2025-05-14 Soil Testing Results

May 14, 2025

Dear PUSD Community,

I want to begin by thanking you for your continued support, patience, and trust as we work through the important process of ensuring the health and safety of every student and employee in the Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD).

As part of our response to the recent Eaton Fire, PUSD has completed the first phase of soil testing at all school sites. This effort, undertaken in partnership with a State-licensed environmental consulting firm, was guided by one core principle: the safety of our students and employees is not negotiable.

I am pleased to share that many of our schools have been fully cleared, with soil samples showing no elevated levels of harmful fire-related substances. These campuses have been deemed safe, and effective immediately, all outdoor areas, including bare soil spaces, playfields, and athletic facilities at these schools will fully reopen. Students and staff can return to normal outdoor activities such as recess, physical education, and team sports.

The list of schools that have been cleared, along with maps of the tested areas, is available at pusd.us/firerelief-safety .

At the same time, I want to be transparent: some schools did show elevated levels of certain substances in specific outdoor areas. We are moving swiftly and carefully to address these results.

Here’s what we’re doing next at these schools:

• We are working closely with local and state health and environmental agencies, including the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health and the Pasadena Public Health Department, to review test results and, if necessary, develop science-based remediation plans that will protect our students and employees.

• Outdoor areas with impacted soil will remain closed until remediation is completed. These spaces will continue to be clearly marked and secured to prevent access.

• Any necessary remediation will be completed before the new school year starts.

• Additional testing and monitoring of impacted soil will be conducted prior to and during remediation.

• Each affected school will receive individual maps showing the affected areas, and reports as they become available.

Please keep in mind, while the results for heavy metals like lead are in, other results may take longer. Maps will be updated as new data becomes available. Updates will be posted at pusd.us/firerelief-safety as soon as they are ready.

We know how much our students, educators, employees, and families rely on outdoor learning and recreation spaces, and we are doing everything we can to ensure a safe return to full use as soon as possible.

To our families and employees, please know this: you will continue to receive regular updates. We are committed to full transparency every step of the way. Final soil testing reports, individual school updates, and additional frequently asked questions and answers will be posted at pusd.us/firerelief-safety.

We are deeply grateful for your partnership and understanding during this process. It is moments like these that highlight the strength of our school communities – your resilience, your care, and your commitment to safety and wellbeing.

Thank you for walking alongside us. Together, we will ensure that every PUSD campus remains a safe, supportive, and thriving place for our children to learn and grow.

With appreciation,

Elizabeth Blanco, Ed.D.

Superintendent

Pasadena Unified School District