Improve Student Outcomes
Every PUSD student should graduate with the academic skills needed to succeed, but we are falling short of that goal. Although PUSD has its strengths, including a roughly 90% graduation rate and students attending top colleges, only 48% of students are proficient in ELA and 36% in math.*
Among socio-economically disadvantaged students, proficiency falls to 35% in ELA and 23% in math.* Every student deserves to develop the critical thinking, analytical and academic skills needed to succeed.
What Dennis will do:
• Hold District leadership accountable for measurable academic progress.
• Make academic proficiency a priority at every Board meeting and not just an occasional report.
• Elevate input from principals and teachers on what is working, what isn't, and what resources are needed.
*Source: California Department of Education, CAASPP Assessment Results 2024-2025.
Deliver a Comprehensive Plan
We need to make every taxpayer dollar count.
Voters approved $1.4 billion in bonds through Measures O and R for school modernizations and a significant parcel tax for annual classroom operations. The community has spoken, we want a top tier school system.
A comprehensive plan starts with identifying student needs — inside and outside the classroom — and focusing on what maximizes their experience and achievement. It must be based on actual and projected enrollment, not historical or hoped for enrollment. It must be forward looking not backward looking. We need a vision for the next 25 years plus, not just the annual budget cycle.
What Dennis will do:
• Flip the community discussion to center on student needs not just preserving the status quo.
• Create Board consensus on pausing non-health and safety spending until a true comprehensive plan is in place.
• Bring outside expertise to bear on alternative uses for surplus real estate.
Restore Communication and Transparency
Dennis will always put students at the center of School Board decisions. He knows that PUSD has tremendous strengths. Students have access to dual-language programs, robotics, Math Academy, International Baccalaureate curriculum, arts, athletics and early college access opportunities. But too many families still don't trust PUSD, while declining enrollment and repeated budget cuts threaten the student experience and further erode community confidence.
PUSD needs to stop making decisions behind closed doors and then asking the community to react. We deserve better. Dennis will listen to the educators who understand our classrooms, seek input from the community, and make tough decisions openly and honestly.
What Dennis will do:
• Listen to teachers, principals, parents, students and the broader community.
• Examine which programs and electives students need most.
• Bring independent expertise to the table and challenge assumptions.
• Make decisions based on facts, long-term planning and always through the lens of what promotes student success.