PUSD Board of Education Regular Meeting, February 26, 2026 (Photo – Sccreengrab)
The Pasadena Unified School District held a seven-hour marathon board meeting on Thursday, Feb. 26, beginning at 4:00 pm and ending just shy of midnight. The Board was joined by Student Board Member Isabel Robles for the meeting.
By Warren Bleeker
For much of the evening, representatives from the Los Angeles County Office of Education were present, observing the proceedings.
The Board voted to approve the proposed certificated and classified layoffs, many of which stem from the substantial budget cuts approved late last year. The Board heard public comment from a number of teachers, parents, students, and District labor partners, who implored the Board to reconsider the cuts. A representative from LACOE noted the District’s “structural deficit” and that the District was required by March 15 to approve reductions for FY 2026–27 in order to avoid a downgrade of its financial status, which could lead to further oversight from LACOE.
The Board also heard an update from Dr. Joseph Pandolfo of Total School Solutions, the independent outside consultant retained by the Superintendent to assist with the District Transformation Planning Process. Later in the evening, the Board voted to approve an additional list of desired outcomes and factors to be considered by the Superintendent’s School Consolidation Committee. The Board had previously reached consensus on these items during a special board meeting held on February 12. Notably, the approved outcomes specify that consolidation may or may not be the end result of the process and require that the process demonstrate clear cost savings to the District.
The Board also received a lengthy mid-year update on literacy, math, and college and career readiness. Highlights included that the District’s first- through eighth-grade math scores exceed both the national and state averages.
The District approved resolutions designating March 2026 as Women’s History Month, recognizing the historic and ongoing contributions of American women across all sectors of society, and reaffirming the District’s commitment to addressing adultification bias and eliminating disparities impacting Black girls, including those with disabilities, through equitable and culturally responsive practices.
On its consent agenda, the Board approved a number of facilities improvement items, including approval of the design for the new Thurgood Marshall Secondary School track and field, press box, and concessions and restroom facilities.
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