Interim Superintendent's Message - January 16, 2026

Dear Pacifica School District Community,

Happy New Year! I hope your winter break was a restful time of renewal along our beautiful coast. As we return to our classrooms at Cabrillo, Ocean Shore, Ortega, Sunset Ridge, Vallemar, and Ingrid B. Lacy, we do so with a sense of renewed purpose and a deep commitment to our community spirit.

We have much to look forward to this year. Here are a few exciting updates as we kick off 2026:

Moving Forward Together

The Pacifica School District and the Ocean Shore School PTO are pleased to announce that we have reached a mutual agreement to resolve all pending litigation.

With this legal chapter behind us, our shared priority is ensuring a successful and stable remainder of the 2025-26 school year. We are committed to a collaborative partnership that puts the well-being of our students and staff first.

Looking Forward:

• Support for Students: We will work hand-in-hand to ensure the transition to the Sunset Ridge campus and IBL Middle School remains positive and resource-rich for every student.

• Operational Unity: District leadership and the PTO will meet regularly to streamline communication and address school-site needs.

• Community Healing: We are refocusing our energy on the classroom, celebrating our educators, and fostering a spirit of cooperation across the entire district.

We thank our families, teachers, and staff for their patience and dedication during this time. Together, we are building a stronger future for the Pacifica school community.

Building Our Future: Workforce Housing Initiative Update

In the spirit of community and progress, I am thrilled to share an exciting milestone regarding the PSD Workforce Housing Initiative. This project is a vital step in supporting the dedicated educators and staff who make our district thrive by creating a place for them to call home right here in Pacifica.

Following a very productive meeting this week with our contractor and PG&E representatives, we have officially finalized the scope for the temporary construction power phase.

Here is what to expect:

• Work Commencing: The contractor plans to begin work the week of January 26.

• Timeline: This foundational phase is expected to take approximately two weeks, weather permitting.

Seeing the physical infrastructure begin to take shape is a momentous occasion for our district. This progress represents our tangible commitment to the staff members who pour their hearts into our students every day.

Living the Dream: Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

We begin this month by honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday, January 19. In the Pacifica School District, we don’t just treat this as a day off, but as a "day on" for reflection and a reminder of our core mission.

Dr. King famously said:

"The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character—that is the goal of true education."

This quote sits at the heart of our work. While academic excellence is our baseline, it is the development of character and empathy that truly prepares our students to lead. Whether it is through "Dream" walls in our elementary hallways or critical discussions in our middle school history classes, we are committed to Dr. King’s vision: ensuring every student is judged not by their circumstances, but by the "content of their character." I encourage you to use this holiday to reflect on how we can all work together to build a more compassionate and equitable world.

Important Dates & Reminders

• 6th Grade Lottery: For our current 5th-grade families, remember that Sixth Grade Transfer Request forms are due to the District Office by 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, January 21.

• TK & Kindergarten Enrollment: Lottery packets are available now at the District Office and all elementary sites for the 2026-2027 school year.

• MLK Day (No School): Monday, January 19.

Thank you for your continued partnership. 

In partnership,
 

Sincerely,
Dr. Carisa J. Bowman
Interim Superintendent
Pacifica School District