Scott Harden

Receives Forward from Kenne

Trustee Kenne forwards Fredericks' October 10 consolidation research request to Harden with the note: "FYI A Tina request and my response."

Emails Kenne About Resolution Timing

After receiving Kenne's forward of Fredericks' research request, Harden asks Kenne: "What is the timing of introducing a resolution to direct Liz to develop a consolidation plan?" This is two months before Resolution 2852 is introduced.

Private Conversation with Superintendent Blanco About Closures

Harden texts Kenne: "Just had a pretty frank and productive conversation with Liz about closures." Kenne responds: "I had a frustrating one just two hours ago!" Both board members are privately lobbying the superintendent about school closures outside any public meeting.

Sends Concerns About TSS Coordination to Fredericks

After reviewing the TSS email thread, Harden sends Fredericks a detailed memo raising governance concerns: "tomorrow's meet & greet should not be construed as my endorsement of them or any one vendor at this stage. I have significant concerns about directing Liz to work with a specific vendor without first establishing proper requirements for a process." He also raises questions about funding the engagement through Measure R bond funds.

Receives AB 1912 Memo from Fredericks

Fredericks forwards Superintendent Blanco's AB 1912 memo marked "Attorney Client Privilege" to Harden the night before a TSS meeting, writing: "If you want to know what Dr. Blanco is thinking about school consolidation, she lays it out plainly in the attachments."

Text Message: Vote Counts Two Days Before Resolution 2852

Two days before the Resolution 2852 vote, Harden texts about vote counts, identifying Patrice Marshall McKenzie as the potential fourth vote if Velázquez "folded her hands."

Coordinates Amendment Language with Fredericks Morning of Vote

On the morning of the public vote on Resolution 2852, Harden texts Kenne: "Just talked to Tina. She seems ok with my 3 amendments as a friendly for a first pass." He has pre-negotiated amendment language with Board President Fredericks before the meeting begins. The vote passes 4–3 that evening.

YES Resolution 2852 (4–3, moved by Harden)

Harden moves Resolution 2852, "Establishing Optimal School Sizes." It passes 4–3.

Raises Prospect of Consolidating to Two High Schools

Harden texts Kenne that he asked the superintendent "what the goal was (maybe we need two high schools?)", explicitly raising the prospect of closing one of PUSD's three high schools in a private conversation with district leadership.

YES TSS Contract (5–2)

Harden votes YES to retain Total School Solutions as the consolidation consultant.

Text Message: San Rafael and Resolution 2852

Text Message: Enrollment Thresholds and Superintendent

YES SCAC Desired Outcomes (5–2)

Harden votes YES to authorize the SCAC consolidation advisory process outcomes.

Warns Kenne About Public Records Requests

When Kenne texts "I'll bet there will be a public records request for our text messages," Harden responds: "Careful what you type!"

Text Message: Marshall Town Hall

When Marshall students invite Harden to their town hall, he texts: "Full press!"

Uses AI to Research High School Consolidations; Finds No Success Stories

Harden researches California high school consolidations, including using Claude AI. He texts Kenne: "It's amazing how few high school consolidations in California. Hard to find success stories of any kind. More common to find high school mergers in the southeast." He finds that "high school mergers almost always happen when school districts merge rather than within districts."

Text Message: TSS Survey Results

Colorado Boulevard Reports on Private Communications

Colorado Boulevard reports that Harden expressed agreement with closing Blair and Thurgood Marshall in private communications, while telling concerned parents at public meetings that Marshall was "fine."