Tina Fredericks (Photo – screengrab, KLRN). Scott Harden (Photo – Special to Colorado Boulevard Newspaper)
The Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk has approved recall petitions seeking to remove Pasadena Unified School District Board of Education members Tina Fredericks and Scott Harden, allowing recall proponents to begin collecting the signatures required to qualify the measures for a future election.
By the Staff of Colorado Boulevard Newspaper
The proponents have 120 days to gather the required signatures, with the circulation period extending through December 11, 2026. The recall efforts remain in the signature-gathering stage, and the measures will not proceed to an election unless the petitions meet the applicable signature requirements.
Fredericks has separately challenged the recall effort in court. In a July 2026 lawsuit, she named the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk and 124 unnamed individuals identified as “Does,” described in the filing as residents of District 6 who signed the notice of intention to circulate a recall petition against her. The 124 unnamed respondents appear to correspond to the 124 individuals who signed that notice, according to reporting on the lawsuit.
The initial reporting on those issues came from Colorado Boulevard Newspaper, which published an investigative report in May 2026 examining PUSD records obtained through public-records requests. The investigation reported on early consolidation planning and private communications involving several Board members, including Tina Fredericks, Scott Harden, Kim Kenne and Yarma Velazquez, and raised questions about whether some of those communications could implicate California’s Brown Act provisions concerning serial communications. The report preceded the subsequent recall campaign and became part of the broader public controversy surrounding PUSD’s consolidation process.
The investigation focused on private emails and text messages involving Fredericks, Harden, Kim Kenne and Yarma Velazquez concerning school closures and consolidation. Those communications prompted questions about whether the Board members may have engaged in private “serial communications” prohibited under California’s Brown Act, which governs open meetings by public agencies.
The issue also led to legal demands concerning a December 2025 PUSD Board resolution related to school consolidation. According to PUSD, a May 15, 2026, request to cure and correct alleged Brown Act violations was submitted in connection with the resolution. PUSD subsequently took steps concerning the resolution and its communications practices.
The recall effort has also been fueled by disagreements over PUSD’s broader school consolidation process. PUSD’s Superintendent’s School Consolidation Advisory Committee (SCAC) met from February through May 2026 as part of a planning and review process for potential consolidation. PUSD has described the process as planning rather than a final decision to close specific schools.
Recall proponents argue that Fredericks and Harden have not adequately responded to concerns from constituents and students regarding potential school closures. They also have criticized the Board member positions on district finances, school facilities, trees and other community issues. Some proponents contend that continued uncertainty surrounding possible school closures has contributed to families leaving PUSD and could affect future enrollment and revenue.
One recall supporter, PUSD parent Warren Bleeker, has called for Fredericks, Harden and the other Board members involved in the disputed communications to resign, arguing that their actions have contributed to instability within PUSD.
Fredericks has rejected the recall effort and defended her record. In an open letter opposing the recall, she argued that holding a special election could impose a significant financial cost on a district already facing financial challenges. She has also characterized the allegations against her as unfounded.
The recall efforts come as PUSD continues to consider issues related to school consolidation. PUSD has scheduled a special Board of Education meeting for August 13, 2026, as part of its ongoing Board business.
For now, proponents must collect the required number of valid signatures within the circulation period to qualify the measures for an election. If the petitions qualify, voters in the respective Board areas ultimately could decide whether Fredericks and Harden should remain in office.
[This article has been updated to include a mention of a lawsuit filed by Tina Fredericks concerning the recall effort.]
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