UPDATE: Pasadena Unified School District’s Superintendent Elizabeth Blanco has urgently outlined a plan to address an impending budget shortfall of between $30 million and $35 million as the district grapples with a significant structural deficit. During a virtual town hall held on November 5, 2023, district leaders emphasized the pressing need for deep budget cuts ahead of a crucial Board of Education meeting scheduled for November 13, 2023.
The town hall aimed to engage parents, teachers, and stakeholders, highlighting ongoing efforts to identify necessary reductions. Blanco stated, “With every crisis comes an opportunity. It’s an opportunity to reimagine, reinvent and do some transformation,” stressing the importance of unity in this challenging time.
In response to the budget crisis, PUSD has initiated eight workstreams to streamline operations and cut costs. These include the Superintendent’s Budget Advisory Committee, central office reductions, and evaluations of contracts, special education, transportation, and staffing ratios. The committee, comprised of a diverse group of educators and community members, has already prioritized potential service cuts, which will ultimately be voted on by the Board.
Among the proposed cuts are a 25% reduction in the athletics budget, the elimination of community assistants in low-enrollment schools, and the reduction of full-time arts positions. The financial situation is exacerbated by declining enrollment, rising costs, and the expiration of one-time COVID-19 relief funds, prompting the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE) to mandate an updated fiscal stabilization plan by December 6, 2023.
Blanco warned that if the district cannot identify $5 million to $10 million in reductions from the other workstreams, deeper cuts may be necessary. Currently, approximately $4.9 million in central office cuts have been identified, affecting various departments including human resources and special education.
“That isn’t something that any of us want,” Blanco remarked, reinforcing the urgency of finding alternative revenue sources to avoid drastic measures. The town hall also featured a panel addressing concerns about layoffs, potential school consolidations, and salary reductions.
A follow-up in-person town hall is scheduled for November 10, 2023, at 6:30 PM at Pasadena High School, where community members can voice their concerns directly. The Board of Education will deliberate on recommendations from the workstreams on November 20, 2023, making it critical for stakeholders to stay informed.
Jennifer Hall Lee, the Board of Education President, emphasized the real-world implications of these financial decisions, stating, “These are not abstract numbers. They are real and they are urgent.” The district continues to navigate these challenging waters with the hope of emerging stronger.
For continuous updates, visit pusd.us/budget and stay tuned for the latest developments as the situation evolves.
