Pasadena School District Approves Layoffs, Budget Cuts Amid Financial Woes

The Pasadena Unified School District Board of Education approved a fiscal stabilization plan and second interim budget Thursday that includes the elimination of nearly 200 positions in certified and classified staff, though many of the targeted positions are currently vacant.

“[The] Board approved reductions in force for 196 positions,” Pasadena Unified spokesperson Hilda Ramirez Horvath said after the vote. 90 of the positions are currently unstaffed.

Due to be submitted to the Los Angeles County Office of Education on Friday, the plan aims to save the district $9 million for the 2024-25 school year with the layoffs.

Interim Superintendent Dr. Elizabeth Blanco stated that the reductions are necessary due to the expiration of one-time COVID-19 funding, declining district enrollment, and anticipated cuts in state funding. The district faces a potential budget gap of up to $20 million.

According to Blanco, in addition to the layoffs, the district plans to redesign the Special Education Department and reduce central offices by 30% to minimize the impact on students.

Impacted employees were to be personally notified by district site and department leaders on Friday, March 15, with layoff notices mailed the same day by the district’s Human Resources Department. 

Final layoff and reassignment notices will be issued by May 15.

Blanco said the district will continue to adjust its budget based on ongoing state budget developments and will keep the community informed in the coming months.