Superintendent's Update - January 10, 2025
Superintendent's Update - January 10, 2025
From the Office of the Superintendent
Board Agenda Calendar
View Calendar of Board Items 2024-25
Superintendent Austin’s Message . . .
What a beautiful day! It’s easy to miss the little things like clear skies and brisk air. We have some good momentum building across PAUSD. Several construction projects have either been completed or are moving in the right direction. I had the opportunity to visit three of the projects this week, including Gunn High School, JLS Middle School, and Escondido Elementary School. Each project adds value to the site and looks amazing!
We have just tipped into the second semester and I want to take a minute to thank everyone for a strong first half. A lot of people work very hard to make things look easy. That starts with our classroom teachers who prepare each day to serve our students. There was a day when the only role of a school was to deliver instruction. Now, schools are seen as places for services far beyond teaching and learning. It’s important for us to remember that teaching post-covid is different in many ways and our teachers continue to evolve and take on more for our kids.
Nothing happens without our classified support staff. They transport, greet, and assist our students each day. They also prepare our grounds and classrooms, repair vehicles and facilities, and support others in every way imaginable. Our classified staff is eclectic in their backgrounds and responsibilities, yet have service at the core of each position. Our classified staff is appreciated and is key to our success.
I would also like to thank our leadership team and administrators for their tireless efforts. They are charged with helping us to maintain our focus on the things that matter the most. There is a saying, “When the principal gets a cold, the whole school gets sick.” That means the influence of the principal is important and schools often reflect their leaders. That’s a heavyweight! Most people aren’t calling our administrators with compliments, so they are essential in helping people navigate sometimes tense issues. Like every group, their work can be tough at times.
I will have an opportunity to meet with students next week for our first Superintendent’s Student Advisory Group. Just working with the student planning committee has been inspiring. Due to schedules, we have been meeting virtually in the evening. If this group is a sample of our student population, I couldn’t be more optimistic about our future! I am also looking forward to getting authentic and unfiltered feedback directly from students on topics that they identified as important to them.
Our school board is getting to know each other and is working hard to develop guiding principles as some topics are coming up that will get some attention. I am thankful for each of them and for the preparation, they are putting in before facing decisions on complex issues.
That’s it from me today! We are happy to see everyone back from the break and ready to finish the second half on a strong note!
Strong Schools Bond - Citizens’ Oversight Committee
The Palo Alto Unified School District Board of Education seeks applicants for appointment to the independent, volunteer Strong Schools Bond Citizens’ Oversight Committee. The Committee reviews and reports to the public on the District's bond expenditures. Applicants must reside within the Palo Alto Unified School District and not be employees, contractors, consultants, or vendors of the District. The committee has four regular quarterly meetings per year.
There are currently two open positions. One new position must be a member of a Senior Citizen Organization, and the other new position must be a Parent of a student in the District. New committee members will serve a term that will start immediately and end on June 30, 2026, and is renewable for two additional two-year terms.
The Citizens’ Oversight Committee (COC) informs the public about bond revenue expenditures. State law requires the COC to actively review and report on the proper expenditure of taxpayers’ money for school construction.
Application forms can be obtained by emailing Veronica Melero at vmelero@pausd.org or writing to Veronica Melero, Building D—Facilities Department, Palo Alto Unified School District, 25 Churchill Avenue, Palo Alto, CA 94306. You can also obtain information by calling Veronica Melero at (650) 329-3927.
Completed applications may be emailed to Veronica Melero at vmelero@pausd.org, mailed to Building D—Facilities Department, Palo Alto Unified School District, 25 Churchill Avenue, Palo Alto, CA 94306, or delivered by hand to Veronica Melero.
All applications must be received by Friday, February 21, 2025, at 4:30 p.m.
Rolling Through the Rain: Gear Up for Wet-Weather Biking
With darker days, sun glare, increased traffic congestion, and slippery streets, students need to be especially careful when walking or biking to school. Here’s how you can help:
- Equip students with reflective rain jackets, umbrellas, and/or boots.
- Purchase front, rear, and wheel-rim bike lights to increase visibility.
- Remind students to scan for approaching vehicles at intersections and make eye contact with drivers if needed.
- Check Palo Alto’s Safe Routes to School Education Resource Page for additional safety tips and reminders.
Walking/biking to school on rainy days can be a healthy and enjoyable option. If you’re unable to choose an active school commute, consider riding the bus or creating a carpool text group so that when the clouds burst, you’ll be ready to coordinate a carpool in a flash.
