To: The Pasadena Unified School District Board of Education and District Administration

We, the residents of Upper Hastings Ranch and the broader Don Benito community, respectfully request that Don Benito Fundamental School be removed from consideration for closure.  Instead, we urge the District to work with our community to address enrollment challenges through partnership, innovation, and long-term revitalization.

For generations, Don Benito has been a cornerstone of Upper Hastings Ranch, supporting student achievement, family engagement and neighborhood identity.  Closing the school would sever a vital community connection and leave behind an empty campus that could negatively affect neighborhood stability, family appeal and property values. 

Our community has consistently supported voter-approved bond measures intended to modernize public school facilities, yet Don Benito remains overdue for essential repairs and ADA upgrades.  Rather than using deferred maintenance as justification for closure, we ask the District to honor voter intent and complete the long-promised modernization.  Continued delays – or closure – risk eroding public trust and future support for bond measures.

Studies show that community-centered schools positively impact student success, crime rates, and neighborhood stability. Educational research also suggests that smaller, community-oriented schools like Don Benito provide more personal attention, better learning experiences, and stronger community ties. Shutting down such an institution might lead to overcrowded classrooms in neighboring areas, diminishing the quality of education received by our children.

Upper Hastings Ranch is an organized, engaged and collaborative neighborhood with a long history of working effectively with the City of Pasadena.  We stand ready to partner with the District to strengthen Don Benito and ensure its long-term success. We propose a task force comprising community members, school board officials, and educational experts to explore alternatives like resource sharing or partnerships with local organizations. Such measures can alleviate financial pressure while preserving this invaluable neighborhood school.

We respectfully request that the Board of Education:

1.       Suspend all plans to close Don Benito Fundamental School

2.       Develop a transparent, community-driven long-term revitalization plan.

3.       Use voter-approved bond funds to complete modernization and ADA compliance projects.

4.       Expand outreach to attract and retain neighborhood students while strengthening and growing enrollment from across the District. 

5.       Strengthen enrollment by exploring innovative, evidence‑based programs—such as leadership development or whole‑child initiatives—to enrich and elevate the current curriculum.

6.       Pursue community partnerships that support financial stability.

7.       Preserve Don Benito as a vital neighborhood school and educational choice for families.

Our community believes in partnership, responsible planning, and accountability to the residents who have continually invested in Pasadena’s public schools. We ask the District to work with us to revitalize Don Benito, ensuring it remains a thriving, future-ready school for generations to come.