The Last Word

Much has changed over the past four years. For one thing, student test scores have increased by an average of 52 points, outpacing the statewide improvement rate. Another change is that today, nine of the district’s 29 schools are now considered “high performing.” And while all that was happening, PUSD’s dropout rate fell significantly. “When I got here, the phone system was horrible. You could press a button and nothing would happen. Half the people calling the district to complain probably never got through,” Diaz recalled during a recent discussion — an exit interview, of sorts, with the Weekly. “I got the phones working. That was one of the first things I did.” “I think he made some very significant progress in the four years he was here just by dealing with basic infrastructure needs,” said longtime Board of Education member Ed Honowitz, who was on the boards that hired both Clark and Diaz. “We started to see some real movement in secondary schools in terms of academic achievement. It is not easy to move high schools and middle schools, but that has been happening over the past several years.” Perhaps the most amazing aspect of all of these successes is that they occurred while the district was facing its worst fiscal crisis ever, when Diaz was forced to make $30 million in cuts due to state budget reductions, resulting in hundreds of teachers being laid off and librarians and counselors losing their jobs. Making matters worse, Diaz suffered a mild stroke in July 2009 and returned to work after spending a week recovering. Making those already trying times just a little more challenging, the election two years ago brought changes to the board, among the new board members Ramon Miramontes, who along with Board member Scott Phelps, and now recently elected Board member Kim Kenne, is often at odds with Diaz and his staff, as well as Cooper, Honowitz and remaining Board members Tom Selinske and Elizabeth Pomeroy. Miramontes, Phelps and Kenne did not return calls for comment. Edwin Diaz: It’s made things much more difficult. When I went into this situation, one where you have to make significant changes — the first two and half years — we came together as a board. When we decided on a direction, staff and the board ran hard. We were able to make decisions and take risks.

Pasadena Now » Pasadena Educational Foundation Celebrates 40 Years ...

The Pasadena Educational Foundation celebrated 40 years of supporting Pasadena public schools and creating successful community and school partnerships. At their Annual Spring Event they highlighted the past and looked to the future.

The event was held at the Langham Huntington, Pasadena on Friday, June 17. Dr. Charles Elachi, Director of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory was the featured speaker. Dr. Elachi was appointed Director of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in May 2001, and is an acknowledged world leader in the fields of science and space exploration. Dr. Elachi is also a passionate believer of the cause of education. Through his leadership, JPL has entered into a special partnership with John Muir High School’s Engineering and Environmental Science Academy.

The Pasadena Educational Foundation was established in 1971 to increase community support for the public schools of Altadena, Pasadena and Sierra Madre. PEF develops community partnerships, financial resources and educational opportunities that benefit all students and encourage greater involvement from the community in support of public education.

Pasadena Unified School District, John Muir High School (Pasadena, California), Pasadena High School (Pasadena, California)

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