Juan Cabral Named 2026 CalSPRA Superintendent to Watch

Photo by Rebecca Maschack

Juan Cabral interacts with guests his State of the District in February.

The California School Public Relations Association (CalSPRA) has named Redlands Unified School District Superintendent Juan Cabral a 2026 Superintendent to Watch.

The award recognizes leadership in communication, transparency, and community engagement. The honor is given to California superintendents who demonstrate exceptional leadership in strategic communication while fostering trust and collaboration among students, staff, families, and the broader community.

Since assuming the superintendency in July 2023, Cabral has led Redlands Unified with a focus on communication-centered leadership. Leading a district serving more than 19,000 students and 2,000 staff across 26 schools, he has worked to ensure that transparency and student voice are central to district decision-making.

A cornerstone of Cabral’s leadership is the district’s Portrait of a Graduate EMPOWER initiative. The collaborative framework defines essential skills Redlands students should develop before graduation, including effective communication, problem-solving, wellness, and global awareness. Developed with input from educators and families, EMPOWER serves as both an instructional guide and a communications framework.

Under Cabral's leadership, the district launched a redesigned website and the “School is Cool” video storytelling campaign, which highlights student and staff voices to strengthen community pride.

Cabral maintains a consistent presence across schools through initiatives such as the Superintendent Awards program, the State of the District event, and the Conversations with Students Tour.

Cabral’s leadership also reflects a philosophy he calls the “Genius of And,” a commitment to finding solutions that serve diverse perspectives rather than forcing stakeholders to choose between competing priorities.

“Superintendent Cabral exemplifies how thoughtful, consistent communication strengthens trust between schools and the communities they serve,” Jessica Hull, immediate past president of CalSPRA, said. “His commitment to transparency, student voice, and meaningful engagement reflects the kind of leadership that moves school systems forward.”

Cabral was recognized during the CalSPRA Annual Awards Gala on March 13 in San Jose.