We Get Letters | Tina Wu Fredericks: Open Letter to the Pasadena Unified School District Community

August 13, 2026

Dear Neighbor,

I was notified today that a recall petition for Pasadena Unified Trustee Area 6 was approved by the Los Angeles County Registrar. See the recall petition language in fine print – the estimated cost of this special recall election is:

$981,000 – $1,063,000*
(* provided by Los Angeles County Registrar) 

 A significant cost to Pasadena Unified School District

Any additional financial burden on an already shrinking district budget could cause additional teacher and staff layoffs, which hurts our students. In addition, if the entire recall effort of two trustees goes forward the total cost to the district is nearly $2 million dollars, with the other election costing an estimated $857,000 – $928,000.

By signing the recall petition, constituents are not only endorsing baseless and unfounded accusations but also committing taxpayer funds to a process that harms our schools. A constituent would be agreeing to the additional cost to the school district, putting additional financial burden on an already financially-burdened district.

I urge you to fight against this recall effort that could cost the district 20 jobs.

I urge you to fight against this process that will ultimately harm the district and its children.

I have worked to build relationships in the community. Elected in 2020 and re-elected in 2024, I defeated my opponents by large margins because I have always had strong institutional and grassroots support, and a history of maintaining a strong, open dialogue with members of the community. I consider it a privilege and honor to serve on the Pasadena Unified School Board of Education. There’s work to do and I’m ready to roll up my sleeves and have the tough conversations to address the fiscal and educational challenges facing the district.

PUSD legal counsel’s analysis and conclusion: https://tinyurl.com/pusdlegalcounselanalysis.

Yours,

Tina Wu Fredericks

Tina Wu Fredericks is President of the Pasadena Unified School District Board of Education. Fredericks said that in the letter above, she is writing in her personal capacity. The views expressed are her own and do not represent the position of the Board of Education or the District.