Pasadena Unified School District

Crews resumed tree removal at John Muir High School despite City-issued stop-work orders. The action is part of an escalating legal dispute between Pasadena officials and the Pasadena Unified School District over whether the work violates the City’s Tree Protection Ordinance. City officials were sent to the site and told to leave, with potential fines for continuing operations.

Pasadena Unified School District Board President Tina Fredericks filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court to block a recall petition against her, claiming the petition contains false and misleading statements about her role in school consolidation planning. The lawsuit names the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk and 124 unidentified respondents.

Pasadena Unified School District needs to remove 8,000 cubic yards of fire-contaminated soil from 11 campuses by mid-August 2026 to reopen them for the 2026-2027 school year, but the City of Pasadena has issued stop notices at seven campuses over soil and tree removal concerns. The district claims these stop notices are delaying cleanup efforts.

City officials issued stop work orders to the Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) over the removal of trees, citing non-compliance with Pasadena’s Tree Protection Ordinance. The district removed a city arborist from a campus amid public opposition to plans to cut down about 200 trees, claiming the removals are necessary for remediation of contaminated areas.

The Pasadena Unified School District is set to approve its 2026-2027 budget and Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP). The budget document, over 200 pages long, is criticized for being difficult to understand, particularly the line item for certificated salaries, which includes teachers, librarians, counselors, principals, and central office directors.

Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) board voted to attempt saving 57 of 193 trees slated for removal due to soil contamination from the Eaton Fire, following public outcry. The decision directs staff to explore alternative soil remediation methods near mature trees instead of excavation, though success is not guaranteed.

The Pasadena Unified School District warns residents against entering Eaton Fire cleanup sites due to soil contamination posing health risks. Unauthorized entry is trespassing, and the public is urged to allow environmental teams to work.

Pasadena Unified School District paused tree removal at its Education Center after a community member reported an active bird nest in a scheduled tree. The district has hired a wildlife biologist to inspect the tree and assess other trees in the fire-affected contaminated soil area.

Pasadena Unified School District plans to remove 193 trees across 11 campuses to address soil contamination from the Eaton Fire, sparking resident anger over lack of notification and concerns about losing mature trees. Residents and arborists argue for alternative soil remediation methods, while officials claim tree removal is necessary for safety and reopening schools.

The Pasadena Unified School District and California Department of Toxic Substances Control defended removing trees for soil cleanup after the Eaton Fire, while tree advocates and some city council members questioned if permits are required. The dispute centers on jurisdiction over tree removal on school campuses.

A Los Angeles Superior Court judge will hold a motions hearing Tuesday in the consolidated Eaton Fire litigation against Southern California Edison. The case includes the Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center, the Pasadena Unified School District, and nearly 1,000 other plaintiffs. The hearing advances pre-trial proceedings in a mass tort case.

The United Teachers of Pasadena union presented a resolution to the Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) Board calling for 'fully staffed, stable, integrated' schools. The resolution emphasizes that all students in Pasadena, Altadena, and Sierra Madre deserve access to high-quality public schools.

The Pasadena Unified School District confirmed its legal counsel found no violation of California’s open-meeting law in the December 2025 approval of Resolution 2852, which established enrollment guidelines for district schools. The resolution could inform future school consolidation proposals, though none are currently under consideration.

The Pasadena Unified School District board deadlocked 4-3 on whether to issue a public statement about allegations of Brown Act violations related to a contested school-consolidation resolution, with the vote conducted behind closed doors and announced publicly. The board faced a deadline to rescind the resolution or risk litigation.

Pasadena Unified School District's 2026-27 budget shows improved short-term financial stability due to board-approved actions, but long-term challenges like declining enrollment, rising employee benefit costs, Special Education expenses, and fire-related uncertainties persist. The district maintains positive fund balances and meets state reserve requirements for economic uncertainties.

The Pasadena Unified School District is finalizing its 2026-27 budget as the Los Angeles County Office of Education requests an updated Fiscal Stabilization Plan. The district plans to address the request while collaborating with the county and the state's Fiscal Crisis and Management Assistance Team.

Pasadena Unified School District Board President Tina Fredericks disputes allegations that her private work on a school-consolidation plan violated California’s Brown Act, calling it lawful due diligence driven by declining enrollment, underused campuses, and a budget gap. She faces Brown Act accusations and a recall effort over the matter.

The Pasadena Public Health Department is investigating an outbreak of whooping cough at Blair Middle School after three cases were confirmed. The department is working with the school district and community to monitor for additional cases. Close contacts have been identified and received instructions.