Friday, December 12, 2025

Pasadena Unified Establishes Facilities Advisory Council to Coordinate Bond and Facilities Planning

The Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) announced Thursday it is establishing the Superintendent’s Facilities Advisory Council (SFAC) to provide coordinated, transparent oversight of long-range facilities planning and bond programs.

The council will serve as the Superintendent’s leadership body to align voter-approved Measure O and Measure R bond programs, capital outlay planning, insurance recovery, asset management, and long-term facilities strategies. It will ensure 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 council’s charter was presented at the Board of Education retreat on Nov. 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., in the statement. “This council 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 Council will begin meeting in January 2026. Blanco will chair the council 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.

The council will also include four parents/guardians and one alternate, and four community members and one alternate, preferably with expertise in facilities, architecture, construction, or energy efficiency. All members must commit to attending meetings twice per month. PUSD 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. Dec. 19, 2025, either by mail to April Armendariz, Senior Administrative Assistant, Pasadena Unified School District, 740 W. Woodbury, Altadena, or by email to armendariz.april@pusd.us.

The council 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

District officials emphasized the council’s focus is on facilities projects and it is not intended to serve as a school consolidation committee.

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

Meeting summaries and materials will be publicly archived, according to the district.