Castelo presents to the PUSD board on the district's fiscal crisis, stating: "Over the past 30 years, Pasadena Unified has faced a mounting fiscal calamity, one that you can no longer ignore or postpone." He warns of a $149.4 million projected deficit over three years and sets December 15, 2025 as a critical deadline for LACOE's First Interim Report. Failure to demonstrate action could escalate to county intervention or state trustee appointment.
A text message sent to Scott Harden reports that Fredericks had been privately contacting LACOE officials after the public board presentation.
"Tina said she has been 'stalking' the LACOE guys who came to our meeting (her word!). She has spoken to Octavio more than once it sounds like and had a zoom call with them!! Topic - her plans for consolidation. They said that we would be pleasantly surprised about the plans of our staff."Text message to Scott Harden, October 21, 2025 (CPRA 26-084)
In an email to Scott Harden, Fredericks describes how Total School Solutions was referred to her through a "Mr. Dunning" she connects to LACOE. LACOE had previously cited Hacienda La Puente Unified as a model district; Hacienda La Puente had used TSS for a school reconfiguration engagement in 2023.
"Total School Solutions is actually a company that Mr. Dunning referred me to because he trusts them. And it just so happens that Hacienda La Puente Unified, which LACOE often referenced, hired this same company."Tina Fredericks, email to Scott Harden, November 30, 2025 (CPRA 26-084)
The PUSD board passes Resolution 2852, "Establishing Optimal School Sizes," 4–3. The vote comes four days before the LACOE First Interim Report deadline of December 15, 2025.
LACOE's deadline for PUSD to demonstrate sufficient fiscal action. LACOE officials had described failure to show progress as potentially escalating to county intervention or state trustee appointment.
↗ Colorado Boulevard: Inside the PUSD Consolidation Plan, May 11, 2026