Pasadena Unified to Hold Community Forums at John Muir, PHS About Superintendent Search

[Updated]  The Pasadena Unified School District will hold community forums on the Superintendent search this month.

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

The next night a forum will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Pasadena High School, 2925 E. Sierra Madre Blvd.

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.

The search for a new superintendent was prompted by the resignation of Superintendent Brian McDonald on June 30 after 12 years of service to the District. 

Elizabeth J. Blanco was appointed as the Interim Superintendent, starting her term on July 1. 

Blanco has a long history with PUSD, having served for a total of nine years, most recently in the capacity of Deputy Superintendent.

Ads for the position will appear in EdCal.

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 also has 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.