Big hopes: New superintendent plans to set PRJUSD back on track

Roughly 2000 students walked into PRHS on Aug. 20 for their first day of school. Just across the street at the District Office, it was also Dr. Curt Dubost’s first day of school – as the newly arrived superintendent.

Though this school year marks Dubost’s first at the head of the PRJUSD, he’s been involved in education fields for over 30 years – including a tenure as superintendent of San Miguel’s school district. Dubost was appointed to fill the place of interim superintendent Julian Crocker; ultimately, he is replacing superintendent Chris Williams.

It’s no secret that the PRJUSD has been faced with rough waters the past year. The sudden resignation of superintendent Chris Williams on Dec. 6, 2018 shook up the district as financial turmoil grew and SLO County takeover of the PRJUSD budget seemed imminent.

It was during these months also that Paso Robles High School’s former principal Eric Martinez resigned on January 31, 2019. Reform is needed on several fronts, and Dubost steps into a district and community anxious for changes and resolutions. 

Dr. Dubost, who attended Stanford University, revealed a brain full of ideas, thoughts, and opinions on how to help the district. 

He said he was excited for the freshness of a new undertaking, and is also happy to be back at his so-called “home.” His family came to Paso Robles in 1882 and has been here ever since. 

As a result, Dubost is coming in with both reinvigorated dedication and the nuanced perspective of a community member himself.
“The primary purpose to why we are here, is for [the students] to be fully prepared for whatever you want to do in life”.

After working at a variety of schools, ranging from Montgomery High School in San Diego to our closest neighbors in Templeton, Dubost came out of retirement because the pull of the district he is so closely connected to was just too strong.

Cristian Tinajero, a PRHS senior, wants students at the center of decisions.
“The students should be the priority. We as students should have our own input on what needs to be done around the school.”

Dubost agreed: as long as students speak out, their voices will be acknowledged, he said.

When asked how he was planning to fix the district’s financial situation, Dubost’s response was simple: “by working together.”
Dubost believes that by coming together and having a can-do attitude, the community can overcome anything in its path, although some perseverance might be necessary.

As for the present, Dubost has already begun inserting new policies and new rules.

Bauer Speck, the elementary school on the west side of town, has relocated to portables across the street from Flamson Middle School while repairs are being made on their campus. This action is set in place by Measure M, the bond that passed Nov. 8, 2016.

Additionally, Dubost has led the effort to table progress on the aquatics complex, which was set in motion during Williams’ years. Though planned for an April 2018 groundbreaking, the pool remains on hold with the current budget crisis that wants to raise the financial reserves of the district.

Dubost is concerned the project costs over $400,000 a year to maintain the pool.

The delay of the pool is more about the maintenance money the district is reluctant to commit to paying and less about affording the construction on the front end.

Dubost’s excitement to begin work radiates from his deep roots in Paso Robles; he said he is thrilled to be here and ready to tackle anything that comes his way.