Pasadena Unified Names Human Resources Director, Technology Directors

Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) Superintendent Jon R. Gundry announced today the appointment of Jose Alarcon as director of human resources and the promotion of Tendaji (TJ) Jamal as director of technology.

“These senior management positions are critical to the execution of 21^st century academic strategies to raise student achievement by ensuring that we have highly qualified staff and the technology to match,” said Gundry. “Both Jose and TJ bring a strategic vision to these important district functions.”

Alarcon joins PUSD from the South Whittier Unified School District, where he was principal of McKibben Elementary School. As McKibben principal, he led the school in raising its Academic Performance Index score to 843, piloted standards-based report cards and served on the negotiations team. He previously served as a principal in the Bellflower Unified School District and the San Gabriel Unified School District. Under the direction of the Chief Human Resources Officer Yolanda Mendoza, Alarcon will administer and supervise the human resources department, which is responsible for hiring, credentialing and management of personnel issues. In his capacity as director, Alarcon will represent the district in union negotiations, assist in the development and administration of classified employee training programs, and will be responsible for investigating uniform complaints.

“I was attracted to PUSD because of the diversity of the staff and students and the opportunity to interact with the community and support the district,” said Alarcon. “One of my primary objectives as director of human resources is to support staff so they are in a position to succeed when executing the goals of PUSD.”

Jamal, a former PUSD student, has served as acting director of technology since December 2013. He previously served as the district’s information technology operations coordinator and as a computer repair technician. Jamal will be responsible for the planning, development, management and operations of the district’s information and technology infrastructure and services. He will lead the district’s efforts in ensuring that schools are ready for the introduction of the new computer-based student testing and will administer the district’s student information systems and assessment data.

“I look forward to working with the staff, students and families of PUSD to prepare the district’s technology infrastructure in support of 21^st century learning,” said Jamal. “With a proud family tradition of attending PUSD schools, I am deeply invested in moving our schools forward to prepare students for success in college and the workplace.”

For more information, visit http://pusd.us/.