The South Pasadena Unified School District Board of Education will convene on Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026, to open teacher contract negotiations, approve major student field trips, and review the district’s financial reports. The public session begins at 6:30 p.m. at the district headquarters located at 1100 El Centro Street and will be available to watch via livestream.
Contract Negotiations and Public Hearings
A primary focus of the evening involves the 2026 to 2027 contract negotiations between the district and the Teachers’ Association of South Pasadena (TASP). Both SPUSD and TASP will present their initial bargaining proposals to the public. Additionally, the board will host a mandated public hearing to certify that all district students have sufficient textbooks and instructional materials for the current academic year.
Honors and New Educational Programs
The meeting will kick off on a celebratory note with the introduction of new district faculty members and recognition of the district’s Teachers of the Year.
The board is also slated to approve an agreement with Arts for Change to bring “Survivors,” an acclaimed educational Holocaust docudrama, to middle and high school students. The $9,000 program includes live assembly performances and curriculum kits aimed at teaching students about human rights and combating antisemitism.
Key Votes and Approvals
Several major operational and student activity items are scheduled for approval, including:
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Facility Sharing: An amended Joint Use Agreement with the City of South Pasadena detailing the shared use of local facilities.
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Student Travel: Overnight trip authorizations for the Girls Varsity Basketball team to train in Big Bear Lake, the Girls Varsity Volleyball team to compete in a Las Vegas tournament, and SkillsUSA students to attend a leadership conference in Washington, D.C.
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Outdoor Science Camps: Approvals for Los Angeles County outdoor science programs, including a dedicated ecology trip to Wrightwood for Monterey Hills Elementary fifth graders funded by parent donations and the PTA.
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Special Education: Renewals of multiple service contracts for nonpublic schools, behavioral therapists, and physical therapy agencies serving SPUSD students.
Financial Updates
Assistant Superintendent of Business Services Dave Lubs will present the 2025 to 2026 Unaudited Actuals Report, finalizing the district’s budget figures from the previous fiscal year. The board will also vote on the annual Gann Limit resolution, a standard state requirement that tracks government spending limits based on inflation and student attendance.
Community members wishing to speak during the public comment period must submit a speaker card before the meeting begins, with comments limited to three minutes per person.
