PUSD Briefs School Leaders on Status of Construction Program and Funding Challenges

Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) officials are briefing members of school site councils this month on the progress and future funding challenges of the district’s construction program funded by Measure TT. A focus of the briefings currently underway is to inform school leadership teams at impacted schools about an approximate 20 percent funding shortfall that the overall bond program faces due to the lack of anticipated state, local and grant matching funds.

“We have made good progress on the delivery of projects funded by Measure TT, but the anticipated revenue from local, state and matching funds did not come through as expected,” said PUSD Chief Facilities Officer David Azcárraga. “Our work is not over and it is critical that we inform school communities of the challenges ahead in delivering projects, correcting our course as necessary and determining steps to close the funding shortfall.”

It is a challenge faced by school districts across California as the repercussions of the economic downturn and the state’s budget crisis are felt even in traditionally stable bond-funded construction programs. As a result of its budget crisis, the state has funded school construction projects at much lower than anticipated rates. For example, the PUSD Facilities Master Plan, developed in 2008 through an extensive community outreach process, counted on a $15 million grant from the state for Williams Settlement projects. However, the state funded the projects to ensure educational equity at only $1.8 million. Developer fees from local housing and retail development are now $4 million, much lower than the anticipated $20 million because of the slowdown in regional construction. The state’s apportionment of $13 million for deferred maintenance is now zero. Another $25 million anticipated in state modernization grants dwindled to $10.2 million.

The district’s 2008 Facilities Master Plan, with its projected $465 million budget is being revised to approximately $371 million to reflect today’s economic realities, with school projects prioritized accordingly. The bulk of the projects are funded by the $350 million Measure TT that was approved by voters in November 2008.

PUSD officials have briefed the Board of Education’s Facilities Subcommittee and are in the process of meeting with school site councils. Once the school site council meetings are completed, district officials will present a final report to the Board of Education and the Bond Oversight Committee.

To date, approximately 30 percent of the Measure TT projects identified in the Facilities Master Plan are underway or have been completed. The projects are designed to modernize, reconstruct and upgrade PUSD’s aging schools.

For more information visit www.pasadenausd.org.