AI NOW! Project
AI Lead Teachers from both elementary and secondary gathered together to engage in meaningful conversations about the skills students need for an AI-powered future while also discussing potential appropriate use of AI with young learners. Secondary leads explored acceptable AI usage and the way we communicate expectations to students through AI assessment scales and common language while also beginning to confront the challenges that AI has brought into education. They also began exploring the potential impact of California Bill AB 2876 in classrooms. All AI Lead Teachers were offered a choice of next steps for their work at each of their prospective site, ensuring a flexible and responsive approach before finalizing future plans.
