Our Team

Brian McDonald, Ed.D., was Superintendent of the Pasadena Unified School District from 2014 to 2023. He is an educational leader, adjunct professor, and a former principal and classroom teacher who was dedicated to providing an excellent educational experience for 15,000 PUSD students at 23 schools.

Under his leadership, PUSD received major federal grants that created seven magnet schools, expanded dual language immersion programs to four languages (Armenian, French, Mandarin, and Spanish), developed a nationally-acclaimed math academy for accelerated learners, launched an innovative app development academy, and augmented college dual enrollment programs. Vibrant visual and performing arts and STEM programs are thriving with deep connections to the Pasadena area’s rich cultural and scientific resources. With a strong focus on the social-emotional well-being of its students, PUSD is one of the only school districts with its own mental health department and was the first in the state to adopt a wellness policy.

Dr. McDonald led the development of a robust graduate profile, adopted in 2014, that created a shared vision for the cognitive, personal, and interpersonal competencies that students should have when they graduate. To graduate, 12th grade students must prepare and present a senior portfolio reflecting their learning, skills, and interests.

To balance the goals of optimizing the educational experience of its students with the budgetary constraints of statewide declining enrollment, Dr. McDonald led a reorganization, implemented a strategic budgeting process, and made painful but necessary budgetary reductions including the closure of four school campuses.

Early investments in 1:1 technology devices for students along with robust networks of instructional coaches and a teaching corps that recently completed a rewriting of the curriculum meant that PUSD was able to quickly shift to remote learning during the COVID pandemic. Vigorous emergency planning ensured that student meal service continued and that vaccines were administered as soon as they became available in January 2021.

Dr. McDonald collaborated extensively with parents, employees, and community partners to accelerate improvements and target resources to close achievement gaps 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, resulting 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 served as an adjunct professor at Azusa Pacific University.