Pasadena Unified School District (Photo – Staff)
The Pasadena Unified School District released the following statement.
On May 14, 2024, the Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) hosted a meeting at Longfellow Magnet School to answer questions about upcoming renovations to the campus funded by Measure O and the one-year relocation of the school during construction.
Starting August 2025, Longfellow Magnet School will move to a temporary location for one school year and return to the campus when construction is completed the following school year. The PUSD Board of Education has allocated $37.9 million to modernize and renovate Longfellow, with projects that include electrical systems, fire alarm systems, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems, a new kitchen, new interior finishes, and restroom renovation.
The purpose of the May 14 meeting was to update parents, staff, and caregivers about the District’s plans to accommodate the students, teachers, staff, and programs at the former Allendale Elementary site, which is being vacated and upgraded. Maps of the Allendale campus and initial renderings of the Longfellow campus were shared, as was a Q & A that will be updated on an ongoing basis as more details become available. Information is posted at pusd.us/measureo/longfellow.
On the panel were PUSD Superintendent Elizabeth Blanco, Longfellow Principal Erica Ingber, Board of Education Vice President Jennifer Hall Lee, Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo, Director of Facilities, Maintenance and Operations, and Transportation Manuel Carrasco, and bond program interim manager Michael Dunning.
The Mayor joined us to reassure the Longfellow community that he and his staff are working with the district to provide accommodations at Allendale, including more green space, access to the adjacent park, and activities at the Allendale branch of the Pasadena Public Library, which is also next to the Allendale elementary school site.
Information regarding the temporary relocation sites for schools undergoing Measure O renovations was introduced to school staff, parents, and caregivers during meetings with district staff and the assigned architect on the initial design process, which was held in late January and early February 2024. The District provided buses for parents and school staff to tour the Allendale site in April, and parents had additional questions.
We understand that the Longfellow community has continuing questions and concerns, and we are committed to strengthening communication with the communities of our schools undergoing major renovations. To bolster communication, a steering committee is established at each school undergoing major renovations. In addition, a program manager is assigned to liaise with the school principal. Q&As, fact sheets, and other materials are being prepared for each project.
We fully understand the difficulties and sacrifices the Longfellow students and families face with this move. In their time at Longfellow, students have overcome many challenges, including COVID-19. Our priority is to make the transition as seamless as possible. Our entire staff is committed to doing what is needed to accomplish this in the coming months.
The Allendale campus as it stands today will not be the same one that will welcome students in August 2025. Our extensive planning will improve the site to best accommodate the students.
We will continue to inform our PUSD community about the process of creating a comfortable and effective learning environment for Longfellow students.
This is a good update, thank you. My daughter attended Longfellow – nice to know Ms. Ingber is still there.