For Immediate Release:

December 11, 2025

Pasadena Unified Establishes Superintendent’s Facilities Advisory Committee to Coordinate Bond and Facilities Planning

Pasadena, CA – The Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) is establishing the Superintendent’s Facilities Advisory Committee (SFAC) to provide coordinated, transparent, and strategic oversight of the district’s long-range facilities planning and bond programs.

The new advisory Committee will serve as the Superintendent’s leadership body to align the District’s voter-approved Measure O and Measure R bond programs, capital outlay planning, insurance recovery, asset management, and long-term facilities strategies. This Committee ensures that all facility decisions are transparent, data-driven, fiscally responsible, and aligned with the Facilities Master Plan (FMP), Educational Master Plan (EMP), and the District’s energy and sustainability goals.

The Committee’s charter was presented at the Board of Education’s retreat on November 6, 2025.

“The Eaton Fire destroyed or significantly damaged five of our district sites, and it is vital that we align our bond and facilities planning to this new reality,” said Superintendent Elizabeth Blanco, Ed.D. “This Committee ensures that every decision we make moving forward is transparent, data-driven, fiscally responsible, and aligned with our mission and community values.”

The Superintendent’s Facilities Advisory Committee will begin meeting in January 2026 and will be chaired by the Superintendent, with support from Michael Dunning, PUSD Director of Facilities, Maintenance & Operations. Membership will include District administrators, staff, labor, and community partners, as well as three Board of Education members. PUSD will be working with labor partners and administration to select representatives. In addition, the Committee will include four parents/guardians and one alternate, and four community members and one alternate, preferably with interest and expertise in facilities, architecture, construction, or energy efficiency. All must commit to attending meetings twice per month. The district is seeking applicants to fill the parent and community member positions. Applications are available at pusd.us/sfac. Completed applications must be submitted by 4 p.m. December 19, 2025, either by mail to April Armendariz, Senior Administrative Assistant, Pasadena Unified School District, 740 W. Woodbury, Altadena, CA 91001, or by email to armendariz.april@pusd.us

The Committee will meet to review and coordinate major areas, including:

Bond Program Delivery (Measures O & R)
Capital Outlay and Asset and Property Management
Insurance Recovery and Fire Restoration Projects
Facilities Master Planning and Design Standards
Funding Strategy and Program Integration
Compliance and Reporting

The Committee’s focus is on facilities projects, and it is not intended to serve as a school consolidation committee. Its focus will remain on facility projects and on integrating bond and insurance funding to ensure the efficient use of resources.

“This is a crucial step as we shift focus from immediate fiscal stabilization to rebuilding and long-term investment in our schools,” added Dr. Blanco. “By bringing together our bonds, asset management, and facilities planning, we can maximize both impact and accountability for our students and community.”

In keeping with the District’s commitment to transparency, meeting summaries and materials will be publicly archived.

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