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2025-2026 District Updates

May 22:  SMUHSD Announces Dr. Barnaby Payne as New Principal of Peninsula High School

Spanish

The San Mateo Union High School District Board of Trustees approved a contract to hire Dr. Barnaby Payne as the new principal of Peninsula High School at their regular Board Meeting on May 21, 2026. Dr. Payne will replace Ms. JeNora Lewis who has served as the school’s principal since July 1, 2025. Dr. Payne’s start date is July 1, 2026. 

Dr. Payne has nearly 30 years of experience serving in diverse communities as a teacher, administrator and site principal. Dr. Payne has served as the principal of Redwood High School in Larkspur since 2022. He has also served as an adjunct professor at the University of San Francisco Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership in 2023; principal of Kaohsiung American School Middle School in Kaohsiung, Taiwan from 2019 - 2022; principal, Ruth Asawa High School of the Arts in  the San Francisco Unified School District, 2016 - 2019; principal, Abraham Lincoln High School in SFUSD from 2009 - 2016 where he also served as assistant principal from 2006 - 2009; assistant principal, Enola Maxwell Middle School, SFUSD from 2005-2006. Dr. Payne’s time in the classroom includes roles as a paraprofessional, teacher and teacher leader educating in humanities, general education, special education, and English language learners in SFUSD from 1994 - 2005. 

He  earned a Doctorate in Education - social justice leadership - from East Carolina University. He earned a Master of Arts in education administration from San Francisco State University and a Bachelor of Arts in history from the University of Oregon. 

Dr. Payne said: “I am thrilled to join the Peninsula High School community. I believe deeply in students’ capacity to succeed, and my leadership is rooted in the conviction that strong relationships and a true sense of belonging are the foundation for academic engagement, achievement, and growth.” 

Superintendent Randall Booker shared: “Dr. Payne has a long track record of intentional community building, successful restorative practices and using student data and community feedback to drive continuous improvement. I am excited to welcome him into our District.”

May 12, 2026: Canvas Update

Dear SMUHSD Students, Families and Educators:

Our District was informed yesterday by Instructure (parent company of Canvas) that it had reached an agreement with the organization involved in the recent cybersecurity incident I last wrote to you about on May 8. As part of that agreement, the data was returned to Instructure, and they received assurances that it will not be further shared on the dark web or elsewhere. Instructure received proof that any copies of that data were deleted. Further, the District has been informed that no Instructure customers will be extorted as a result of this incident, publicly or otherwise and that the agreement covered all Instructure customers. 

While this new development significantly lowers risk, it is a good reminder to be aware of phishing attempts that can threaten online security. 

As a precaution, our District initiated forced Google resets on May 11, and we will continue this process throughout the District. Students and educators will be prompted in one of two ways: you may be asked to log out and log back in to set your new password, or you may be prompted to set your new password when you turn on your device. 

Because incidents like this can lead to follow-up phishing attempts, we are asking all students, families, and educators to use caution with emails, text messages, Canvas messages, or phone calls that claim to be related to Canvas, school accounts, grades, assignments, password resets, refunds, or urgent account problems.

Cybercriminals may use familiar school-related language to make a message look legitimate. Please remember:

Our District will never ask you to provide your password, verification code, Social Security number, banking information, or other sensitive information through email, text message, or an unexpected link.

Please take the following precautions:

  1. Do not click suspicious links. Go directly to the District website or school website, Canvas, or other school systems using your usual bookmarks or official District links.
  2. Do not share passwords or verification codes. No District employee, Canvas representative, or technology support person should ask for your password.
  3. Be cautious with urgent messages. Phishing messages often say things like “your account will be disabled,” “your assignment access is blocked,” or “verify now.”
  4. Do not click on e-vites or initiation from unknown or expected senders.  Verify directly with the sender before opening, or check with the District tech Help Desk if you are unsure.
  5. Be cautious of requests for money. The District or your principal will not send you a message asking you to provide financial information, or purchase gift cards
  6. Check the sender carefully. Messages may appear to come from a school, teacher, Canvas, or technology support but use an unfamiliar email address.
  7. Report suspicious messages. Students, families, and staff should forward suspicious emails or screenshots to helpdesk@smuhsd.org. 
  8. Be cautious of Multi Factor Prompts (MFA). If you receive a login approval request you did not initiate, deny it and report it.
  9. When in doubt, stop and ask. Contact your school site tech or  the District technology Helpdesk team at - 650-558-2480  before clicking links or providing information.

Thank you for helping keep our students, staff, and school systems safe.

Sincerely,
Simon Bettis 
Director of Information and Technology Support Group

May 8, 2026: Canvas Access Update

Dear SMUHSD Students, Families and Educators: 

I want to provide the latest update on a nationwide cybersecurity issue affecting our vendor, Instructure (parent company of our learning management system Canvas). Canvas access has been restored, and it may be safely used by students, educators and parents. 

We prioritize the security of student data and act quickly whenever we learn of a possible threat. Canvas has verified, there is no evidence that user credentials were compromised within the San Mateo Union High School District. The incident was related to an issue with Free-For-Teacher accounts and has been addressed by the vendor. Canvas has taken additional steps to secure the platform and prevent further unauthorized activity.

Students and families can learn more by visiting the Instructure Security Incident Update and FAQ webpage. 

Directions for Students
Since our District uses Google Single Sign-On (SSO) for authentication, no password reset is required for both students and teachers at this time.

Out of an abundance of caution, we will schedule a forced Google password reset sooner than usual.

Directions for Parents
While not necessary, parents may wish to reset their Canvas Observer Account password out of an abundance of caution using these instructions. If you have questions, or need assistance you may call District Canvas Support at (650) 558-2497.

Our District continues to monitor this situation carefully and will communicate with students, families and educators as necessary. 

Thank you for your patience during the outage. 

Sincerely,
Simon Bettis
Director of Information & Technology Support Group 

May 1, 2026: SMUHSD Announces Peter Alvarez as New Principal of Aragon High School
Spanish

The San Mateo Union High School District Board of Trustees  approved a contract to hire Mr. Peter Alvarez as the new Principal of Aragon High School at their regular Board Meeting on April 30, 2026. Mr. Alvarez will replace Dr. Michael Jones who has served as the school’s principal since July 2024. Mr. Alvarez’s start date is July 1, 2026. 

Mr. Alvarez will join the San Mateo Union High School District with over 30 years of experience in education. He has served as the principal of Campolindo High School in the Acalanes Union High School District in Moraga, California since 2022. Before that he served as principal of Rampart High School in Colorado Springs, Colorado from 2010-2022; principal of Castro Valley High School in Castro Valley, California from 2007-2010 (where he also served as assistant principal from 2001-2004); and principal of Redwood High School in Castro Valley, California from 2004-2007. 

Mr. Alvarez served as a social science teacher at Freedom High School in Oakley, California from 1996-2001. From 1995-1996, Mr. Alvarez served as a special day class teacher serving students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) at Liberty High School in Brentwood, California. 

Mr. Alvarez earned a Master of Arts in educational leadership from Saint Mary’s College of California where he also earned his teaching credential and a Bachelor of Arts in history. 

“I am excited to join the Aragon community supporting and working alongside others in supporting  the evolving needs of our students. I believe it will be imperative for all educators to be creative and re-imagine what education can look like. Now more than ever educators need to rise to the challenge to meet the needs of every student every day. I look forward to serving as Aragon’s educational leader in making that vision a reality,” said Alvarez. 

Superintendent Randall Booker said, “Mr. Alvarez brings over three decades of distinguished experience in education to Aragon. He has consistently demonstrated a deep understanding of the diverse needs of students and families as well as a strong commitment to supporting their success. We are pleased to welcome him to the District and Aragon High School.” 

May 1, 2026: SMUHSD Announces Lauren Kelly as New Principal of Burlingame High School
Spanish

The San Mateo Union High School District Board of Trustees  approved a contract to hire Ms. Lauren Kelly as the new principal of Burlingame High School at their regular Board Meeting on April 30, 2026. Ms. Kelly will replace Dr. Jen Fong who is retiring after serving as the school’s principal since 2022. Ms. Kelly’s start date is July 1, 2026. 

Ms. Kelly will join the District after serving as the vice principal of McDonald High School and the principal of Cabrillo Middle School in the Santa Clara Unified School District since 2023. Prior to that she served as the principal at Freedom High School in Oakley, California from 2021-2023; the assistant director of educational services and the K12 pathway coordinator at Eden Area ROP in Hayward, California from 2018-2021; and the principal of Evergreen Valley High School in San Jose from 2013-2018. 

Ms. Kelly has also served as the athletic director and PE teacher at Milken Community School in Los Angeles; and as a math and science teacher in the Los Angeles Unified School District. 

Ms. Kelly earned two Masters of Education in administration and secondary education from the University of California Los Angeles. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in broadcast and communication arts from San Francisco State University. 

“I am eager to apply my experience as the next principal of Burlingame High. I truly believe that schools should be the center of their community and that our best work comes from collaboration around intentional programming and long term planning to support all students,” said Kelly.

Superintendent Randall Booker said, “Across her career Ms. Kelly has a proven track record of excellent decision making practices that serve strong student outcomes. Her 25 years of experience in education have equipped her with a deep understanding of curriculum and assessment, school culture and systemic improvement.” 

February 2, 2026: SMUHSD Supports Students Facing Food Insecurity 

On November 6, the SMUHSD Board of Trustees voted unanimously to approve an initiative to support students facing food insecurity. The initiative was developed by a team of our educators, and it allowed our District to address the crisis of food insecurity within our sphere of influence. 

Within our District 2,225 students, or 23.8% of total enrollment, are currently enrolled in the Free and Reduced Price Lunch Program across our campuses. With the temporary loss of SNAP benefits in November and food insecurity already prevalent, our District recognized the urgent need to ensure that no student goes hungry outside of school hours. 

Through this program, our District provided: 

  • Over 1,100 $50 grocery cards to students intended to support those who had temporarily lost this benefit. We ended the grocery card portion of this program the week of November 17, when we learned that SNAP benefits were restored to families. 
  • A total of over 9,200 dinners were served Sunday evenings from November 9-December 21 at Capuchino, Hillsdale and San Mateo High Schools for all SMUHSD families enrolled in SNAP and the Free and Reduced Lunch Program.
  • 4,500 bags of shelf stable groceries from Mi Rancho Market valued at $112,500. 

Thank you to: 

  • Our Board of Trustees for your unanimous support of this program
  • The District Teachers’ Association for generously donating $6,000 to support this initiative
  • Educators at the three sites helping to facilitate this program (Capuchino, Hillsdale and San Mateo High Schools) who ensured that their sites were a welcoming and safe space for our families and the community dinners ran smoothly; Administrators who ensured students received grocery cards
  • Educators in business services who procured grocery cards and ensured that the grocery cards got to each of the sites so they could get into the hands of our students. They also ordered ingredients and supplies so our nutrition teams could prepare the meals as well placing grocery orders for our families. 
  • Educators in student nutrition who prepared the hot dinners 
  • Mi Rancho Market for fulfilling our grocery orders so we could provide shelf stable groceries to families 
  • Educators in transportation who helped move food and materials across the District
  • Our Communications Team who ensured that the very specific audience we were supporting had the information they needed to be able to have access to dinners, groceries and grocery cards
  • Family Engagement Coordinators and other educators at the District and school sites who made personal calls home to families
  • Parents, other community volunteers, and Board Trustees who committed to this effort and rolled up their sleeves to help
  • And finally, thank you to educators from across the District who showed up on Sunday nights in service to our students and their families. 
  • Every person who was a part of this initiative moved mountains to make it happen in a very short period of time!! 

We know we have families in our District who are still in need of assistance. Emergency Safety Net Resources can be found on the County of San Mateo’s website. Another great resource for families needing food is the Second Harvest Food Bank which can be found at: www.shfb.org. 

December 18, 2025: Mental Health Resources During Winter Break

As we approach Winter Break, we recognize that this season holds different meanings for each of our families and communities. For some, it is a time of celebration and gathering; for others, a period of rest, reflection, or simply a pause from daily routines. However you observe this time of year, through cultural traditions, family connection, spiritual practices, or quiet moments of your own, we want to honor the diversity of experiences that make our district community so rich. We also acknowledge that this season can bring both joy and challenges, and it is important to care for ourselves and one another with understanding and compassion.

Winter Break offers a meaningful opportunity to recharge. We also know that support does not pause when school is closed. If you or someone you care about needs help during this time, we want to ensure that you have resources readily available.

Below are several supports available to you throughout the break:

Please remember that reaching out for support is a sign of strength. Our community is here for you, and no one needs to navigate difficult moments alone.

As we head into Winter Break, we wish you and your loved ones peace, safety, and opportunities for rest. Every family experiences this time differently, and we hope the break offers space for renewal, community, and support. We look forward to partnering with you in the new year.

Warmly,
The Mental Health & Wellness Team
San Mateo Union High School District

**All Wellness Counselors will be off campus and unavailable for all student-related services December 20, 2025 - January 6, 2026**

October 23, 2025: Supporting our Immigrant Community

Dear Students, Parents and Educators:

You may have read recent media reports about the potential for a surge of immigration enforcement activity and deployment of the National Guard to the Bay Area. While it appears from today’s news reports that the National Guard will not be deployed to our area, there is continued uncertainty over the potential for an increase in immigration enforcement activity. This is an evolving situation that has caused reported feelings of uncertainty, fear and anxiety. 

SMUHSD schools are open and will remain open. School is a safe place, and we remain committed to supporting all students regardless of their immigration status. 

What you need to know about SMUHSD

  • We maintain strict protection of student privacy. We are prohibited from requesting social security numbers or inquiring about the citizenship or immigration status of students or their parents/guardians except as required by state or federal law. (Board Policy 5022; Board Policy 5145.13; Education Code 234.7, 49076.7)

  • Our schools will not share personal information about students or their family members for immigration-enforcement purposes without a court order or lawful subpoena. (Federal Education Rights and Privacy Act [FERPA], 34 Code of Federal Regulations Part 99). 

  • On September 25, our Board of Trustees approved a new District-wide Emergency Response Protocol which provides guidance to schools in our District to implement the Lockdown Barricade response in alignment with the San Mateo County Big 5 Emergency Protocols, in the event that unidentified individual(s) (e.g. claiming to be federal law enforcement) attempt to abduct or remove a student, educator or parent/guardian from a campus without proper identification and a valid judicial warrant.

  • The Board’s decision follows Governor Newsom signing the Safe Schools Act which includes AB 49 and SB 98. Both bills are intended to strengthen protections for California students and families from immigration enforcement activity on school campuses. AB 49 prohibits school employees across the state from allowing immigration officers on campuses or sharing student information without a warrant or court order. The bill also requires immigration officers who are allowed on school campuses to be restricted to areas where students are not present. SB 98, known as the Sending Alerts to Families in Education (SAFE) Act, requires K-12 schools and universities to notify students and staff when immigration enforcement officers are present on campus.

Resources for our community

  • San Mateo County Rapid Response Hotline -  In case of ICE contact or sightings, call the San Mateo County Rapid Response Hotline at (203) 666-4472 / (203) NO-MIGRA. This hotline is open 24/7, make sure to save this number to your phone.

  • Know Your Rights - English/Spanish 

  • Family Preparedness Plan (English/Spanish) - This toolkit, created by the Immigration Legal Resource Council helps families proactively prepare for immigration emergencies that may arise. 

  • SMUHSD Immigrant Family Community Resources (English/Spanish)  - This handbook is a guide for our immigrant community with resources curated from Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) and the San Mateo County Office of Community Affairs.

  • Red Cards - Red Cards help people assert their legal rights in many situations, such as when ICE agents go to a home. 

I want to be very clear - all students belong in SMUHSD. I remain committed to ensuring student safety and thank the members of our community for all that you do to support this essential mission. 

Sincerely,

Randall P. Booker
Superintendent

September 30, 2025: SMUHSD Completes Final Measure L Bond Sale
Final costs significantly lower than original estimates

September 30, 2025 -- San Mateo, Ca -- The San Mateo Union High School District (SMUHSD) recently issued the remaining $96.25 million of its Measure L bond authorization. Authorized by voters in March 2020, Measure L had a total authorization amount of $385 million. The bond sale resulted in very competitive interest rates and received significant investor attention due to the District’s ‘Aaa’ bond credit rating.

The District completed its Measure L bond sales one year ahead of the original schedule.  The overall interest rate of Measure L is 3.0%, which is far below the original estimate of 5.75%. The principal and interest costs for Measure L total $547.4 million, which is $267 million less than what was represented to voters at the time of the election in 2020.

“We are proud to have issued our bonds in a prudent, cost-effective manner,” said Yancy Hawkins, Associate Superintendent Chief Business Officer.  “Our community has a long history of supportingof our efforts, and we are happy to deliver on our tax rate promise to them.”

The estimated annual tax rate at the time of the election was $15.55 per $100,000 of assessed valuation. The actual tax rates are projected to average $11.80 until 2048 when the final bonds mature. The original estimate for the final year of tax was 2050. 

The District was able to lock in favorable interest rates by securing the highest possible rating of ‘Aaa’ from Moody’s. Moody’s determines credit ratings based upon management, finances, economy, tax base, and debt.  The ‘Aaa’ rating distinguished the District’s bonds from other municipal bonds in the marketplace and helped secure significant investor demand. 

The rating agency recently cited the following as rationale for the strong rating: 

  • “Strong management with conservative budgeting and supportive financial policies”
  • “Very strong resident wealth and income measures, which continue to improve with the expanding regional economy”
  • “Likelihood that ongoing development will result in continued tax base growth”
  • “Deep entrenchment in community-funded status”
  • “Likelihood that the district will capably manage financial operations to build reserves and continue providing desirable educational programming”
  • “Good policy credibility and effectiveness”

The District wishes to extend its gratitude to the voters and taxpayers of the District for their support of Measure L as well as its Citizens Oversight Committee appointed by the SMUHSD Board of Trustees to oversee bond expenditures.

Superintendent Updates

October 2025 Update

Actualización de octubre