South Pasadena Unified board selects superintendent search firm, approves contracts, change orders and personnel actions

The South Pasadena Unified School District board on Feb. 11 approved a set of contract and personnel actions and selected a firm to conduct the district’s superintendent search.

Superintendent search firm: The board voted to hire Education Support Services Group LLC (ESS Group) to run the superintendent search. Board members said ESS Group’s proposal demonstrated a timeline, community engagement plan and a named team that would support the district through recruitment and the transition to a new superintendent. The board set an ambitious target to approve a new superintendent by May 13, 2025; members said approving the vendor quickly would broaden the candidate pool.

Facilities and contracts: The board approved multiple procurement and construction items, including the following (see “Votes at a glance”): a change order and final reconciliation credit of about $42,000 for Southland Industries related to completed elementary HVAC work; a change order and contract for Pacific West Energy Solutions for solar‑project adjustments including a new fire hydrant and ADA parking regrading; and a master services agreement for auditorium electrical upgrades with Hall Pass Capital and Southland/contractor arrangements for work in the South Pasadena High School auditorium. Board members said the solar work included two change orders: one to add or relocate a fire hydrant to meet required flow and one to regrade and re‑slope parking spaces to meet ADA standards.

Personnel and closed session report: The board reported several closed‑session actions in open session, including a 4‑0 vote (with Member Kipke absent) to non‑reelect an employee identified in the record by employee number SV3063401 effective June 4, 2025; approvals of leaves of absence for two certificated employees for the 2025‑26 school year and a 40% leave for another certificated employee; and approval of settlement agreements in two student matters. The board also approved release of temporary certificated employees at the end of the school year.

Consent items and other approvals: The board approved the consent agenda (items 8.01–8.22) and set regular board meeting dates for the 2025‑26 calendar. Members noted the district must hold two June meetings for budget and LCAP approval and adjusted dates to improve quorum likelihood.

What’s next: The board authorized the search to begin following vendor approval. Construction items noted change orders or dedutive reconciliations that will be reflected in final project accounting. The board did not take action on the band‑room renaming at the Feb. 11 meeting; students asked the board to schedule that item for the March meeting.