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Letter from Pasadena Unified Superintendent
Education May 24, 2018
Brian McDonald says Transportation is not affected for students with disabilities that have Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) stipulate transportation service. - Photo by Terry Miller / Beacon Media News
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Pasadena Unified School District Superintendent Brian McDonald. – Photo by Terry Miller / Beacon Media News
Dear PUSD Community,
In just a few days, students of the Class of 2018 will walk across stages, receive their diplomas, and graduate. This is a proud and meaningful moment not only for the graduates, but for their families and the educators whose time, energy, and conviction fueled their educational journey. Our students are talented and motivated and they represent the great diversity of Pasadena, Altadena, and Sierra Madre. We are proud of them and look forward to their success in college and the workplace.
As the year ends, I would like to extend my appreciation to the teachers and employees of our District for their innovation and dedication to teaching and learning, and for the positive impact they make on the lives of students every day. Together, we are providing strong foundations that prepare our students to transition successfully into college and beyond.
We have much to celebrate this year. Our students, employees, and schools won national and state recognition, including:
-Marshall Fundamental and Pasadena High School were awarded Silver Medals and rank among U.S. News & World Report’s top high schools in the country;
-Field Elementary and Hamilton Elementary were named California Distinguished Schools;
-Washington STEAM Magnet Academy is the first school in California to win the National Certificate for STEM Excellence from the National Institute for STEM Education;
-Don Benito Fundamental, Hamilton Elementary, Willard Elementary and Pasadena High School were named to the 2017-2018 California Honor Roll by the Educational Results Partnership;
-Marshall was awarded the state Civic Learning Award;
-Marshall’s principal Dr. Mark Anderson was named California Principal of the Year;
-Helen Chan Hill was named the regional Administrator of the Year for Curriculum and Instruction; and
-Sierra Madre Middle School and Field Elementary brought home gold medals from this year’s L.A. County Math Field Day.
Together, we accomplished all this and more despite the budget challenges this year. We made and put into effect tough decisions to ensure our district’s fiscal solvency and protect our schools’ vibrant academic programs. Reductions and savings of more than $12 million for 2018-19 have allowed us to replenish our district’s state-mandated reserve and end the year with a balanced budget. Greater program and operational efficiencies position us to build upon successful programs and get greater results for our students.
Earlier this month, Governor Jerry Brown released the state’s 2018-2019 budget that provides some additional funding for Pasadena Unified in the short-term. However, this does not address long-term issues facing our district: increased pension contributions, rising health care costs, continued underfunding of Special Education, and declining enrollment. Funding for California public schools remains below the national average.
Today, Pasadena Unified is a leaner and more efficient organization, focused on the instructional core. Although we face continued budget challenges in 2019-2020 and beyond, we are approaching the future with common sense practices that make the most of our resources. We’re unlocking resources and tapping the creativity of our remarkable community to get great results for our students.
Please join me in taking time to thank and congratulate the teachers and employees who are retiring at the end of this school year; their work touched the lives of countless students.
I hope you have an opportunity for rest and fun over the summer, and look forward to welcoming you back to an exciting new school year.
With appreciation,
Brian McDonald, Ed.D.
Superintendent
