Pasadena School District and City Jointly Sign Letter of Intent with NSBN

January 12, 2004

PASADENA – On January 12, 2004, the City of Pasadena joined with the Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) in signing a Letter of Intent with New Schools Better Neighborhoods (NSBN). NSBN will assist the two public entities in collaboratively identifying appropriate sites for a neighborhood-centered joint use Primary Center in the northwest area of the city.

The schools in northwest Pasadena are overcrowded with many students being bused out of their neighborhood. The Pasadena School Board and Superintendent have identified a need for very young students to stay in their neighborhoods and be in smaller learning communities to be most successful in school. The School District and City of Pasadena will begin a collaborative process to identify a site which could eventually be master-planned utilizing funding from First 5 LA through NSBN.

The northwest area of Pasadena is an historically underserved community within the City of Pasadena and is predominated by a minority population. This area is lacking in the open space, social services and early education opportunities offered in other parts of the city and District. With support from NSBN for community outreach, PUSD and the City of Pasadena will involve the community in the process of identifying a site for a Primary Center. With an agreed upon site, NSBN will be available to engage with all stakeholders in a master planning process to maximize opportunities for co-location of family centered community services -- such as child care, open space or housing.

The ultimate beneficiary of this type of collaboration in planning is the community which will get multiple needs met through the development of one facility.