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Parents urge board to reinstate Madison Elementary community assistant using one-time funds
Summary
Madison parents told the Pasadena Unified board they want Maria Perez returned full time to Madison Elementary, saying the community assistant builds trust, supports families during increased immigration enforcement, and that available one-time grant money could fund the position.
Madison parents asked the Pasadena Unified Board of Education to restore a community assistant position at Madison Elementary, saying the school's families rely on a single trusted staff member for safety and connection.
"My name is Anna Portillo. Madison parents are hoping that all board members and superintendent, Dr. Blanco, can discuss reinstating our community assistant, Maria Perez, full time at Madison Elementary with a 1 time grant funding that the district will be receiving," said Anna Portillo during public comment.
Other speakers made similar pleas. Daniela Naveen described an increase in immigration enforcement in Northwest Pasadena and said families now "carry fear and uncertainty" that makes the community assistant's role essential to students' and families' well-being. A parent introduced on the sign-in list said school staff and parents had signed a petition in support of keeping the community assistant and asked for the board's consideration.
The speakers tied their request to the district's recent inflow of one-time state funds, saying the new discretionary block grant and other temporary resources could cover a reinstatement without creating ongoing budget obligations. Board members did not make a personnel decision during the meeting; staff and trustees indicated budget planning and SLT discussions will follow as part of 45-day and interim budget work.
The district has not yet published a timeline or explicit staff recommendation to reassign or fund the Madison community assistant full time; the speakers asked for clarity about how one-time grant requirements and the district's hiring practices would affect any proposed reinstatement.
