Urgent: Pasadena Unified Faces $30M Cuts, Community Fights Back

UPDATE: Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) stakeholders rallied urgently on November 13, 2023, pleading with district leaders to protect vital programs from impending cuts totaling $30 million. This emergency meeting, lasting over four hours, was a critical moment as PUSD grapples with a severe structural deficit exacerbated by declining enrollment and expiring COVID-19 relief funds.

The dire financial situation compelled the Los Angeles County Office of Education to mandate PUSD submit a fiscal stabilization plan by December. During the meeting, Chief Human Resources Officer Sergio Canal confirmed the district’s need to make $30 million in reductions, a figure that could directly impact students and educational services.

Officials confirm that the proposed cuts will target various programs, including essential services like the Academy for Creative Industries, librarians, and athletics. Community members passionately argued that the focus should be on central office positions rather than school-based services. “Everything that happens at a school affects the classroom,” stated Octavia E. Butler Librarian Natalie Daily.

As district leadership outlined potential reductions across eight workstreams—including central office cuts and special education—community members expressed their deep concern. Octavio Castelo, a representative from the Los Angeles County Office of Education, emphasized, “Your trajectory is the right trajectory. It’s something that should have been done several years ago.”

During public comments, stakeholders prioritized maintaining programs that directly support student learning. The district’s Superintendent’s Budget Advisory Committee has already identified priority cuts, totaling approximately $18.5 million in the first round. The Board of Education is set to vote on these cuts during its next regular meeting on November 20, 2023.

Plans include a significant reduction in the athletics budget by 50%, which would affect all high schools. Athletic Lead Coordinator David Ibarra stated that despite the cuts, at least 65-70 teams will still operate next year. District officials are working on strategies to mitigate the impact, including fewer away games and reduced stipends.

In a joint statement, Superintendent Elizabeth Blanco and Board President Jennifer Hall Lee reassured the community that “students come first,” promising that the core educational values would remain intact despite the financial challenges. “Even with the reductions ahead, what remains is strong,” they affirmed.

Community members are urged to stay engaged as the situation develops. The Board of Education’s upcoming vote will determine the fate of numerous programs that shape the educational experience for PUSD students. As tensions rise, the urgency for community support and advocacy is at an all-time high.

Watch the live stream of the Board meeting on the KLRN Pasadena YouTube channel to stay informed on this critical issue. The outcome of this decision will set the course for PUSD’s future and its commitment to providing quality education for all students.