Atascadero Unified School District

Dr. Tom Bennett, Superintendent

Welcome to the 2025-2026 School Year

A Message from our Superintendent

Welcome to Atascadero Unified School District! 

As the new Superintendent of Atascadero Unified School District (AUSD), it is my distinct honor and pleasure to welcome you to the 2025–26 school year! Whether you’re returning for another exciting year or joining our district for the first time, we are thrilled to have you as part of our AUSD family. This year will be a time of meaningful connection, growth, and forward-thinking progress — and I couldn’t be more excited to embark on this journey with all of you.

This year is a unique one for our district, as we begin the school year with new leadership. Along with myself, we are also pleased to welcome our new Executive Assistant, Veronica Luna, to the Superintendent’s Office. We step into these roles with deep gratitude for the foundation that has been laid by those who came before us. On behalf of the entire district, I want to extend our heartfelt appreciation to our former Superintendent and Executive Assistant. Their dedication, vision, and tireless service have helped shape AUSD into the strong and caring educational community it is today. We thank them sincerely for their many years of outstanding leadership.

As we look ahead, we are eager to build upon this legacy. One of our major initiatives this year will be identifying and developing projects to improve, expand, and upgrade our school facilities. Each of our campuses serves as a vital hub for learning and growth, and we are committed to ensuring they remain safe, welcoming, and equipped for 21st-century teaching and learning. With input from our staff, students, and families, we will be taking a careful and thoughtful approach to assessing facility needs across all sites.

Equally important this year is our focus on community engagement and strategic planning. Over the coming months, we will be reaching out through a variety of channels — including town hall meetings, surveys, campus visits, and one-on-one conversations — to better understand the needs, hopes, and priorities of our students, staff, and families. These efforts are not just about gathering data; they are about building relationships and listening carefully so we can move forward together.

We strongly believe that our best decisions are made when we collaborate with the people who know our schools best — our teachers, support staff, students, and families. That’s why we are launching a series of district-wide surveys designed to gather your honest feedback on what’s working well and where we can improve. These surveys, combined with in-person engagement opportunities, will help us ensure that all voices are heard and represented as we chart the course for the future.

Through these conversations and community feedback, we will begin the important work of developing a new strategic plan for Atascadero Unified. This plan will guide our district’s goals and priorities for the years ahead and will reflect the values, vision, and diverse perspectives of our community. Together, we will define what success looks like for our students — not only in academic achievement but in their well-being, creativity, resilience, and sense of belonging.

I also want to take a moment to express my appreciation for our dedicated Board of Trustees. Their leadership and partnership are essential to the success of our district. I look forward to working closely with each of them this year as we listen, learn, and lead with integrity and purpose.

To our parents and guardians — thank you for your unwavering support and partnership. Your involvement is the heart of our schools. To our students — your energy, curiosity, and potential inspire us every day. And to our staff — thank you for the care, professionalism, and passion you bring to your work. You are the foundation of our district’s success.

Let’s make 2025–26 a year to remember — a year where we listen more deeply, connect more meaningfully, and work together to create the best possible learning environment for every student.

Here’s to a fantastic school year!

Warm regards,

Dr. Tom Bennett