Parents of Eaton fire evacuees urge board to let students stay at Valentine Elementary

A San Marino Unified parent displaced by the Eaton fire told the board on April 22 that her children have endured months of upheaval and asked the district to take steps so they could remain at Valentine Elementary rather than face another transfer.

"We were telling them everything will be okay that night even if we weren't sure it would be," said Ivana Lazarevic, who identified herself as a mother of three with two children now at Valentine. She described living for two months in hotels and Airbnbs after the fire and said the family was grateful for how Valentine welcomed displaced students. "But that transition was really not easy for us," she said.

Lazarevic told the board the children are starting to settle in at Valentine and pleaded with board members to avoid another disruption. "So I just want to say we didn't choose this situation, but we're asking you to choose what's the best for our children who are living it," she said, noting that an executive order related to the post‑fire arrangements was about to expire.

Her remarks were part of the public comment period; board members did not announce immediate action during the meeting. The district's public comment policy was read before speakers addressed the board; staff said three speakers had submitted public comment cards and two other community representatives (a senator's district representative and a Rotary Club member) also spoke earlier in the meeting to introduce resources and community supports.

Lazarevic's request highlights an outstanding operational decision for the district about temporary placements for students following the Eaton fire; district staff did not provide a timeline in the meeting for any follow‑up to her specific request.