The entrance of the newly restored Egyptian Theater
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Courtesy of Netflix
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Netflix
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Topline:
Now that 101-year-old Egyptian Theater has been officially renovated and reopened, How to LA looks at the splash the theater's making now and back in 1922 when it first opened its movie palace doors.
Why it matters: Film fans and L.A. history buffs everywhere have been eyeing this reopening — some with excitement, others with trepidation. After all, it’s one of the city’s grandest movie houses, built when Hollywood was just a burgeoning industry.
Why now: The theater just reopened — over Veterans Day weekend —after extensive renovations.
The backstory: The early 1920s was still the silent film era, but the movie industry was picking up steam here. Stars like Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Pickford had moved to L.A. and a lot of movie making was happening on the West Coast. The Egyptian was envisioned by real-estate developer and Hollywood showman Sid Grauman as an “attraction” that would bring tourists — and even other Angelenos — to Hollywood.
The theater changed hands a couple of times over the decades, but its most recent sale stirred up some controversy. In 2020, American Cinematheque sold it to the streaming service Netflix for a publicly undisclosed sum.
But American Cinemateque’s Artistic Director Grant Moninger says the deal with Netflix was a "real blessing" and that recent renovations have restored the theater “back closer to 1922 than it's ever been.”
American Cinemateque still holds a 100-year lease that allows them to program films at The Egyptian on the weekends.
The historic Egyptian theater in Hollywood officially reopened its doors last weekend and people were eager to see inside the 101-year-old movie palace after a two-year closure and extensive renovation.
Last Saturday night, the theater was screening a vintage film, Jacques Tati’s Playtime on 70mm.
One moviegoer by the name of Yasmin was in her seat eagerly waiting for the show to start.
“L. A. has so many unique theaters that are, you know, outside AMC and also we're so excited to see something here and know that they have a slate of movies to show,” she said.
“I was very excited for Playtime,” her boyfriend Michael chimed in.
It was their first time at the Egyptian.
A controversial sale
Film fans and L.A. history buffs everywhere have been eyeing this reopening — some with excitement, others with trepidation. After all, it’s one of the city’s grandest movie houses, built when Hollywood was just a burgeoning industry.
An exterior view of the Egyptian Theatre and the Pig 'N' Whistle Cafe on Hollywood Blvd., circa 1933. The theater is showing "Charlie Chan in Egypt" and "The Girl from Tenth Avenue."
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Security Pacific National Bank Collection/Los Angeles Public Library Collection
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The theater hosted the film premiere of Robin Hood with Douglas Fairbanks in 1922 as well as films from Charlie Chaplin and Cecil B. DeMille throughout its first decade. In more modern times, it was films like Return of the Jedi in the 1980s that drew crowds to the Egyptian.
The theater changed hands a couple of times over the decades, but its most recent sale stirred up some controversy. In 2020, American Cinematheque sold it to the streaming service Netflix for a publicly undisclosed sum, and some critics voiced concerns about “for-profit” interests taking a stake.
American Cinematheque is a group that’s been programming theaters across L.A. with diverse repertory films since the 1980s and it has a pretty good rep among movie fans. It operated the Egyptian for more than 20 years before selling it to Netflix.
It bought the theater in 1996 from the L.A. Community Redevelopment Agency for a dollar after it was damaged in the Northridge Earthquake. The Cinematheque restored it and reopened the theater in 1998, but the Egyptian eventually became a financial struggle to run.
Enter Netflix, a controversial 'hero'
“To make this deal with Netflix and have it come back stronger than ever,” said Grant Moninger, the artistic director at the American Cinematheque, “it is a real blessing.”
Even during opening weekend, some moviegoers shared skepticism about the new owner.
“We hope Netflix doesn't sanitize and make this mainstream cinema central,” said Ryan McGurk while standing in line for popcorn. “This is the home of art house.”
But Moninger argues that regardless of who bought it, the theater has been saved and that’s a win.
“We were unsure if we were ever going to come back. It would have been a huge financial burden,” he said. The Egyptian “could have been a nightclub.”
The Egyptian Theatre Hollywood post-renovation.
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Kevin Estrada/Kevin Estrada
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NETFLIX
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Theater historian Ross Melnick agrees: “Anyone who will help reopen and restore a movie palace is gonna get hero status from me.”
Melnick teaches film and media studies at the University of California at Santa Barbara.
Film fans can take heart in this fact: The programming slate at the Egyptian will offer more than Netflix films. As part of the deal with the streaming service, the American Cinematheque has a 100-year-lease to show films every weekend. Classic films like Aliens and Laurence of Arabia will be projected on 70mm, as well as some smaller art house movies.
The Egyptian 'consecrated the launch' of Hollywood
Real estate developer and recognized showman Sidney Patrick Grauman opened the Egyptian Theater in 1922. The neighboring Chinese Theater is also Grauman’s creation.
As historian Ross Melnick explained, Grauman had this “idea that if you could build a place for film exhibition and film production, you could essentially create almost a whole new city…for tourists, entertainment and attractions.”
The Egyptian Theater
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Courtesy of the LA Public Library Archives
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“I think one thing to remember is that Los Angeles, even though now, of course, it's the global capital of moviegoing and moviemaking, was not that in the early 1920s — it was New York,” Melnick said. “Hollywood, on the other hand, was… kind of a real estate development project.”
The 1920s were a boom time for L.A. The population was growing, surpassing San Francisco’s for the first time, and moneyed interests had traveled west to capitalize on the already powerful oil industry. Officials had greatness on their minds. They wanted a city to rival that of New York and Chicago. In 1923, the Memorial Coliseum went up. So did the Biltmore Hotel and the Hollywood Sign. The art deco marvel that is L.A.’s Central Library downtown followed a few years later.
The early 20s was still the silent film era, but the movie industry was picking up steam here. Stars like Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Pickford had moved to L.A. and a lot of movie making was happening on the West Coast. One of those film “attractions” that Grauman spoke of became the Egyptian Theater.
“The opening of the Egyptian essentially consecrated the launch of Hollywood as an institution,” Melnick said.
Capitalizing on Egyptomania
There was already a Western fascination with Egypt, notes Melnick, as archeologists uncovered its many treasures during the early 20th century. King Tut’s tomb was discovered later in 1922 — a month after the Egyptian Theater opened.
This “Egyptian Revival” architecture inspired the theater’s design with its courtyard, hieroglyphic themed murals, and the winged scarab atop the theater’s proscenium arch.
The Egyptian Theatre's ornate proscenium post-renovation
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Kevin Estrada/Kevin Estrada
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NETFLIX
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“It was all about the architecture of fantasy and the architecture of fantasy is no more exciting than being whisked away, if you will, 'Thief of Baghdad' style to Egypt by going into a movie theater,” Melnick said. “I think that's just something to think about. What is a movie palace in this period? It's a way to get off the street and be essentially taken into a palace of fantasy.”
And, according to Melnick, the Egyptian was heavily promoted as a place to do just that. There were movie ticket offices set up in Hollywood and downtown L.A. but also Long Beach, San Diego and Santa Barbara. There were organized bus trips that would take people to Hollywood, Musso & Frank and then the theater.
America was still coming out of World War I and the Spanish Flu pandemic. People were craving spaces to gather as the roaring 20s picked up and the Egyptian Theater created a sense of accessible opulence for people, said Melnick. It was beautiful, exotic and transportive.
“Going into a movie palace with ushers gave you that sensation… to live like a king and queen for the price of a ticket,” Melnick said.
And, said American Cinemateque’s Grant Moninger, that feeling of opulence is back. The recent renovations have restored the architecture, including the placement of the projection booth inside the theater, “back closer to 1922 than it's ever been,” he added.
So see a bit of history for yourself, catch a movie on film, and sit in what many moviegoers said last weekend are the most comfortable movie theater seats in the city.
Austin Cross
helps Angelenos make sense of news, politics and more as host of Morning Edition, AirTalk Fridays and The L.A. Report.
Published November 20, 2025 5:00 AM
Macaulay Culkin speaks onstage during an event for the documentary "John Candy: I Like Me" on Oct. 2 in Hollywood.
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Monica Schipper
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Getty Images
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Topline:
Actor Macaulay Culkin is celebrating the 35th anniversary of the cultural touchstone and holiday classic “Home Alone” with a tour stop at Terrace Theatre in Long Beach this Saturday. The nostalgic event includes a screening of the feature film and an audience Q&A.
Celebrating 35 years: The Home Alone franchise launched Culkin into stardom and became a cultural phenomenon, remaining an iconic holiday films decades after its release. He joked that the film does feel like three-quarters of his life ago during an interview with Morning Edition host Austin Cross. Culkin was just 9 years old during the filming of Home Alone.
Reflecting on the decades after: Culkin said he did receive different treatment from adults after Home Alone.
“Next thing you know, they're asking me to hold up movies, as opposed to just be in movies,” he said.
Culkin described how he experienced burnout and hadn't completed a full year of school during that time.
“People kept on saying, ‘Hey, you know, you're 11 going on 30.’ And I go, ‘Can I just be 11 going on 12?’” Culkin said.
Want to go? Doors open for “A Nostalgic Night with Macaulay Culkin: Home Alone 35th Anniversary” at 6:30 p.m. Saturday at the Terrace Theater at 300 E. Ocean Blvd. in Long Beach. Tickets start at $68.35 through Ticketmaster.
Gab Chabrán
covers what's happening in food and culture for LAist.
Published November 20, 2025 5:00 AM
A Korean-style Thanksgiving spread: grilled meats, crispy jeon and all the fixin's from Yi Cha in Highland Park.
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Stan Lee
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Courtesy Yi Cha
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Topline:
Five L.A. restaurants that are reimagining Thanksgiving: Creole soul food, coastal seafood, Korean American fusion, Caribbean jerk turkey and Chinese-inspired elegance. These chef-driven menus let diners skip the stress while celebrating the city's diverse flavors.
Why it's important: LA's multicultural dining scene is redefining the holiday, offering families ways to honor their heritage or try something completely new — without spending hours in the kitchen. It's a Thanksgiving that reflects how the city actually eats.
Why now: Most pre-order deadlines close between Friday and Monday, and some spots (like Harold & Belle's) are opening for Thanksgiving for the first time in 50-plus years.
This year, skip the dry turkey anxiety and discover what Thanksgiving can actually look like in a city as culturally diverse as Los Angeles.
From Cajun turkey to a Korean fried chicken, from Caribbean jerk-spiced turkey legs to Chinese-inspired chicken ballotines with black truffle, some of L.A.'s most celebrated restaurants are proving that Thanksgiving doesn't have to mean the same old bird and sides.
These menus honor heritage, invite experimentation and celebrate the city's rich tapestry of cultures, one delicious plate at a time.
Most pre-order deadlines close between Friday and Monday, so place your orders now while availability lasts — waiting until next week could mean settling for whatever's left at the grocery store instead of these fabulous chef-driven feasts.
Harold & Belle's: A Creole Thanksgiving
The complete tray-bake treatment from Harold & Belle's: Cajun-smoked turkey, candied yams, cornbread dressing, creamed greens, mac and cheese and cornbread muffins.
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Courtesy Harold & Belle’s
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For the first time in over 50 years, the legendary Harold & Belle's is breaking with tradition by opening its doors on Thanksgiving Day. Guests can choose between dining in for a $45 prix-fixe menu featuring either Cajun turkey or beef pot roast (both served with cornbread dressing, candied yams and Louisiana bread pudding) or ordering their complete Thanksgiving spread to go.
The family-owned institution, which has been serving New Orleans-inspired soul food since 1969, will be welcoming diners throughout the day, from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Reservations are available now on Resy.
For those celebrating at home, their extensive catering menu offers everything from individual holiday meals to family combos serving up to 50 guests, complete with specialty sides like oyster dressing, macaroni and cheese, jambalaya and their signature filé gumbo.
An ideal option for anyone looking to swap the traditional turkey routine for something with a little more Louisiana flair.
Order info: Place orders by Monday. Call (323) 735-9023 or email catering@haroldandbelles.com, with pickup available through Thanksgiving Eve. Location: 2920 W. Jefferson Blvd, Los Angeles
Connie & Ted's: An East Coast-inspired seafood spread
Lobster rolls, chowder, crudo and plenty of fries — classic East Coast comfort with a sunny L.A. attitude from Connie & Ted's in West Hollywood.
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Courtesy Connie & Ted's
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If turkey isn't your thing, West Hollywood's beloved Connie & Ted's is offering a completely different take with their seafood-centric takeout menu.
There's a variety of à la carte options, including wild shrimp with lemon and cocktail sauce ($28 for a half-pound), house-smoked fish dip ($14), chilled lobster and rock crab ($104 for 1 1/4-pound lobster and one rock crab), Dutch apple crumb pie ($55), pumpkin pie ($55) and chocolate whoopie pies ($14 for two).
Additionally, there is a $325 prix-fixe feast for four that features chilled lobster (2 1/2 pounds), two rock crabs, 1 pound of wild shrimp, house-smoked fish dip, market salad, dinner rolls and your choice of Dutch apple crumb pie or pumpkin pie with toasted oat streusel.
A fresh, elegant alternative for anyone ready to trade in the turkey and stuffing for butter-poached lobster and saffron aioli — no apron required.
Order info: Place orders by Sunday. Call (323) 848-2722, with pickup available Wednesday from 3 to 9:30 p.m. Location: 8171 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood
Firstborn: Chinese-inspired elegance
Firstborn's chicken ballotine feast, featuring heritage chicken breast stuffed with Chinese sausage, shiitake mushrooms, ginger, chestnut and black truffle.
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Ron De Angelis
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Courtesy Firstborn
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Firstborn in Chinatown is offering a Chinese-inspired Thanksgiving feast ($290, serves four) that centers on a showstopping heritage chicken ballotine stuffed with Chinese sausage, shiitake, ginger, chestnut and black truffle, all finished with a luxurious truffle jus gras. It's comfort food elevated to celebration-worthy status, accompanied by sides that seamlessly blend Eastern and Western flavors: brown butter-roasted honeynut squash with poached pears and black vinegar caramel; steamed bun stuffing with truffled sausage; sweet soy-braised eggplant casserole; BBQ cabbage; and Chinese stewed prunes.
Optional add-ons include a green cardamom apple tarte tatin, a fall Manhattan cocktail for two or pear and white tea kombucha to round out the meal.
Order info: Preorder via OpenTable and schedule your pickup between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day. Location: 978 N. Broadway, Los Angeles
Yi Cha: A Korean American Thanksgiving feast
A Korean-inspired holiday lineup from Chef Debbie Lee's restaurant, Yi Cha in Highland Park, featuring crispy jeon and lacquered pork belly, served with vibrant banchan.
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Stan Lee
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Courtesy Yi Cha
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Highland Park's Yi Cha, headed by Chef Debbie Lee, brings a Seoul-ful twist to Thanksgiving with a Korean American fusion feast that reimagines holiday classics. Forget the traditional fried chicken — here it's "The OG KFC" (Korean Fried Chicken) with eight drums, served with your choice of Halmuni garlic or pimento chile sauce and pickled daikon ($28). The menu also features Joseon bossam — crispy pork belly with seasonal ssamjang, crispy garlic, perilla, Coleman Farms lettuce and jangajji ($39, serves four to six) — alongside inventive sides by the quart, including kimchee smashed potatoes ($20), emperor-style japchae ($25), tutti frutti green beans ($20) and Asian coleslaw ($18).
For dessert, swap the pumpkin pie for goguma (Asian sweet potato) pie with shortbread crust, Asian pear crème fraîche and spicy peanut brittle ($48, serves six to eight) or persimmon bread pudding with doenjang caramel and ginger mascarpone ($40, serves four to six). A great choice for anyone looking to honor both their Korean heritage and American traditions — or simply anyone ready to shake up their Thanksgiving table with bold, unexpected flavors.
Order info: Orders must be placed by Friday through their website. Pickup available Wednesday from noon to 6 p.m. Location: 5715 N. Figueroa St., Suite 101, Los Angeles
Bridgetown Roti: Caribbean comfort for the holidays
Jerk turkey legs from Bridgetown Roti in East Hollywood — charred and citrusy — joined by their signature patties, callaloo greens and their mac-and-cheese pie for the win.
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Joseph N. Durate
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Courtesy Bridgetown Roti
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For those craving island flavors this Thanksgiving, Bridgetown Roti is serving up Caribbean comfort with their specially curated holiday menu. À la carte offerings include jerk turkey legs (1 1/2-2 pounds with jerk sauce on the side, $20), 10-piece mini-patty boxes with your choice of up to two protein flavors like oxtail and peppers, jerk chicken or green curry shrimp ($60) or veggie options, including curried yam and mango or garlic Trini eggplant and scallion ($60). For sides, there's a whole macaroni and cheese pie made with sharp cheddar, jack, parmesan and house curry that feeds eight to 10 ($30), callaloo greens by the quart with coconut and pepper ($22) and channa and sweet potato curry, also by the quart ($22).
All items come ready to bake or warm with instructions included. Bring bold Caribbean spices and soul-warming comfort to your holiday table — no bland, dry turkey in sight.
Order info: Place orders through their website by Sunday at 8 p.m., with pickup available Tuesday. Location: 858 N. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles
Head to Hollywood Forever Cemetery for Lauren Tsai's haunting 'The Dying World.'
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Joshua White
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In this edition:
Macaulay Culkin himself will share memories of Home Alone. Plus, bike or blade for L.A. on Wheels Day and more of the best things to do this weekend.
Highlights:
The sixth annual Corita Day will be celebrated at Marciano Arts Foundation this Saturday, with some help from KCRW and other community organizations, including a performance from Bob Baker’s marionettes. You can explore the new Corita Kent: Sorcery of Images exhibit at the all-ages, free event.
Ahoy! It’s already time for the annual reading of Herman Melville’s Moby Dick on the beach. It’s one of the events that mark the start of the California gray whale migration.
No matter what wheels you prefer — roller skates, skateboard, car, bike or even unicycle — L.A. on Wheels Day celebrates all forms of zippy transport at the Natural History Museum. The event includes live skate demos from pro skaters as well as — wait for it — Rowdy the Skate Dog, plus the LA Derby Dolls and LA Skate Hunnies.
Calling all horse people: The Split Rock Jumping Tour culminates after two weeks of horse show jumping at Santa Anita Park, which was recently named the official equestrian venue for the LA28 Olympic Games. Check out elite riders and horses, then head down to the racecourse for the big event — the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup — happening on Saturday.
Halloween may be long over, but you still have a last chance to take an evening wander through Lauren Tsai’s haunting installation in Hollywood Forever Cemetery. Tsai uses drawing, painting, sculpture, stop-motion animation and puppets (created in collaboration with Andy Gent) to take visitors through a character — Astrid’s — world.
Happy Wicked: For Good opening weekend to all who celebrate. You know where I’ll be. If you have been singing along since the trailer came out, head to Licorice Pizza for a Wicked: For Good soundtrack listening party on Saturday at 5 p.m. — there will even be giveaways!
Licorice Pizza also has music picks around town for the weekend, including Lucius at the Wiltern on Friday, Robert Plant at the United on Saturday, Goapele at the Blue Note and Brian Jonestown Massacre at the Teragram. Cerritos Center has a killer lineup of Todd Rundgren on Saturday and Al Jardine from the Beach Boys on Sunday, and the Dreamstate SoCal trance festival is happening in Long Beach all weekend long.
Saturday, November 22, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Corita Day Marciano Art Foundation 4357 Wilshire Blvd., Koreatown COST: FREE, RESERVATION REQUIRED; MORE INFO
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Corita Kent
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Third Eye
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Pop artist and photographer Corita Kent died in 1986, but her powerful messages of social justice have perhaps never been clearer in Los Angeles history. An artist, nun and educator who later left the Catholic Church, Kent’s colorful prints gained attention during challenging moments in our past, from the 1960s civil rights movement to apartheid. This year marks the sixth annual Corita Day, which will be celebrated at Marciano Arts Foundation this Saturday, with some help from KCRW and other community organizations, including a performance from Bob Baker’s marionettes. You can explore the new Corita Kent: Sorcery of Images exhibit at the all-ages, free event, and also bring along your creativity for button making, screen printing and more ways to make inspiring, colorful art like Kent’s.
Saturday, November 22, 6:30 a.m. to Sunday, November 23, 5 p.m. Annual Moby Dick Reading Venice Beach COST: FREE; MORE INFO
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Museon, CC BY 4.0
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Wikimedia Commons
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Ahoy! It’s already time for the annual reading of Herman Melville’s Moby Dick on the beach. I know I put this in every year, but it’s one of my favorite — and so uniquely Venice — events that mark the start of the California gray whale migration. After the rain this week, it should be brisk but sunny on the beach, so bring a blanket and sign up for your favorite chapter to read aloud.
Saturday, November 22, 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. L.A. On Wheels Day Natural History Museum 900 Exposition Blvd., Expo Park COST: FREE WITH MUSEUM ADMISSION; MORE INFO
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Courtesy of NHMLAC
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No matter what wheels you prefer — roller skates, skateboard, car, bike or even unicycle, L.A. on Wheels Day celebrates all forms of zippy transport at the Natural History Museum. The event includes live skate demos from pro skaters as well as — wait for it — Rowdy the Skate Dog, plus the LA Derby Dolls and LA Skate Hunnies. There’s also a chance to make art, listen to stories from the Drag Arts Lab and check out wheel-themed museum presentations.
Through Sunday, November 23 Split Rock Jumping Tour Santa Anita Park 285 W Huntington Drive, Arcadia COST: FROM $30; MORE INFO
Calling all horse people: The Split Rock Jumping Tour culminates after two weeks of horse show jumping at Santa Anita Park, which was recently named the official equestrian venue for the LA28 Olympic Games. Check out elite riders and horses, then head down to the racecourse for the big event — the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup — happening on Saturday.
Saturday, November 22, 10 a.m. Venice Winter Fest Venice Blvd., Mar Vista COST: FREE; MORE INFO
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Courtesy Gal Media Group
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Get your holiday shopping on the fun (and local!) way with 300+ local creators, designers and artists selling their wares You can also listen to live music curated by Breaking Sound, refuel with restaurants and food trucks, then work it all off at free classes from The Gym Venice. Take a stroll up Venice Blvd. and soak up the beachy holiday vibes.
Through November 22, 6 p.m. 10 p.m. Lauren Tsai: The Dying World Hollywood Forever 6000 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood COST: FREE; MORE INFO
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Joshua White
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Halloween may be long over, but you still have a last chance to take an evening wander through Lauren Tsai’s haunting installation in Hollywood Forever Cemetery. Tsai uses drawing, painting, sculpture, stop-motion animation and puppets (created in collaboration with Andy Gent) to take visitors through a character — Astrid’s — world.
Through Sunday, November 23 Perspectives Zena and Pauline Gatov Gallery Alpert Jewish Community Center 3801 E. Willow Street, Long Beach COST: FREE; MORE INFO
The Long Beach Modern Quilting Guild is putting on this exhibit at the Alpert JCC, featuring 32 modern quilts and fiber arts from members of the community. Quilting is an old tradition, but this group is committed to modern patterns from minimalist to intricate, and is preserving quilting as an art form. These aren’t your grandma’s quilts!
Viewing Pick
Saturday, November 22, 7:30 p.m. Home Alone: A Nostalgic Night with Macaulay Culkin Terrace Theater 300 E. Ocean Blvd #300, Long Beach COST: FROM $68.35, MORE INFO
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Twentieth Century Studios
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Kevin McCallister himself will be on hand for this special screening of holiday favorite Home Alone. The John Hughes classic is celebrating 35 years of being a fixture on our holiday screens big and small (which makes me want to do the classic scream). Following the film screening, Macaulay Culkin will share stories and memories from the making of the film.
Dine & Drink Deals
Sunday, November 23, 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Jikoni at Offhand 3008 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica COST: VARIES; MORE INFO
“Afri-Cali” dining concept Jikoni L.A. is popping up at Westside favorite Offhand Wine Bar for a special one-night-only event. The menu features previous bestsellers like short rib biryani, shrimp jollof arancini and karakara pie.
Saturday, November 22, 1 p.m. Di Mart Grand Opening 21355 Sherman Way, Canoga Park COST: FREE; MORE INFO
Caribbean grocer Di Mart is opening a new location in Canoga Park. Their first day will be celebrated with discounts for shoppers, a raffle and a ribbon-cutting with the Woodland Hills Chamber of Commerce.
Mariana Dale
has reported on Pasadena Unified’s fire recovery and budget process over the last year.
Published November 20, 2025 5:00 AM
Among the proposed high school cuts are teachers, counselors, custodial staff and athletics funding.
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Elly Yu
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LAist
)
Topline:
The Pasadena Unified School District Board will vote tonight on $24.3 million in recommended budget cuts made largely through the elimination of school-based staff and programs.
Why it matters: The vote determines the lion’s share of the district’s planned $30.5 million reduction and represents about 16% of the district's $189 million projected general fund budget next school year. Among the proposed cuts are librarians, teachers, gardeners and school office staff. The board also will weigh layoffs in district administration and canceling contracted services such as professional development.
Community pushback: Parents and educators say the cuts will decimate programs — including arts, science and athletics — that attract families to the district and benefit students. As of Wednesday afternoon, 700 people had signed an online petition urging district leadership to reconsider the cuts.
The backstory: For the past several years, PUSD has spent more money than it brings in and is projected to have a $29 million budget deficit next school year. One factor is that PUSD, like many districts in the region, is enrolling fewer students, which equates to less funding. The Los Angeles County Office of Education has warned that without significant reductions in spending, the district will not be able to meet its financial obligations and risks losing the ability to govern itself.
Weigh in: On Thursday, the board could approve the cuts as presented or propose changes. Identify the board member who represents your school and contact them by phone or email. People also can speak up in person during the board meeting’s public comment period at 7:15 p.m. or submit thoughts early to publiccomment@pusd.us.
The Pasadena Unified School District Board will vote tonight on $24.3 million in recommended budget cuts made largely through the elimination of school-based staff and programs.
The vote determines the lion’s share of the district’s planned $30.5 million reduction and represents about 16% of the district's $189 million projected general fund budget next school year.
What's being cut?
Among the proposed cuts are librarians, teachers, gardeners and school office staff. The board also will weigh layoffs in district administration and canceling contracted services such as professional development.
How's the community responding?
Parents and educators say the cuts will decimate programs — including arts, science and athletics — that attract families to the district and benefit students. As of Wednesday afternoon, 700 people had signed an online petition urging district leadership to reconsider the cuts.
How did it get to this point?
For the past several years, PUSD has spent more money than it brings in and is projected to have a $29 million budget deficit next school year. One factor is that PUSD, like many districts in the region, is enrolling fewer students, which equates to less funding. The Los Angeles County Office of Education has warned that without significant reductions in spending, the district will not be able to meet its financial obligations and risks losing the ability to govern itself.
How you can weigh in
On Thursday, the board could approve the cuts as presented or propose changes. Identify the board member who represents your school and contact them by phone or email. People can also speak up in person during the board meeting’s public comment period at 7:15 p.m. or submit thoughts early to publiccomment@pusd.us.
You can also tell us how you feel using this form:
