Monday, August 11, 2025

PUSD Says Soil Removal Will Continue Into School Year at Some Campuses

Laboratory worker holding professional glassware and testing black soil after harvest in the field.

District officials say certain areas will remain fenced off until state approval is granted

Pasadena Unified School District officials acknowledged Thursday that soil removal and follow-up testing will not be completed at some campuses before students return, leaving certain areas fenced off until state regulators approve remediation plans.

Speaking during an Aug. 7 special meeting of the Board of Education, district staff reported that initial testing at 34 district properties cleared 16 for access to exposed dirt areas. However, the remaining 18 sites showed evidence of “impacted soil,” prompting deeper and wider follow-up sampling to determine the extent of contamination.

Some restricted areas are limited to planters and landscaped walkways, while others include outdoor play areas and athletic fields.

“There will be some disruption at the beginning of the school year,” a district staff member told the board.

Chief Business Officer Saman Bravo-Karimi said the summer timeline for completion had proven unrealistic.

“We had hoped to have all testing and soil removal done before school starts,” he said, but the district now has “no specific timelines” for when each site’s work will be finished. Until then, access will remain restricted under state oversight.

According to Bravo-Karimi, the district is working “as quickly as possible” in compliance with the Department of Toxic Substances Control, which must sign off on all remediation plans.

Protective measures already in place — including orange construction fencing — will remain through the start of school. Maintenance teams are checking and repairing those barriers before opening day, he said.

Trustees pressed district leaders for campus-specific timelines. Board member Dr. Yarma Velázquez said that some sites have reported not receiving clear information about which areas will be off-limits. Staff responded that principals were briefed in a recent districtwide meeting, and updates will be issued as soon as the DTSC finalizes instructions.

Superintendent Elizabeth Blanco said a districtwide message with a soil-testing update was sent Aug. 4, and promised more targeted notices when regulators provide guidance.

“We understand the urgency … and will be giving that information as soon as we have it,” she said.

Some trustees also asked about the sufficiency of fencing. Board member Tina Fredericks questioned whether orange mesh barriers would keep students out. Staff said the fencing is primarily a visual deterrent and that school personnel will supervise outdoor periods to prevent access. The main health risk, they explained, comes from swallowing substantial amounts of impacted soil or inhaling large amounts of contaminated dust.

District officials expect to meet this week with DTSC and Los Angeles County public health staff to discuss the next steps.

Trustee Patrice Marshall McKenzie offered to assist through legislative channels if state approvals are delayed. Bravo-Karimi said the agency has prioritized PUSD’s projects but welcomed help if bottlenecks arise.

Families can expect some fields, planters and dirt areas at the 18 impacted schools to remain off-limits behind fencing after classes resume. Custodial and maintenance crews are refreshing barriers in preparation for the first day, and site-specific updates will be shared once the DTSC clears each remediation plan.

The soil safety discussion came as part of a broader “Back to School” presentation at Thursday’s meeting. District leaders emphasized their commitment to “put safety first,” maintain restrictions where required, and communicate promptly as regulators clear areas for student use.