Superintendent Jose Luis Araux addresses the audience during the State of the District event.
Perris Union High School District administrators highlighted recent achievements and pledged a continued commitment to student success during the recent PUHSD State of the District event.
The program – the first of its kind at PUHSD – was held Feb. 6 in the theater at Paloma Valley High School. Guests had the opportunity to visit about 40 booths featuring student accomplishments, including AVID, Robotics, Future Farmers of America (FFA), Athletics, Visual and Performing Arts, Career Technical Education, Fast Track to College, and the National Honor Society.
Afterward, Superintendent Dr. Jose Luis Araux delivered the first PUHSD State of the District address, focusing on the district’s five strategic pillars of success: Teaching and Learning, Systems of Support, Management and Fiscal Responsibility, Community Engagement, and Leadership and Organizational Unity.
“This event was about celebrating our students, our staff, and our community,” said Araux after the event. “Building a legacy means investing in the programs, people, and partnerships that ensure every student in PUHSD has the opportunity to thrive. Tonight showed just how strong our district family truly is.”
Araux reported that the district has made a $10 million turnaround, enabling it to more effectively support students. He said the district’s projected budget for the 2024-25 school year was a $4 million deficit. Instead, the actual year-end financial outcome was a $6 million surplus. This, he said, was made possible by a dramatic increase in student attendance, which resulted in higher Average Daily Attendance funding from the state.
According to Araux, the district’s ADA in the 2023-24 school year was 88.5 percent. A year later, it had increased to 90.65 percent. This goal for this year, he said, is 94 percent.
In addition, Araux stated that student safety has increased. He reported that the district had a 35 percent reduction in fights from the first semester of 2024 to the first semester of 2025. He thanked the efforts of campus supervisors and law enforcement, in addition to active shooter training, lockdown drills, and discussions with city and county partners in improving student safety.
“We need to share this wonderful information with the community,” he said.
Also highlighted were steps taken to expand learning opportunities, including the creation of the Inland Online Academy. This expansion of the district’s independent learning program has resulted in a program that began with 64 students and has grown to 210.
“This growth reflects the needs of families and students and our commitment to student success,” Araux said.
The superintendent also highlighted the district’s college-aligned programs, in which students can fulfill core college general education requirements while still in high school. At Heritage High School, 26 students are enrolled in a college course. Liberty High will offer an AP Capstone Diploma program and Paloma Valley is developing an International Baccalaureate Diploma Program.
“We believe our students are capable of achieving the highest level of success,” Araux said. “We’re committed to ensuring that every student receives the right support.”
To view a video of the entire State of the District program, click here.
