PUSD Board of Education Special Meeting - Live Coverage of July 16, 2026

The Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) Board of Education held a special meeting on July 16, 2026, primarily focused on the remediation of contaminated soil on school campuses following recent fires. The discussion centered on the environmental and safety challenges posed by soil contamination, the necessity of removing or preserving trees affected by the remediation efforts, and the jurisdictional authority between the school district and the City of Pasadena regarding zoning and tree protection ordinances. The board reviewed a resolution (No. 2896) to exempt school sites from certain city zoning ordinances to facilitate remediation work. Public comments expressed concern about tree removal and advocated for alternative remediation methods to preserve trees. Board members emphasized the priority of student safety and compliance with state environmental standards, noting the significant costs involved, currently estimated at approximately $10.7 million, funded through insurance reimbursements. The board discussed alternative remediation techniques such as air knifing to minimize tree removal and committed to replacing removed trees with large specimens. The meeting highlighted ongoing negotiations with regulatory agencies and the importance of balancing environmental stewardship with urgent remediation needs to ensure safe and accessible school environments.