Profile
WELCOME TO BARSTOW UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
The goal of our district is to ensure that each of our schools treats students fairly, equitably, is safe, and maintains an environment conducive to learning. Providing quality educational experiences which enable our students to reach their full potential and make positive contributions to our community.
PHILOSOPHY & VALUES
– The Central Interest of Schools is the Learner.
– Learning is an Active Process – Our Schools are Responsible for Each Learner.
– Experiencing Success is Crucial to the Learning Process.
– The Qualities of Teaching and Learning are Inextricably Interwoven.
– Program Improvement is a Continuing Process.
– Providing Quality Program Education is a Responsibility of Our Community.
– Our Community Provides an Essential Resource to the Educational Program.
BUSD GOAL
Ensuring all Schools Treat Students Fairly, Equitably, Is Safe, and Maintains an Environment Conducive to Learning.
MISSION STATEMENT
The District Will Provide Quality Educational Experiences Which Enable Students to Reach Their Full Potential and Make Positive Contributions to Their Community.
Board of Education
Purpose: Build upon a strong team-oriented working relationship with each individual Board member and the Board as a whole.
Board Governance
The BUSD Board Governance Handbook reflects the Barstow Unified School District Governance Team discussions about developing and sustaining a framework for effective governance that will enable the team to continue to perform its responsibilities in a way that best benefits all students. The BUSD Board Governance Handbook is reviewed and adopted yearly and reaffirms the Agreements To Facilitate Effective Governance
Superintendent, Deanna Swearingen
Ms. Swearingen was appointed Superintendent by the BUSD Board of Trustees on October 25, 2022.
Swearingen says her favorite thing about the students of BUSD is that they are resilient.
“Many of them have overcome challenges that students and kids in other areas have never
experienced and our kids get up every day and come to school and do everything they can to
become educated and do better in life.”
Ms. Swearingen joined Barstow Unified in February 2020 as Chief Business Official. In that
time, Swearingen was instrumental in the Barstow Unified District’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring
education continued for the students of Barstow. She assisted in assembling the paper learning
packets for students, as well as oversaw the distribution of pre-packaged meals so none of the
District’s 6,000-plus students would go hungry.
As CBO, Ms. Swearingen was in charge of the Business Services Department, which includes
five other departments: Facilities, Maintenance and Operations, Fiscal Services, Purchasing,
Warehouse, and Print Shop and Risk Management.
Ms. Swearingen began her career in education as a mentor teacher, managing an independent
study center in Hesperia, as well as spending seven years in the classroom and serving as a
director of various student programs before moving into administration.
Ms. Swearingen holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Cal Baptist University
and a Master of Science degree in Education for School Business Leadership with a certificate in
School Management Negotiations from Wilkes University.