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YOUR VOICE - YOUR VOTEYOUR VOICE - YOUR VOTE

Mountain View News Saturday, October 19, 2024

(Editor's Note: At recent community forums regarding Measures R 
and EE which are on the November 5, 2024, the question was asked 
numerous times, 'Whatever happened to the money from Measure 
O. Dr. Blanco replies below:)

A LEGACY OF PROGRESS AND A FUTURE OF 
OPPORTUNITY: HOW MEASURE O IS SHAPING 
PASADENA UNIFIED 

By: Superintendent Dr. Elizabeth Blanco

(Pasadena, CA) — At Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD), we boast a longstanding 
tradition of excellence, putting student success at the heart of everything we do. Across the 
three communities we serve, our top priority remains the same: ensuring that every student 
has the tools and environment they need to learn today and lead tomorrow. Central to this 
mission is providing modern, state-of-the-art facilities that foster innovation, creativity, 
and growth, creating spaces where students can truly thrive.

As we look back on the progress made across PUSD, the impact of Measure O is clear in the 
transformation of our schools and, most importantly, the lasting benefits for our students. 
In 2020, our community took a significant step forward by overwhelmingly approving 
Measure O, a $516.3 million bond aimed at modernizing and improving our schools. This 
bond, driven by the needs of our students and a commitment to fostering high-quality 
learning environments, continues to make a tangible difference across our campuses.

Thanks to Measure O funds, we have completed several key projects that have already 
enhanced the educational experiences of students throughout our District. Most notably, 
schools have seen extensive facility upgrades that make our campuses safer and more 
conducive to learning. These improvements include upgraded technology for all students, 
the restoration and improvement of athletic fields, installation of modern HVAC systems, 
the renovation of restrooms, accessibility upgrades, and more.

While we celebrate the completion of these projects, our work through Measure O is far 
from finished. More transformative projects are on the horizon that will continue to elevate 
the educational experience for our students. 

For example, at Madison Elementary School, renovations starting in June 2025 will include 
redesigned entrances for accessibility, new landscaping and fencing, a new playground 
restroom facility and exterior courtyard, updated classrooms, auditorium, offices, kitchen, 
and cafeteria, critical roofing replacements, and a playground shade structure. State-
of-the-art facilities such as these will allow PUSD to create spaces that inspire learning, 
collaboration, and personal growth. We look forward to the many more scheduled campus 
modernization projects such as this that Measure O will allow us to create.

Our Citizens’ Oversight Committee has been instrumental in ensuring Measure O’s success, 
serving as a key voice in setting priorities for bond funds. This eight-person committee 
reviews every expenditure of Measure O funds to guarantee they are used responsibly and 
efficiently. This vital work would not be possible without their input, watchful eye, and 
heart for community service. 

As we move forward, the ongoing work supported by Measure O will continue to solidify 
the legacy of progress we have already achieved. Together, we are building opportunities, 
fostering success, and preparing students for a future full of rich possibilities.

As we continue to enhance our schools and prepare students for the world outside of high 
school, I encourage all members of our community to stay engaged and invested in the 
success of our students. Whether through attending school events, participating in District 
discussions, or volunteering your time to enrich student experiences, your involvement 
makes a lasting impact. Together, we can ensure that every student has the opportunity to 
thrive in a world that’s ever-changing, knowing their success is our success.

Visit www.pusd.us/MeasureO to learn more about Measure O.

About the Pasadena Unified School District The Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) 
serves approximately 13,800 preK-12th-grade students in a 76-square-mile area, including Altadena, 
Pasadena, Sierra Madre, and unincorporated parts of Los Angeles County. With a commitment to 
academic excellence and cultural responsiveness, PUSD prepares students for success in an ever-
evolving world. For more information about the Pasadena Unified School District, visit www.pusd.
us 


MEASURE PS IS NOT THE SOLUTION 

The time has come for the voters in Sierra Madre to start thinking with their head and 
not their heart. This town really isn’t Mayberry and never will be. Yes, it is a delightful 
community with much to love. But, we are being asked to OK a new tax that really won’t 
do much to keep things going in the long term.

Measure PS would not be necessary in the first place if the city had a sufficient revenue 
base to sustain itself as a “self-service” city. The belief that a parcel tax will fix things is 
unrealistic.

Sure, it is nice to be able to point to shiny police vehicles and fire engines and say “those 
belong to us!” But they come at high cost and that cost will only continue to grow. The 
City has had many opportunities over the years to spread the overhead of the services it 
provides, but has stubbornly refused. There simply is no way going forward that there 
ever will be enough money to go it alone. There are very few cities any more that are 
fully “self-service”. All of them are much larger than Sierra Madre, with far more robust 
revenue sources. And all of them are in just as much financial difficulty as this town.

Measure PS creates a parcel tax many times larger than anywhere else in California, and 
that is to support among the smallest police and fire departments in the State. This parcel 
tax will supposedly expire in seven years. Does that mean that a sudden removal of, by 
then, about $2.5 million per year will not be an issue? That is ludicrous. This tax will 
never go away, and for anyone to say otherwise is either foolish or dishonest. There will 
be another measure to extend this tax. Just remember that we were coaxed into approving 
a permanent 10% utility tax—when it was set to being sunsetting—that would solve the 
city’s financial difficulties, until it didn’t. Then we gave the OK to a sales tax hike because 
that would solve the city’s financial difficulties, until it didn’t. And here we are again 
being asked to pay even more with a brand new tax.

And looking at the way Measure PS is worded, it will index to the CPI, but never be less 
than a 1% increase. What that means is that this tax will go up every year even if the CPI 
goes into minus territory—which it did most recently in 2008-2009.

The bottom line is that Sierra Madre can’t afford itself any more. Throwing more money 
at this situation won’t fix it. It is time for the City’s leaders and residents to come to grips 
with the reality that the halcyon days of yore have been left behind.

It’s time for Sierra Madre voters to think with their head and not their heart. Vote NO on 
Measure PS. 

Don Handley, Sierra Madre


Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com