Saturday, October 24, 2026

Guest Opinion | Steve Madison: Why Dennis McNamara Is My Choice for PUSD School Board

By STEVE MADISON

I am writing to let you know that I have endorsed Dennis McNamara for the PUSD Board, District 7 (which includes West Pasadena).

I’ve known Dennis for several years now and seen firsthand the value of his extensive knowledge and experience, in particular regarding finance (he is a longtime member and current chair of PUSD’s Citizen Oversight Committee responsible for monitoring expenditures of bond proceeds), his dedication to civic affairs and adhering to legal compliance and the highest ethical standards, and his commitment to working collaboratively to make our community a better one. Dennis will be highly additive to the PUSD Board, and we need a thoughtful, dedicated Boardmember to represent us going forward when our current Boardmember Dr. Yarma Velázquez steps away at the end of her term later this year.

West Pasadena is deeply invested in PUSD—in helping to ensure that through education every child in Pasadena can reach their full potential (I was the first Councilmember* to advocate for adding public education as a general plan guiding principle), and of course now providing significant, direct financial support to PUSD as permitted by Ballot Measures I and J.    With development proposals coming at both of West Pasadena’s two remaining public school sites (San Rafael Elementary where a $128 million replacement school/campus is proposed to be built, and Linda Vista Elementary where PUSD seeks to convert the former school site into housing and a park), the choice of who will represent us on the PUSD Board is perhaps more important today than it has ever been.

Before making this endorsement, I interviewed Dennis and the other candidate, Cynthia Torres, in detail;  Justin Chapman moderated a forum sponsored by Linda Vista Annandale Association and San Rafael Neighborhood Association with both candidates (I introduced the two candidates and Justin at the forum); and I spoke with a number of thought leaders in West Pasadena.   Cynthia is endorsed by several prominent groups, worked on education issues in Santa Monica for years, and served briefly on PUSD’s Citizens Oversight Committee.   She has many strengths and I hope she will stay involved in Pasadena long-term.    For me, Dr. Velázquez, several other City Councilmembers* and many other community leaders, Dennis’s established record of exemplary service here in Pasadena made him the clear choice.   I am confident he will work extremely hard to move PUSD forward, improve the District’s relationship with other stakeholders and the community at large, and always keep the education of our kids in the classroom top of mind.

Ballots are already out so I hope each and every one of you takes the time to vote by mail, drop off your ballot at one of the available ballot drop-off sites, or vote the old fashioned way by going to your polling place on November 3!  And I hope like me,  you will cast your vote for Dennis McNamara.

Steve Madison is a Pasadena City Councilmember*

*Titles for ID Only