If you couldn't find it..here's the chief of staff story

Hey All,

My story on the PUSD chief of staff hiring did not make it into the paper today. That sucks.

However, for you lucky blog readers, it's posted below! Take a minute to read it!

By Caroline An

Staff Writer

PASADENA — Pasadena Unified School District’s newly created chief of staff position was filled Wednesday, three months after the superintendent requested the post.

Stephen Brinkman, 59, who was a colleague of PUSD Superintendent Edwin Diaz when Diaz worked for the Gilroy Unified School District, will serve in the new job, beginning Feb. 4.

Brinkman’s appointment comes as the PUSD attempts to implement an array of recommendations from two 2007 audits and those contained in Diaz’s “Approach to Excellence” blueprint, his list of district priorities.

Brinkman, 59, is currently assistant superintendent of administrative services for the Gilroy district, overseeing its operations, accounting and finance divisions.

At Gilroy, he helped the district eliminate a $4.5 million budget deficit and oversaw a $200 million campus improvements plan.

Prior to coming to Gilroy Unified, he was chief financial officer, secretary and executive vice president for the Monterey Pasta Co. for six year.

The chief of staff job is a temporary position that comes with a $150,000 salary, which is being funded by the Helen and Will Webster Foundation, an Altadena-based foundation.

The PUSD board approved the position in September.
It was the second time Brinkman interviewed for a job at PUSD. Last year, he was considered for the job of interim assistant superintendent for business services.

Regarding his new role, which will be similar to an internal auditor, Brinkman acknowledged that in the upcoming months the district will be undergoing a major overhaul.

“It is a big challenge,” he said. “When you’re excited and anxious, it stimulates you to be creative and gets things done.”

Diaz said he is thrilled to have Brinkman part of his staff. His strengths, Diaz noted, are his hard-working nature and his high level of integrity.
“I expect he would move quickly and aggressively,” in making changes, Diaz said.
Esteban Lizardo, PUSD board president, said he was pleased that the job was filled by someone with a background in education and operations.

Along with making structural changes in staffing and school facilities, officials hope to make the district more responsive to parents and students, Lizardo said.

Brinkman said his first priority will be getting to know the staff and discussing where they feel improvements need to be made.
“We need to develop a positive culture within the district,” he said. “Anytime you have a transition, you need to develop a brand new team.”
[TAG1]caroline.an@sgvn.com
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