PUSD Board of Education Special Meeting - Live Coverage of June 18, 2026

The Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) Board of Education held a special meeting on June 18, 2026, primarily focused on soil remediation and tree removal projects across multiple school campuses. The meeting included extensive public comments expressing concern over the planned removal of approximately 193 trees due to soil contamination, with community members advocating for alternative remediation methods that preserve mature and protected trees. Staff presented a proposal to use an air excavation method to remediate soil around protected trees, aiming to retain 55 to 57 trees while complying with California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) requirements. Board members discussed the financial implications, potential land use covenants, and the impact on student safety and campus operations. A motion was passed to approve the multi-site soil remediation and site restoration project with amendments to voluntarily evaluate retention alternatives for protected trees, except where tree retention would disrupt school operations or student life. The meeting highlighted the balance between environmental concerns, regulatory compliance, budget constraints, and educational priorities.