A phased plan to get all Pasadena Unified schools affected by the Eaton Fire reopened by the end of the month was announced by the school district Thursday.
Severe damage from the 14,000-acre Eaton Fire was reported at five campuses including Eliot Arts Magnet Middle School, Franklin Elementary (which closed in 2020 but is expected to reopen), and three charter schools: Edison, Loma Alta, and Noyes.
Officials say that more than 10,000 of the district’s 14,000 students were evacuated from their homes during the fire.
“To restore a sense of normalcy and provide stability for students, campuses located further from the fire’s impact will reopen first, allowing the community to begin its path toward healing,” the School District stated in a news release.
Pasadena Unified’s Maintenance and Operations team are working alongside more than 1,000 contractors to clear debris and conduct sanitization efforts to meet environmental and safety tests. As of Thursday, 10 tons of debris had been removed from the affected campuses.
Each site can only reopen after testing for safe levels by the California Office of Emergency Services, the School District stated.
In addition to working to clear the campuses, the School District has continued with its food services program, delivering 2,800 meals to families since Jan. 10.
“The Pasadena Unified School District is more than just a place, it’s a family,” Superintendent Dr. Elizabeth Blanco said. “We’re resilient and compassionate and we recognize the vital role that we play in not only being an educational institution but providing social services and food security.”
