Tuesday Forum to Focus on Future of Pasadena Public Schools

The future of public education in Pasadena is the topic of the next Issue Forum in the monthly series hosted by City Councilmember-Elect Rick Cole.

The event will feature a panel of diverse perspectives, the event takes place from 6:30 to 8 p.m. next Tuesday, September 17 at Jefferson School Auditorium, 1500 E. Villa St. 

The panel will include School Board Member-Elect Scott Harden; Muir High Principal Dr. Lawton Gray; 2024 PHS Grad and UCLA freshman Gabriella Trujillo; and parent leader Laura Diaz-Allen. 

Cole will moderate the panel.

Serving 14,000 students at 23 schools across Pasadena, Altadena and Sierra Madre, the Pasadena Unified School District is at a crossroads. 

With a State budget crisis putting a financial pinch on school districts statewide, the Pasadena District faces the challenge of aging facilities, attracting top teachers and staff in a competitive market and outdated perceptions about the quality of education.

“If you have children and are looking for the best school for them, do your homework and find the best school for your child — and then support the heck out of it!” panelist and parent leader Diaz Allen suggested.  “If you don’t have children, become knowledgeable, involved, and supportive of our public schools – it’s the best way to fight for the country and the future we want, right here in our own little corner of the world.”

Panelist and School Boardmember-Elect Harden commented, “Parents, teachers, neighbors, city and community leaders all benefit from high quality public schools. Engaging the community in the conversation about Pasadena’s educational future is essential to ensure that every student is well served.” 

Cole said the purpose of these forums is to inform and engage local residents in the critical issues facing Pasadena, Public education is the foundation of a thriving community. How can our community support our public schools to achieve world-class results for all its students? What’s the role of elected and appointed school leadership, teachers, parents and all the rest of us? That will be the focus on Tuesday evening.”