WEBVTT METADATA Video-Count: 1 Video-1: youtube.com/watch?v=dHwZ_MbS5QA NOTE MEETING SECTIONS: Part 1 (Video ID: dHwZ_MbS5QA): - 00:00:25: Meeting Called to Order, Roll Call Conducted - 00:09:19: Public Comment Begins: Chris Lowe Calls for Resignation - 00:11:38: Public Comment: Sarah Poldy Alleges Backroom Discussions - 00:14:51: Public Comment: Francesca Mariani on Community Engagement - 00:16:48: Public Comment: Emma Green Questions Committee's Purpose - 00:19:17: Public Comment: Lisa Crusey on Flawed Closure Process - 00:22:26: Public Comment: Tara Kennedy on Possible Brown Act Violations - 00:24:25: Public Comment: Lando Marchesi Student Perspective on Leadership - 00:25:30: Public Comment: Emily Strough on Legally Flawed Process - 00:26:36: Public Comment: Dawn Dennison, Deeply Disappointed Member Part: 1 1 00:00:25.545 --> 00:08:55.920 [music] >> Mhm. >> [music] [music] >> Woo! >> Calling the meeting to order at 7:00. Can we have roll call, please? Here. Here. Here. 2 00:08:55.920 --> 00:09:19.320 Here. Here. Here. Here. How much public comment do we have? The Board of Education acknowledges receipt of public comments by way of email. These comments will be made part of the permanent record of this meeting. 3 00:09:19.320 --> 00:09:41.240 We have nine speakers who are here in person. And just as a reminder, this is a special meeting, so comments can only be made to items on the agenda. Speaker number one is Chris Lowe. 3 minutes. It's off now. 4 00:09:41.240 --> 00:09:59.360 Red is off. Oh, thank you. Good evening PUSD board and my name is Chris Lowe. I'm the mayor of Sierra Madre and I have been a public school educator for 27 years. Board President Tina Fredericks, you 5 00:09:59.360 --> 00:10:16.960 should resign immediately. And if you refuse, this community and I will pursue recall. The evidence revealed through emails and text messages show illegal coordination that swayed the four to three vote approving what you call the consolidation 2027 plan 6 00:10:16.960 --> 00:10:33.840 before the public process was complete. This is an abuse of public trust and a direct assault on transparent governance. Trustee Yarma Velasquez, Kim Kenny, and Scott Harden, shame on you for conspiring in this diabolic scheme. 7 00:10:33.840 --> 00:10:49.280 You were elected and sworn to serve students and families transparently, not to manipulate the outcomes behind the scenes. The four of you have violated government code 54950 and must be held accountable. My uncle Albert Lowe once sat in your 8 00:10:49.280 --> 00:11:06.360 seat, Tina, and legally and ethically upheld the integrity of this district while fighting to uphold the law. Our students deserve equitable, inclusive, and rigorous schools that prepare all learners for success. You have brought embarrassment upon this community and have undermined the 9 00:11:06.360 --> 00:11:22.560 confidence in public education, fueling concerns that public funds are being wasted through failed leadership. Please do not blame your PUSD administration, nor your superintendent Dr. Blanco. This is solely up to you to take 10 00:11:22.560 --> 00:11:38.720 accountability. Tina Fredericks, do the right thing for once and please resign. Thank you. >> [applause] >> I'm going to call the next couple of speakers, so if you can be on deck when your turn comes up. Sarah Poldy. 11 00:11:38.720 --> 00:11:57.840 Francesca Marioni. And then Emma Green. Uh PUSD board members and Dr. Blanco, my name is Sarah Poldy. I'm a PUSD parent. I'm here to make a public comment regarding the fracture of public trust caused by the actions of Tina Fredricks, 12 00:11:57.840 --> 00:12:14.360 Kim Kenny, Scott Harden, and Yarma Velasquez that is likely to lead to litigation. I've read the document production responsive to a recent public record acts request in their entirety. There's no room for doubt. Tina initiated backroom discussions with Total School 13 00:12:14.360 --> 00:12:30.080 Solutions in November 2025. She invited Yarma and then Scott to be a part of conversations with TSS and they agreed to attend. Tina created a consolidation plan she titled consolidation 2027 14 00:12:30.080 --> 00:12:47.480 which despite the public record request has yet to be produced. Tina sent 29 questions to Total School Solutions all pointed to the goal of consolidation. After resolution 2852 was offered by Yarma and passed by some members of this 15 00:12:47.480 --> 00:13:04.600 board, Dr. Blanco sought to hire an independent consultant as directed by this board. When Dr. Blanco coincidentally reached out to Total School Solutions on December 1st to hear Ahod, CEO of TSS, emailed Tina, Scott, 16 00:13:04.600 --> 00:13:20.160 and Yarma to let them know that Dr. Blanco had called TSS consultant Joseph Pandolfo to discuss hiring him as the independent consultant to lead the SCAC. Mr. Ahod stated his intention to keep 17 00:13:20.160 --> 00:13:36.920 Tina, Yarma, and Scott's prior discussions with TSS secret from Dr. Blanco and Tina agreed writing. Yarma directed Tina to call her and Scott did not respond. My understanding is that Dr. Blanco was never informed of the 18 00:13:36.920 --> 00:13:55.040 prior discussions before suggesting that the district hire TSS and the board then voted to pay TSS nearly a quarter million dollars to carry out a process that Dr. Blanco thought was independent but clearly was not. Again, all of this 19 00:13:55.040 --> 00:14:11.160 and the attendant Brown Act violations in the form of daisy chain and spoken wheel communications, evidence in the document production, raise the possibility of litigation against the school board, POSD, and some individual board members. These legal actions 20 00:14:11.160 --> 00:14:27.200 include the possibility of civil litigation, claims to the Fair Political Practices Commission, and complaints to the city and county district attorneys. At this point in time, Tina, Scott, Yarma, and Kim should resign their positions because they have demonstrated 21 00:14:27.200 --> 00:14:51.080 to the POSD community that they cannot or will not lead in good faith. Thank you. >> [applause] >> Good evening, everyone. My name is Francesca Mariani and I'm speaking tonight on behalf of a large group of 22 00:14:51.080 --> 00:15:07.160 concerned Blair parents, students, and other families in our community. The Brown Act exists for a reason. Major public decisions should be discussed openly, transparently, and with meaningful 23 00:15:07.160 --> 00:15:23.400 public participation. Especially decisions that could permanently reshape our schools and our communities. A genuine community engagement process does not begin with school closure scenarios and then ask the public to react. 24 00:15:23.400 --> 00:15:40.160 It begins with shared virtues, goals, transparent data, and collaborative problem-solving focused on helping students and schools flourish. We believe there is still time to do this correctly. The district does not need to rush into 25 00:15:40.160 --> 00:15:55.680 irreversible decisions that will affect families and school communities for years to come. Real engagement would include collaborative community and district-led town hall sessions where parents, students, educators, and administrators 26 00:15:55.680 --> 00:16:11.280 help shape goals and evaluate options together before recommendations are finalized. It would include clear public sharing of enrollment demographics, facility conditions, and financial data with advisory groups that include community 27 00:16:11.280 --> 00:16:27.040 stakeholders as true participants in the process, not simply as an audience reacting after decisions have already been shaped. We believe that a transparent collaborative process is how trust is rebuilt and how lasting solutions are 28 00:16:27.040 --> 00:16:48.640 created. Our community is ready to take on these challenges together, and we want to be meaningful participants in shaping the future of PSD schools. Thank you. >> [applause] >> Good evening, board. I'm Emma Green. I have a current student at Marshall and 29 00:16:48.640 --> 00:17:05.720 have been in communities of five different PSD schools throughout my kids' educational experiences. And I was under the impression that publicly elected officials are meant to serve their constituents and act in the best interests of their communities. In fact, even a simple Google search 30 00:17:05.720 --> 00:17:20.959 confirms that school board members have constituents, and as elected officials, they represent the community members, parents, students, and taxpayers within their district. Their role is to listen to these stakeholders, ensure the community is informed, and act on their 31 00:17:20.959 --> 00:17:36.840 behalf in guiding public education policy. You selected a community committee. You chose the members yourself. You presented information that you wanted them to review, asked them specific questions, and they answered those questions clearly and 32 00:17:36.840 --> 00:17:51.840 categorically. Now, it appears that their voices, and by extension the voices of the community they represent, are simply being ignored. So, we have to ask, what was the purpose of the committee? Was it genuine community engagement? Because from where many of us are sitting, it 33 00:17:51.840 --> 00:18:09.000 feels like though it feels as though four individuals have decided they know better than the very committee and communities that they represent. It's not collaborative leadership. This is not transparency. And it's certainly not representative governance. 34 00:18:09.000 --> 00:18:24.880 Excuse me. Many families feel blindsided by what appears to have been a predetermined agenda carried out behind closed doors, with little regard for meaningful public participation or the spirit of the Brown Act, which exists specifically to ensure transparency, 35 00:18:24.880 --> 00:18:42.160 accountability, and public trust in government decision-making. The Brown Act is founded on the principle that the public's business must be conducted openly, not through private consensus building or decisions made before public dis- discussion ever occurs. What message 36 00:18:42.160 --> 00:18:57.160 does this send to the students of this district? We constantly tell our children about honesty, integrity, accountability, respectful leadership. We tell them that trusted adults listen, collaborate, and act transparently. Is this the example 37 00:18:57.160 --> 00:19:16.400 we want to set? Because disappointment doesn't even begin to describe how many members of this community feel right now. >> [applause] >> Lisa Crusey, followed by Tara Kennedy and Lando Marchesi. 38 00:19:17.200 --> 00:19:35.080 Good evening, trustees. When you have to keep secrets, it's because what you're doing is wrong. What would have happened had you informed Dr. Blanco that you had been in conversation with Total School Solutions? Would there have been a competitive bidding process? 39 00:19:35.080 --> 00:19:51.360 Would a different consultant have been chosen? PUSD had a presentation by another firm firm, and the process they recommended is not what TSS and President Fredericks implemented. Sending a list of schools that 40 00:19:51.360 --> 00:20:08.040 developers want is certainly not on the list of things to do. Meetings should have included public comment. Live streamed should have been available on the website. There should have been other opportunities for communications between 41 00:20:08.040 --> 00:20:23.160 residents and constituents. President Fredericks also removed SCAC meeting updates from regular board meeting agendas. The consultant left a lot out, and I failed to see how we could trust any 42 00:20:23.160 --> 00:20:40.320 equity impact that comes forward from this consultant. Now, the independent advisory committee advised against consolidations resoundingly, but you're claiming there is actually a silent majority that wants our schools to closed. 43 00:20:40.320 --> 00:20:55.520 First, you lied to us, and now you're lying to yourselves. In reality, every second and every dollar spent defending a flawed and divisive closure process is money taken 44 00:20:55.520 --> 00:21:12.520 away from students, classrooms, campus repairs, and educational opportunities for our children. Continuing down a path that creates more litigation, distrust, instability, is going only going to cost this 45 00:21:12.520 --> 00:21:30.040 district financially and reputationally, which you should care about. The public deserves trustees focused on rebuilding trust, stabilizing enrollment, improving campuses, and strengthening schools, not forcing 46 00:21:30.040 --> 00:21:47.480 through a process that had predetermined goals and targeted schools from the start. Leadership means listening when the community speaks, even when the answer is not what you wanted to hear. 47 00:21:47.880 --> 00:22:04.640 Leadership also means admitting mistakes and making them right. I urge the board to withdraw this resolution and redirect all of your energy toward investing in schools and families that we still have. If you cannot do so, please resign and 48 00:22:04.640 --> 00:22:26.640 let others do this work. Here's the presentation, which I highlighted. >> [applause] >> Good evening. For months, families like mine were forced to live with fear, uncertainty, and emotional stress while this board insisted the process was transparent and community-driven. Now 49 00:22:26.640 --> 00:22:43.240 the public is learning about possible Brown Act violations and private coordination happening behind closed doors. Many of us feel completely betrayed. Let me be clear. This is no longer something only a handful of engaged parents are talking about. The broader Pasadena community is 50 00:22:43.240 --> 00:22:59.640 paying attention now. People across this district are reading the reports, watching what is happening, and questioning whether this board acted honestly and legally throughout the process. The damage to public trust is real, and it is spreading far beyond the parents who attend every meeting. 51 00:22:59.640 --> 00:23:15.560 The Brown Act exists to prevent exactly this kind of conduct. Public officials do not get to privately shape decisions affecting thousands of students and families while pretending the public process is genuine. If board members violated this trust, there must be accountability, including 52 00:23:15.560 --> 00:23:31.720 recall efforts against those responsible. Tina Fredricks, Kim Kenny, Scott Haden, and Yarma Velasquez have destroyed the confidence that many in this community had once in them. Their actions have cast a shadow over every decision connected to consolidation and have 53 00:23:31.720 --> 00:23:47.200 deeply damaged trust in PUSD governance. These four members should resign immediately. If they refuse to step down voluntarily, the community should pursue every lawful avenue available to hold them hold them accountable, including recall efforts, complaints to oversight agencies, and 54 00:23:47.200 --> 00:24:02.600 continued public scrutiny. Pasadena families are not a small vocal minority. We are parents, taxpayers, teachers, alumni, and residents who are tired of being dismissed while decisions affecting our neighborhood schools are made behind closed doors. You work for 55 00:24:02.600 --> 00:24:25.240 the public, not for consultants, not for political allies, not for predetermined agendas. This community is watching closely. >> [applause] >> Good evening, board members. My name is Lando Marchesi and I go to Marshall. I'm speaking tonight as a student, and 56 00:24:25.240 --> 00:24:40.200 what's happening right now is teaching students a lesson that I don't think the district wants us to learn. We are cons- We are constantly told in schools that leadership matters, that integrity matters, and that elected officials should be honest, transparent, and trustworthy. But the reports about possible Brown Act 57 00:24:40.200 --> 00:24:55.520 violations and private coordination during this process sends the opposite message. Students are paying attention. We see adults asking us to believe in public service and civic responsibility while decisions affecting our schools may have been discussed behind closed doors. That damages trust not only in this board, 58 00:24:55.520 --> 00:25:11.800 but in the idea that elected officials are supposed to serve the public honestly. You are not just making decisions about schools. You are setting an example for the entire generations of students watching how leaders behave when they are hold power. Right now, many students are seeing leaderships that feel dishonest, defensive, and 59 00:25:11.800 --> 00:25:30.920 disconnected from this community it serves. We deserve better. Thank you. >> [applause] >> Last two speakers for the evening are Emily Strough and Dawn Dennison. Good evening, board members. I'm 60 00:25:30.920 --> 00:25:47.040 speaking on behalf of a large group of Blair community members that are very concerned about this process, which we believe to have be legally and strategically flawed. Like you, we want a successful school district with vibrant and well-funded schools. 61 00:25:47.040 --> 00:26:03.120 We understand that there are fiscal challenges that need to be solved, but plotting to close schools behind closed doors will only expose the board to litigation, break public trust, and drive families away, families and income that we so desperately need. 62 00:26:03.120 --> 00:26:19.240 Given all the questions about the legality and the legitimacy of this process, I ask that we stop the consolidation process immediately, really engage the public, and create a vision, a vision with clear benefits for our students. And if that vision 63 00:26:19.240 --> 00:26:36.080 includes consolidation, only then can we move forward with that thoughtfully and gently. By pausing the process, stepping back, and meaningfully engaging our community, we can rebuild trust and move from a position of defense and litigation 64 00:26:36.080 --> 00:26:56.400 management to consensus and leadership. Thank you. I think I'm the caboose here. Um good evening, all of you. Thank you for your time. I have to address you as a deeply, deeply disappointed member of the public. 65 00:26:56.400 --> 00:27:13.040 You had a responsibility to each of us and all of the students in your district. You're my representative and you have disappointed in a way that is can't even be dis- dis- addressed. It's so disgusting. And the fact that eight 66 00:27:13.040 --> 00:27:29.120 people before me had to define the Brown Act all for all of you and none of us are elected representatives is an issue. So, beyond the legality of it, you four have broken our trust and the process can't go on because anything that comes 67 00:27:29.120 --> 00:27:44.600 out of your mouth at this point is straight-up lies. And I don't know that you understand what that's done not only to us as parents, but what that does to our students. Our students at the beginning of the year have to sign a code of conduct that says they will not lie, 68 00:27:44.600 --> 00:28:01.520 they will not plagiarize, they will not participate in AI, they will not do all these things. I know you guys have to sign a code sign a code of conduct, but I also know you all violated it. We've all seen it with your diabolical schemes and your 2027 resolution plan 69 00:28:01.520 --> 00:28:18.200 and your hive mind of Marshall. And it's disgusting to be treated that way, especially because we elected you into positions of authority that you're supposed to take care of our children and none of you have. So, what we need to do now is recall 70 00:28:18.200 --> 00:28:34.520 multiple of you. And I don't have a job, but it's my new one because I am done with hearing your empty promises of how you're going to support education. I emailed you three times and you told me you were open to an open process. Meanwhile, behind the 71 00:28:34.520 --> 00:28:50.280 scenes you're scheming with other board members. You're open to seeing the data. Meanwhile, you're scheming behind the the scenes to make your own consolidation plan and it's disgusting. So, this resolution needs to be rescinded because it's a product of tainted work. It's not even valid. You 72 00:28:50.280 --> 00:29:06.320 manipulated one of your fellow board members into doing it behind the scenes. It's disgusting. It needs to stop. We need real leadership who can take us into this difficult point. We know we're losing students, but we also know that there's a great community out there of 73 00:29:06.320 --> 00:29:22.800 parents who want to be engaged and want to take care of the students and want to keep their schools. I was part of an annual fund at SME and I helped raise over a million dollars for that school in the course of 5 years. It's possible for these communities to step forward. We were still a title one school, so it's not 74 00:29:22.800 --> 00:29:39.480 just your big donors that you guys need to worry about. You've got to think about your students and I think you've all forgotten about that with your political aspirations. Thank you. >> [applause] >> I can close public comment. Thank you. Thank you. 75 00:29:39.480 --> 00:29:43.120 All right, we're we assisting to close?