PUSD Board of Education Regular Meeting, June 25, 2026 (Photo- Screengrab, KLRN Pasadena)
The Pasadena Unified School District Board of Education approved Resolution 2894 in a 4-3 vote Thursday night after lengthy public comment and board discussion that stretched into the late evening.
By Margaret Prietto
Resolution 2894 initiates a “District Transformation Process” that could lead to school closures. Resolution 2894 replaces Resolution 2852 regarding “optimal school size” and which started the school closure process in December 2025.
The regular board meeting on June 25 drew significant public participation, with residents, students and board members expressing sharply differing views on the resolution, which also rescinds Resolution 2852.
During public comment, 14 Pasadena residents spoke against Resolution 2894 and urged the board to rescind Resolution 2852. When the agenda item was later considered, six additional speakers opposed the proposed resolution. Two speakers, Peter Dreier and Mimi Fitzgerald, spoke in support of Resolution 2894.
At the conclusion of public comment, Student Assembly Trustee Katherine Bleeker read a statement on behalf of the Student Assembly opposing Resolution 2894. The statement urged the board to “listen to and prioritize student voices” and later stated, “we aren’t being listened to.”
Board Member Kimberly Kenne introduced Resolution 2894, citing the district’s budget deficit, declining enrollment and other previously discussed challenges facing the district.
Board President Tina Fredericks moved to approve the resolution, and Board Member Yarma Velázquez seconded the motion to allow discussion to proceed.
Fredericks initially proposed amending the resolution to specifically reference a list of stakeholders, including parents and businesses. Kenne responded that the term “community” was intended to encompass those groups, and Fredericks withdrew the proposed amendment.
Velázquez asked whether the board could separately vote on rescinding Resolution 2852 and approving Resolution 2894. She was advised that doing so would require separate agenda items.
During discussion, Kenne said an Aug. 13 study session would provide time for demographic data to be gathered. She then stated that the district’s demographer was unavailable on Aug. 13 but could participate on Aug. 6.
Superintendent Dr. Blanco responded that she was surprised by that information, stating she had not spoken with the demographer regarding availability. Kenne replied that she had “heard that” but did not address whether she had contacted the demographer directly.
Kenne then suggested using data from MTS and TSS for the study session. Dr. Blanco asked Kenne to work with the district’s Facilities Department on that effort, and Kenne agreed. The board agreed to the revised approach and timeline without amending the language of the resolution regarding the demographer.
Bleeker later read a second statement, saying the Student Assembly unanimously opposed Resolution 2894 because it ignored six months of community input, undermined efforts to bring students back to PUSD and would affect students’ future.
Following Bleeker’s remarks, audience members applauded loudly, and Board Member Patrice Marshall McKenzie stood to applaud the Student Assembly.
Marshall McKenzie said Bleeker’s statement reflected her own concerns. She expressed reservations about beginning a new process while the community was still dealing with the effects of recent layoffs and said residents were still recovering from the Eaton fire and previous district actions. She also questioned asking staff to complete additional work for an Aug. 6 or Aug. 13 timeline while they were preparing schools for the upcoming academic year.
Kenne responded that layoffs had been discussed in November but acknowledged they had not been explained well before being approved in March.
Board Member Scott Harden said the board did not want to be “performative” but emphasized that declining enrollment remained a real issue facing the district.
Board Member Jennifer Hall Lee said she was “truly surprised” to see the resolution return to the agenda. She argued that “now is not the time to do this,” saying the district had hurt the community and needed to rebuild trust before moving forward with another process.
Hall Lee added, “I can feel the chill of the Quad” while making her remarks. According to meeting notes, Kenne laughed, raised her arms and rolled her eyes during Hall Lee’s comments. Hall Lee said she would vote against the resolution.
Board Member Michelle Richardson Bailey criticized the proposal as lacking transparency and described it as a “bait & switch.” She said there was “a certain arrogance” in moving forward despite months of public comments and emails, adding, “We didn’t learn our lesson,” and stating she would vote no.
Velázquez cited ongoing operational issues, including Eliot and McKinley sharing the McKinley campus and two schools sharing a principal without a finalized plan for the fall. She said those issues required action and announced she would support the resolution.
The board approved Resolution 2894 by a 4-3 vote at approximately 11:15 pm.
Just a point of accuracy – Trustee Marshall McKenzie is standing to applaud the dissenting opinion of the student representative. She was not in support and was one of the 3 Trustees who voted “No”. It explains this in the article.