The Pasadena Unified School District Board of Education Thursday, March 13, once again faced public backlash against its decision to cut 151 positions, and once again district officials reiterated that the cuts, and likely more, will be required to maneuver the district through financial hardship.

During a special meeting, the board approved certification of the second interim budget report, which is required by state law to assess the district’s ability to meet its financial obligations for the remainder of the current fiscal year and the subsequent two fiscal years.

Chief Business Officer Saman Bravo-Karimi reported that due to a fluke in the timing of the certification lining up with the district receiving insurance money for Eaton fire-related expenses, the district will be submitting a positive certification to the L.A. County office of education.

However, Bravo-Karimi was quick to say that the positive distinction should not be the takeaway from the meeting.

He said that the projections in the second interim report do not take into account changes in compensation and other factors, including changes to employee compensation and federal funding changes.

Expenditures due to the fire will be increasing, but Bravo-Karimi said the district will pursuing all avenues for recouping funds due to the fire, including additional insurance money.

In addition, the board began the meeting by reporting out of closed session that the board unanimously approved initiating litigation against Southern California Edison and other defendants to recover damages from the fire. Last week, LA County, Pasadena and Sierra Madre joined the hundreds of lawsuits filed against the utility alleging its complicity in starting the Eaton fire.

Kimberly Kenne and Tina Fredericks voted against approving the certification with Kenne making a motion, which failed, to change the status from positive to qualified in order to better reflect the position the district is in and not mislead the public.

Seven speakers, including teachers who have already been notified that they will be laid off, spoke during public comment about the pain and frustration of being laid off while also dealing with the aftermath of the fire.

Sergio Lopez, a math teacher at John Muir High School, said he lost his home and now weeks later was told he will be losing his job.

Lopez and others in the crowd including fellow John Muir teacher Consuelo Martinez held red signs that read “You Reduced Me!” followed by the hire year of the person. Martinez is in her second year working at her alma mater and was informed she would be laid off.

At the Feb. 27 meeting the board approved the cutting of 151 positions in a 6-1 vote. While the public has called on the district to find another way to cut costs, officials said Thursday that barring unforeseen changes, to expect more of the same next year.

The deadline to submit cuts is March 15 and the final decision on which positions will be cut will happen by May. The process is governed by state law and collective bargaining.

The Board of Education is next scheduled to meet on March 27.