Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) Superintendent Jon R. Gundry today announced that a report on new seismic findings indicates the presence of four earthquake faults passing through the campus of San Rafael Elementary School, prompting a discussion with parents and staff members about the future of the school. Because the classrooms and buildings of San Rafael meet Field Act requirements for earthquake safety, which are among the most stringent building standards in the nation, the safety of students and faculty is not in question. A community meeting to discuss these issues is scheduled Thursday, May 17.
“The safety of our staff and students is the first priority at PUSD. Any decision about the future use of San Rafael should be viewed through the lens of our inability to make any improvements on an aging facility that needs upgrades,” said Gundry. “I also want to state my commitment to preserving the academic programs of San Rafael. With the end of the school year just a few weeks away, we want students, families and staff to be fully informed about this development. I want to emphasize that the dual language and other programs will not be changed and will remain at San Rafael for the 2012-2013 school year.”
According to state law, schools cannot be modernized or rehabilitated within 50 feet of earthquake faults that have shown signs of activity within the last 10,000 years. Education Code Section 17212.5 states that “no school building shall be constructed, reconstructed, or relocated on the trace of a geological fault along which surface rupture can be reasonably expected to occur within the life of the school building.” (See CCR, Title 5, Section 14011(g)).
A community meeting is scheduled for Thursday, May 17 at 6:30 p.m. in the McKinley School auditorium, located at 325 S. Oak Knoll Ave., Pasadena. Parents, community members, and PUSD administration will discuss options for the school going forward, answer questions to alleviate concerns and begin to develop a solution that is best for the current and future students of San Rafael. USGS seismologist and former San Rafael Elementary parent Dr. Lucy Jones will be part of the discussion.
In a letter to San Rafael parents and staff Gundry said, “I realize that this will be a difficult time for students, staff and families and urge you to continue to maintain a calm learning environment on campus and at home so that children are not unduly alarmed. Teachers will be provided with curriculum resources to help students understand earthquakes and how they can be prepared.”
Visit srfaults.pasadenausd.org for more information.
