Outgoing School Board Trustee Pat Cahalan Throws Support to Candidate Scott Harden in Upcoming Election

Pasadena Board of Education Trustee Patrick Cahalan announced Wednesday he has endorsed candidate Scott Harden for the upcoming election in Trustee Area 4. Cahalan, who has served on the board since May 2015, said late last year he had decided not to seek reelection in 2024.

“I am deeply honored and humbled to announce that I have received the endorsement of PUSD Trustee Area 4 incumbent Patrick Cahalan!” Harden said in a statement. “Board member Cahalan’s support means a great deal to me as we embark on this journey towards a successful campaign.”

Cahalan expressed confidence in Harden’s ability to continue the important work in the district.

“Scott’s district-wide work has given him solid insights into the needs of every PUSD campus, which is vital in balancing and prioritizing the needs of individual schools with the needs of the entire district,” Cahalan said.

Harden, a PUSD parent since 2012, has served in various leadership roles within Parent and Teacher Associations (PTAs) across the district, including the PTA Council of PUSD. He has also been actively engaged in holding the district accountable to its programmatic promises, having served as Chair of PUSD’s Local Control and Accountability Plan Parent Advisory Council (LCAP PAC) and as a member of the PUSD Black Student & Family Taskforce, which is dedicated to closing opportunity gaps for marginalized students.

In addition to his contributions to education, Harden has served in leadership roles within the Bungalow Heaven Landmark District Association and was reportedly the project manager in developing PUSD’s Imagine 2028 Strategic Plan.

“I’m running because our District needs leaders committed to collaboration, mutual respect, transparency, accessibility, and accountability,” Harden said in a public letter addressed to friends and supporters. “I’m passionate about tackling PUSD’s biggest challenges to ensure that the future of our District, and our students, is brighter than ever.”

Professionally, Harden is a change management and innovation strategist with clients among Fortune 500 businesses nationwide and around the world. He has been a consultant with firms such as McKinsey & Company and Accenture and has collaborated with nonprofit organizations and government agencies.

The election for the PUSD school board coincides with the November 5th General Election.