Pasadena Unified Confronts Significant Budget Cuts
The Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) Board of Trustees recently made a difficult decision, voting 4-3 to slash approximately $30.5 million from the district’s $189 million general fund for the upcoming school year. These substantial cuts, representing a 16% reduction, come after months of monitoring by the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE) to prevent a district takeover due to ongoing fiscal challenges.
Why PUSD is Facing Such Drastic Measures
The need for these deep budget cuts stems from a perfect storm of factors. For years, PUSD has been spending more than it takes in, leading to what Octavio Castelo, director of business advisory services for LACOE, described as a “mounting fiscal calamity.” Trustee Tina Fredericks admitted, “This is work that we should have done for a long time. And we’re scrambling right now.”
A primary driver is declining student enrollment, as California school districts receive funding based on average daily attendance. This demographic shift, combined with a general post-COVID disaffection with public school systems, has significantly impacted PUSD’s revenue. Furthermore, the district had been relying on temporary COVID stimulus money, which has now dried up, leaving a substantial gap in its budget.
Where the Cuts Will Land
The $30.5 million reduction impacts various areas, with a deliberate effort to minimize the effect on classrooms. The board voted to cut over $5 million from district administration at the Ed Center on Del Mar Boulevard. Additionally, more than $2.2 million in outside contracts for “professional development” will be canceled.
Impact on Core Services and Sports
The focus of the cuts is to prioritize PUSD’s core mission: educating students in subjects like reading, writing, and arithmetic. While professional development is “nice,” the district is now in a position where it must stick to essentials, much like a business cutting non-essential travel during tough times.
Teachers, like Martin Dorado of Madison Elementary, voiced concerns about protecting classroom resources, stating, “the single most important job in public education is a public school teacher.” The district’s adjustments aim to heed this call. Even within sports, where eliminating some teams was discussed, schools like John Muir High are finding creative solutions. Athletic Director Alfredo Resendiz indicated that the school would work to preserve its 17 athletic programs by potentially playing fewer games and increasing fundraising efforts.
While some central office staff, including those in curriculum development and at KLRN (the district TV station), may face job eliminations, the overarching goal is to ensure the district lives within its means to deliver a broad and quality education, which includes music, art, science, and libraries.
Understanding the Financial Shift
Here’s a snapshot of the significant financial changes taking effect:
| Area | Previous General Fund Spending | Adjusted Spending (Next School Year) |
|---|---|---|
| Overall General Fund | $189 million | Reduced by $30.5 million (approx. $158.5 million) |
| District Administration | (Undisclosed prior amount) | Over $5 million cut |
| Outside Contracts (Professional Development) | (Undisclosed prior amount) | Over $2.2 million canceled |
Frequently Asked Questions About PUSD’s Budget
- Why is the Pasadena Unified School District making such large budget cuts?
PUSD is facing significant cuts due to declining student enrollment, the end of temporary COVID-19 stimulus funds, and a long-standing history of spending more than its income, leading to monitoring by the Los Angeles County Office of Education. - How much money is being cut from the budget?
The district is cutting approximately $30.5 million from its $189 million general fund for the next school year. - Will these cuts affect classroom teachers and student learning?
The board has prioritized minimizing impacts on classrooms. Cuts are primarily aimed at district administration and outside professional development contracts. However, staff eliminations at the central office are expected. - What about sports and arts programs?
While initial discussions included eliminating some sports teams, efforts are being made to preserve programs through adjustments like fewer games and increased fundraising, as exemplified by John Muir High School. The district aims to provide a broad education, including arts and science.
Moving forward, the success of public schools in Altadena, Sierra Madre, and Pasadena in attracting and educating students will depend on the district’s ability to maintain fiscal discipline while focusing on its core educational mission.
Pasadena Unified Slashes Millions From Budget
