Dr. Elizabeth Blanco (Photo – PUSD)
PUSD Message on Charter Schools.
By Superintendent Dr. Elizabeth Blanco
In the aftermath of the devastating Eaton Fire, our Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) community has shown extraordinary resilience, unity, and compassion.
With more than 10,000 students and 1,387 employees living in evacuation zones, many of whom lost their homes, our primary focus has been on supporting the well-being of our community by providing childcare, housing, and disaster relief resources.
As we continue to move forward, our priority is restoring a sense of normalcy for our students, families, and staff. This began with a phased reopening plan, which involves schools furthest from the fire opening first after passing environmental safety tests. However, this process is complicated by the severe damage sustained by five school campuses, including Eliot Arts Magnet Academy, Franklin Elementary (closed in 2020), and three campuses occupied by charter schools.
At Pasadena Unified, we view all students – whether attending PUSD schools, charter schools, or private schools – as valued members of our shared community. Our commitment is to serve everyone equitably, prioritizing the needs of our charter schools alongside those of our other schools and programs.
To support us in this effort, we have taken significant steps to accommodate our charter schools during this recovery. This includes relocating several PUSD programs to create space for charter school students within the boundaries of our district. Our proactive approach has enabled us to act swiftly.
Our relocation plans have been developed with care and have been communicated to school leaders and the community. When we met with them earlier this week, they asked us to let them communicate with their families.
- Aveson School of Leaders TK-5 (formerly at the Noyes campus) has been offered space on the Cleveland campus, sharing the site with Alma Fuerte TK-8. The District has moved its Early Childhood Education programs and offices to other district ca
- Odyssey Charter South TK-8 (formerly at the Edison campus) has been offered space at the Audubon campus, currently home to Odyssey North Charter.
- Rosebud Academy TK-8 (formerly at the Loma Alta campus) has been offered space at Don Benito Elementary School, sharing space with Don Benito students.
All district campuses, including those occupied by charter school students, are undergoing extensive cleaning and sanitizing and must pass environmental tests before being cleared for reopening. We are working in consultation with public health agencies and collaborating with the California Office of Emergency Services, the California Department of Education, and the L.A. County to ensure the safe reopening of schools.
This has been a time of extraordinary challenge, but it has also underscored the strength and determination of the PUSD community. Together, we will rebuild, reopen, and rise stronger than ever.
All children district or charter have been supported. Just because Charters want more than the district can offer doesn’t mean the support isn’t there. It means entitlement is!
Can you explain the decision to relocate the Altadena arts magnet students from their campus to Allendale and not relocate the Odyssey charter students off the Audubon site? Not only did you not relocate them, but you moved additional charter students to that site.
You state that your “commitment is to serve everyone equitably, prioritizing the needs of our charter schools alongside those of our other schools and programs” but this decision seems to contradict that statement.
Could you please clarify the District’s rationale for placing Odyssey students on a campus located directly adjacent to the burn area near Lincoln and Altadena Drive? While the District has pledged to “remediate” the campus by January 30, this commitment does not appear to adequately address the potential health risks posed to students and staff.
The site, situated near the burn area, presents significant health and safety concerns. The building is contaminated with fire ash, and the water supply is reportedly undrinkable. While PUSD has stated that the site will be cleaned and undergo safety testing, it is troubling that the District has not specified what they would be testing for. Are you planning to ensure that the buildings do not contain harmful substances such as arsenic, asbestos or lead?
This omission raises serious concerns, as exposure to toxic substances could jeopardize the health and well-being of students and staff. Moreover, placing children in an environment with unaddressed hazards could expose the District to substantial liability. Our children have already lost so much; are you prepared to risk their health as well?
Do better Dr. Blanco. The future of hundreds of children depend on it.