Superintendent's Update - May 16, 2025
Superintendent's Update - May 16, 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!! The end of our school year is within sight, and the outstanding weather is making that more obvious. May is known in our office as Banquet Season. It’s a time with celebrations, awards, promotions, and graduations. As I write about each year, it’s also a month that always has some sort of dust-up. Since these things are predictable, we should be less surprised when they happen. Overall, this has been a typical May at the end of a very good year. We are almost there!
Our site principals are available when issues arise. This is especially true at the end of the year when transitions are in the near future. The people closest to the issue are usually those best positioned to help.
I hope everyone is able to enjoy the last few weeks. As I was reminded recently, we are less than 60 work days from the first day of the 2025-2026 school year. Time flies! Our Board of Education is close to finalizing the next iteration of the PAUSD Promise. It may not be complete until the end of June, but they have made great progress. Once it is complete, I will make sure to share it with everyone.
Denise Boggs, CSEA Distinguished Service Award
The Student Nutrition Services Central Kitchen Supervisor, Denise Boggs, announced her retirement effective at the end of the school year. Denise was presented today with the CSEA Distinguished Service Award for her dedication to the PAUSD community and students.
Denise has served PAUSD passionately for 34 years and has dedicated her life's work to the continuous improvement of the program, and has been the driving force behind millions of meals served to our students.
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 must not be employees, contractors, consultants, or vendors of the District. The committee holds four regular quarterly meetings each year. One new position must be a member of a Senior Citizen Organization. New committee members will serve a term that starts immediately and ends on June 30, 2026, which is renewable for two additional two-year terms. The purpose of the Citizens’ Oversight Committee (COC) is to inform the public concerning the expenditure of bond revenues. The COC is required by state law 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 by writing to Veronica Melero at Building D—Facilities Department, Palo Alto Unified School District, 25 Churchill Avenue, Palo Alto, CA 94306. Additionally, you can also get 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 Wednesday, June 4, 2025, by 4:30 p.m.
School News Roll Call - May issue is live online now!
Korean Education Delegation Visits PAUSD to Exchange Ideas on Educational Excellence
PAUSD welcomed distinguished visitors this week as a delegation from the Jeollanam-do Office of Education in Korea met with district leadership. Superintendent Austin, Deputy Superintendent Bahadursingh, and Assistant Superintendent Choe hosted the delegation for a productive exchange focused on educational best practices.
The Korean educators expressed particular interest in several key areas of PAUSD's operations, including our comprehensive safety protocols, innovative teaching approaches, enrollment management strategies, and the district's funding structure. This visit provided an opportunity for both educational systems to share insights and learn from one another's strengths.
The delegation's visit highlights PAUSD's growing reputation as a global leader in public education and fosters international connections that benefit our educational community.
