Pasadena Unified Board of Education Meets Thursday Evening

The Pasadena Unified School District’s Board of Education will meet Thursday, December 22, to act on a number of consultant contracts, project proposals, and personnel assignments of PUSD staff. It will also decide on policies governing the handling of donations in support of PUSD’s instructional programs.

Board Members will also will vote on a resolution aimed at creating “safe zones for migrant students.” The resolution states in part that “no public school district has a basis to deny children access to education based on their immigration status” and admits that “although large scale ICE operations under any new directive have not yet been carried out in Southern California, immigration enforcement does affect Pasadena Unified School District families every day.”

PUSD is recommending approval by the Board of over contracts with individuals and institutions that serve the district as consultants in various capacities, from providing professional academic development services to counselling students on domestic violence issues and college and career guidance. The contracts range in amount from $1,200 to $50,000.

The Superintendent or other designated PUSD official formulates the policies for these contracts and submits them to the Board of Education for approval.

Public comment about these consultant contracts can be heard during the business meeting portion that opens at 5 p.m. The public may also comment on other issues taken up in the agenda, which includes acceptance by the Board of Education of gift donations from individual and institutional donors in support of instructional goals.

The Board has for the past several years been receiving generous donations from community members and vendors in support of PUSD’s programs for students and the community. Donations usually are set aside for the purchase of instructional materials and provide fund for student field trips. The donations benefit both the school sites as well as the PUSD district office.

Also up for ratification by the Board of Education are disbursement measures, purchase orders and contracts as required by the California Education Code. The Code says all payments made from the funds of a school district shall be made by written order by the Board of Education. Among these disbursements are payments for employee services, supplies, commercial services and equipment used at school sites, the district office and the PUSD service center.

Disbursements also include payroll taxes, STRS and PERS contributions and county office charges.

The Board of Education will also deliberate on recommendations for the appointment of certificated and classified personnel, as well as leaves of absence, retirements and resignations within the PUSD jurisdiction.

The Board of Education meeting opens with a closed session at 4 p.m., at the Elbie J. Hickambottom Board Room at PUSD, located at 351 South Hudson Avenue in Pasadena.