News, Notes & Votes | September 8, 2026

Superintendent Loftus shared that the District held its first Superintendent’s Student Advisory Committee meeting of the year, giving high school students a regular opportunity to speak directly about their experiences, concerns and ideas.

The hot topic at the first meeting was the PRHS dress code, and Loftus described the conversation as thoughtful and productive. She said students shared honest feedback and asked strong questions, and explained that while the dress code itself is not new, the District is placing greater emphasis on enforcing the expectations already in place.

Loftus also connected the conversation to the District’s responsibility to prepare students for life after high school. She noted that feedback from industry partners and local employers suggests that some students need a better understanding of what it means to dress appropriately for the workplace.

She reiterated the basic expectations: clothing should cover the chest, bottom, midriff and undergarments and should not be see-through. The same dress code standards apply to boys and girls.

The Superintendent’s Student Advisory Committee meets monthly and is open to all high school students.

Loftus invited the community to attend the Bearcat Institute of Cosmetology ribbon cutting on September 18 at 1:30 p.m.

The event is open to the public and will include an opportunity to tour the newly completed facility, where students will complete the 1,000 hours of hands-on training required to qualify for the cosmetology state board exam.

Loftus also encouraged families to get involved with their school PTA/PTO early in the year.

Each PRJUSD school is welcoming new PTA/PTO members, and Loftus noted that joining is one of the easiest ways for families to get connected, meet other parents, learn more about what is happening on campus and support school events and programs.

She encouraged families who are interested to get involved now, before the year gets too busy, so participation can become part of their regular routine.

Loftus recognized Liberty High School for hosting a blood drive in partnership with Vitalant last week.

Students and staff collected 12 units of blood, which Vitalant estimates could help save up to 36 lives. Loftus thanked everyone who donated and helped make the event a success, calling it a tangible example of students and staff stepping up to support the broader community.

Army Major Ken Harris and Lieutenant Colonel Mark Swiney presented an informational overview of the Army Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) and the opportunities the program can provide high school students. The program centers on citizenship, leadership, personal responsibility and preparing students for postsecondary education and career pathways.  

JROTC’s four-year leadership curriculum includes personal growth, team building, decision-making, health and fitness, service learning, government and citizenship, along with opportunities in areas such as robotics, cybersecurity, drones, leadership competitions and STEM.

The presentation also outlined program staffing, accreditation and funding requirements. Army JROTC programs require a minimum of two instructors, with the Army reimbursing school districts for half of instructor pay. Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services, Erin Haley, shared that students in a JROTC cohort can concurrently complete their physical education requirements and meet criteria for college readiness. PRJUSD Trustees shared their excitement about the possibility of launching a JROTC in the upcoming school year, making PRHS the only high school in San Luis Obispo County to provide this experience. More information will be shared at a future Board meeting.

The Board approved PRJUSD’s 2025–26 Unaudited Actuals, the District’s final year-end financial report. One key takeaway: PRJUSD ended the year without deficit spending, with the unrestricted General Fund increasing by approximately $1.69 million.

The report also shows revenues about $8.9 million above budget and expenditures about $8.25 million below budget—but those figures combine restricted and unrestricted funds. Some of that variance reflects one-time carryover funding and unspent resources, including restricted dollars that must carry forward for their designated purposes. The numbers should not be read as $17 million in unrestricted money available for new expenses.