A Message from Interim Superintendent Dr. Ramón Miramontes

Dear Cabrillo Unified School District Community,

I hope this letter finds you well. As we move through this academic year and plan for the upcoming 2025-26 school year, I want to take a moment to provide you with an update on the progress we’ve made in key areas that shape the experience of our students and staff. Our commitment to ensuring the best possible outcomes for every student remains steadfast. Updating the community and keeping you informed is a priority of mine as well as being visible and approachable at school sites and community events. I have stated before that fiscal accountability and transparency, along with collaboration with our internal and external partners and setting high expectations through the “rightsizing and re-alignment “of the district, is our priority. I am pleased to share some positive news regarding our four main focus areas: budget development, staffing alignment, operational effectiveness, and instructional investments.

Budget Development:

I’m happy to report that our budget development process is progressing smoothly. We are working diligently to ensure that we allocate resources in a way that supports both our short-term goals and our long-term vision for growth. We’ve been strategic in our planning, making sure that every dollar spent is an investment in our students' futures while also maintaining financial responsibility. The Board has approved our fiscal accountability plan, supporting our efforts not only for this year but for the years to come, as we work toward getting closer to the Board policy goal of achieving a 16% reserve for economic uncertainties (equivalent to two months of salaries, as recommended by CSBA). We continue working with the CUSD Budget Advisory Committee, which consists of community members, staff, and district administrators, prioritizing and allocating funds appropriately.

Staffing:

Staffing is an essential part of our success, and we’ve made thoughtful adjustments to ensure that we have the right people in place to meet our students’ needs. You may have noticed that at the last board agenda, the board approved our efforts to strategically staff the district office accordingly, with efforts to keep cuts away from classrooms and reallocate any savings to hire staff, such as elementary counselors, to serve and support our students and families.  In addition, we are focusing on hiring and retaining high-quality staff across all departments to create a nurturing, stimulating environment, making efforts to stay competitive with salaries, and providing a ladder for “home growing” the talent we have within the community. Our team is growing stronger, and we are proud of the passionate educators and staff members who make our school district a place where students can thrive.

Operational Effectiveness:

On the operational front, we continue to make strides in enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of our day-to-day operations. We are evaluating processes, refining systems, and ensuring that we are creating an environment where resources are maximized. This is helping to ensure that both staff and students can focus on what matters most: learning and growth. I have had input from teachers and staff members about ta variety of things from a need for generators, upgraded technology, transportation supports, etc.… which will require us to plan and allocate resources to, in an effort to be able to meet those needs as well as protocols and procedures that can be aligned and streamlined for efficiency of time and redundancy.

Instructional Investments:

Perhaps most importantly, we are making key investments in instructional strategies and resources that will directly benefit our students. These investments encompass a wide range of opportunities for students to succeed in core academic areas, athletics, the arts, and college and career readiness. We believe in a well-rounded education, and our goal is for every student to have access to the tools, experiences, and support they need to thrive. As I mentioned before, a lot has happened in 8 weeks, but more importantly, these next few months of planning, collaborating, and communicating are the keys to setting Cabrillo USD on a better course, and I am sure we are on our way there.

In addition to academic and extracurricular opportunities, we are also committed to fostering a school climate that is second to none. We are focused on creating a culture of connection where students feel supported by their peers and staff. This sense of community and belonging is foundational to the overall success of our school. It is this positive climate that empowers our students to reach their full potential, not just academically, but socially and emotionally as well.

On another note, I'd like to thank the board for the great School Facilities Tour this past Saturday. We were able to see site needs not addressed in bond projects, wants and needs from each school, as well as safety and infrastructure demands that need to be addressed.

I am pleased to share that these efforts are moving forward in a positive direction, and we are excited about the opportunities ahead. We will continue to prioritize the needs of our students, ensuring they have the best possible foundation to build their futures.

I do want to thank our school site staff members for the daily efforts to support our students. I’ve had the opportunity to visit classes, attend athletic events, and walk campuses to see the great things happening at each of our schools. I’d also like to thank the PTO Alliance, whom I had the pleasure of meeting this past month, and I am encouraged by their selfless efforts to support our students and school communities.

Thank you for your continued support and for being an integral part of our community. Together, we are making a difference in the lives of our students, and we are excited about the future we are building.

Sincerely,

Dr. Ramon Miramontes
Interim Superintendent
Cabrillo Unified School District

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