About
Learn about PCW's team and our mission & vision to support Poway Unified School District. Disclaimer : PUSD Community Watch is not affiliated, endorsed by, or in any way officially connected with Poway Unified School District.
Mission and Vision
PUSD Community Watch (PCW) is an accountability organization advocating for student success, transparency, and parental rights within the Poway Unified School District (PUSD). Our members — parents, students, and community residents — work to ensure district policies and educational structures align with community values and comply with California Education Code and state, federal, and constitutional law.
We are committed to keeping district conduct transparent and records accessible to the public, amplifying the parental voice, and holding the district accountable to delivering the highest quality education to every student.
Meeting the Team
Like communities across the nation, Poway Unified School District drew heightened parental and community attention beginning in the summer of 2020. Concerned parents and residents who spoke out on student success, transparency, and parental rights at Board of Education meetings began connecting with one another at rallies, district events, parks, conferences, and community gatherings — learning from and building on each other's efforts. With collaboration and support from non-partisan and non-profit organizations, co-founders Lenice Sechrist and Jason Bennett formally established PUSD Community Watch (PCW) in March 2023.
Lenice Sechrist
Founding member
Lenice Sechrist has been a PUSD parent since 2012. During this time, she has dedicated countless hours of service to her community. Outside the school district, she has taken on responsibilities as the President of a military spouses' club (2012-2014). Inside the school district she has been dependable as a classroom volunteer & photographer, room parent, PTA committee member/organizer, PTA Parliamentarian and Yearbook Advisor. The latter honored her with the title Volunteer of the Year at her child's elementary school (2019-2020). Her community involvement has prepared and fueled her passion to provide mentorship and build ongoing relationships in the PUSD community. She is committed to advocate for accountability, transparency and education excellence in PUSD.
Jason Bennett
Founding member
Jason Bennett enlisted in the Marine Corps when he was eighteen, and the Marines brought him to San Diego. After the Marine Corps he went to college at Palomar and transitioned to Cal State San Marcos where he earned a bachelor's degree in business marketing. Jason is currently a franchisee of four Flippin' Pizzas, and he uses his success as a business owner to give back to the community with a focus on school events and donations. He has two boys in PUSD.
Frank Xu
Member
Frank Xu has been a Poway Unified resident since 2009. His kids went to Canyon View Elementary and Mesa Verde Middle. He is the President of Californians for Equal Rights Foundation, co-founder of San Diego Asian Americans for Equality and board member of PUSD Community Watch. Frank served as the Statewide Finance Chair for the No on 16 campaign. He has been committing his time and effort to the cause of equal opportunity and the quality of education since late 2013. After organizing several rallies against discrimination towards the Chinese community, he realizes that the only way to empower the community is to serve and get involved.
Melinda Huntoon
Member / Secretary
Melinda Huntoon is deeply committed to her community, dedicating significant time to volunteering, fundraising, and raising awareness for local schools, charities, and non-profits. She is passionate about the importance of parents staying actively involved and engaged to hold elected officials accountable. Drawing on her professional background as a creative in the industry, Melinda actively participates in both educational and political spheres. As a mother of three in the Poway area, she is particularly concerned about the well-being of young people and the effects that social media and technology are having on children today. Her family has been part of Poway Unified since 2015.
Tova Terranova
Member
coming soon...