School Board Debates Spending Priorities Amid Budget Constraints

Pasadena Unified School District Board members tackled spending priorities at their meeting Tuesday night, as the District faces looming budget cuts and calls to protect classroom resources.

The debate centered on whether to approve contracts for consultants and enrichment programs, with some Board members questioning if such expenditures are justified given the District’s financial outlook.

“I think that in the current budget situation, all of the resources should be allocated to the classroom,” said Board Member Dr. Yarma Velázquez, who voted against approving several consultant contracts.

Dr. Velázquez argued that while programs like a drumming line are valuable, the District could instead provide scholarships to students or invest directly in classrooms.

She called for “concrete plans and pass deliverables” before renewing contracts.

Other Board members defended the expenditures as important investments in students.

The contracts, totaling over $200,000, included funding for music programs, coding classes, and marketing services.

The discussion highlighted broader tensions as the District prepares to make difficult budgetary decisions. Superintendent Dr. Elizabeth Blanco noted the contracts were recommended by a legislative committee to address specific needs.

“There’s a ‘method to the madness,’” said Board member Michelle Richardson Bailey, referring to the Board’s scrutiny of contract details. She said some positions require confidentiality due to sensitive information.

Board President Kimberly Kenne pointed the need to identify “non-negotiables” to protect academic performance amid anticipated cuts across departments.

The Board also debated a contract with Dale Scott for bond measure work, with some Board Members raising questions about appropriate funding sources for different aspects of his services.

In other business, the Board reviewed detailed student test score data showing incremental gains in English and math proficiency, but persistent achievement gaps for some student groups remained a concern. The Board engaged in a nuanced discussion about interpreting California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress test scores and their implications.

The Board also heard impassioned pleas from food service workers to address issues in the department. Employees cited problems with leadership, food quality, ordering, delivery, and student safety that they say are impacting students.

The Board discussed several special education settlements and debated the confidential status of a new legal technician position.