Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) Superintendent Brian McDonald will be guest speaker Wednesday, December 16, at the Pasadena Rotary Club’s weekly virtual meeting, starting at 12 noon. He will talk about “Tomorrow Starting Now: How 2020 is reshaping PUSD’s Future.”
Dr. McDonald was named Superintendent of the PUSD in 2014. He is an educational leader, adjunct professor, and a former principal and classroom teacher who is dedicated to providing an excellent educational experience for 15,000 PUSD students at 23 schools.
Under his leadership, PUSD developed a robust graduate profile infused with 21st Century Learning Skills, created innovative magnet programs, expanded dual language, STEM, and arts education programs, and developed app and accelerated math academies.
To balance the goals of improving educational programs with the budgetary constraints of declining enrollment, Dr. McDonald led a reorganization that reduced the number of central office administrators, implemented a new budget process, and made painful but necessary budgetary reductions.
Dr. McDonald collaborates extensively with parents, employees, and community partners to accelerate improvements and target resources to close the achievement gap between groups of students.
In November 2020, voters approved Measure O, the $516.3 million bond to increase student access to technology and upgrade classrooms and schools. In 2018, Pasadena voters approved a $21 million sales tax measure that resulted in the district receiving $7 million in additional revenue each year.
Dr. McDonald joined PUSD as Chief Academic Officer in October 2011. He has a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Houston, a Master’s from Texas Southern University, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Sam Houston State University. He also serves as an adjunct professor at Azusa Pacific University.
To be part of Wednesday’s meeting, go to https://us02web.zoom.us/j/
For help with Zoom, contact Tammy Silver at tamaramsilver@gmail.com or call (626) 744-9533.
For more information, visit www.pasadenarotary.com.
