Poway Unified School District

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Poway Unified School District
Address
15250 Avenue of Science
San Diego
, California, 92128
United States
District information
TypePublic
GradesK–12[1]
NCES District ID0631530 [1]
Students and staff
Students35,663 (2020–2021)[1]
Teachers1,527.24 (FTE)[1]
Staff3,066.94 (FTE)[1]
Student–teacher ratio23.35:1[1]
Other information
Websitewww.powayusd.com

Poway Unified School District is a school district located in Poway, California. The district operates 26 elementary schools (grades Preschool–5), seven middle schools (6–8); five comprehensive high schools (9–12); and one continuation high school.[2] Twenty-one of the district's schools are located in the city of San Diego; eleven others are in the city of Poway.[clarification needed] The district serves approximately 33,000 students in San Diego County and is the third-largest school district in the county.[citation needed]

Poway Regional Occupation Program[edit]

High school students may earn credits to meet high school graduation requirements by taking career-technical education classes offered by the Regional Occupation Program at various sites throughout the district, both after school and in the evenings. These courses are designed to provide students with the opportunity to apply academic skills, explore and prepare for careers, develop leadership skills, and ultimately to provide students with the skills necessary for a successful transition to post-secondary education and the workforce.[3]

The Regional Occupation Program is affiliated with the San Diego County Office of Education Regional Occupational Program. Students can take classes from other school districts that participate in the Regional Occupational Program.

School construction and renovation[edit]

In the early 2000s, schools built for 500 children had as many as 700 children attending. Poway High School, built to hold 1,500 students, had 3,100 students in attendance in the 2004–2005 school year. The oldest school building in the district was built in 1949. Many of the other school district's buildings were constructed in the mid-1970s and were nearly 30 years old. Much of the wiring, plumbing, mechanical systems, and structures had not been updated.[citation needed]

In November 2002, voters approved the $198 million Proposition U bond measure. They approved an additional $179 million bond, Proposition C, in 2008. The money was intended to fund renovation, repairs, and construction at existing schools within the school district, including additional classrooms and electrical, plumbing, heating, and ventilation system upgrades for safety and efficiency. The money was also expected to be used to upgrade school facilities to meet current safety codes.[citation needed]

A requirement of Propositions U and C was the establishment of the Citizens' Oversight Committee. In May 2009, committee chair Chrissa Corday, in a final community report, concluded that "the goals achieved under Proposition U continue to foster voter confidence in the building program, as reflected in the successful passage of Proposition C, the ballot measure passed by PUSD voters in February 2008 that provides $179 million in bond authorization." Corday cited many notable accomplishments, including the demolition and reconstruction of Midland Elementary School, the district's oldest elementary school; the modernization and expansion of both Poway High School and Mt. Carmel High School, including the addition of a two-story, 81,000-square-foot classroom building at Poway High School; construction of new classrooms to replace portable buildings; upgrades to restroom facilities to comply with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA); renovation and expansion of libraries and computer labs; complete modernization of seven of the oldest elementary schools in the district; full modernization and renovation of Twin Peaks Middle School, and full technology upgrades.[4]

Some voters argued that the amount to be repaid was exorbitant. When presenting the bond offerings, the district guaranteed that there would be no increases in property taxes, which would require repayment to come from non-traditional sources. County Treasurer and tax collector Dan McAllister wondered about the future economic impact. "It's not just this generation, or the next generation, but probably two generations down the road," McAllister said of the economic impact of the bond. "We're not saying this is going to end up an Armageddon situation, but potentially the risks are much greater with this kind of financing than what would be a more traditional way," he added.[5]

Controversies[edit]

Capital Appreciate Bond (2008)[edit]

The Capital Appreciation Bond associated with Proposition C has faced widespread criticism due to its long-term financial implications for taxpayers. Although the district secured $105 million for school construction projects, the deferred repayment structure will result in nearly $1 billion in costs. Critics have labeled this deal financially irresponsible as it delays repayment by 20 years.[6]

In response to the controversy, new state legislation was introduced to prevent similar future agreements[7]. One significant piece of legislation was Assembly Bill 182, passed in 2013, which imposes stricter requirements on the issuance of CABs. AB 182 mandates that the ratio of total debt service to principal for these bonds cannot exceed 4 to 1. Additionally, it requires that CABs be callable, allowing for earlier repayment options, and limits the maximum term of these bonds to 25 years.[8]

Superintendent John Collins Misconduct (2018)[edit]

John Collins, who served as PUSD's superintendent, pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor financial disclosure charge after being accused of misappropriating over $345,000 in public funds. The accusations included unauthorized payments for unused vacation days, among other financial improprieties. Collins was sentenced to probation and agreed to a civil settlement with the district.[9]

Costco Land Lease (2021)[edit]

PUSD proposed leasing a 27-acre site at Camino Del Sur and Carmel Valley Road to Costco for 40 years, aiming to generate nearly $106 million for the district. The land was initially intended for a middle school, and many homeowners had been paying Mello-Roos taxes with this expectation. The proposal faced strong community opposition due to concerns about increased traffic, undervaluation of the land, and lack of transparency in the decision-making process. Legal challenges accused the district of violating the California Environmental Quality Act[10]. In March 2021, following significant backlash and legal challenges, the district and Costco mutually agreed to terminate negotiations. PUSD then decided to gather community input to explore other uses for the property[11]​.

Superintendent Marian Kim Phelps Misconduct (2024)[edit]

Marian Kim Phelps, who served as PUSD's superintendent, was removed unanimously by the PUSD Board of Education following investigations into allegations of harassment and abuse of power. The controversy emerged after Jane Doe, a student at Del Norte High School, filed a lawsuit in 2024 against Phelps and the district, alleging intimidation and violations of her constitutional rights. The claims primarily revolve around an incident at a softball awards banquet in May 2023, where it was alleged that Phelps believed the team did not adequately applaud her daughter, J.P., who also played on the team[12].

Following the banquet, Phelps allegedly began sending late-night text messages to student-athletes, accusing them of not clapping loudly enough for her daughter​. She reportedly demanded phone conversations with students and made veiled threats about their graduation privileges. According to the lawsuit, one student received a text from Phelps stating, “We will follow up on our end from an administration standpoint,” which was perceived as a threat. Phelps is also alleged to have suggested that Doe and other players were conspiring to slight her daughter, leading to further investigation and punitive actions against the students[13]​.​

Phelps’ actions were not limited to Doe alone. She allegedly targeted other softball players with similar threats, demanding apologies and cooperation under the threat of banning them from graduation and extracurricular activities​​. One coach reported that his livelihood was threatened by Phelps after he exposed her abuses to the school board. The coach claimed Phelps falsely accused him of verbally attacking a board member to justify his dismissal from the coaching position​[14]​.

The independent investigation commissioned by PUSD began in November 2023, shortly after the lawsuit was filed, and concluded in April 2024​​. This investigation involved interviews with 41 witnesses and a comprehensive review of related documents. The findings contradicted Phelps’ public denials and led to her termination by a unanimous school board vote​​. The board cited a complete loss of confidence in Phelps' ability to serve as superintendent[12]​​.

Schools[edit]

High schools[edit]

Middle schools[edit]

  • Bernardo Heights Middle School (Bobcats)
  • Black Mountain Middle School (Raiders)
  • Design39Campus (Helpers/Learners)
  • Meadowbrook Middle School (Mustangs)
  • Mesa Verde Middle School (Eagles)
  • Twin Peaks Middle School (Rams)
  • Oak Valley Middle School (Falcons)
  • Connect Academy (Chameleons)

Elementary schools[edit]

  • Adobe Bluffs Elementary School (Aztecs)
  • Canyon View Elementary School (Coyotes)
  • Chaparral Elementary School (Hawks)
    Chaparral Elementary School
  • Creekside Elementary School (Geckos)
  • Deer Canyon Elementary School (Bucks)
  • Del Sur Elementary School (Explorers)
  • Design39Campus (Helpers/Learners)
  • Garden Road Elementary School (Eagles)
  • Highland Ranch Elementary School (Stallions)
  • Los Peñasquitos Elementary School (Hawks)
  • Midland Elementary School (Rattlesnakes)
  • Monterey Ridge Elementary School (Monarchs)
  • Morning Creek Elementary School (Colts)
  • Painted Rock Elementary School (Panthers)
  • Park Village Elementary School (Penguins)
  • Pomerado Elementary School (Wildcats)
  • Rolling Hills Elementary School (Pumas)
  • Shoal Creek Elementary School (Otters)
  • Stone Ranch Elementary School (Trailblazers)
  • Sundance Elementary School (Wildcats)
  • Sunset Hills Elementary School (Seagulls)
  • Tierra Bonita Elementary School (Cheetahs)
  • Turtleback Elementary School (Terrapins)
  • Valley Elementary School (Tigers)
  • Westwood Elementary School (Roadrunners)
  • Willow Grove Elementary School (Grizzles)
  • Connect Academy (Chameleons)

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f "Search for Public School Districts – District Detail for Poway Unified". National Center for Education Statistics. Institute of Education Sciences. Retrieved 2022-03-05.
  2. ^ "School Listings - Poway Unified School District". Powayusd.com. Archived from the original on 21 August 2014. Retrieved 17 August 2014.
  3. ^ "About PUSD". Powayusd.com. Archived from the original on 2015-05-11. Retrieved 2015-05-23.
  4. ^ Corday,Chrissa "Building for Success Program community report" Citizen's Oversight Committee, May 2009
  5. ^ "Poway Unified to Pay Nearly 10 Times What it Borrowed: Report". Nbcsandiego.com. Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2015-05-23.
  6. ^ Carless, Will (2012-08-06). "Where Borrowing $105 Million Will Cost $1 Billion: Poway Schools". Voice of San Diego. Retrieved 2024-05-20.
  7. ^ Fensterwald, John. "Amended bill to rein in high-cost construction bonds moves on". EdSource. Retrieved 2024-05-20.
  8. ^ "Bill Text - AB-182 Bonds: school districts and community college districts". leginfo.legislature.ca.gov. Retrieved 2024-05-20.
  9. ^ "Ex-Poway superintendent pleads guilty to misdemeanor, settles civil suit". cbs8.com. 2018-04-25. Retrieved 2024-05-20.
  10. ^ inewsource, Jennifer Bowman • (2021-02-17). "Poway Unified Undervaluing Land in Controversial Costco Deal, Opponents Say". Times of San Diego. Retrieved 2024-05-20.
  11. ^ "Poway Unified backs off proposed Costco in Black Mountain Ranch". cbs8.com. 2021-03-10. Retrieved 2024-05-20.
  12. ^ a b "Poway Unified superintendent fired after independent investigation into bullying allegations". cbs8.com. 2024-04-30. Retrieved 2024-05-20.
  13. ^ "Poway Unified Board votes to terminate superintendent following investigation of student bullying". KPBS Public Media. 2024-04-30. Retrieved 2024-05-20.
  14. ^ Bedigan, Mike (2024-05-02). "California superintendent fired for ridiculous threats to student softball players". The Independent. Retrieved 2024-05-20.
  15. ^ "Abraxas High School - Model Continuation School". Powayusd.com. Archived from the original on 2015-05-25. Retrieved 2015-05-23.

External links[edit]

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