Councilmembers Lyon and Jones, Former Councilmember Wilson Endorse McNamara for PUSD Board Seat, Campaign Says

Pasadena City Councilmembers Jason Lyon and Justin Jones and former City Councilmember Andy Wilson have endorsed Dennis McNamara for the open District 7 seat on the Pasadena Unified School District Board of Education, according to a statement released Monday by McNamara’s campaign. 

According to the campaign, Lyon said: “I’m supporting Dennis because he’s a community minded, thoughtful listener. He has a passion for education and a good head for fiscal management. That is exactly the kind of leadership we need in the school district.” 

The campaign said the endorsements highlight the importance of collaboration between the PUSD school board and Pasadena city leaders. 

According to the campaign, McNamara’s platform calls for elevating PUSD to top-tier status commensurate with shared values and aspirations, and rebuilding full community support through transparency and accountability. The campaign said he plans to refocus the school board on raising student achievement, with every decision made by the board and district driven through the lens of what is best for students, all students. 

“PUSD traces its roots to 1874, and was built with purpose and vision, educating generation after generation of families able to take the baton forward as good citizens to sustain and enrich our community,” McNamara said. “Many members of the PUSD community are proud members of multigenerational families.” 

“My vision is to return PUSD to its original promise, its original standing as an integral, foundational cornerstone of our greater Pasadena, Altadena and Sierra Madre community,” he said. “I know the community wants and deserves a top tier public school ecosystem, and I believe if we come together, we can elevate PUSD to reach such a status that aligns with those values and aspirations, our hopes and expectations.” 

McNamara is serving as chair of the Citizens’ Oversight Committee for the district’s $1.4 billion Measures O and R school modernization program, the campaign said. 

McNamara understands the importance of being open, transparent and accountable to the community, and has led the committee to take on a more expansive role as the eyes and ears of taxpayers, according to the campaign. 

He has volunteered as a Math Power Hour tutor for second-graders at Washington Elementary School for the past three years and is a long-time supporter of the Pasadena Educational Foundation, according to the campaign. 

More information on the campaign is available at dennisforpusd.com.