PUSD Budget (Logo – PUSD)
The Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) Superintendent’s Budget Advisory Committee (SBAC) concluded its final meeting yesterday, completing months of work to recommend budget reductions for the 2026-2027 school year. Composed of parents, students, educators, employees, labor partners, and community members, the committee was tasked with providing transparency and community input as part of the district’s broader effort to stabilize its financial outlook.
By News Desk
Since September, the SBAC has worked diligently to address PUSD’s structural deficits, which stem from declining enrollment, rising operational costs, and limited state and federal funding. As part of the district’s Fiscal Stabilization Plan (FSP), the committee identified necessary reductions of $30-35 million, a key element of the district’s plan to address its budget shortfall.
Budget Cuts and Historical Context
This marks the third consecutive year PUSD has implemented budget reductions to maintain fiscal health. In 2024-2025, the district reduced $13.8 million, primarily from central office operations, cutting administrative positions and support services while striving to protect classroom services. During the 2025-2026 school year, the first SBAC was convened, leading to $5 million in additional reductions and the careful implementation of staffing ratios that aligned with contractual guidelines.
Originally, PUSD had planned for $27-28 million in reductions for 2026-2027. However, after the devastating Eaton fire disrupted financial planning, those reductions were deemed unfeasible. The SBAC reconvened to focus on finding ways to trim $30-35 million from school-based services.
Areas of Impact and Difficult Decisions
The committee considered a broad range of services for potential cuts, including safety services, student support programs, career technical education, athletics, family engagement and health programs, technology support, special programs, custodial services, and even school administration. Each decision weighed the impact on students and families as the district worked to protect its core mission: educating and supporting students amid fiscal challenges.
“This has not been easy, but it has been honest, transparent, and rooted in our shared values,” said PUSD Superintendent Elizabeth Blanco. “We have a responsibility to remain fiscally solvent for children in our schools today and for our students in the future. We are facing one of the most challenging fiscal moments in our district’s history, yet our community has come together with courage and compassion to protect what matters most: our students. I am deeply grateful to every SBAC member for their integrity, empathy, and dedication to PUSD.”
Next Steps and Timeline
The SBAC’s recommendations, which include a prioritized list of proposed service reductions, will be presented to the PUSD Board of Education on November 13, 2025. Final decisions are expected at the Board’s meeting on November 20, 2025. Once approved, the district will begin implementing the reductions in December 2025, with reduction-in-force notices issued in March 2026. A balanced budget will take effect in July 2026, ensuring PUSD can meet its financial obligations while safeguarding its educational mission.
“We are deeply grateful to every SBAC member for their integrity, empathy, and dedication to this process,” added Superintendent Blanco. “Together, we’ve worked to ensure that our budget decisions reflect what matters most: the well-being of our students.”
For more information, including the full ranking of funding priorities and a detailed breakdown of the proposed reductions, visit this link.
Timeline: - November 13, 2025: SBAC recommendations presented to Board of Education - November 20, 2025: Board action on final recommendations - December 2025: Implementation of approved reductions begins - March 2026: Reduction-in-force notices issued - July 2026: New balanced budget takes effect
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