April 30 Daily Briefing: Shaping superintendent search, Purple Room’s delayed reopening, and more

Welcome to Wednesday, everyone, where if you’re a senior, the Palm Springs Police Department has a message for you: Scammers are increasingly targeting older adults with sophisticated and deceptive tactics designed to steal personal and financial information, and staying informed is the first line of defense. To help inform you, the department prepared a slideshow explaining common scams and how to avoid them. You can view the slides here.

🎶 Setting the mood: “Favourite” by Fontaines D.C.

LEADING OFF

Superintendent profile emerges as community input continues

Consultants conducting the search for the next Palm Springs Unified School District superintendent have a profile emerging, but stress more community input is needed. More opportunities to provide that input will be available today. 

Driving the news: Superintendent Tony Signoret is retiring in June, prompting district officials to seek community input to create a profile for his ideal replacement.

• So far, 32 people have expressed interest in the job, with 12 submitting formal applications. More applicants are expected to emerge once consultants release a profile of what the community is looking for in the ideal candidate.

By the numbers: The district has received approximately 900 responses to its English-language survey and 25 to its Spanish-language version.

• While a community forum at district headquarters in Palm Springs saw no attendees Tuesday evening, the consultants have conducted more than a dozen meetings with stakeholders including union members, principals, and school district staff.

The big picture: So far, declining enrollment and budget challenges have emerged as significant issues facing the district, alongside community desires to preserve arts programs.

• “When districts decrease in enrollment, that’s a bunch of budget hurt,” said Mike Matthews, consultant with Educational Support Services Group (ESS).

What they’re saying: Survey results show the community wants a superintendent who maintains high visibility, demonstrates authentic care for students, possesses strong communication skills, and embraces diversity.

• “People are so appreciative of [Superintendent] Signoret’s visibility, his high profile nature, and sense of genuine care,” Matthews noted.

Yes, but: The consultants noted how the superintendent role has evolved amid increasing political tensions in education.

• “Ideology conflicts and culture wars, I think, are not unusual anymore,” said Gary Rutherford, a former superintendent who now works for ESS.

What’s next: The district plans to publish the leadership profile by May 5, with the application window closing May 9 and candidate interviews scheduled for the weekend of May 31.

• Community members can still participate in the process today by attending the final forums — either virtual or in-person — or completing the online survey in English or Spanish before it closes.

Dive deeper with our complete story online

BRIEFLY

🔧 Staff say tariffs at issue for delayed reopening of Purple Room

Performances at the Purple Room Supper Club in Palm Springs, which were impacted by a utility issue earlier this month, are taking longer to resume, a club representative said Tuesday. The representative explained that tariffs might have played a role in the delay.

• Club management has been dealing with the aftermath of an underground gas leak at the property at 1900 East Palm Canyon Dr. that started on April 16. While the leak was quickly stopped, necessary repairs to the equipment that supplies the gas have taken much longer than expected. 
  
• According to the representative, recent tariff announcements might have been a factor. “All of the large plumbing companies bought up all the parts they could, leaving parts very hard to find for small, local companies,” they said via email.
  
• Looking ahead: Never fear, the club is expected to be up and running for the Peggy Lee show on Friday and has a full slate of performances scheduled through this season’s closing weekend, May 23 and 24. 

🏥 Desert Regional Medical Center names new CEO

Dr. Michael J. Ditoro has officially assumed the role of CEO at Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs, it was formally announced Tuesday. He takes over the position from Michele Finney, who will continue as Group CEO for the three-hospital system operated by Tenet Healthcare.

• Ditoro started at the hospital in 2018 when he took on the role of chief operating officer. He had previously served as CEO of Westlake Hospital in Melrose Park, Ill.
  
• What they’re saying: “Mike’s strong leadership, proven track record at Desert Regional, and unwavering commitment to excellence has been extremely valuable to our success,” Finney said.  “He will bring an intensive focus to accomplishing our goals at Desert Regional and fulfilling our commitment to care for the communities we serve.”

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TODAY’S FEATURED EVENTS

B-29 Doc Visiting – Interior Tours and Flights
10 a.m. | Palm Springs Air Museum
The rare World War II bomber, the B-29 Doc, will be open for tours and even flights at the Palm Springs Air Museum starting now until May 4th. Tickets are separate of museum admission. ($5)

The Mod Squad Variety Show
5 p.m. | The Palm Springs Cultural Center
Enjoy an evening of live music at the valley’s “Happiest happy hour!” Tickle your musical senses with fun and unique arrangements of Mid-Century Pop Music, Yacht Rock, Rat Pack, classic oldies and more. ($20)

PSUSD Superintendent Search Community Meeting
6 p.m. | James Workman Middle School
The Palm Springs Unified School District is hosting a series of community meetings this week, both online and in-person, to inform the community about its ongoing search for a new Superintendent. There will also be a Zoom meeting at noon.

Pre-Code Hollywood: “Little Caesar”
7 p.m. | Palm Springs Cultural Center
You’re invited to sleep with the fishes tonight, as the Palm Springs Cultural Center screens one of the original gangster films “Little Caesar” (1931). A special pre-show is scheduled one hour before showtime. ($14)

“A Song For You” Carpenters Tribute
7 p.m. Agua Caliente Palm Springs
Gregory Douglass (vocals) and Michael Orland (piano) will take center stage interpreting the timeless ballads and hits that made Karen and Richard Carpenter iconic figures in the music industry. ($23)

Keisha D Benefit Concert
7 p.m. | one eleven bar
Bring your friends to a special show supporting local performer Keisha D. Hosted by the fabulous Ron Pass and Vanity Halston, this exciting event features your favorite Palm Springs entertainers, including Billy L’Amour, Colton Ford, Nikki Dickinson, Mark Richards, and more surprises. 

See all events here

SAVE THE DATE

• College of the Desert Superintendent/President Search Public Forum at College of the Desert Palm Desert Campus on Thursday.
  
• Palm Springs Hot Rodeo starting on Thursday.
  
• Palm Canyon Night Time Bike Ride starting at Trek Bicycles on Friday.
  
• Retro Palm Springs – A Nostalgic Fan Convention at Palm Springs Convention Center starting Saturday. ($28)
  
• Soup In The Second Act at Revolution Stage Company on Saturday. ($10)
  
• Desert Winds Freedom Band presents “Pop, Rock, and Swing” at Jewish Community Center on Sunday. ($30)
  
• Homelessness Town Hall Meeting at the Cultural Center on May 6.
  
• 2025 Arthur Lyons Film Noir Festival starting May 8. ($17)
  
• Desert X Art Club Student Exhibition at Melissa Morgan Fine Art on May 8.
  
• Desert Images photography exhibition at Impell Gallery on May 10. 
  
• CommUNITY in Recovery – Sunny Dunes Clubhouse 3rd Annual Spring Gala at the Palm Springs Convention Center on May 18. ($150).
  
• “Veils: A Requiem For Trayvon” film screeningat the Cultural Center on May 23. ($18)

Submit your event here

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AND FINALLY …

🐾 Each week, The Post partners with a local animal shelter to feature one or more of the many animal companions ready for a new home in our community. 

Today, we invite you to meet Jethro, a four-year-old shepherd at the Palm Springs Animal Shelter. Staff say Jethro loves to meet new people and is very affectionate with familiar people too, making him perfect for a family or individual.

• Staff also said he is great on leash, making walks extremely enjoyable!

If you’re interested: You can visit the shelter at 4575 E. Mesquite Ave. Hours are 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. on all days except for Mondays (open for intake only) and Thursdays (1 p.m. until 7 p.m.). You can always call the shelter at (760) 416-5718.

• Make sure to check out all the other pets at the shelter here.