Report: LAUSD, PUSD need more money, clearer guidance from California for fire recovery

A new report from a state advisory agency recommends California provide more money for schools damaged by the Eaton and Palisades fires and create guidelines to help campuses reopen safely after future fires.

January’s fires damaged or destroyed eight public schools in Pasadena, Altadena and the Palisades. Dozens more schools were closed for several weeks for cleaning and repairs.

California lawmakers passed a bill in April that allocated $1 million to the state’s state’s Fiscal Crisis and Management Assistance Team to provide recommendations to the state by Nov. 1 on how to improve school recovery.

The report provides a comprehensive look at the challenges schools faced in reopening and how the fires exacerbated declining enrollment trends.

In recent years, fewer students enrolled at many Pasadena and Palisades schools each year. This creates a financial strain for schools because enrollment is linked to state funding.

“The school reflects the community,” said FCMAT CEO Michael Fine. “If the community isn't going to rebuild, or is going to be slow about it, then the recovery for the school is also gonna be slow.”

How much is enrollment declining?

FCMAT used school enrollment data from September 2025 and found the post-fire changes varied across schools.

Two Los Angeles Unified elementary schools destroyed in the fire saw significant drops in enrollment this year: Marquez Charter Elementary has 60% fewer students and Palisades Charter Elementary has a 25% population decline. The average annual decline in the last decade was 6% at Marquez Charter and 3% at Palisades Charter Elementary.

FCMAT concluded the Palisades Fire is not a significant factor in the district’s overall declining enrollment because two schools represent less than .2% of the district’s total enrollment.

Pasadena Unified is a different story. The report found the annual decline in district-wide enrollment doubled this school year to 4% from a previous average annual decline of 2%.

There are 604 fewer students in Pasadena Unified schools compared to last year.

The district is also in the midst of deciding how to cut up to $35 million from next year’s budget to resolve a pre-existing deficit.

FCMAT also found double-digit enrollment declines at independent Pasadena public schools, including Aveson Schools and Odyssey Charter Schools.

Palisades Charter High School, Pasadena Rosebud Academy and Alma Fuerte Public did not opt-in in time to be included in the report.

Schools also had, and will continue to have increased costs after the fires. That includes cleaning, soil testing and mental health support to help students and staff cope with loss and displacement.

The report recommends a one-time payment of $4 million to the Pasadena Unified School District and a temporary change to the funding formula for charter schools to increase the amount of money they get each year.

Whether schools receive this money ultimately depends on lawmakers including the money in next year’s budget.

Clear post-fire reopening guidelines needed

Another challenge for schools affected by January’s fires was a lack of clear guidance about what steps to take to safely reopen campuses.

For example, where, when and how often to test for toxins on surfaces and in the soil.

District and school leaders had to consult local, state and federal agencies. FCMAT recommended the state convene a task force to establish clear criteria for when students can safely return to schools and best practices for cleanup.

“People were begging for guidance and the state wasn't prepared to give that to them,” Fine said.

Read the full report