UPDATE: Pasadena Unified School District’s Superintendent Elizabeth Blanco has just announced urgent plans to cut between $30 million and $35 million from the district’s budget in response to a significant structural deficit. During a virtual town hall on November 5, 2023, Blanco and district leaders detailed the ongoing efforts to identify deep cuts as they prepare for a crucial Board of Education meeting next week.
The district is grappling with a fiscal crisis driven by declining enrollment, rising operational costs, and the expiration of one-time COVID-19 relief funds. The Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE) has mandated that PUSD submit an updated fiscal stabilization plan by December 6, 2023. LACOE officials previously warned PUSD about the urgency of addressing its financial issues.
Blanco emphasized the need for transformation, stating, “With every crisis comes an opportunity. It’s an opportunity to reimagine, reinvent, and do some transformation.” The district has initiated eight workstreams aimed at identifying necessary budget cuts, which include the Superintendent’s Budget Advisory Committee, central office reductions, and staffing adjustments.
As part of the process, the advisory committee has already tackled potential reductions to school-based services, resulting in a ranked priority list of cuts. Possible measures under consideration include slashing the athletics budget by 25%, reducing community assistants at low-enrollment middle and elementary schools, and cutting custodial staff at secondary schools.
Blanco revealed that the district must find between $5 million and $10 million in additional reductions before the Board begins reviewing potential cuts. If these savings cannot be identified, deeper cuts to both central office and school-based services will need to be made. Current Tier 1 reductions outlined could result in cuts totaling approximately $4.9 million, affecting various departments including human resources and student wellness.
The urgency of the situation was echoed by Board of Education President Jennifer Hall Lee, who stated, “These are not abstract numbers. They are real and they are urgent.”
The town hall concluded with a panel addressing pressing questions from the community regarding layoffs, school consolidation, and facility management. A follow-up in-person town hall is scheduled for November 10, 2023, at 6:30 p.m. inside the Pasadena High School gymnasium.
Furthermore, the Board will conduct a study session on potential budget reductions on November 13, 2023, followed by a decision-making meeting on November 20, 2023. Community members are encouraged to stay informed and participate in these critical discussions.
For ongoing updates, visit pusd.us/budget.
