Tested Leadership
The pandemic presented the greatest challenge to student learning we have faced in our lifetime. After mandated school closures in 2020, PAUSD worked to ensure every student had access to computers, wifi hotspots, and free meals. As President of the School Board in 2021, Shounak led the Board and District through school reopening. Prioritizing the safe return of students to the classroom, the District enacted robust mitigation measures, held testing and vaccination clinics for the community, and brought students back to campus sooner than most districts in the state—all while preventing on-campus COVID outbreaks.
A Steady Future
Since Shounak was elected in 2018, PAUSD has made great progress on issues of vital importance to its families. Reading scores are up across the board. Students report a greater sense of mental and emotional support. Students are increasingly exploring diverse pathways to success, including through dual enrollment and industry certification. Under Shounak’s leadership as chair of the Board Equity Oversight Committee, the Board approved a comprehensive plan to support academic excellence for all students, regardless of background. Despite the uncertainty of the past few years, the Board passed a balanced budget in 2022, and PAUSD remains ranked in the top 3 school districts in California and the top 30 districts in America.