Sierra Madre Elementary School (File Photo – PUSD)
Out of an abundance of caution, Sierra Madre Elementary and Middle School fields have been temporarily closed after elevated lead levels were recently discovered in nearby Pasadena neighborhoods.
By News Desk
The Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) announced the closures as it begins independent soil testing across all campuses to ensure the safety of students and staff. This precautionary move follows recent city-led testing in two Pasadena neighborhoods, which revealed lead concentrations above 80 parts per million. While those levels do not require cleanup under current health guidelines, city officials have called for broader evaluation.
Last Friday, the City of Pasadena closed two public parks after Los Angeles County health officials found high lead levels in those specific areas.
Although the lead was not found on school property, PUSD emphasized that its testing is being conducted independently of the county’s investigation and is focused on all areas of exposed soil across its schools. In a statement released Tuesday, the district clarified: “The recent findings were not from school grounds and at this time there is no indication that any of our campuses — or district sites — are unsafe or that anyone is in immediate danger.”
The district said it will provide updates as testing progresses and plans to reopen the fields only once they are confirmed safe for student use.
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