25-10-09 LACOE Conditional Approval

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October 10, 2025

Dear PUSD Community,

The Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) has received conditional approval of its budget from the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE). The district is working proactively to comply with the requirements of the County and the State to protect the fiscal stability of our district.

We’re taking decisive steps to reduce deficit spending and implement the Fiscal Stabilization Plan (FSP), which calls for $30-35 million in reductions for the 2026-27 school year. We have launched a transparent, community-informed process to stabilize our budget and implement these reductions.

At the same time that we’re making reductions, we are redesigning the way we do business, moving to new approaches with a focus on long-term fiscal sustainability.

Our approach combines reductions with revenue growth. PUSD’s Asset Management Plan, launched in 2024, re-evaluates leased school facilities to community partners and private entities to bring them closer to fair market rates. We’re also updating facility use fees so that they reflect the district’s actual costs. And we are evaluating alternative uses of closed properties, such as staff housing.

This is very difficult. We are navigating a challenging process with very real impacts on the lives of PUSD students, employees, and the school communities we serve.

But our goal is clear: we have to live within our means and keep PUSD strong so that our schools continue to give students the opportunities and experiences they need to succeed.

We are facing these challenges directly and with purpose. Our responsibility is to make tough decisions now so that our district remains strong for our students and our community.

We will continue to keep you informed. Please visit our website at pusd.us/budget for previous messages, fact sheets, information about the Superintendent’s Budget Advisory Committee, and our timeline.

Sincerely,

Elizabeth Blanco, Ed.D.

Superintendent