School Board President Jennifer Hall Lee Charts Course After Decisive Election Win

Fulbright finalist and film industry veteran Jennifer Hall Lee has assumed the Presidency of the Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) Board of Education following a commanding election victory.

Hall Lee, who said she personally knocked on more than 5,000 doors during her campaign, secured 70.28 percent of votes cast — over 10,100 votes compared to her challenger’s 4,300.

She brings her unique approach to the President’s chair.

“In the film industry, we always set a vision, set a goal, and then motivate the team to achieve the goal,” Hall Lee said. “I think that’s important when it comes to educational leadership.”

“As the incoming Board President, I am focused on the work we can do together as a governance team to increase outcomes for students in the areas of literacy, math and college career readiness,” she told Pasadena Now.

Hall Lee brings 30 years of entertainment industry experience along with her education in Atlanta’s public schools to her new role.

The District faces unique challenges, Hall Lee added.

“We have a lot of competition here in PUSD. We are unique in that way, with the highest number of private schools per capita in the nation,” she said.

Her immediate priorities include workforce housing development at the Roosevelt campus, special education reforms with new leadership structure including two directors and three coordinators, and expanding transitional kindergarten programs.

“Public education in the United States is going through a lot of challenges, and we are going through them also,” Hall Lee said, emphasizing her role on the Superintendent’s Enrollment Committee.

The Altadena resident, who served on the Altadena Town Council from 2014 to 2020, is active in the Rotary Club of Altadena and National Women’s Political Caucus.

Her accomplishments include establishing Eliot Arts Magnet Academy’s first annual fund and creating the District’s first Women’s History Month assembly during her service since 2020.

Hall Lee currently chairs the Student Safety and School Climate Committee while serving on various District committees focused on enrollment and inclusive practices for students with special needs.

The School Board’s oath of office ceremony took place during the organizational meeting on Monday, Dec. 9, where student Board Members were also sworn in, followed by a reception.