Pasadena schools expected to start reopening March 29

PASADENA, Calif. (KABC) -- Pasadena Unified School District is letting students return to the classroom.

After a lengthy meeting, the school board last week voted 5-2 to allow pre-K through 2nd grade to reopen the week of March 29.

Grades 3-5 will return April 13 after spring break.

All teachers from pre-K through at least 2nd grade have been offered their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

The state is encouraging school districts to open for in-person instruction by the end of March, with a $2 billion package of incentives for districts that meet that target.

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California's public schools can tap into $6.6 billion of new state spending to return students to classrooms under a bill Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into law Friday that has attracted bipartisan support and scorn in equal measure.