First Community Forum on Search For New PUSD Superintendent Scheduled for Tonight

The Pasadena Unified School District will hold the first of two community forums on the Superintendent search Wednesday night.

The forum will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 29 at John Muir High School, 905 N. Lincoln Ave.

The school district is seeking a full-time superintendent to fill the void left by the resignation of Superintendent Brian McDonald earlier this year. 

McDonald left the district on June 30 after 12 years of service to the District. Longtime district employee Elizabeth J. Blanco is currently serving as the Interim Superintendent, starting her term on July 1. 

An additional forum is scheduled from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 30 at Pasadena High School, 2925 E. Sierra Madre Blvd.

The Board of Education has announced a tentative timeline for the search and appointment of a new Superintendent. The timeline is subject to change as the process unfolds.

Community engagement activities are planned from now until December. The deadline for candidates to submit their applications is March 15, 2024.

The Board will review documents on April 11, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. Interviews with candidates are scheduled for April 27, 2024, from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

The Board aims to have the new Superintendent in place by July 1, 2024.

However, these dates may change as the search process continues.

The Pasadena Unified School District has also launched a survey to assist in its search for a new Superintendent. 

“The Pasadena Unified School District Governing Board is asking for your help in selecting our next superintendent,” the survey reads. “To ensure this is a collaborative and inclusive process, the Board is providing this online survey and encourages your participation. We have requested that consultants from Leadership Associates, who are assisting the Board with the search, conduct the online survey to solicit input from students, staff, parents, and community.”

Respondents are asked to respond to several critical questions in the anonymous survey.

The School Board has enlisted the assistance of consultants from Leadership Associates, who are working hand in hand with the Board to facilitate this search process.

Ads for the position will appear in EdCal, a weekly education-oriented newspaper which is mailed directly to members of the Association of California School Administrators. The paper lists current administrative job openings and keeps school leaders updated on the latest news on education, legislation, policy and best practices.