Pasadena School Board Votes to Reopen PreK-5 Classes

Following a meeting which lasted more than six hours, the Pasadena School Board agreed Thursday by a vote of 5-2 to begin the process of opening classes for PreK-2 students on March 29, with grades 3-5 returning to campus on April 13.

Board Members Kimberly Kenne, Jennifer Hall Lee, Patrick Cahalan, Scott Phelps, and Elizabeth Pomeroy voted in favor of the resolution to reopen. Michelle Richardson Bailey and Tina Fredericks voted against the resolution.

The reopening would place the District on a Tier 3 level, and qualify the PUSD for approximately $5.1 million in additional State funding offered by California Governor Gavin Newsom.

For the most part, teachers who commented on reopening to the Board were reluctant to return—some of them adamantly—while many parents advocated for the reopening of classes.

Pasadena Public Health Director Dr. Ying-Ying Goh previously approved the PUSD’s safety plan for reopening, while Superintendent Dr. Brian McDonald said that the majority of teachers and staff would be vaccinated by the first opening date.

PUSD has also prepared a wide-ranging safety plan with which to implement the reopening.

Watch for a full story on Pasadena Now Friday morning.