PUSD Finances ‘Strong for the Immediate Future, ‘ Says Board President in State of Schools Address – Pasadena Now

PUSD School Board President Michelle Richardson Bailey delivered the district’s 2023 State of the Union Address to an enthusiastic audience in the John Muir High School auditorium Thursday evening. The speech was optimistic and even congratulatory.

The PUSD Chairperson must deliver a State of the Union address each year as required by the City of Pasadena Charter.

The event will provide community members with an opportunity to learn more about the district’s current school finances, student performance and future plans.

The speech also called for stability and solidarity in the face of a change in district leadership.

Among those in attendance were City Manager Miguel Marquez, Pasadena Superintendent of Education Dr. Brian McDonald, PUSD Board of Directors Patrick Cahalan, Jennifer Hall Lee, Tina Fredricks, Patrice Marshall Mackenzie, Kim Kenneh and former director Dr. Elizabeth Pomeroy, and Chief Academic Officer Dr. Elizabeth Blanco.

The Muir High School Jazz Band and Vocal Rhapsody Choir sang along to two solo performances of Stephen Sondheim’s “Into the Woods,” recently produced by the school and staged in partnership with the Pasadena Playhouse. .

Bailey was introduced by John Muir High SchoolStudent Christina Leyva was recently nominated for a Posse Scholarship. 4-year university full scholarship.

Bailey In a speech, the district said PUSD’s financial position was “strong for the foreseeable future,” thanks to increased cost-of-living adjustments and COVID-19 relief funds the school district received from state and federal governments.

As Bailey explained, a school district’s General Fund income comes from a combination of state, federal and local sources. The state provides funding through the Locally Controlled Funding Facility (LCFF) with her two sources of income: property taxes and state aid.

The school district’s LCFF allocation is $191 million for 2022-2023, with base subsidies used for general district operations and supplements targeted at specific student populations such as foster youth, English learners, etc. Includes grants and concentration grants. , students of low socioeconomic status.

These funds should also be used to supplement general education programs, she noted.

Bailey said Bill J, which was passed in 2018 and diverted some of the city’s sales tax to PUSD, enabled the district’s signature programs to thrive.

As she further explained, Measure J is being used as a reserve fund and continues to provide substantial funding for certain academic programs such as STEM, DLIP, IB, arts and high school academies.

Bailey noted that school districts were able to increase teachers’ salaries by 10% this year, making it the largest single salary increase in PUSD history.

“Last year, we were able to adjust our pay schedules so that teachers and employees were paid closer to similar school districts,” she said.

Bailey also cited the district’s first all-star musical, “Into the Woods,” as a “historic achievement,” noting among other achievements in previous school years:

• Sierra Madre Elementary School Named Outstanding School in California
• Altadena Arts Magnet Selected as National Magnet Model School
• There are eight Posse Scholars this year
• PUSD student-athletes compete at a high level, with John Muir’s football and men’s water polo and Blair’s men’s basketball teams winning CIF divisional championships.
• This year marks the third year of the student think tank. Student-led groups across districts come together to explore and research the needs and social justice issues of Southern California school districts and communities.

“The pandemic is officially over and it’s been a year of recovery,” Bailey said. “This year, our focus is on helping students recover academically and emotionally. This includes placing teachers.”

To this end, Bailey noted that PUSD has won its third federal magnet grant to expand its school program.

“It’s unusual for a school district to receive a third round of grants. This is a testament to the high-quality commitment the federal government has made to the PUSD collectively,” she said.

Bailey also noted that Pasadena’s high school also has six years of accreditation from WASC.

The school district has demonstrated that it can meet its financial obligations for the current school year and for the next two years. Since March 2019, PUSD has received “positive certifications” in each of its financial reports,” Bailey said. “This certification is very important because it determines the financial health of the school district by the Los Angeles County Department of Education and the Bond Rating Agency.”

The district also continues to receive the highest possible ratings in annual external audits of its financial statements and facility bond program since 2019, she said.

Bailey also told the audience that PUSD expects to receive more than $10 million from Measure J this year.

“We are able to sustain our signature programs such as bilingual immersion, STEM, and strong visual and performing arts programs because of Measure J funding to strengthen our mandated reserves.”

Bailey said the goals for school year 23-24 are to develop a transition plan for the loss of the COVID-19 Relief Fund, continue to increase salaries to retain and recruit talented staff, He also stated that the facility basic plan will be completed and will be shifted to FY2019. Stages of planning and construction.

Bailey said this year has also been a year of planning for the future.

The development of the district’s new strategic plan was led by Associate Superintendent Dr. Elizabeth Blanco and worked through a process that began last summer with Scott Harden, students, district leaders, parents and families. Bailey reported.

“Through five design teams and a steering committee, we have worked with various representatives of the community to develop a vision, mission and roadmap for the next five years centered around taking PUSD to the next level. I was.

Bailey said the new strategic plan will come into effect at the start of the school year, but schools and district departments are already “taking what they learned along the way and applying it to our actions and plans.”

Chief Business Officer Dr. Leslie Burns, Facilities Director Leonard Hernandez, and Technology Officer Tendaj Jamal retired or tendered their resignations this year. At the end of last year, Chief Human Resources Officer Steven Miller stepped down.

“We know there is speculation and uncertainty as changes occur at the leadership level, but we must navigate any change with stability and clarity of vision in order to serve our students. No,” said the speech.

Bailey said superintendent Dr. McDonald’s recent unsuccessful application to a school in Columbus, Ohio, for the post of superintendent, and the recent resignation of three school district administrators, while another top administrator1 He hinted that he had retired.

“We know there is speculation and uncertainty as changes occur at the leadership level,” she said. “But I want to say this: PUSD is a school system that continues to focus on student success and well-being.

“Our previous and current leadership has brought us here,” she continued. “Together, we must navigate all change with unity, stability and a clear vision to serve our students.”