PUSD Board Announces Dr. Elizabeth Blanco as the Next Superintendent of Schools
Dr. Elizabeth Blanco courtesy of PUSD
The Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) Board of Education is pleased to announce that it has selected Elizabeth Blanco, Ed.D., as the next Superintendent of Schools. At a special meeting on April 27, 2024, the Board voted unanimously to approve Dr. Blanco’s appointment and authorized District staff to enter negotiations to finalize a contract which will be voted on by the Board on May 23, 2024.
Dr. Blanco’s appointment follows an extensive search, which brought an excellent field of highly qualified candidates. The Board’s decision reflects input gathered from families, staff, and other educational partners in the District regarding the qualities desired in PUSD’s next leader. Input for the new superintendent included sessions with administrators, staff, parents, and district partners along with an online survey.
“With her personal history, experience, and passion for social justice, Dr. Blanco is the right person to lead Pasadena Unified students, families, teachers, and staff in actualizing our district’s mission to prepare our students to be successful in an ever-evolving world,” said Board President Kimberly Kenne.
“I am honored to continue partnering with the students, staff, and families of this great district to create a culture of ‘with’ that supports and uplifts our students,” said Dr. Blanco. “I’m thrilled and ready to work with PUSD’s dedicated and talented teachers, staff, families, partners, and Board to take all our schools and programs to the next level.”
Dr. Blanco has served as Interim Superintendent of PUSD since July 2024. During her tenure as Interim Superintendent, Dr. Blanco has led the implementation of the district’s Strategic Plan and has put operational efficiencies in place while creating a culture of collaboration between the district and its partners. Before she was appointed Interim Superintendent, Dr. Blanco served as Deputy Superintendent from 2022 and joined PUSD in 2017. She previously served in PUSD from 2009-2012.
Biography
An accomplished executive and servant leader with more than 30 years of experience in public education, Dr. Blanco is passionate about creating dynamic learning environments that are engaging and inclusive of all learners.
Dr. Blanco has served in the Pasadena Unified School District as Interim Superintendent since July 2023; Deputy Superintendent, the District’s second-highest role, since 2022; as Chief Academic Officer from 2018-2021; and Chief of Specialized Instructional Services from 2017-2018. She was previously the District’s Executive Director of SELPA, Special Education and Early Childhood from 2009-2012.
Dr. Blanco led the PUSD’s visioning for the future through the design and development of the District’s Strategic Plan. Dr. Blanco also led the design and implementation of the District’s Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP). Her work includes the expansion of magnet schools and the establishment of community schools and educational equity access initiatives.
Dr. Blanco was Chief of Special Education Services and the Division of Instruction, Innovation, and Social Justice in the San Francisco Unified School District from 2012- 2017. She began her career in education as a classroom teacher in the Rowland Unified School District.
She holds a Doctor of Education in Urban Educational Leadership from the University of Southern California, two Master of Arts degrees in Educational Administration and Special Education, and a Bachelor of Arts in Child Development from California State University, Los Angeles.
Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD), 351 S. Hudson Avenue, Pasadena, (626) 396-3600 or visit www.pusd.us.
