Part 2 of an ongoing series
A rally by “Save Our Schools” movement, Monday, May 11, 2026 (Photo – John Kaye)
The Pasadena Unified School District’s School Consolidation Advisory Committee concluded its work on May 11 without recommending any school closures or consolidations “at this time,” according to a PUSD press release issued May 12.
By News Desk & Staff
The Committee’s comments and input will now move forward to the PUSD Board of Education along with a draft Equity Impact Analysis scheduled for presentation on May 28. PUSD officials said no final decisions on school closures or mergers have been made.
Results released following the Committee’s final meeting showed members did not support any of the six proposed closure or consolidation scenarios presented for consideration. The proposals involved Don Benito Elementary, Norma Coombs Elementary, McKinley Elementary, McKinley Middle School, Thurgood Marshall Secondary School, and Blair High School.
Vote totals released by PUSD showed each proposal received more opposition than support from Committee members. The proposed merger of Don Benito Elementary into Willard Elementary received 9 votes in favor and 20 opposed. The proposal to merge Norma Coombs Elementary into Webster Elementary received 8 votes in favor and 21 opposed.
The proposal to merge Eliot Arts Magnet and McKinley Middle School received 13 votes in favor and 16 opposed, while the proposal to close McKinley Elementary and redistribute students to Hamilton, Madison, and Washington elementary schools received 12 votes in favor and 17 opposed.
At the high school level, the proposal to merge Thurgood Marshall High School with Pasadena High School while retaining Marshall’s middle school program received 9 votes in favor and 20 opposed. The proposal to merge Blair High School with John Muir High School and Blair’s middle school grades with Octavia E. Butler Magnet received 10 votes in favor and 19 opposed.
Committee members repeatedly raised concerns during the meeting about the pace and structure of the consolidation process. According to PUSD-released meeting records, members described the process as “rushed,” questioned the data used in the analysis, and expressed concerns about prior communications between PUSD Board members and consultants from Total School Solutions (TSS).
Several members said they lacked confidence in the process and called for a broader “visioning process” for PUSD before any closure decisions are made. Others cited concerns about impacts on special education programs, transportation access, and preserving successful 6–12 school models at Blair and Marshall.
The meeting began with the facilitator addressing a recent article published by Colorado Boulevard regarding the consolidation process. The facilitator said that, due to the possibility of litigation involving PUSD, he could not discuss the article in detail. Some members questioned the impartiality of the process and the integrity of the consultant-led review.
The Board of Education process will continue through June with additional public hearings and study sessions before any action is taken. A first public hearing and presentation of the draft Equity Impact Analysis are scheduled for May 28, followed by a second public hearing on June 11 and a study session on June 13.
A PUSD Board vote on possible school closures remains scheduled for June 25. If approved, any consolidations or mergers would take effect at the start of the 2027–28 school year.
PUSD also released extensive written comments from Committee members. Responses reflected divided views, with some members supporting consolidation as necessary to preserve district finances and programs, while others criticized the process as lacking transparency and community trust.
Despite that statement, some parents and community members involved in the Save Our Schools movement have broadened their focus to include possible political accountability for PUSD Board Members involved in the process. Discussions among some parent groups have expanded to potential efforts to recall Tina Fredericks and Scott Harden and campaigns to vote out PUSD Board members Yarma Velazquez and Kim Kenne in the upcoming November election.
Separately, Colorado Boulevard Newspaper learned of a complaint filed with California’s Fair Political Practices Commission alleging a potential conflict of interest involving PUSD Board Member Kim Kenne related to school consolidation discussions. The complaint alleges that a foundation associated with Kenne’s husband donated funds toward improvements at a high school campus that has not been recommended for closure. No findings or determinations were included in the released materials.
This story is developing. Stay with our daily online edition for ongoing reporting.
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