Incumbents Bailey, Kenne Pull Papers For School Board Election

PUSD School Board Incumbents Michelle Richardson Bailey and Kim Kenne have pulled papers in districts 1 and 4 respectively to run for reelection in the upcoming PUSD school board election.

The pair are the first incumbents to pull the necessary paperwork for reelection.

Richardson is seeking a second term. This would be Kenne’s fourth term. She was first elected in 2011 and reelected in 2013 and 2017.

Bree Jensen has pulled papers to run against Kenne. Rita Miller and Bill Malone are squaring off against Richardson Bailey.

This year seats in districts 1,3,5 and 7 are up for grabs.

In district 5 Patrice Marshall McKenzie and Xilian Stammer are vying for the seat being vacated by Elizabeth Pomerory.

“As a PUSD Alumna and longtime Pasadena resident, I have focused my volunteer and community involvement around the three pillars that I believe build strong communities: stability, service, and safety,” McKenzie told Pasadena Now. “Schools should uphold those same three pillars in our communities. Much of my career has been in my being a convener of people and working in collaboration across agencies, government, organizations and community stakeholders to accomplish goals and advance common agendas. I want to bring that same sense of collaboration, partnership and leadership to the Board of Education so we can accelerate our shared goals of providing the highest quality education to all students in Pasadena.”

In District 6, Juan Pablo Albán and Yarma Velázquez have thrown their hats in the ring for the seat being vacated by longtime PUSD School Board member Scott Phelps.

So far, Velazquez is the only candidate to qualify for the election.

“I am running for the Pasadena Unified School Board because I believe in public education and needs proactive leadership that is responsive to our community and fights for education equity, teachers, and staff,” said Velázquez. “Both of my children have been in PUSD since pre-school. We love our school and that is why I want to make sure all kids in Pasadena have access to the best public education.”

The nominating period will close on Friday, August 12, 2022, at 5 p.m.

A nomination petition must be issued and filed before the deadline. The petition must be signed by 25 qualified voters in the district where the candidate is running. Candidates must also pay a $25 fee when the nomination papers are filed.

If no incumbents runs, the period to nominate any qualified person other than the incumbent is extended to Wednesday, August 17.

The elections will be decided by a plurality vote. The candidates with the most votes will win the seat. There are no run off contests. More than 50% of the vote is not required to win the election.