Superintendent of Schools

Dear RBUSD Students, Staff, Families, and Community,

There is no doubt the “magic” of RBUSD is the people – the employees we hire, the supportive families, our community leaders, and our committed partners. We are fortunate to have such a strong, caring, and dedicated village for our students! 

One unique opportunity I have as Superintendent is conducting the final interview and meeting with every new employee before they sign a contract.  I want to make sure the people we hire possess the values we hold dear in RBUSD – kids are always first! I ask each one to share a bit about the one educator who inspired them, saw them, and is unforgettable. The stories of educators who believed in them, encouraged and uplifted them during a challenge, inspired them to go after their goals, and celebrated their smallest gains has been moving and heartfelt. In fact, we created a video to capture some of these stories shared by current RBUSD employees, which you can see on the home page of our website. I ask every employee to honor the inspirational educators of our past, who have made a remarkable contribution to our lives. I ask them to pay it forward by exuding the humanistic qualities they vividly remember, toward our students. Let’s be the educator hero who made a lasting impact on our lives. Their legacy lives on in all we do for our students and each other!

While I have your attention, I want to share a monument I had the privilege of viewing in person this past summer. The Vasa, a stunning Swedish warship, sank in 1628 just minutes into its maiden voyage - not because of one dramatic mistake, but because communication was fragmented, and construction & design teams were working in silos. 

The Vasa offers a powerful lesson: when we communicate beyond our safe spaces, stay curious, and collaborate as partners, we can effectively learn from each other and keep each other afloat. When we approach each other with curiosity, the desire to understand what’s working, and respect varied point of views, we elevate our collective practice. And just like the Vasa, once a failure, now one of the world’s most remarkable monuments, our willingness to learn from one another transforms challenges into strength. Because through meaningful communication and the desire to learn from each other’s successes and failures, we will all grow as individuals, and therefore we grow as one united district.

For those who are new to RBUSD, we embrace the Japanese concept of Ikigai, your reason for being. It's that inner spark that gets you excited for the day ahead. Rooted in the words Iki (life) and gai (value or worth), Ikigai represents joy, purpose, and the unique passions that fuel each of us. Some of us find our Ikigai quickly, while others discover it through exploration and a few detours. Either way, we're here to help students uncover what truly ignites them – their anchor for learning. We encourage our school community and stakeholders to take a moment to reflect on your Ikigai.

 

Thank you, community, for the passage of Measure S! We are pleased to share that several Measure S projects are complete, while others are gaining traction.  You can view our quarterly Measure S Update Newsletters HERE. 

What’s New in 2026-27
This fall, the Board will adopt a new three-year Strategic Plan, with input from the Strategic Plan & LCAP survey sent to all stakeholders last spring, along with student achievement data. This year, the Educational Services Department is committed to supporting the implementation of high-quality, standards-aligned curriculum with a focus on adopting new high school ELA curriculum and elementary and middle school social science curriculum. We will continue our focus on consistent districtwide Tier I and Tier II interventions for when students need more support, including early screenings, and a newly aligned Student Success Team (SST) protocols. We will continue efforts to promote a positive and supportive school climate through PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support) and related practices. Instructional Leadership Teams (ILTs) will engage their staff in collaborative planning, data analysis, and ongoing school improvement efforts, with a focus on inclusive classrooms. 

RBUSD = Desirable place to work and learn
RBUSD is on the map, thanks to our #1 Niche rating in LA County and #5 in the state, along with the numerous programs and experiences that our students enjoy and in which they thrive. As we celebrate our highlights and achievements, let us not forget our primary focus: that each and every RBUSD student achieves academic growth and experiences social-emotional wellbeing. We expect every student to have a positive journey through RBUSD, and we believe this is a team effort. Students, staff, administration, parents/guardians, and our entire school community are key stakeholders in moving RBUSD forward. We all play an integral role, and by remaining united and committed to excellence, we make RBUSD GREAT!

Team RBUSD is committed to focusing on the “whole child” where student safety, health, and social-emotional wellbeing are as important as academic growth. Simply put, we want all students to thrive both in and out of the classroom and enjoy their experience while they journey through this amazing school district. To this end, your partnership is vital. By working together toward our Strategic Plan goals, doing our individual part, assuming positive intent, and being kind to each other (even during difficult times), we can provide a better experience for our students. Together, we have collectively created a school community that is thriving. Let us keep the momentum going in 2026-27!

Being a part of the RBUSD community is my Ikigai. I hope it is yours, too.

 

Cheers,

Nikki Wesley, Ed.D.
Your Superintendent