Former Schools Superintendent to
Co-Chair PUSD Recall Campaign

Former Superintendent Brian McDonald and Michael Leon, business representative of Teamsters Local 986, will lead the campaign to recall PUSD Board President Tina Wu Fredericks and Trustee Scott Harden from the PUSD Board of Education, according to recall leader.

McDonald served as PUSD Superintendent from 2014 through 2023 and is also a PUSD parent. Leon represents more than 250 local PUSD employees through Teamsters Local 986.

“This recall is about protecting the future of our communities’ public schools and making sure that families, educators, employees, and the broader community have a meaningful voice in decisions that affect our children,” is reported to have said McDonald. “PUSD is facing consequential decisions about schools, students, staffing, and resources. Those decisions require transparency, sound judgment, and genuine engagement with the community. I am joining this effort because I believe PUSD deserves leadership that brings people together around a strong public-school system.”

Recall supporters say they have serious concerns about transparency and compliance with California’s Brown Act, California’s open-meeting law.

Public-records requests submitted by community members produced communications that, according to the committee, show serial communications involving four PUSD trustees concerning matters that were or would become significant Board business. 

The campaign contends that the records raise questions about whether trustees were discussing and developing positions on substantive board matters outside properly noticed public meetings. 

The committee also says the records raise questions about communications surrounding the district’s emerging consolidation plans and the process by which Total School Solutions was selected for a $233,000 contract.

“Education is for all of us,” said Leon. “Closing schools means local families lose jobs. These are not just buildings on a map. They are workplaces for teachers, classified employees, custodians, food-service workers, bus drivers, and many other members of our community. When a school closes, the impact reaches far beyond the students who attend it. It affects working families and the economic health of our entire community.”

Leon continued, “The people who work in PUSD every day care deeply about our students and our schools. We need board leadership that recognizes the value of its employees and understands that strong public schools are an investment in the entire Pasadena community.”

Los Angeles County election officials have cleared petitions seeking the recall of the two board members, giving organizers until Dec. 11 to gather signatures that could force a special election.

Approval clears the petitions to circulate. It does not place either recall on a ballot. Organizers must collect valid signatures from a share of the registered voters within each trustee area, and the county must verify them. If a petition falls short by Dec. 11, it expires and no election is held. 

Two other board members named in similar allegations, Kimberly Kenne and Dr. Yarma Velázquez, hold seats that are up in the Nov. 3 general election and are not subject to recall under state law. Velázquez is not seeking re-election.

“Having Dr. McDonald and Michael as our campaign co-chairs sends an important message,” said Sara Poggi, a Committee representative. “This is not simply a disagreement among a handful of parents. Our coalition includes parents, former district leadership, school employees, and community members. We are united by a simple goal: protecting the public schools in Pasadena, Altadena, and Sierra Madre and restoring trust in PUSD Board of Education leadership.”