Monday, February 24, 2025

School Board Will Vote on Extending District’s Emergency Declaration

District Board to review continuing impact of fires that destroyed multiple schools

On Thursday, the Pasadena Unified School District Board of Education will review and vote on whether to extend a local emergency declaration for the city’s public schools.

The Eaton Fire disaster resulted in complete destruction of Eliot Arts Magnet Academy and three elementary schools — Edison, Loma Alta, and Noyes. Franklin Elementary School sustained 80 percent damage, while all other District facilities suffered smoke damage, according to the report prepared by Saman Bravo-Karimi, who serves as both the District’s Chief Information Officer and the Chief Business Officer.

The Chair of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors initially proclaimed a local emergency on January 7, with California’s Governor declaring a state emergency the same day. The Pasadena Unified School District Board followed with its own Resolution 2798 at a special meeting on January 16.

Under Government Codes, a local emergency is defined as “a condition of extreme peril to person or property.”

The continuing emergency declaration maintains special powers for the Superintendent and Board “prescribed by state and local law and ordinances, and by resolutions of the District” to address the crisis.

Acting under the emergency, the District continues to seek technical expertise, resources and financial assistance from the California Office of Emergency Services and the International Federal Emergency Management Agency.

According to the proposed revised Resolution 2798, signed by Board President Jennifer Hall Lee, the emergency status will remain in effect until formally terminated by Board action.

Superintendent Elizabeth J. Blanco, Ed.D., has affirmed the continuing state of local emergency. The District’s staff report indicates there is no fiscal impact from extending the declaration.