Read What He Wrote.
Text messages and emails obtained through California Public Records Act requests document Scott Harden's private communications about school consolidation — including Thurgood Marshall and Blair High School — in the months before and after any public process began.
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 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 about directing the superintendent to work with a specific vendor and questions about funding through Measure R bond funds.
Texts Vote Counts — Two Days Before Resolution 2852
Two days before the Resolution 2852 vote, Harden privately counts votes — identifying Patrice Marshall McKenzie as the potential fourth vote if Velázquez "folded her hands."
"if we killed Yarma's and introduced something like this we'd have to find a 4th vote in case she folded her hands (it would probably have to be Patrice)"Scott Harden, text message, December 9, 2025 (CPRA 26-084)
Pre-Negotiates Amendment Language with Fredericks Before the Vote
On the morning of the public vote on Resolution 2852, Harden texts Kenne confirming he has already worked out amendment language with Board President Fredericks before the public meeting begins.
"Just talked to Tina. She seems ok with my 3 amendments as a friendly for a first pass."Scott Harden, text message, December 11, 2025 (Exhibits to Brown Act Violation, Exh 4)
YES — Resolution 2852 (4–3, moved by Harden)
Harden moves Resolution 2852, "Establishing Optimal School Sizes," at the public board meeting. It passes 4–3. The resolution would become the vehicle for the district's school closure process.
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, months before any public process.
YES — TSS Contract (5–2)
Harden votes YES to retain Total School Solutions as the consolidation consultant.
Reflects on Strategy After the Vote
After the TSS vote, Harden texts Kenne reflecting on the path taken:
"I do have a greater feeling after Yarma's vibe last night that had I voted no on her resolution and introduced my own, she probably would have voted no on it."Scott Harden, text message, January 23, 2026 (CPRA 26-084)
Kenne replies: "So we took the best path possible."
Text Message: "We Tricked Her"
"I'm plotting to close San Raf because I think locating schools where kids live is important and we tricked her into voting for the resolution so we could make changes to it after the fact."Scott Harden, text message, February 4, 2026 (CPRA 26-084)
Text Message on Superintendent and Enrollment Thresholds
"Had a conversation with Liz on the optimal school size ranges situation. To move us forward and break her paralysis, I am going to ask Tina to agendize a discussion on Feb 26 so that we can coalesce support to 1) invalidate some or part of the Yarma ranges and 2) develop a process for introducing amended ranges."Scott Harden, text message, February 16, 2026 (CPRA 26-084)
"Liz doesn't have the courage to change it on her own."Scott Harden, text message, February 16, 2026 (CPRA 26-084)
YES — SCAC Desired Outcomes (5–2)
Harden votes YES to authorize the SCAC consolidation advisory process outcomes.
"Careful What You Type!"
When Kenne texts "I'll bet there will be a public records request for our text messages," Harden responds with a warning — not a suggestion to stop.
"Careful what you type!"Scott Harden, text message, February 27, 2026 (Exhibits to Brown Act Violation, Exh 4)
The records request came four weeks later.
Uses AI to Research High School Consolidations — Finds No Success Stories
Harden researches California high school consolidations using AI, then texts Kenne the results. At the same time, he is publicly telling Marshall parents the school is "fine."
"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."Scott Harden, text message, March 19, 2026 (Exhibits to Brown Act Violation, Exh 4)
Advises Against Leaning into Survey Results
"I did advise to Liz that she should think twice about leaning into those survey results."Scott Harden, text message, March 21, 2026 (CPRA 26-084)
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."
Full Record at PUSD Facts → Full Timeline → ↗ Colorado Boulevard: Inside the PUSD Consolidation Plan, May 11, 2026 ↗ Colorado Boulevard: PUSD Trustee Criticized for Comments at Marshall PTSA Meeting ↗ Colorado Boulevard: Marshall Is (Likely) Cooked