Highlights from Tuesday night's Board of Trustees meeting included recognition of students who achieved perfect scores on state assessments, presentations from student leaders at Liberty High School and Paso Robles High School, plans for new playground equipment at Kermit King Elementary, updates on student enrollment, and the first-quarter student discipline report.
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Celebrating Our Employees of the Year
Superintendent Jennifer Loftus shared highlights from the recent San Luis Obispo County Office of Education Employee of the Year celebration, where two outstanding PRJUSD employees were honored.
Alex Huggins was recognized as Teacher of the Year, and Tracy Cagliero was celebrated as Classified Employee of the Year.
Coffee with the Superintendent Heads Into the Community
Community members are invited to join Superintendent Loftus for the next Coffee with the Superintendent on Thursday, October 29, at 8:00 a.m. at Cider Creek Bakery in Paso Robles.
Previously hosted in the District Board Room, these monthly gatherings are moving into the community to make it easier for residents to connect with District leadership, ask questions, and share their perspectives.
No formal agenda—just coffee and conversation!
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The Board recognized 21 PRJUSD students for earning perfect scores on California's statewide assessments during the 2025–26 school year.
Earning a perfect score on the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) or California Science Test (CAST) means achieving the highest possible score on the applicable assessment—a remarkable academic accomplishment.
Congratulations to these exceptional students and the educators and families who support their success!
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Student leaders Noemi Sanchez and Raya Lopez shared an update on activities and initiatives at Liberty High School, where community service is a central focus of this year's leadership program.
Through their ongoing Adopt-A-Street partnership with Earth Shine, Liberty students conduct quarterly litter cleanups along Niblick Road, leading by example, and taking pride in caring for their community.
Students also highlighted seven new field trip opportunities designed to reward strong attendance, academic achievement, and positive character. Destinations include Hearst Castle, the Monterey Bay Aquarium, and other educational and recreational experiences. Students recently participated in a regional cornhole tournament alongside peers from other continuation schools.
Other campus activities include Fun Fridays, which promote student connection and wellness, and Red Ribbon Week activities encouraging healthy, drug-free choices.
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Representatives Emilio Acevedo and Luis Muniz introduced the Board to the M.E.Ch.A. Club at Paso Robles High School, highlighting its longstanding presence on campus and its commitment to cultural awareness, community involvement, and higher education.
M.E.Ch.A., short for Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlán, has a history at PRHS dating back to the 1990s. The inclusive student organization promotes cultural appreciation and opportunities for students to connect through shared experiences.
Members shared highlights from Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations, including live music, informational activities, and lunchtime Lotería games. The club also organizes Día de los Muertos activities, remembrance displays, cultural celebrations, and college visits.
Through these activities, students are helping create a welcoming campus community while celebrating cultural heritage and encouraging educational aspirations.
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The Board approved a $138,566 proposal to replace the transitional kindergarten and kindergarten playground at Kermit King Elementary School.
The existing play structure is approximately 25 years old and has exceeded its useful life, while its rubber safety tiles have warped from years of weather exposure.
The proposed replacement will feature a modern play structure with integrated shade, interactive play panels, and new poured-in-place rubber safety surfacing.
The project is funded through the District's Deferred Maintenance Fund (Fund 14), with installation planned for December 2026.
Staff also noted that a proposal for a similar TK/K playground replacement project at Winifred Pifer Elementary School will be presented at an upcoming Board meeting.
Learn more about Fund 14 in the Behind the Budget section at the bottom of this newsletter.
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Among the items approved on the consent agenda were new outdoor tables and shade canopies for Winifred Pifer and Virginia Peterson elementary schools, which will enhance outdoor dining and learning spaces at both campuses.
The $30,545 purchase includes durable picnic tables with perforated steel seating and tabletops, along with shade canopies designed to provide more comfortable and inclusive outdoor areas for students.
The improvements will be funded through the District's Deferred Maintenance Fund (Fund 14).
Learn more about Fund 14 in the Behind the Budget section at the bottom of this newsletter.
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Among other items on the consent agenda, the Board approved Darcia Stebbens’ application to serve as a member-at-large on the District’s Citizens’ Oversight Committee, which provides independent public oversight of school bond expenditures.
The Board was also provided an update on the committee's activities. At its September 30 meeting, members elected Patricia Bland as Chair and Paul Oyler as Vice Chair.
The committee's next meeting is scheduled for January 27, 2027, at Georgia Brown Dual Immersion, where members are expected to review the 2025–26 annual audits and Measure M financial reports.
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Assistant Superintendent of Business Services Brad Pawlowski presented the District's quarterly enrollment report, including enrollment trends and statewide demographic changes.
PRJUSD reported a Census Day enrollment of 6,155 students, compared with the 2026–27 budget projection of 6,180 students.
The presentation also highlighted the growing proportion of students receiving special education services. District data show that students receiving special education services now represent approximately 16.2% of enrollment, compared with 15.5% a year earlier.
These trends reflect broader changes across California, where public school enrollment has declined for nine consecutive years even as the number of students with disabilities has increased.
The report underscored the importance of monitoring enrollment trends to inform long-term staffing, budgeting, student services, and facilities planning.
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Director of Student Services Leonor Buza presented the District's first-quarter student discipline report, covering August 13 through October 9, 2026.
During this period, the District recorded 42 suspensions, including 34 out-of-school suspensions and eight in-house or period suspensions. Staff reported that these figures were similar to the first quarter of the previous school year.
The presentation also highlighted ongoing efforts to strengthen positive school environments, including staff training in restorative practices, crisis prevention, and student supervision.
Looking ahead, the District is working with the San Luis Obispo County Office of Education to strengthen Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) across campuses, while expanding restorative approaches that emphasize accountability, repairing harm, and positive behavior.
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The Board considered acceptance of several generous donations supporting PRJUSD students and programs:
- PRHS Band Backers: $181.77 in support of the Paso Robles High School Choir.
- Kenneth Enney: $1,000 in support of Liberty High School's Associated Student Body.
- Kenneth Enney: 15 books valued at $255 for secondary school libraries.
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A quick decode of what the funding source is, where it comes from, and the rules that come with it.
Fund 14, The Deferred Maintenance Fund is a dedicated account used to pay for major repairs and replacement of aging school facilities. Unlike routine maintenance, such as changing light bulbs or fixing minor plumbing issues, deferred maintenance addresses larger, more costly needs, including roofs, heating and air conditioning systems, flooring, and other infrastructure.
Money in this fund is accounted for separately and reserved for eligible maintenance projects.
In 2022, the Board adopted a resolution committing 1% of the District’s total General Fund to Fund 14 on an annual basis. The fund held $4,981,243 at the end of the 2025-26 fiscal year, and is project to hold $5,125,077 at the end of the 2026-27 fiscal year.
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NN&V is a highlights-based recap of Paso Schools Board meetings, designed to keep families, staff and the community connected and informed regarding the work of the Board of Trustees.
Members of the wider community looking to stay up-to-date with the work of the PRJUSD Board of Trustees are invited to subscribe to NN&V. Please feel free to forward this message, or share the subscription link with anyone you believe may be interested.
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📰 Read the latest issue of Paso Proud in English HERE, or in Spanish HERE
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NN&V is a highlights-based recap of PRJUSD Board meetings, not a complete list of all actions taken or items discussed. Meeting minutes will be available at this link after approval by the Board at the next regularly scheduled Board meeting.
You're invited to attend the next meeting of the Board of Trustees on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, at 6:00 PM In the District Board Room located at 800 Niblick, Paso Robles.
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