List of PUHSD accomplishments during Araux’s tenure

Information about Perris Union High School District during the two-year tenure of Superintendent Jose Luis Araux, provided by HR director Aldred Andrade to Menifee 24/7:

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Safer Schools: Student fights have decreased 40.28% districtwide over the past two years. In the 1st year only there was a 83% reduction in fights at Perris High School and about 60% decrease at Paloma Valley High School.

Attendance: Average Daily Attendance (ADA) increased from 88.5% in 23-24 school year to 93.22% this last year 25-26, that is 4.72% in ADA during this administration.

Academics: College Readiness, Advance Placement Success, Academic Growth, and High School Graduation Rates are seeing positive growth and we are encouraged by the results. More information will be provided in October once the state dashboard is released.

Expanded Career Pathways: New Career Technical Education (CTE) opportunities continue to grow: Residential Construction Pathway, Education, Child Development and Family Services Pathway, and Health Science and Medical Technology Pathway was added in 2026-2027, and Aviation is planned to start for 2027-2028.

New Student Programs: Heritage High School has launched the California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC) program, significantly expanding dual enrollment opportunities by providing students with a structured pathway to complete transferable lower-division general education coursework while earning college credit in high school. Through partnerships with Mt. San Jacinto College and

California State University, San Bernardino, and by developing a partnership with the University of Redlands, we are working to extend these opportunities districtwide so students at every comprehensive high school can complete up to two years of college coursework before graduation.

Inland Online Academy (IOA): We launched IOA in August 2025 with approximately 50 students. By the end of the first semester, enrollment had grown to 150 students, and by June, we were serving approximately 260 students. That steady growth demonstrates the need for flexible, alternative educational options within our community. While we are still reviewing the data, the preliminary results are encouraging, and we are pleased with the progress we have made in providing students with additional pathways to stay engaged and succeed in school.

Program additions: Expanded opportunities for students include new Mariachi programs, expanded Ballet Folklorico, Flag Football, and Show Choir programs.

Innovative Technology:

• New Student Information System: We are transitioning to Aeries, the same student information system used by our feeder districts. This alignment will help create a more seamless transition for students/parents and improve how we share and manage information across our educational community.
• Expanding Technology for Students: We are also upgrading student technology by transitioning from Chromebooks to the new MacBook Neo at Paloma Valley High School. Through our collaboration with Apple, we are expanding the tools and opportunities available to students while helping them build the technology skills they will need for college and careers.
• Supporting Our Teachers: This partnership goes beyond providing new devices. Apple is also working with our teachers to help them effectively integrate this technology into classroom instruction and enhance learning for students.

Investing in Teaching: Strengthened teacher collaboration, instructional coaching, common assessments, and cross-school learning.

Focused Instruction: District priorities include mathematics, literacy across all content areas, and systems that sustain strong instruction.

Creation of the Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC): Established the District’s first Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) to strengthen partnerships with families of students with disabilities, ensuring their voices help inform district decision-making, improve programs and services, and advance equitable outcomes for all students.

Bottom Line: Our schools are safer, attendance is up, academic outcomes are improving, and students have more opportunities than ever before.