Wednesday, October 14, 2026

Families Across San Diego County Can Now Enroll in San Diego Unified Schools During Choice Priority Enrollment Window

PressRelease_SanDiegoUnified_Choice.pdf 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Download High Quality Choice Video Here                         

Media Contact: Miguel Covarrubias, 619-316-4625, mcovarrubias@sandi.net

 

FAMILIES ACROSS SAN DIEGO COUNTY CAN NOW ENROLL IN SAN DIEGO UNIFIED SCHOOLS DURING CHOICE PRIORITY ENROLLMENT WINDOW

Choice Progam offers families access to specialized schools and programs tailored to student interests, learning styles & future goals, Applications accepted until Nov. 15

*Interviews available with district leaders

SAN DIEGO (Oct. 14, 2026) – Families who live outside the City of San Diego and/or have children that attend schools not within the San Diego Unified School District, now have the opportunity to enter the priority Choice enrollment window to have their child attend a San Diego Unified school for the 2027–28 school year.

San Diego Unified is the leading urban school district in the state of California, and the second largest in the state with more than 175 schools accepting students in transitional kindergarten through 12th grade. San Diego Unified schools offer Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate (IB), STEM/STEAM, middle and high school school athletics, world languages and visual and performing arts.

Applications are now being accepted through Nov. 15, 2025.

Applications will enter an electronic lottery system that considers district priorities like sibling enrollment, active military status and program continuity. Families applying during the priority window have the best chance to secure one of their top choices. Applications will be processed when the enrollment window closes on Nov. 15, not on a first-come, first-served basis. Families will be notified of their lottery results by mid-February 2027, allowing them time to coordinate with other district programs such as PrimeTime before- and after-school care.

“The Choice program is about giving families a voice and giving students opportunities to thrive in environments where they truly belong. Every child deserves a learning environment where they feel inspired, supported and connected,” said Superintendent Dr. Fabi Bagula. “Through Choice, we aim to open the doors to schools and programs that reflect each student’s unique strengths and dreams.”

To help families navigate the process, San Diego Unified will host two informational workshops via Zoom where parents and guardians can learn more and ask questions:

Wednesday, October 14, 2026: 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, October 15, 2026: 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Zoom Link: https://sandiegounified.zoom.us/j/81378374938

“Choosing a school is one of the most meaningful decisions a family makes, and we want every family to feel confident and supported as they make it,” said Tracey Makings, Ed.D., San Diego Unified’s Neighborhood Schools and Enrollment Options Department team. “We encourage families to explore the schools and programs available, think about what matters most for their student, and rank their choices with that in mind. Our team is here to support families through every step.”

For more information about Choice, visit Neighborhood Schools and Enrollment Options. Families may also contact the Family Welcome and Enrollment Center at (619) 260-2410 for multilingual support.

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Tuesday, October 13, 2026

SD Unified Board of Education Approved New Process to Fill Future Vacancies

2026.10.13_FINAL_BOEVacancyPolicy_SDUnified.pdf 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                    

Media Contacts:

James Canning, 313-580-2845, Jcanning@sandi.net
Miguel Covarrubias, 619-316-4625, mcovarrubias@sandi.net

 

SD Unified Board of Education Approved New Process to Fill Future Vacancies
Favorable vote includes timeline for implementation should Board President Richard Barrera
Become California Superintendent of Public Instruction 

SAN DIEGO (October 13, 2026) – It has been a decade since the San Diego Unified Board of Education has needed to fill a mid-term vacancy, but with the possibility its current President could become the California Superintendent of Public Instruction, San Diego Unified is preparing for the appointment of a replacement.

On Tuesday, October 13, the Board of Education voted on an appointment process to fill a school board member vacancy. The appointment process will include:

  • Adoption of a Resolution declaring the vacancy.
  • Public Notice of the vacancy, including instructions for interested parties to file an application.
  • A community meeting in the SubDistrict in which the vacancy will occur, to solicit feedback on the qualifications desired in the replacement.
  • A formal application process.
  • An open public meeting(s) to review applications, interview candidates and select the replacement.

With the affirmative vote, the new process will be added to the next revision of Board Bylaws.

“In alignment with past district practice, and to minimize expense to the district, it  is recommended that the Board fill Board Member vacancies through appointment rather than special election,” San Diego Director of Board Services Marty Stultz wrote in the process voted on Tuesday.

According to the San Diego City Charter Section VI, section 66, “a vacancy on the Board of Education is to be filled by appointment, from the election district in which the vacancy occurs, by the remaining members of the Board no later than 30 days after the vacancy occurs.  In the event the remaining Board members fail to fill the vacancy within 30 days, the district is required to immediately cause a primary election and a general election to be held.”

Stultz said if a special election is necessary, it could cost the school district $250,000.

Anticipating the possibility its current board president might be headed to Sacramento for the state’s top education post, Tuesday’s vote also included a timeline for implementing the new process in Richard Barrera's SubDistrict D.

"Representation matters, particularly in public education," said Sabrina Bazzo, Vice President, San Diego Unified Board of Education. "The timeline is designed to ensure community voices help inform the selection of a trustee who reflects the values, priorities, and lived experiences of the people of SubDistrict D. We believe residents should have an opportunity to share what qualities and perspectives they want to see in their representative before a decision is made."

The following timeline will be enacted upon the official results of the November 3, 2026 election:

  • November 4-16, 2026: Press release and public announcement of the district’s plan to fill the SubDistrict D vacancy, including SubDistrict D Town Hall.
  • November 17, 2026: Board adoption of Resolution declaring a vacancy in SubDistrict D at open Board Meeting.
  • November 18, 2026: SubDistrict D Town Hall at Hoover High School to solicit constituent feedback which will be utilized to inform the selection of the replacement.
  • November 18-December 11, 2026: Application period; application process will be made available and communicated to the public.
  • November 18-December 18, 2026: Collection and compilation of feedback from SubDistrict D constituents which will be utilized to inform the selection of the replacement.
  • December 21, 2026-January 1, 2027: Winter Break
  • January 6 and/or 7, 2027: Special  Board Meeting(s) to review applications, feedback gathered from constituents, interview candidates and make a selection.
  • January 12, 2027: Swearing in of replacement at  public Board Meeting.

Dr. Sharon Whitehurst-Payne was the appointed trustee to fill the vacancy left in SubDistrict E by Marne Foster back in 2016. The appointment process described above was successfully used to fill the vacancy at no additional cost to the district.

“Should a vacancy occur, the Board would seek to appoint an individual from SubDistrict D who understands the unique needs, strengths, and diversity of the community and is prepared to serve as an effective advocate for students and families,” said Superintendent Fabi Bagula, Ph.D. San Diego Unified School District. “The process is designed to ensure that residents, families, students, educators, and stakeholders have meaningful opportunities to provide input before any appointment is made.”

“A key component of the proposal is a community town hall that would provide residents with a dedicated opportunity to share their perspectives on the leadership qualities they believe are most important in the next representative,” Superintendent Bagula said. 

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Uploaded Image

James Canning (He/Him)

Executive Director
Strategic Communications & Information
San Diego Unified School District

Mobile: 313-580-2845
Office: 619-725-5578
Email: Jcanning@sandi.net

4100 Normal Street
San Diego, CA 92103

www.sandiegounified.org

    




San Diego Unified School District would like to continue connecting with you via email. If you prefer to be removed from our list and stop receiving all email messages distributed through SchoolMessenger, follow this link and confirm: Unsubscribe. Please note that if you unsubscribe, you will no longer receive emails from your child’s school.

Friday, October 9, 2026

IBARRA ELEMENTARY STUDENTS TO PAIR UP WITH SAN DIEGO UNIFIED SCHOOL POLICE ON SHOPPING SPREE

2026.10.09_FINAL_MediaAdvisory_TrueBlueBuddies.pdf 

MEDIA ADVISORY
 

IBARRA ELEMENTARY STUDENTS TO PAIR UP WITH SAN DIEGO UNIFIED SCHOOL POLICE ON SHOPPING SPREE

 

WHAT: True Blue Buddies clothing shopping spree for Ibarra Elementary School students.

WHY: The San Diego Unified School Police Department is hosting the 12th annual True Blue Buddies program at Target Mission Valley on Monday, Oct. 12. This year, 14 students from Ibarra Elementary School were selected and paired with a school police officer. As part of the program, the students will take a school bus from Ibarra Elementary School to Target, where they will go on a fall school clothes shopping spree along with their buddies and school staff. Each student will have a $100 gift card to shop for essential clothing items. The event will conclude with a luncheon at Ibarra Elementary School.

Launched in 2015, the True Blue Buddies program aims to provide support through small group mentoring, as well as facilitate and build positive relationships with police officers at an early age. The students are selected based on need, including students from low-income families, military families as well as families experiencing housing instability. The program is funded through a partnership with the Assistance League of Greater San Diego’s Operation School Bell.

WHEN: Monday, Oct. 12, 9:45 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE:

9 a.m. - Officers/ participants will meet at Ibarra Elementary
9:15 a.m. - Transportation arrives to pick up students
9:30 a.m. - Leave for Target Mission Valley
9:45 a.m. - Arrive at Target and begin shopping
10:45 a.m. - Head back to Ibarra Elementary School
11 a.m. to 12 a.m. - Lunch will be served for Officers, participants and students

WHERE: Target, 1288 Camino Del Rio N, San Diego, CA 92108.

WHO:

Assistant Chief Manny Del Torro of the San Diego Unified School Police Department
San Diego Unified School Police Department officers
14 Ibarra Elementary School students

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Media Contacts: Miguel Covarrubias, 619-316-4625, mcovarrubias@sandi.net; James Canning, 313-580-2845, Jcanning@sandi.net

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Uploaded Image

Miguel Covarrubias (He/Him)
Information Services Specialist
Strategic Communications & Information
San Diego Unified School District

Mobile: 619-316-4625
Office: 619-725-5578
Email: MCovarrubias@sandi.net

4100 Normal Street
San Diego, CA 92103

www.sandiegounified.org

     




San Diego Unified School District would like to continue connecting with you via email. If you prefer to be removed from our list and stop receiving all email messages distributed through SchoolMessenger, follow this link and confirm: Unsubscribe. Please note that if you unsubscribe, you will no longer receive emails from your child’s school.