Media Advisory: Board V.P. Barrera to Testify in Front of Congressional Committee Wednesday Regarding Critical Importance of Investing in Public Schools

 

 

 

MEDIA ADVISORY 

 

BOARD V.P. BARRERA TO TESTIFY IN FRONT OF CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEE WEDNESDAY REGARDING CRITICAL IMPORTANCE OF INVESTING IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS

WHAT: San Diego Unified Board of Education Vice President Richard Barrera is scheduled to testify at a Congressional hearing in front of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee in Washington DC.

 

WHEN: Wednesday, July 23, 11 a.m. PDT.

• Please note: Testimony begins at 11 a.m. PDT (2 p.m. EST).

 

WHERE: HELP Committee hearing room, Washington DC. Link to view testimony. 

 

WHY: Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), the ranking Democrat on the Senate HELP Committee, invited Vice President Barrera to provide remarks at a hearing where Republicans are attempting to offer private school vouchers as the solution to improving literacy outcomes. 

 

According to a number of studies, including one conducted by Stanford University, vouchers do not improve student achievement. However, a number of  other policy changes and related investments are likely to yield much higher payoffs than privatization, including several strategies San Diego School District employs, such as teacher training, early childhood education, after-school and summer programs, student health programs and heightened standards in math, reading and science curricula. 

 

Recently, the Trump administration announced the withholding of previously appropriated funds nationwide for public schools totaling almost $7 billion, which included almost $13 million for San Diego Unified earmarked for professional development ($3.8M), English Learner services ($2.6M), academic enrichment ($3.1M), and before-and after-school programs ($3.3M).

 

San Diego Unified offers a compelling case for investment in our public, neighborhood schools. On the most recent National Assessment of Educational Progress, commonly known as the "Nations's Report Card," our District ranked first in literacy among both fourth and eighth grade students compared to all large districts across the nation participating in the Trial Urban District Assessment.

 

VISUALS and SOUND: Vice President Barrera testifying in front of Senate HELP Committee. 

 

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MEDIA CONTACT: Mike Murad, mmurad@sandi.net, 619-925-4790; James Canning, jcanning@sandi.net, 313-580-2845.

                            

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Thanks,

 

Mike

 

Mike Murad

Media Specialist

San Diego Unified School District

mmurad@sandi.net | www.sandiegounified.org

Mobile Phone: 619-925-4790

4100 Normal Street, San Diego, CA 92103

 

 

NEWS RELEASE: Wilson Middle School Students Score Big with New Joint-Use Soccer Field

Event Photos & ribbon-Cutting broll can be found here.

Drone video, project fact sheets, drone photos, and the site rebuild timelapse video can be found here.

 

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                                                                                                    Media Contacts:
                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Jamie Ries, 619-855-9283, jries@sandi.net  

                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Samer Naji, 619-548-3388, snaji@sandi.net 

 

 

 

                                                                                                  

Wilson Middle School Students Score Big with New Joint-Use Soccer Field

 

 

SAN DIEGO (July 21, 2025)  -  A new joint-use soccer field is officially complete and ready to serve the City Heights community. 

 

Students from the Hoover Cluster of Schools celebrated the completion of the field during a “Summer in the Heights” Sports Camp on Monday, a summer event organized by Price Philanthropies, Brains & Motion Education (BAM!), and the San Diego FC. Students participate in soccer and volleyball clinics, engineering courses, and sports career education. 

 

Located on the Wilson Middle School campus in City Heights, the joint-use soccer field is the final component of the new Central Elementary and Wilson Middle Schools that comprise the George Walker Smith Education Campus. 

 

“A modern campus means more than classrooms; it means safe places for children to play, for parents to gather, for neighbors to come together and build community,” said Dr. Fabi Bagula, San Diego Unified School District Superintendent. 

 

The 96th joint-use facility in the district’s partnership with the City of San Diego, the new field features soccer striping, security fencing to separate the school from the public-use area, and gates. Along with the basketball courts located at the top level of the Wilson parking structure, the field will be accessible to the community as a local park after school hours and during school breaks. The field will also be shared with Central Elementary School students during school hours. 

 

“When schools, families, and community partners come together, students thrive. These strong partnerships enhance and uplift San Diego Unified’s mission to provide world-class education in the classroom and beyond," said Richard Barrera, Board of Education Vice President. 

 

The Wilson Middle School soccer field officially opens to the public in August. 

 

To read other recent bond program stories, please visit: https://www.sandiegounified.org/about/newscenter/school_bond_program. 

 

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MEDIA ADVISORY: Hoover Cluster Students to Celebrate Opening of Wilson Middle School’s Joint-Use Soccer Field During “Summer in the Heights” Sports Camp

 

 

 

 

 

MEDIA ADVISORY

 

 

Hoover Cluster Students to Celebrate Opening of Wilson Middle School's Joint-Use Soccer Field During "Summer in the Heights" Sports Camp

 

 

Friday, July 18, 2025 

 

WHAT:          

Joined by San Diego Unified School District and City of San Diego leaders, Wilson Middle School and Hoover Cluster students will celebrate the opening of the City Heights neighborhood's joint-use soccer field. 

 

WHEN:           

Monday, July 21, 2025 

12:45 p.m. - 1:15 p.m.

 

WHERE:       

Wilson Middle School Joint-Use Soccer Field

3838 Orange Avenue

San Diego, CA 92105

 

VISUALS:        

12:30 - 12:45 p.m. - "Summer in the Heights" Camp students will participate in soccer and volleyball clinics, and engineering and sports career lessons.

12:45 - 12:55 p.m. - Podium Speaking Portion

12:55  -  1:00 p.m. - Ribbon-Cutting, Photo Opps. 

1:00 -  1:15 p.m. - Summer in the Heights Camp Continues, Media 1- 1s 

 

Drone video, project fact sheets, drone photos, and the site rebuild timelapse video can be found here. 

 

SPEAKERS:            

Dr. Fabi Bagula, Superintendent, San Diego Unified

Richard Barrera, Board of Education Vice President, San Diego Unified 

Sean Elo-Rivera, Councilmember, City of San Diego 

Liz Castillo-Duvall, Principal, Wilson Middle School

Wilson Middle School Student

 

BACKGROUND: 

Located on the Wilson Middle School campus in City Heights, the joint-use soccer field includes soccer striping, security fencing to separate the school from the public-use area, and gates. Basketball courts located on the top level of the Wilson parking structure are also included in the joint-use area. 

 

As part of the Play All Day partnership with the City of San Diego, the joint-use field will be accessible to the community as a local park after school hours and during school breaks. The field will also be shared with Central Elementary School students during school hours.  

 

Made possible through a partnership with Price Philanthropies, Brains & Motion Education (BAM!), and the San Diego FC, the "Summer in the Heights" Sports Camp provides Hoover Cluster students with hands-on learning opportunities. During its four-hour, Monday-to-Friday camp, "Summer in the Heights" offers soccer and volleyball camps, engineering courses, and sports career education. 

 

The Wilson Middle School soccer field officially opens to the public in August. 

 

PARKING MAP: 

Media can park in the Wilson Middle School parking structure. Entrance to the parking lot is along El Cajon Boulevard, and entrance to the field is on Level P2. 

 

 

MEDIA CONTACTS:  

Jamie Ries, Information Services Specialist, San Diego Unified, (619) 855-9283, jries@sandi.net.

Samer Naji, Facilities Communications Supervisor,  619-548-3388, snaji@sandi.net 

 

SAN DIEGO UNIFIED’S BUS FLEET IS READY TO SERVE STUDENTS FOR 2025-26 SCHOOL YEAR

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                        Media Contact: 

                                                                                      Marisa Berumen, 619-847-6029, mberumen@sandi.net 

                                                         

SAN DIEGO UNIFIED'S BUS FLEET IS READY TO SERVE STUDENTS FOR 2025-26 SCHOOL YEAR  

Student Safety Prioritized Year-Round with Maintenance Schedule & Driver Training 

District Expected to Triple Fleet of Electric Buses  from 13 to 43 by 2026-27 School Year  

 

SAN DIEGO (JULY 16, 2025) – With a new school year just weeks away, San Diego Unified School District is ramping up final preparations to get its transportation fleet ready to transport thousands of students daily to and from school as safely as possible. 

"Nothing is more important than student safety, and San Diego Unified follows rigorous standards when it comes to all of our drivers," said Dr. Fabi Bagula, San Diego Unified Superintendent. "Additionally, bus drivers are often the first and last representatives from the District some of our students see, and many of our drivers form strong connections with our students, which helps provide a positive school-day experience."

During the school year, San Diego Unified's bus fleet transports over 5,000 students daily. Students served include Special Education, Dedicated Magnet, Magnet, and Voluntary Enrollment Exchange. Transportation eligibility guidelines can be found here.

 

More than 1,300 routes are run daily, including field trips, athletic events, and other extracurricular activities. In all, about 250 buses in a fleet of 426 travel a combined 42,000 miles - the equivalent of driving roundtrip from San Diego to New York City seven times each day. 

 

Today, a mobile news conference aboard one of San Diego Unified's 13 electric school buses was hosted to highlight transportation initiatives for the District, which included giving media members a firsthand tour of a typical school bus route, and San Diego Unified's commitment to student safety, emission reduction and driver training. 

Year-Round Bus Maintenance Schedule 

Summer is the busiest time of year for fleet maintenance as San Diego Unified prepares ahead of the 2025-26 school year, with a team of 15 technicians responsible for keeping buses on the road, or knowing when to pull them off. 

Bus maintenance is also a year-round effort and includes both daily and periodic inspections. Daily pre-trip safety inspections ensure that all critical systems from brakes to tire condition to lighting are functioning properly before the bus is cleared for operation. 

Comprehensive inspections are performed every 3,000 miles or 45 days - whichever comes first. Typical maintenance can include engine and transmission assessments, oil changes, new brakes, or new tires. 

While newer buses come standard with enhanced technological advancements, even older buses are retrofitted with advanced GPS tracking systems for real-time monitoring, upgraded video surveillance, onboard communication systems, and a Child Check System to let drivers know when the last passenger has exited the bus. 

Electric Bus Fleet is Expanding 

Through a grant, San Diego Unified is expected to add an additional 30 electric buses by the 2026-27 school year. Additional money provided by the State of California will also help bolster the fleet and related infrastructure in subsequent years. With every zero-emission bus that is added, a diesel powered bus is removed from service.

 

"Diesel-powered school buses produce significant emissions, including greenhouse gases and air pollutants harmful to human health, particularly children," said Cody Petterson, Board President. "Additionally, anything that can be done to slow the progression of climate change is something we should all be interested in pursuing." 

 

By the year 2030, San Diego Unified may have 100 or more zero-emission buses in its fleet. 

 

Bus Driver Training 

 

"San Diego Unified provides comprehensive driver training for all bus drivers," said Gene Robinson, Director of Transportation and Distribution Services. "Drivers must obtain a commercial driver's license and a California Special Driver Certificate issued by the California Highway Patrol." 

 

Driver training and preparation includes:

• At least 20 hours of classroom instruction
• At least 20 hours of behind-the-wheel training
• Passing a written test, first aid exam, and a practical driving test
• Undergoing a medical examination and obtaining a medical examiner's certificate
• Clearing a Department of Justice background check via Live Scan
• Passing drug and alcohol testing
• Maintaining a clean driving record and demonstrating strong safety awareness

To learn more about the District's transportation fleet and services, click here.

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Marisa Berumen

Communications Supervisor

mberumen@sandi.net | www.sandiegounified.org

Mobile Phone: 619 847-6029

4100 Normal Street, San Diego, CA 92103

 

Media Advisory: HOP ON THE BUS WITH SD UNIFIED AS WE CRUISE TOWARDS THE 2025-26 SCHOOL YEAR

 

MEDIA ADVISORY 

 

HOP ON THE BUS WITH SD UNIFIED AS WE CRUISE TOWARDS THE 2025-26 SCHOOL YEAR

WHAT: Join us for our first-ever mobile news conference to highlight what’s new with San Diego Unified’s transportation fleet, and how we’ve been preparing to transport students for the new school year! 

 

After brief opening remarks and an overview of our transportation services on stationary ground, media will be able to ride in one of San Diego Unified’s electric buses for approximately 20 minutes to check out a typical bus route and ask questions about student safety, the District’s expanding zero-emission fleet, driver training, vehicle maintenance or anything else related to getting kids to school as safely as possible. 

 

WHY: Parents want to know their kids are in capable hands when students are picked up by a school bus.  

             

Facts and figures:

·       Total fleet: 426 school buses.

·       Daily: Over 5,000 students served. 

·       Daily: More than 1,300 routes driven.  

·       Daily: Roughly 42,000 miles covered.  

 

WHEN: Wednesday, July 16, 10-11 a.m. Ride-along following remarks.  

 

WHERE: 4710 Cardin St. San Diego, 92111, transportation yard.

 

WHO:  Dr. Fabi Bagula, Superintendent, San Diego Unified School District

Gene Robinson, Director of Transportation and Distribution Services, San Diego Unified 

School District

John Burciaga, Fleet Maintenance Manager,  San Diego Unified School District

 

VISUALS: Electric and other zero-emission buses, traditional internal combustion buses. B-roll opportunities aboard a bus as it navigates a typical route.

 

MEDIA PARKING: Parking lot is western side of San Diego Unified Transportation Building. Enter off Cardin St. 

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Please RSVP: Since space on the bus will be limited, please RSVP Marisa Berumen, mberumen@sandi.net, 619-847-6029, and indicate if you will be a crew of one or two. 

                            

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Marisa Berumen

Communications Supervisor

mberumen@sandi.net | www.sandiegounified.org

Mobile Phone: 619 847-6029

4100 Normal Street, San Diego, CA 92103

 

San Diego Unified Appreciates AG Rob Bonta Joining Fight for Federal Education Funding

 

San Diego Unified Appreciates AG Rob Bonta Joining Fight for Federal Education Funding

July 14, 2025

_____________________________________________________________________________________

 

It is immoral for vital education funding to be at risk. Education is a right every child deserves. We are thankful Attorney General Rob Bonta is joining the fight to ensure San Diego Unified students, and all students across California, continue to benefit from federal resources.  

 

I want our students, families, and our community to know that if the federal freeze is upheld, $13 million in funding could be lost. 

 

Our team is in the process of developing a contingency plan if the funding cuts are made. 

 

Superintendent Fabiola Bagula, Ph.D. 

San Diego Unified School District 

 

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James Canning (He/Him)

Executive Director, Strategic Communications & Information

San Diego Unified School District

jcanning@sandi.net | www.sandiegounified.org

Mobile Phone: 313-580-2845

4100 Normal Street, San Diego, CA 92103

 

 

Note: I may send and respond to emails outside of my normal workday or workweek. Please do not feel obligated to reply outside of your normal work schedule. Thank you.

 

San Diego Unified Welcomes New Student Trustees for 2025-26 School Year

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                        

 

Link to High Resolution Photos & Videos of Student Trustees 

 

Media Contact:

                                                  

James Canning, jcanning@sandi.net, 313-580-2845

Mike Murad, mmurad@sandi.net, 619-925-4790

                                                                                  

San Diego Unified Welcomes New Student Trustees for 2025-26 School Year,
Continues Commitment to Uplifting Student Voice During Board of Education Meetings
New trustees will represent 90,000-plus students in district governance

SAN DIEGO (JULY 8, 2025) — San Diego Unified School District continued its commitment to student voice. Two new student trustees who will represent more than 90,000 students in district governance were sworn in on June 24, 2025, and will participate in their first Board of Education meeting on Aug. 26.  

Alina Nguyen of Hoover High and Ashley Ordaz of University City High will serve one-year terms, and they replace outgoing trustees Joseph Cruz of Morse High and Quinton Baldis of Scripps Ranch High. Their terms began July 1.

Nguyen, a rising senior at Hoover High, is an active member of the Cesar Chavez Service Clubs, the National Honor Society and the Jack Kent Cooke Young Scholars Program. She has contributed to community efforts including food drives, blood drives and beach cleanups while developing her interests in health care.

Her dedication to ethical leadership extends beyond local service. Nguyen worked on a policy initiative that addressed worker welfare violations in the Southern African diamond mining industry. As an alumna of the School for Ethics and Global Leadership, she explored diplomacy, equity and global justice in London and Washington, D.C. She has also expressed her voice through a winning podcast on capitalism and creative outlets like poetry, music and writing. A pianist for more than 12 years, she shares music as a gift to her community.

"I'm committed to ensuring every student feels seen and heard, and I carry that mission forward with pride," Student Trustee Nguyen said. "Whether through policy work, community service or advocacy at the board level, I lead with authenticity and care for the most vulnerable in our community."

Ordaz, an Afro-Cuban student born in Las Vegas and raised in San Diego, has been known from a young age for her curiosity and strong opinions. She has embraced trying new things, from playing sports and instruments to learning new languages. While involved in many programs, she values living in the moment, enjoying simple pleasures such as going to the beach, visiting museums and traveling. She plans to pursue international relations.

"Time is limitless, so speak your words forever," Student Trustee Ordaz said. "I see this role of leadership not just as one that I won, but as a responsibility to uplift underrepresented diverse voices and act on real issues that must be fixed."

Student trustees have preferential voting rights, meaning their votes are recorded in meeting minutes but do not count toward the final numerical outcome of board decisions. They can make motions, second motions and place items on the agenda with support from another board member.

The board recognized the contributions of the outgoing student trustees Joseph Cruz and Quinton Baldis during the June 24 ceremony (See Video Here). Board President Cody Petterson told Cruz and Baldis that they "brought us back to the fundamental experience of what it is to be a student and for us it really did bring home how important it is to always keep the student first and foremost in our minds."

Superintendent Fabiola Bagula, Ph.D., praised the departing trustees for "continuously elevating the conversation reminding us how important it is to center student voice and student needs in every single thing you do."

Cruz reflected on his service, saying, "Throughout my life I've learned that a life worth living is one where you're serving others, that my happiness stems from the joy of those around me."

Baldis said he was "deeply humbled and honored to represent the almost 95,000 students of the San Diego Unified School District."

San Diego Unified created student trustee positions in 2019 to ensure authentic student voice in board decision-making, adding a second position in 2022. Under district policy, at least one student trustee must attend a high school with 60% or higher free and reduced lunch program eligibility. Nguyen and Ordaz will be the 10th and 11th students to serve since the program began.

The student trustees receive the same $1,736 monthly compensation as adult board members and vote on agenda items alongside the seven-member board. Their role aligns with the district's Student Outcomes Focused Governance approach, which prioritizes transparency, accountability and keeping students at the center of all decision-making.

About two-thirds of California's school districts serving high school students have student board members.

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James Canning (He/Him)

Executive Director, Strategic Communications & Information

San Diego Unified School District

jcanning@sandi.net | www.sandiegounified.org

Mobile Phone: 313-580-2845

4100 Normal Street, San Diego, CA 92103

 

 

Note: I may send and respond to emails outside of my normal workday or workweek. Please do not feel obligated to reply outside of your normal work schedule. Thank you.