Bailey’s Time as School Board President Winding Down

After a year that saw several top leaders leave the District, Michelle Richardson Bailey will attend her last meeting as Pasadena School Board president next week.

Richardson Bailey was elected Board President at the annual organizational meeting on December 12.

Next week, she will attend her final meeting as Board President, she told Pasadena Now on Wednesday.

“It has been an honor serving as President of the Pasadena Unified Board of Education this year that saw major changes in our direction and leadership,” Richardson Bailey told Pasadena Now.

Voters elected Bailey to the District 3 seat in 2017 and represents District 3. She worked in the district for more than 20 years.

Bailey attended PUSD schools and worked as secretary at Blair and Pasadena high schools.

She also worked in the Superintendent’s office and has served on the PUSD Branding Advisory Committee, the LCAP Committee, the district’s AB 86 and Professional Development Committees, and the PTSA and the School Site Council of Blair School.

She also founded the Superintendent’s Advisory Council, which later became the Classified Advisory Council.

“President Bailey presided with professionalism on the board which I appreciate so much because what happens on the board is reflected on our community,” said fellow Board Member Jennifer Hall Lee. “A board of trustees is composed of individuals who are elected-not hired. Being a president of a school board is a difficult task. I learned a lot from President Bailey and will enjoy continuing to work with her.”

The district has been in a state of flux during Bailey’s time leading the board.

Three high level managers left key positions.

Chief Business Officer Dr. Leslie Barnes, Facilities Director Leonard Hernandez and Chief of Technology Tendaji Jamal have left or tendered their resignations this year.

Late last year, Stephen Miller retired.

And to top it off, Superintendent Brian McDonald left the district in June after 13 years. Elizabeth Blanco has been named the interim superintendent.

The board is currently seeking a new superintendent to lead the district. Community forums will be held later this month.

“Board President Bailey has led the Board through a time of voracious activity and transition. She has been a steady presence through the onboarding of new Board Members, an Interim Superintendent, Executive Cabinet Members, finalizing and approving a Five Year Strategic Plan and a Facilities Master Plan, as well as laying groundwork for the search for the next PUSD Superintendent,” said Patrice Marshall McKenzie, who also serves on the board. “Through it all, she has worked to create an environment that centers the professional development and leadership growth of her colleagues. Being a leader among peers is a challenge and Michelle has done so with grace.”

But there weren’t just changes in the district, the board also underwent strong changes. The district held its first plurality election in modern times allowing the top vote getter to take a race even if neither candidate received 50% of the vote.

The board was already composed of a majority of women, but the election resulted in a super majority of the board made up of women, six-of-the-seven trustees.

Of the six women, four are women of color, two are Black, one is Latina and one is Asian.

Richardson Bailey told Pasadena Now after the election that the results brought the school Board closer to reflecting the student demographics of the district.

“I continue to be motivated by the support of the community and learning opportunities that await every PUSD student,” Richardson Bailey said. “As we make progress on the road ahead, I can hardly wait to see what we’ll accomplish together.”