AUSD recognizes district schools honored by state program
By Mike Chaldu · Thu Sep 03 2026
Superintendent also used time to congratulate AHS students for success in fair's industrial arts auction
ATASCADERO — During the Tuesday, Sept. 1, school board meeting for the Atascadero Unified School District, Superintendent Dr. Tom Bennett used his Superintendent's Report to recognize both administration and students for their recent achievements.
Bennett recognized nine district schools for earning Gold or Silver commendations from Positive Behavior Interventions and Support, a state program meant to promote, as the name indicates, positive behaviors in schools.
"California PBIS supports the sustainable development of a safe, equitable, and positive climate and social culture for ALL," says the organization's website (pbisca.org).
The honorees from AUSD include Gold honorees Creston Elementary (represented by Secretary Jen Mason), Monterey Road (Principal Jennifer Isbell), San Gabriel (Principal Merry Reynolds), and Santa Margarita (Principal Marshwan Porter), as well as Silver honorees Atascadero High (Principal Nikki Baca), Atascadero Middle (Principal Jeff Spiller), Atascadero Fine Arts Academy (Principal Tristan Shorba), San Benito (Principal Kat Holmes, Santa Rosa Academy (Principal Sarah Betz).
"These recognitions are ultimately school-wide accomplishments," Bennett said. "They reflect the commitment of teachers, classified employees, staff, counselors, intervention teams, students, and families. Tonight we're recognizing these principals for their leadership required to make these systems work, and their staff for making it happen."
Bennett went to say the PBIS systems help "strengthen a school culture that strives to help students succeed."
The principals honored gathered with Bennett and the trustees for a photo, and that also provided a fun moment as the group was able to sing "Happy Birthday" to Porter, whose birthday actually was on Sept. 1.
Bennett also took the time to read a letter that Betz wrote to him complimenting Mason on her work as secretary as Betz served as a temporary principal before Josh Aston took over this year.
"Jennifer's done an outstanding job supporting the Creston school community and consistently goes above and beyond to serve the school's students, staff, and families," said the letter, as read by Bennett. "Jennifer's work is a wonderful reflection of AUSD's commitment to student success, staff collaboration, community partnership, and excellence."
Betz in the letter specifically praised Mason's efforts during the leadership transition at Creston.
"Her leadership has been especially meaningful during this time of transition at Creston," Bennett read. "She's helped maintain consistency strengthened communication and ensured that students, families, and staff have continued to feel supported and connected.
"Creston is stronger because of her hard work, compassion, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to excellence."
After he was done reading the letter, Bennett expressed appreciation for Mason's work, and for Betz for taking the time to writer the letter.
During his report, Bennett also recognized eight Atascadero High students for their success at the California Mid-State Fair Industrial Arts competitions and auctions.
AHS teacher Andrew Weatherly introduced six AHS sophomore students who were present at the meeting and had projects on display at the fair in June: Autumn Anderson, Luke Johnsen, Kailyn Pullen, Jillian Uzzi, Hannah Weems, and Dorian Whitacre.
"Our students usually sweep the award in these particular categories, and the kids did really good again this year," Weatherly said. "Out of the 59 products that were good enough to go to auction, 33 were created by AHS students."
Weatherly, also mentioned two participants who weren't there: Clint Haggie, who Weatherly said was at his own birthday party, won Best in Show in the Wood category, while Isaac Schechter, who graduated from AHS in May, won the Judge’s Award in the combination category.
Each of the students had a chance to speak about their products, the money earned from them at auction, and what they learned going forward.
The board heard four business items during the meeting, the notable one being on one a Student Support and Professional Development Discretionary Block Grant Proposal. The grant, which Assistant Superintendent of Business Services Kendyl Darnell referred to as the "Spud Bud" grant, totals $3.7 million and can be used at the district's discretion.
Darnell suggested using the money for "investing" in the district, rather than just making purchases.
"Want to use money where it can create lasting value," she said. "I don’t want to say ‘we spent the money,’ but that 'we invested well.'”
Darnell suggested splitting the grant into three equal amounts of $1,243,506 and use them for:
Strategic planning: Identify priority areas of investment to advance student outcomes.
Site Initiative: Advance part of the $1,243,506 share to school site leaders for them to come up with ideas on how to use the money.
Budget Stabilization: Money to address rising costs of district.
Darnell said the district would have until June 2029 to spend the money. On the Site Initiative category, Darnell clarified to the board that she would have principals talk to their staff on ideas, and the principals would make a proposal to the district, although Trustee Tracy Ellis-Weit suggested that a counselor and teacher also join each principal for a proposal.
The board passes the item by a 6-0 vote (Trustee Rebekah Koznek was absent from the meeting.
AUSD will next meet on Tuesday, Sept. 15, with closed session at 5:30 p.m. and open session at 7 p.m.