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View Winners → Pasadena School Board Begins Budget Reductions With Difficult Cuts
Education Dec 20, 2017
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The PUSD Board of Education unanimously approves the special education cuts on Dec. 14. – Screenshot courtesy KLRN
53 instructional aides eliminated from special education program
By Gus Herrera
Although the “season of giving” may be underway for the rest of us, the members of the Pasadena Unified School District’s (PUSD) Board of Education face a much bleaker outlook heading into the New Year.
In the midst of a multi-million-dollar deficit, the board has been tasked with making all the difficult cuts necessary to keep the school district afloat – cuts to the tune of “$15 million and growing,” according to Superintendent Brian McDonald.
The PUSD board began this tough process by eliminating 53 instructional aides from the special education department – a batch of reductions so controversial, it took two board meetings and one town hall to approve.
The special education cuts were first slated for action on Dec. 7, but were met by significant pushback, forcing the PUSD Board to postpone the item – a decision which reduced the district’s savings from $1 million to approximately $750,000, according to McDonald.
Judy McKinley, executive board member of the PUSD’s Community Advisory Committee, criticized the district for presenting the cuts as an action item without prior consultation of those who will be impacted.
“I am extremely disturbed,” said Mckinley, “there has been no transparency … shame, shame on you … ”
Board Member Patrick Cahalan agreed with the flawed process, “I have issues with the reductions coming to us before they’re going to the affected groups … I would prefer that we table this conversation … ”
PUSD Board Member Patrick Cahalan moved to postpone the special education cuts on Dec. 7, citing a lack of transparency in the process. – Screenshot courtesy KLRN
Board President Roy Boulghourjian concurred with Cahalan’s motion to postpone, “I understand the urgency and the need to cut, but you know I’m biased towards special ed. and I will not forgive myself to vote approval.”
One week later, on Dec. 14, the special education cuts returned before the board and, once again, the item was met with opposition. But, this time, some of the public testimony was a little more understanding of the district’s need to balance the budget – a testament to the effectiveness of the informative town hall held on Dec. 12.
“I understand the needs for the proposed cuts of special education aides at this time, but … we will be watching each one of you … to see if the children are getting served,” said McKinley.
Assistant Superintendent of Special Education Elizabeth Blanco, who presented the item to the board for approval, displayed sympathy towards the opposition’s concerns, “it is with great sadness that I have to ask you to pass this resolution,” but assured the public that her department is committed to continuity of service.
Blanco revealed that the special education department plans to compensate for the loss of the 53 aides by instituting 15 full-time “rover” employees, capable of covering multiple school sites and filling in as substitutes where necessary.
Assistant Superintendent of Special Education Elizabeth Blanco assured the school board that her department is committed to providing continuity of service to those students who will be impacted by the cuts. – Screenshot courtesy KLRN
Satisfied with Blanco’s explanation, yet visibly disappointed to do so, the PUSD Board ultimately approved the cuts unanimously (7-0) – an act which left the meeting room in an uneasy, awkward moment of silence.
In other PUSD news, the school board followed the Pasadena City Council’s lead, approving a resolution to comply with the California Voter’s Participation Rights Act (CVPRA) – the district will consolidate with the Los Angeles County Registrar of Voters and hold elections on the statewide, even-year election dates.
The PUSD will now have to decide whether to maintain the primary/runoff format or switch to plurality voting. A charter amendment will be submitted for vote approval in June 2018.
