PUSD Board Grapples with Teacher Layoffs, Fire Recovery in Marathon Meeting

The Pasadena Unified School District Board of Education dealt with contentious issues surrounding teacher layoffs and fire recovery during a marathon 6-hour Thursday night public meeting that stretched past midnight.

Dozens of teachers, students and parents packed the Elbie J. Hickambottom Board Room to protest the District’s decision to lay off 115 teachers, with many speakers urging the Board to reconsider the cuts.

“These layoffs are harming us, the students, because of all the drastic changes happening in our lives right now,” wrote student Consuelo Martinez in a journal entry read during public comment. “Many teachers have lost their homes and now the District is saying they might have to take their jobs away too.”

The Board also discussed a measure allowing Altadena Arts Magnet School to remain at its temporary Allendale Elementary campus until January 2026, responding to parent and staff concerns about returning to their original campus that sits near areas devastated by the January Eaton Fire.

“There are about 75 properties with destroyed structures within 250 yards of AM (Altadena Arts Magnet). Only 8% have had their debris cleared so far,” said one parent, citing data collected by other concerned parents.

Multiple Altadena Arts Magnet parents presented what they described as evidence of lead contamination in homes surrounding the school, with one speaker saying that 100% of tested standing homes showed positive results for lead contamination.

Chief Business Officer Saman Bravo-Karimi outlined preliminary scenarios for rebuilding Elliot Arts Magnet School, which suffered significant fire damage. He emphasized that no decisions have been made yet regarding which reconstruction approach to pursue.

“While safety and functionality must guide our decisions, we also remain committed to honoring the school’s legacy,” Bravo-Karimi said.

The Board also received several presentations including a Local Control and Accountability Plan midyear update showing improved graduation rates and a learning recovery update outlining efforts to address students’ academic and emotional needs following the fire.

The District’s independent auditor presented unmodified opinions on both the District’s financial statements and bond program. Some compliance issues were noted,  including a teacher lacking certification, resulting in a penalty. The audit also found issues with after-school program attendance and incomplete student immunizations, leading to attendance adjustments. For the second year, the district failed to meet the state’s teacher salary requirement and will seek an exemption. A federal audit noted a vendor background check wasn’t done for one program.

Early in the meeting, the Board approved resolutions recognizing Arts Education Month, Genocide Awareness and Prevention Month, and School Librarian Day.