PUSD Advances School Testing After Eaton Fire as AB 1642 Gains Ground

Pasadena Now reports Pasadena Unified School Board’s March 26 agenda was heavily focused on Eaton Fire recovery, especially a proposed contract with Verdantas Inc. to perform indoor environmental testing at Altadena Arts Magnet before the campus is reoccupied. The board was also set to consider funding for construction and program management tied to broader wildfire recovery work, along with reaffirming local emergency resolutions that give the district faster contracting authority. Read more about the PUSD School Board recent decisions here.

This ruling by the school board follows the March 10, 2026 PUSD School Board Facilities and Capital Projects Committee Meeting with Assemblymember Harabedian and EFRU’s Dr. Nicole Maccalla who spoke on the advancement of AB 1642 through the Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee which requires schools to test for lead and asbestos after a wildland urban interface fire. AB 1642 has yet to pass through Appropriations, but this bill is recognized by many legislators as a necessary component for the safe recovery of the Eaton and Palisades communities. The video of this meeting is not posted, but the agenda of the 3/10/26 PUSD School Board Facilities and Capital Projects Committee Meeting can be viewed here.