Pasadena Unified School District Board of Education voters in District 3 will choose between incumbent Michelle Richardson Bailey and challenger Veronica Elias on Tuesday, Nov. 3.

It is the first contested race in District 3 since Bailey ran unopposed in 2022, according to Altadena Now. The winner will serve a four-year term. California polls close at 8 p.m. Pacific.

The race comes as the district faces a projected budget shortfall of $30 million to $35 million for the 2026–27 fiscal year and enrollment that has fallen roughly 23 percent over the past decade to approximately 13,228 students, according to district figures reported by Pasadena Now.

District 3 is one of three contested PUSD board seats on the ballot Tuesday, along with Districts 1 and 7. The District 5 race was canceled because incumbent Trustee Patrice Marshall McKenzie was the only qualified candidate, the Pasadena Star-News reported.

The candidates

Michelle Richardson Bailey has represented District 3 since 2017, according to Altadena Now. A Pasadena native, she grew up in the city, attended PUSD schools and spent more than 20 years as a classified district employee before joining the board. She served as board president in 2023.

Bailey was among three board members who voted against launching a school consolidation process and also dissented on budget cuts, according to a LAist voter guide published Oct. 20. The Los Angeles County Democratic Party endorsed her, Altadena Now reported in September.

In written responses to Pasadena Now, Bailey said she would explore alternatives before considering school closures, including "administrative efficiencies, responsible use of facilities, enrollment-recovery strategies, partnerships, and advocacy for adequate state funding."

Veronica Elias is a Pasadena resident, PUSD parent and school administrator with 25 years in education, according to Altadena Now. She holds a doctorate in educational leadership from the University of Southern California. If elected, she would be a first-time officeholder.

Elias told Pasadena Now that the district's fiscal situation demands transparency. "Our district is facing a fiscal crisis, and families deserve leadership that's honest, transparent, and prepared with real solutions, especially when difficult decisions have to be made," she said in written responses.

On the budget, Elias told LAist she would have voted against the $24.5 million package of cuts approved last year but added that "a no vote alone is not a financial plan." She said she would have required an alternative that achieved savings while protecting classrooms. She told LAist she would have supported the District Transformation Process resolution.

What's at stake

The board controls the budget for a district serving about 14,000 students, according to LAist. Board members can hire and fire a superintendent, set district-wide policies, approve curriculum and vote on school closures.

The January 2025 Eaton Fire destroyed or severely damaged five PUSD campuses in Altadena. The district is removing contaminated soil at 11 sites under state oversight, work that includes plans to cut nearly 200 trees. The City of Pasadena and PUSD are in litigation over whether the district must comply with the city's Tree Protection Ordinance, according to Pasadena Now.

Board President Tina Fredericks and Trustee Scott Harden face recall efforts tied to the consolidation debate, the Pasadena Star-News reported. Recall organizers have until Dec. 11 to collect signatures.

Under California law, school board races are decided by plurality. The candidate with the most votes wins, even without a majority.

How to follow results

Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day. Vote centers opened Oct. 24 for early in-person voting. Official results will be posted by the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk at results.lavote.gov.