Superintendent of Schools

Welcome to the 2026-2027 School Year

Dear PSUSD Scholars, Staff, Families, and Community Partners:

Welcome to the 2026-2027 school year! It is with tremendous excitement and pride that I welcome our scholars and staff back to our schools and extend my gratitude to the families and community partners who support them each day.

This year marks an important new chapter for Palm Springs Unified School District as we bring Vision 2031 to life. Our purpose is clear: We empower scholars with the knowledge, skills, and experiences to discover and pursue their path.

Vision 2031 is more than a plan for the future. It is our collective commitment to excellence. Our work will be guided by three pillars:

• Equity and Excellence in Scholar Performance and Preparedness
• A Sense of Belonging and Connectedness
• Culture and Organizational Excellence

Through these pillars, we will ensure that every scholar grows academically, benefits from meaningful experiences inside and beyond the classroom, and is prepared to become a future leader and difference maker.

We also recognize that scholars thrive when they feel welcomed, supported, valued, and connected. We want every scholar to know they belong here, every family to feel welcomed and affirmed, and every staff member and community partner to know that their contributions are essential to our success.

The future of PSUSD is bright because we are building it together. Thank you for your continued partnership and commitment to our scholars. I look forward to all that we will accomplish together during an outstanding 2026-2027 school year.

Let’s go!       Marcus Funchess, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools