Woodland Hills superintendent outlines school-year priorities, warns of near-term transportation issues

Woodland Hills School District Superintendent Dr. Polishnik told the school board Aug. 20 that the district’s priorities for the 2025–26 school year will center on accountability, personalized learning, increased attendance and decreased student discipline.

At a board meeting following an earlier executive-session discussion of property and personnel matters, Polishnik said themes developed at an executive-team retreat and a principals’ retreat produced a working vision and mission for the coming year focused on “a legacy of excellence with kindness and accountability.” He said the district will emphasize using data to personalize learning for every student and encouraged a growth mindset among staff and students.

Polishnik said the district is considering practices “like an IEP for every kid” as a metaphor for tailoring programs and supports, not issuing formal individualized education program documents for all students. He urged using depth-of-knowledge (DOK) instruction so students at or above grade level receive DOK level 3–4 tasks while students below grade level receive appropriately scaffolded instruction.

Polishnik listed five recurring focus areas he shares with the community: attendance, discipline reduction, critical thinking and creativity, continuous improvement and use of regular data reviews. “If it’s bad data, it’s up to us… What’s our plan to address it?” he said, adding that the district will bring plans and data back to the board for review at retreats or data meetings.

The superintendent also previewed several district recognitions and programs. He congratulated students named to College Board recognition lists: Connor Abrams, Samuel Green, Rebecca Bush, Robert Felter, Jordan Abrams, Cameron Peretti and Beckett Seokuca. He said the Woodland Hills student summit will be showcased at the Global Impact Forum High School Student Spotlight in Pittsburgh on Nov. 4, and credited staff members Aaron Wall and Aaron Minor for their roles.

Polishnik cautioned that the district expects transportation problems during the first one to two weeks of school, asking families for patience and flexibility while bus routes are practiced and adjusted. “Garrett and his team have been working extremely, extremely hard… there will be transportation issues over the next week or two,” he said, and added the district will staff phones early and throughout bus runs to handle calls.

Polishnik described staff efforts — including a proposed educator’s creed modeled on a soldier’s creed — and said he will share the full slide presentation with the board. He closed by stressing the district’s responsibility to students: “Our product is our kids.”

Polishnik’s remarks occurred during the board update agenda item; he said the presentation contained roughly 35 slides that he would circulate to board members for review.