Pasadena Unified Says Months of Coordination With City Preceded Tree Removals

The Pasadena Unified School District on Tuesday released a detailed timeline defending its decision to remove trees at multiple campuses as part of wildfire-related soil remediation, arguing the work was conducted under state oversight after months of coordination with the City of Pasadena before the two sides split over permitting requirements.

By News Desk

The timeline, accompanied by supporting documents, is the district’s most comprehensive public response to criticism over the tree removals. PUSD says contaminated soil left behind by the Eaton Fire required cleanup under the oversight of the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) and disputes claims that it failed to notify or consult city officials.

According to the district, post-fire environmental testing detected lead, arsenic and other fire-related contaminants in soil at multiple campuses. DTSC concurred with the findings, stating the contaminated soil posed “an imminent and substantial threat” to school users and that affected infrastructure, trees and vegetation would need to be removed and replaced as part of the cleanup.

PUSD also argues the city initially determined its Tree Protection Ordinance did not apply to the hazardous materials cleanup before reversing that position after work had begun. The district maintains the legal dispute over jurisdiction remains unresolved but says the disagreement does not change what it describes as months of documented coordination with the city and other public agencies.

PUSD said it remains committed to working with the city while completing the remediation needed to reopen outdoor spaces for students and staff.

Superintendent Elizabeth Blanco said the district understands residents’ concerns about tree removal but has an obligation to complete cleanup where contaminated soil cannot otherwise be safely removed.

Timeline

January 2025

The Eaton Fire burns through Altadena, Pasadena and Sierra Madre. According to PUSD, the fire destroys five district schools, forces the evacuation of more than 10,000 students and leaves nearly 1,000 students and more than 120 employees without homes.

February–March 2025

Environmental testing begins in consultation with the Pasadena Public Health Department, DTSC, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health and the City of Pasadena.

April 16, 2025

The Pasadena Public Health Department recommends testing exposed soil at schools and child care centers and advises closing affected outdoor areas pending results.

Spring–Summer 2025

PUSD completes the first phase of soil testing across its 34 campuses and facilities. Testing identifies lead, arsenic and other fire-related contaminants at multiple sites.

July 16, 2025

PUSD and DTSC enter into a Master Voluntary Cleanup Agreement covering Edison Elementary School, Eliot Arts Magnet Middle School, Franklin Elementary School, Loma Alta Elementary School, Noyes Elementary School and San Rafael Elementary School.

Jan. 7, 2026

The agreement is amended to add Blair High School, the PUSD Education Center, John Muir High School, Cleveland Elementary School, Field Elementary School, Jefferson Elementary School, Washington Elementary School, Octavia E. Butler Magnet Middle School and Longfellow Elementary School.

Before the 2025–26 school year

According to PUSD, eight campuses are cleaned and fully reopened, while contaminated outdoor areas at 11 campuses remain closed pending additional testing and remediation.

City of Pasadena and PUSD coordination

Jan. 22, 2026

The PUSD Board of Education adopts Resolution 2797 authorizing emergency remediation work and Resolution 2798 declaring a local emergency related to wildfire damage. The measures authorize the superintendent to execute contracts and seek assistance from the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Feb. 13, 2026

Representatives from PUSD and the city meet to discuss anticipated tree removals and agree to continue coordinating.

Feb. 17, 2026

PUSD submits its Fire-Related Investigations Findings Summary Letter to DTSC for concurrence.

Feb. 24, 2026

District officials meet with the city’s zoning administrator to discuss anticipated tree removals.

Feb. 25, 2026

DTSC concurs with PUSD’s findings, stating contaminated soil presents “an imminent and substantial threat” to school users and that removing affected soil, infrastructure, trees and vegetation is necessary to ensure the continued safe use of school properties.

Feb. 26, 2026

PUSD forwards DTSC’s concurrence letter to the city, outlines plans to remove trees during the summer, requests guidance on replacement protocols and submits Longfellow Elementary School’s soil removal and tree replacement plan as an example.

April 1, 2026

More than 30 days later, the city informs PUSD that Private Tree Removal permits are required for protected trees. The city also advises that because the remediation is not classified as a project, replacement trees are not required under the Tree Protection Ordinance, although voluntary replacement is permitted.

April 23, 2026

PUSD issues a request for proposals for soil removal work.

April 27, 2026

PUSD provides the city with tree removal charts, project maps and remediation plans while asking whether trucking, grading, traffic or other permits are required. According to the district, the city responds that on-site grading at school properties falls outside local building department jurisdiction and that no Public Works permit is required if trucks use existing campus access points.

May 14, 2026

District and city leaders meet to discuss contaminated soil and tree removal plans.

May 20, 2026

A second meeting is held with city officials and DTSC representatives. The city requests site-specific tree removal applications and maps.

May 28, 2026

The PUSD Board approves the construction contract for soil and tree removal work.

June 9, 2026

Although maintaining the applications are not legally required, PUSD submits a master application, a Private Tree Removal application and site-specific tree removal maps at the city’s request.

June 12, 2026

After reviewing the district’s materials and DTSC correspondence, the city informs PUSD that its Tree Protection Ordinance does not apply because the work is part of a hazardous materials and soil removal project. The city states a Private Tree Removal application is not required.

June 13, 2026

PUSD acknowledges the city’s determination and informs officials it will proceed with the project.

June 15, 2026

PUSD and DTSC issue a joint statement regarding safe soil cleanup.

June 17, 2026

The city notifies PUSD that it is reconsidering its June 12 determination and asks that work already underway be halted.

June 19, 2026

The PUSD Board authorizes remediation work to continue, concluding that delaying DTSC-supervised soil removal could prevent the reopening of play areas, athletic fields, courtyards, community gardens, student gardens and landscaped areas before the start of the school year.

The district also says the board agreed to preserve protected trees through alternative methods at an estimated additional cost of at least $2 million.

June 25, 2026

The city officially reverses its June 12 determination, informing PUSD that it believes the project is subject to city zoning, building regulations and the Tree Protection Ordinance.

July 1, 2026

The city issues stop-work notices at seven campuses. PUSD maintains the DTSC-supervised remediation project is outside the city’s permitting authority and says complying with the notices could delay reopening affected outdoor areas.

July 6, 2026

PUSD responds to the stop-work notices, reaffirming its position that the remediation project is not subject to the city’s Tree Protection Ordinance.

According to the district, after months of coordination and the city’s reversal after work had begun, it determined it had an obligation to continue remediation to protect student health and safely reopen campuses.

Summer 2026

PUSD says clean soil replacement is continuing and one-for-one tree replanting at the 11 affected campuses will begin under DTSC oversight, with the goal of restoring outdoor spaces for students during the 2026–27 school year.