As I prepare to retire, I want to reflect on our remarkable journey together and express my profound gratitude for the privilege of serving this exceptional community.

When I arrived at SPUSD, we developed a vision to help our students reach their full potential by developing intellectual abilities, emotional maturity, unique talents, curiosity, and a love of learning—to prepare young adults to confidently participate in our complex, global community. This vision has served as a guide for our decision making. 

Academically, we've expanded in many areas, including but certainly not limited to, robust pathways in engineering, biomedical science, computer science, visual and performing arts, and business. Our Spanish and Mandarin Dual Immersion Programs, now offered from kindergarten through eighth grade, give middle school students the unique opportunity to earn college credit upon course completion.

I'm incredibly proud of how we've transformed our facilities through the passage of a $98 million bond measure. We modernized classrooms, built state-of-the-art engineering labs and multi-media production studios, constructed buildings dedicated to the arts, upgraded athletic facilities, replaced portable classrooms with permanent ones, enhanced security systems, and updated roofs and HVAC systems. Our commitment to sustainability is evident in our LED indoor/outdoor lighting conversion, water conservation measures, and solar panel installations at all campuses.

Beyond facilities, we've prioritized student wellness through comprehensive, social-emotional programs like Train Your Brain and through increased counseling services for students. I'm particularly pleased that this year’s California Healthy Kids Survey shows significant improvements in students feeling safe and connected to school, far exceeding pre-COVID levels or any level since the student survey has been administered. These improvements are a direct result of the hard work of our faculty, staff, and administration, who make it a priority to connect with students.

Our Food & Nutrition Services Department also prioritizes student wellness. It now serves close to 5,000 meals daily—more than double the number we served five years ago—with higher nutritional standards, an emphasis on scratch cooking, and wholesome ingredients. Nearly 60% of our students participate in school meals, more than doubling some of our neighboring districts for comparison.

And none of these tremendous accomplishments would have been possible without local support through the parcel tax, bond measures, SPEF, booster clubs, and PTAs. As I have shared before, the District can bake a good cake, but your contributions are the icing that makes it truly outstanding.

The results speak for themselves: four National Blue Ribbon Schools, five California Distinguished Schools, consistently high rankings in U.S. News & World Report, top-five placement in state testing among unified school districts, students winning competitions across all pathways and subject matter, artistic performances and displays that rival professional productions, and an exceptional year in athletic competitions with 21 of 22 teams qualifying for CIF playoffs–10 Rio Hondo League Champs, two CIF Southern Section Team Champions, two individual State Champions, and three State Team Champions. Each of these accomplishments is an example of the growth in our academic, artistic, and athletic programs while fostering the Core Values included in our Strategic Plan.    

I also want to acknowledge our extraordinary administrators, teachers, and staff—the heart and soul of our district. Their talent, dedication, and commitment to excellence have made SPUSD a destination district for families seeking a high-quality education.

It has been an absolute honor to serve alongside such remarkable educators, board members, parents, and community partners. Since its establishment in 1886, South Pasadena Unified has contributed immeasurably to children and this community. YOU are SPUSD, and I'm very proud to have served and led your schools.

Wednesday, August 13, 2025, will be the first day of school for the 2025-2026 school year. Please warmly welcome Dr. Angela Elizondo Baxter as she takes over as the next superintendent of South Pasadena Unified School District.

With deepest appreciation and continued optimism for the future of South Pasadena Unified School District, cheers!

Geoff Yantz, Ed.D.
Superintendent