The Pasadena Unified School District Board of Education spent five hours Thursday reviewing a fiscal stabilization plan that would cut $30.5 million from the 2026-27 budget, drawing sharp community opposition to reductions in arts, athletics, libraries and bilingual support services. The board will vote on the plan Nov. 20.
The proposal combines $25 million in spending cuts with $5.6 million in new revenue and grants to meet Los Angeles County’s requirement that PUSD identify $30 million to $35 million in savings to avoid state intervention. County officials attending the meeting said the district is on the “right trajectory” but will not decide whether to approve the plan until reviewing PUSD’s first interim financial report, due Dec. 15.
Community Pushback
More than 40 speakers addressed the board during a two-hour public comment period, urging protection of school-based programs. Students from Thurgood Marshall Fundamental High School defended the Academy for Creative Industries, a career technical education program focused on performing arts. Senior Tatum Robinson said internships and guest artist connections were vital to her high school experience.
Parent representative Warren Bleeker argued that eliminating the academy would ultimately cost the district more, since dance classes fulfill physical education requirements and career technical education is a graduation mandate.
Two librarians warned against cuts to library services. Nicole Issa of John Muir High School cited research linking access to certificated librarians with higher academic performance. Natalie Daley of Octavia E. Butler Magnet said the advisory committee lacked full information when ranking cuts, cautioning against assuming consensus.
Community assistants also spoke out, noting how their roles directly affect attendance and student success. Several parents urged deeper cuts to central administration before reducing school-based services.
Plan Details
The $30.5 million plan draws from eight workstreams:
- School-based reductions: $18.5 million, requiring cuts through the 24th-ranked package of 38 options.
- Central office reductions: $3.6 million, eliminating 28.25 positions across operations and academics.
- Contract reductions: $2.8 million.
- Grant maximization: $4.3 million in new revenue.
- Staffing and vacancy management: $3 million.
- Asset management: $500,000 from facility rentals and civic center fees.
- State block grant: $1.3 million for student support and professional development.
- Economic uncertainties: $3.5 million in projected losses, reducing gross savings to $30.5 million.
Special education and transportation spending would remain untouched.
Board Questions
Board members pressed staff on how athletics cuts would affect individual sports and whether multi-school agreements could preserve programs. The athletic director said no sport would be eliminated outright, though some would be offered at fewer campuses.
Trustees also asked how bilingual assistant cuts would be implemented and whether positions could be shared among schools. Staff said restructuring was possible but dependent on board decisions.
Financial Context
The district’s current-year budget shows $353.4 million in revenue and $315 million in expenditures, but $135 million stems from one-time Eaton Fire recovery funds. Excluding disaster aid, PUSD faces a $29.3 million operating deficit this year, with projected deficits of $7.8 million in 2025-26 and $37 million in 2026-27. Enrollment has dropped 13.4 percent since 2018-19, reducing supplemental state funding.
Next Steps
The board will vote Nov. 20 at district headquarters, 351 S. Hudson Ave. Any approved layoffs would take effect in 2026-27, with reduction-in-force notices due by March 15, 2026. The county will review PUSD’s interim report Dec. 15 to determine whether sufficient progress has been made or if state intervention is necessary.
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