EDUCATION AND YOUTH 
Mountain View News Saturday, August 1, 2026 
66 EDUCATION AND YOUTH 
Mountain View News Saturday, August 1, 2026 
66 
SMMS CROSS COUNTRY TEAM 

SCHOOL DIRECTORY 


The Cross Country team finished their extended season this past weekend by competing in 
the Pasadena Triathlon and 5k. They added to their record-breaking season with a few more 
trophies: 

Yan Fu was 2nd overall in the 5k; Jeremy Wierman won his age group in the triathlon; and the 
relay of Hannah Lundgren, Marie McFarlane, and Arya Kiang was the 3rd overall female relay!
Over the year, 121 runners participated in cross country this year, setting multiple new school 
records and placing higher than ever before at invitationals and 5ks! 

Some highlights from the year:
Jude Wedel set a new men's SMMS school record for the mile with a time of 5:48. He also owns 
the SMMS 5k school record of 21:03! 

Sarah Bates set a new women's SMMS school record for the mile with a time of 6:14. She also 
became the first SMMS runner to ever medal at Mt Sac! 

Emma Tan set a new 6th-grade women's SMMS school record for the two-mile, finishing just 
out of the medals on a hard Mt Sac course! 

Jeremy Wierman set a new 6th grade men's SMMS school record for the mile with at time of 5:52 
and won his age group in 5 different 5ks throughout the season! 

Congrats to all our runners for an amazing season! 

LATEST BOND REFINANCING GENERATES OVER 
$10 MILLION IN TAXPAYER SAVINGS THROUGH 
PRUDENT FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT. 

PASADENA, CA – The Pasadena Unified School District has successfully refinanced a portion of its 
outstanding general obligation bonds, saving local taxpayers over $10 million by reducing its long-term 
borrowing costs. 

"This refinancing reflects our commitment to being responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars," said Dr. 
Elizabeth Blanco, PUSD Superintendent. 

The District issued General Obligation Refunding Bonds to refinance $133.4 million of outstanding voter-
approved Measure TT general obligation bonds. Net of all transaction costs, the refinancing will save 
taxpayers $10.4 million in total debt service, a net present value savings of $8.8 million, or 6.6% of the 
refinanced principal. The savings will be realized proportionally over the remaining ten-year repayment 
period, with the final maturity occurring in 2036. 

The refinancing does not extend the repayment term of the bonds. Instead, it takes advantage of favorable 
market conditions to reduce the District's borrowing costs—similar to how a homeowner refinances a 
mortgage to secure a lower interest rate. 

The 2026 refinancing continues Pasadena Unified's disciplined approach to debt management. The 
District has previously completed successful bond refinancings in 2014, 2016, and 2019, consistently 
taking advantage of favorable market conditions to reduce financing costs. Including this transaction, 
the District has reduced total debt service on its voter-approved bonds by more than $68 million through 
carefully timed bond refinancings since 2014. 

"Good financial management doesn't end once bonds are issued," said Arik Avanesyans, Chief Business 
Officer. "Whenever market conditions provide an opportunity to lower the cost of voter-approved bonds,
it is our responsibility to pursue those savings on behalf of our Community." 

General obligation bonds are approved by local voters and may only be used to construct, repair, 
modernize, or improve school facilities. Bond proceeds cannot be used for teacher salaries or day-today 
operating expenses. The District's bond program remains subject to independent citizens' oversight, 
annual financial audits, and public reporting to ensure accountability and transparency. 

The refinancing was completed with the assistance of municipal advisor Dale Scott & Co., which has 
advised California school districts on municipal financings for more than three DECADES. 

About the Pasadena Unified School District 

The Pasadena Unified School District serves more than 13,000 students across schools in Pasadena, Sierra 
Madre, and Altadena. The District is committed to providing safe, modern learning environments that 
support student achievement while maintaining transparency and responsible stewardship of public 
funds. 

Alverno Heights Academy

200 N. Michillinda Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 
(626) 355-3463Head of School: Joanne Harabedian 
E-mail address: 
jharabedian@alvernoheights.org 


Arcadia Christian School 

1900 S. Santa Anita Avenue 

Arcadia, CA91006Preschool -TK - 8th Grade 
626-574-8229/626-574-0805Email:inquiry@acslions.comPrincipal: Cindy Harmonwebsite: 
www.acslions.com 


Arcadia High School

180 Campus DriveArcadia, CA91007Phone: (626) 821-8370,
Principal: Brent Forseebforsee@ausd.net 


Arroyo Pacific Academy

41 W. Santa Clara St. Arcadia, Ca,

(626) 294-0661 Principal: Phil ClarkeE-mail address: pclarke@arroyopacific.org 
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin MarySchool 

Robert Bringas, Jr., Principal2660 East Orange Grove Blvd.

Pasadena, Ca 91107

626-793-2089 
https://school.abvmpasadena.org/ 


Barnhart School 

240 W. 
Colorado Blvd 
Arcadia, Ca. 
91007 
(626) 446-5588Head of School: 
Tonya BeilsteinKindergarten - 8th gradewebsite: www.barnhartschool.org 


Bethany Christian School

93 N. Baldwin Ave. 
Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024

(626) 355-3527Preschool-TK-8th Grade 
Principal: Jonathan Haweswebsite: www. bcslions.org 


Clairbourn School 

8400 Huntington DriveSan Gabriel, CA91775Phone: 626-286-3108 ext. 172 
FAX: 626-286-1528 


Marianne Ryan

administration@clairbourn.orgE-mail: jhawes@clairbourn.org 


Foothill Oaks Academy

822 E. BradbourneAve., Duarte, CA91010(626) 301-9809Principal: Nancy Lopezwww.foothilloaksacademy.orgoffice@foothilloaksacademy.org 


Frostig School

971 N.Altadena Drive 


Pasadena, CA 91107

(626) 791-1255Head of School: Jenny JanetzkeEmail: jenny@frostig.org 


The Gooden School 

192 N. Baldwin Ave. 
Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024

(626) 355-2410Head of School, Jo-Anne Woolnerwebsite: www.goodenschool.org 


Holy Angels School

PK-8th Grade 
360 Campus DriveArcadia, CA91007626-447-6312 
office@holyangelsarcadia.orgPrincipal:Aimee Dyrekholyangelsarcadia.net 


High Point Academy

1720 Kinneloa Canyon Road

Pasadena, Ca. 91107 

Head of School: Gary Stern 626-798-8989 
website: www.highpointacademy.org 


La Salle College Preparatory

3880 E. Sierra Madre Blvd. 
Pasadena, Ca.

(626) 351-8951website: www.lasallehs.orgPrincipal Ernest Siy 


Monrovia High School

325 East Huntington Drive,
Monrovia, CA91016

(626) 471-2800 Principal Darvin JacksonEmail: schools@monrovia.k12.ca.us 
Odyssey Charter School

725 W.Altadena Dr. 


Altadena, Ca. 91001

(626) 229-0993Head of School: Lauren O’Neill 
website: www.odysseycharterschool.org 


Pasadena High School

2925 E. Sierra Madre Blvd. Pasadena, Ca.
(626) 396-5880Principal: Dr. Eric Barba 
website: http://phs.pusd.us 


St. Rita Catholic School 

322 N. Baldwin Ave. 
Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024

Principal: Jon McMaster (626) 355-6114mcmaster@st-ritaschool.orgWebsite: www.st-ritaschool.org 


Sierra Madre Elementary School

141 W. HighlandAve,

Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024

(626) 355-1428Principal: Dr. Jodi MarchessoE-mail address: marchesso.jodi@pusd.us 


Sierra Madre Middle School 

160 N. Canon Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024(626) 836-2947Principal: Garrett NewsomE-mail address: newsom.garrett@pusd.us 


Walden School 

74 S San Gabriel Blvd 
Pasadena, CA 91107 (626) 792-6166 
www.waldenschool.net 


Weizmann Day School

1434 N.Altadena Dr. 


Pasadena, Ca. 91107

(626) 797-0204Lisa Feldman: Head of School 


Wilson Middle School 

300 S. Madre St. 
Pasadena, Ca. 91107 

(626) 449-7390 
Principal: Ruth EsselnE-mail address: resseln@pusd.us 
Pasadena Unified School District 


351 S. HudsonAve.,

Pasadena, Ca. 91109

(626) 396-3600Website: www.pusd@pusd.us 


Arcadia Unified School District 


234 Campus Dr.,Arcadia, Ca. 91007 


(626) 821-8300 Website: www.ausd.net 
Monrovia Unified School District 


325 E. Huntington Dr.,
Monrovia, Ca. 91016 
(626) 471-2000Website: www.monroviaschools.net 


Duarte Unified School District 


1620 Huntington Dr., Duarte, Ca. 91010 
(626)599-5000Website: www.duarte.k12.ca.us 



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