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San Rafael Elementary School – Community Survey [Encuesta Comunitaria]
COMMUNITY UPDATE – SAN RAFAEL ELEMENTARY Thank you for your continued patience as the District works closely with state environmental agencies to complete the remaining post-fire soil evaluation work at several school sites, including San Rafael Elementary. We would like to share an update on the work planned within the lower play field and landscaped areas on the north and east side of the campus, as well as the planned timeline for restoring these areas.
What Was Identified Through Testing
As part of the City of Pasadena Public Health Department (PPHD) county-recommended post-Eaton Fire testing following the release of Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LACDPH) soil sampling results, which found lead at concentrations exceeding Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) screening levels in two Pasadena communities located within the District’s boundaries. The District conducted additional soil testing across all campuses to ensure students, teachers, and our school communities’ safety. At San Rafael, this initial testing identified areas of soil requiring additional assessment within the field and two planter areas along the north and east boundaries of the school.
To better understand the extent of the impacted soil conditions in these areas, additional “step-out” testing was completed. Results showed that, in parts of the field area, soil removal and replacement will be needed up to a depth of up to approximately four feet. In the two planter areas, soil removal and replacement are generally at a shallower depth, up to approximately 1 foot. See revised map. In total, approximately 2,000 cubic yards of soil identified to date, will need to be removed and replaced across the campus. Additional soil sampling will be completed over the holiday break to fill data gaps and finalize the anticipated removal areas. See California Environmental Protection Agency Lead Fact Sheet
Why the Field Work Must Occur in the Summer
State oversight agencies require that this type of work occurs when campuses are fully unoccupied. Because of the depth and volume of impacted soil involved, this work cannot be safely completed while students or staff are present on campus. The scope of work includes:
● Large-scale impacted soil removal and replacement
● Use of heavy excavation equipment
● Temporary open excavation areas
● Regrading and rebuilding the field surface
● Reconstruction of irrigation systems
● Reseeding the field to allow grass to establish
Trees and Landscaping
The soil work may affect trees located near the field and planter areas. At this time, multiple trees may be impacted, depending on the final excavation limits. Tree preservation is a priority wherever feasible and consistent with safety and regulatory requirements. The District is actively working with a certified arborist to evaluate each tree to determine:
● Whether trees can be preserved in place.
● Whether protective measures can be used to preserve the trees while meeting agency requirements, or whether removal and replacement would be necessary.
What Happens Next
● DTSC has already received the District’s testing information and supporting materials.
● DTSC plans to begin its required public notification and information process in January 2026, with the initial community surveys expected to be released on January 5, 2026, or shortly thereafter.
● This public process is intended to provide transparency, answer questions, and allow DTSC and the public to review work plans.
● The District is coordinating closely with DTSC to support a transparent and efficient review process so that planning, procurement, and construction can remain on schedule, allowing work to begin in early June 2026, once school is out on summer break, and be completed in time for the field to reopen by the end of August 2026.
Our Commitment
We recognize how important outdoor space is to students, families, and the school community, and we understand the impact of the continued closure of the field. The District remains committed to fully and safely restoring the San Rafael field while meeting all state requirements. We appreciate your patience and partnership as we move through the remaining review steps and prepare for summer work. The District will continue to share updates as information becomes available and key milestones are reached.