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Paso Robles schools need accountability, not another bond

October 18, 2025

Dorian Baker

OPINION by DORIAN BAKER

The Paso Robles Joint Unified School District is once again laying the groundwork for another bond measure — this time considering $100 million, $188.9 million, or $288 million.

This push comes at a time when the district’s enrollment has dropped by about 600 students since 2020. With fewer students, most taxpayers would expect the district to need less money, not more.

Instead, they’re preparing to ask for hundreds of millions in new debt while continuing to raise developer fees, which only make housing less affordable.

Meanwhile, district administrators are among the highest paid in the region. According to Transparent California:

  • Chief Business Officer Brad Pawlowski earns $316,352
  • Superintendent Jennifer Loftus earns $297,510
  • Assistant Superintendents Erin Haley, Shauna Ames, and Thomas Harrington each earn between $225,000 and $287,000

That’s well over $1.3 million a year in total pay and benefits — yet academic results remain alarmingly low.

On recent state testing, only 36% of socioeconomically disadvantaged students met English standards and 23% met math standards. Among English learners, the number drops to about 5% in both subjects.

For comparison, Frank Sparkes Elementary in Merced County — a school that is 90% Latino and 80% socioeconomically disadvantaged — far outperforms Paso Robles schools. At Frank Sparkes, 57% of English Learners met English standards and 43% met math standards.

The difference isn’t demographics; it’s leadership, accountability, and expectations.

At the same time, the school district board recently refused (again) to even discuss Trustee Kenney Enney’s proposal to protect girls’ sports and private spaces by keeping biological boys out of girls’ locker rooms and teams. The motion to place the item on a future agenda for discussion failed 4–3, despite letters from female students expressing discomfort with the current situation.

Paso Robles doesn’t need more debt. It needs responsible leadership that puts students before administrators and community values before politics. Until that happens, voters should say no to new bonds and yes to accountability.

Dorian Baker is a retired Paso Robles Joint Unified School District teacher and a former district trustee.

 


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Excellent op-ed Dorian.


WE THE PEOPLE, in the current vast majority, must take back our institutions from these extreme minority, low-IQ, public dole stealing grifters that have ZERO self-awareness in regards to their party over country (failed) ideology.


STAND UP and take back what is OURS.


Do NOT let the tail wag the dog! Ever!


American/Californian Patriot #Hispanics4Trump, #Hispanics4TRUERepublicans and the Rule of Law. ⚖️


POTUS DJT #45-47


Winning!


1

All the while, the people who work DIRECTLY with students are so disrespected and paid peanuts. These district robbers are NEVER on campus to see what is really happening and yet send out emails to the school personnel telling them what they should be doing. All the while, sitting in their comfy offices, stealing funds from the taxpayers. Hmm , wonder why parents are taking their kids out of school? Oh and let’s just close down a neighborhood school, since we spent the money, that was for refurbishment of said school, on our salary increases. They should be in jail.


5

Bueller… Bueller… Where is your credential?


Loftis gifted Scott Bueller a significant raise on the condition that he pass the exam for the administrative credential. Unfortunately, Bueller cannot pass the exam. We have been paying him for a position for which he has not met the requirements for over a year. Should the funds be returned to the taxpayers? Bueller’s motto is ‘fake it ’til you make it’. How many years are unqualified administrators allowed to collect our tax dollars before the district takes action?


9

Bonds are meant to be used for CAPEX, have they put forth a plan for this money? It seems like a cash infusion to fund “educator” pensions and administrative bloat. Our kids can barely read because all the focus seems to be on teaching illegal aliens English which they also fail at. The district is a total failure on all levels. What will this bond be spent on??


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