Sierra Madrean Appointed to PUSD School Board

Press Release posted 6/1/13 – Pasadena, CA – The Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) Board of Education appointed Mikala Rahn, Ph.D.

Photo courtesy of Mikala Rahn, click to enlarge

to fill the vacant at large Seat 4 on the PUSD Board of Education at a Special Board meeting held at Pasadena City College on June 1. Dr. Rahn will be sworn in June 11 and will serve out the remainder of the current term for Seat 4 which expires on May 4, 2015. Seat 4 became vacant when Kimberly Kenne won the election for the new geographic subdistrict Seat 5 in March and vacated her previously held at large Seat 4.

“I would like to welcome Mikala Rahn to the PUSD board to serve the students of the district,” said PUSD Board President Renatta Cooper. “All of the candidates that appeared before the board were impressive in their background, diversity and genuine desire to improve public education for the children of Pasadena, Altadena and Sierra Madre.”

Dr. Rahn, a Sierra Madre resident, is Executive Director of Public Works, a non-profit educational consulting firm. She is Founder/CEO of Learning Works, a charter school in Pasadena that targets high school dropouts, teen mothers and youth on probation. Dr. Rahn is also Executive Director of Community Works Learning Center which provides educational opportunities for parents, youth and children including tutoring, intervention and enrichment services. Dr. Rahn is the parent of two PUSD students.

A total of 38 individuals applied to fill the vacancy on the board. Nine were selected at the May 28 Board Meeting to appear before the board for a final interview June 1.

PUSD’s at large board districts became geographic subdistricts encompassing Pasadena, Altadena, Sierra Madre and portions of unincorporated Los Angeles County after the passage of Measure A last June. Elections for geographic subdistricts 1, 3, 5 and 7 took place in March 2013 and elections for geographic subdistricts 2, 4 and 6 will be in 2015.  Details about the appointment process, timeline and applicants are available at www.boardvacancy.pasadenausd.org.