The Pasadena Unified School District Board of Education is scheduled to vote Thursday on extending emergency measures enacted in response to January wildfires that caused widespread damage across the District. The measures, initially authorized on January 16, allow officials to continue expedited contracting and remediation work without standard competitive bidding requirements.
The District reported smoke damage at all school sites and facilities, with complete campus losses at Eliot Arts Magnet Academy, Edison Elementary School, Loma Alta Elementary School and Noyes Elementary School. Franklin Elementary School sustained 80 percent damage during what officials termed the “Fire Emergency.”
Under the emergency authorization, the District has approved contracts totaling $2,883,593.87 for equipment, supplies, and remediation services. Major expenditures include $2.06 million to CTI Group for computer equipment and $282,845 to Staples for equipment under $5,000. Emergency change orders added another $41,785.86.
The Board must vote by a four-fifths majority to extend the emergency powers at every regularly scheduled meeting until the action is terminated. The authorization allows three categories of emergency work: procuring services to continue school operations, making immediate cleaning and repairs, and preventing further damage.
District officials will pursue insurance reimbursement for eligible costs to minimize fiscal impact. All contracts must be brought before the Board for subsequent ratification, with detailed justification required for why competitive bidding delays would compromise emergency response.
The original emergency resolution passed with six votes in favor, one opposed, no absences, and no abstentions.
The public session of the Board meeting will occur at 7:30 p.m. tonight, Thursday, Jan. 30 in the Elbie J. Hickambottom Board Room #236, 351 S. Hudson Avenue in Pasadena.