ee eanaiccueue aaligeriaiip £6300 Withire Boulevard, Suite 1700 Los Anges, Califomia 90048 Main: 323-380-6800 “ames 8. Fetnow Fax: 823-330-6311 Direct Dial: 323-330-6304 va 4Slawcom sfernoweatlaw com July 2, 2015 Via E-Mail (courtney.tompkins@langnews.com) Couriney Tompkins Pasadena Star-News 911 E. Colorado Blvd. Pasadena, CA 91106 Re: June 9, 2015, Public Records Act Request Dear Ms. Tompkins: This law firm represents the Alhambra Unified School District (“District”). The District has requested that we respond to your June 9, 2015 request for records under the California Public Records Act (“PRA”). (See generally Gov. Code § 6250 et seq.) You requested "[e]very email sent between Principal Jim Schofield and Jennifer Kim between the dates of May 25, 2015 and May 31, 2015 regarding the student newspaper's publication of an article(s) about Andrew Neguyen’s dismissal." Attached please find emails responsive to your request. The District now considers its obligation to respond and produce records to your June 9, 2015, request complete. Sincerely, FAGEN FRIEDMAN & FULFROST, LLP a ee James B, Fernow JBF:nem Enclosure: Emails ce: Laura Tellez, Ed.D. 101-00007/789558.1 FRESNO + INLAND EMPIRE + LOS ANGELES + OAKLAND + SACRAMENTO * SAN DIEGOen — URGENT (The Matador) 7 messages Rebecca i Sun, May 24, 2015 at 1:54 AM in Sch To wham it may concem= My name is Rebecca Lei, and | am a Editor-in-Chief IP at The Matador. The paper is covering the deteils of English teacher Andrew Nguyen’s sudden leave, and | would like to interview both of you regarding the tople. Although | would normally prefer fo conduct these interviews in person, as a newspaper, our goal Is to be as timely as possible, Moreover, | understand that farmal interviews may be impossible due to the current circumstances; | am sure that things are hectic in both the distric’s and San Gabriel's administration, Because of these reasons, | would lke fo ask the two of you to answer some questions regarding the situation via e-mal!: 4, Sources say that Mr. Nguyen was let go on Friday, May 22. As the school year will be coming to an end in 4 days, we have to wonder: why was the decision to let Mr. Nguyen go made so late in the year, and how jong has this decision been in the making? 2, Considering how he was about to transition to his second year of teaching, what ultimately prompted the sudden dismissal of Mr. Nguyen? 3. Who wil il his teaching position, seeing as his departure happened so suddenly? 4, Will Mr. Nguyen Keep his position as Speech and Debate coach? If not, who will replace him? 5. Why was Mr. Nguyen - @ faculty member who was 80 Involved in extracurriculars at San Gabriel -let go? 6. What are your persona! thoughts on the matter? IF have missed any crucial facts, please enlighten me; | understand that some facts may have been lost in the rush fo report and would like to avoid any possible errors. As the paper is looking to publish the article by Monday, if we have not received a response, we will state that the administration has not replied at the time of publication. | understand that both of your positions leave you with many obligations, especialy with the end of the schoo! year fast approaching, and thank both of you for your time and consideration. The Matador is very appreciative of your continued support, and thanks you for all that you have done for us, Sincerely, Rebecca LeiJin Schofel! Sun, May 24, 2018 at 9:37 PM To: Jennifer Kim —_—a Good evening Jennifer, Rebecca sent me this very well thought out email. There are severel questions | cannot answer because employee matters are confidential, In addition, while | understand the desire of students to have answers, fam ‘concerned about the appropriateness and fairness fo Mr. Nguyen about running a story regarding his departure. It/ets the entire student body know something happened regarding a teacher that the majority of students do not know, Please share your thoughts with me, Matters such as these are delicate, sim ~- Forwarded messago From. Rebecca Loi as Date: Sun, May 24, 2015 at 1:54 AM Subject: URGENT (The Matador) on sc [voted txt nddent Jim Schofield Fwd: article doc 18 messages — Wed, May 27, 2018 at 6:09 PM To: Jim Schofield HiJim, Here's the article on Nguyen. It took the kids awhile because of finals. Let me know what you think. | know the EIC wants to run itby 8 pm tonight. Thank you, please respond as soon as you can Jennifer Sent from my iPhone Begin forwarded message’ From: kely |} Date: May 27, 2016 at 6:05:15 PM POT 5; Subject: article doc 42) EnglishteachordebatecoachbidsfarewelltoSanGabriel.paf 4 24k Jin schofiel Wed, May 27, 2015 at 7:32 PM To Ns Kn! Hi Jennifer. | had looked at 6:00 and then tool time for dinner. ! am reading it now, {voted tox eden)Jim Schofe! Wed, May 27, 2018 at 8:14 PM 1's. Kir Jennifer, | know you are waiting for my green light. | am tentatively ok with it, But am waiting to hear from our Superintendent. | have sent her the article and called her. | will let you know as soon as | hear something, My son Is here from Shanghai. ! am going to go see him but have my phone and email access ‘The article seems a bit long dossnt it? sim [Cotes tent hisden)Jim Schofield Wed, May 27, 2016 at 8:30 PM to: Ms. Kr Everything is @ go to print the story Jennifer, something to consider, We have many outstanding teachers who deserve the same amount of coverage and adulation, | hope they do not see the paper and wonder why they do not have parents, students, colleagues singing their praises. It might be a nice story some day. You have been a champion, Thank you sim [uotes vst agen) Ss Wed, May 27, 2015 at 8:41 PM To: Jim Schoicls Thank you, Jim, for your quick response and understanding of how much this means to the kis. ‘Yes, we could discuss the news values here and why Nguyen received such a long article, It’s more a feature than a news story, Features tond to be longer. Jennifer ‘Sent from my iPhone [uoted text idan) <—__— Woo, ay 27,2018 a 844 PU a Good to know the difference of the two. Keep staff appreciation and counselor appreciation week in mind for next year, A similar feature on a broader range of folks would be very nice.Have a great evening. ‘Sent from my iPhone [uated txt nissont 1, May 27, 2018 at 8: | rere ——I To: Jim Schofield <| ‘Yes, we would have run longer articles on retirees in print if we had the space, Also in online, word limits tend to ‘expand bc there is more space, Thanks again, Sent from my iPhone {voted txt niger —<. Wed, May 27, 20 TS - ‘Too bad we don't have Harry Potter style pictures that come to life and tell the story 5 at 9:15 PM ‘Sent from my iPhone [Quotes txt ridden)Letter of concern, San Gabriel High School Matador newspaper and website a messages Jin Schofe!! Thu, May 28, 2016 at 11:55 F To: Jennifer Kir Bcc: Debbie Stone <| Hi Jennifer, Did you know your editors were making this contact? If they wanted to challenge something they could haveAlhambra Unified School District Mail - Letter of eoncern, San Ga, bupssfai oogle.com/mall/ur0/%ui= 28 come to me, Thanks, Jim {Quoted text niscen) California280§2015.pdf 1901k Jennifer Kim Fri, May 29, 2015 at 1:48 PM To: Jim Schofield Hi dio, ‘Thanks for forwarding your emails about our awards to the staff. We appreciate your support! | did know that my editors made contact with the SPLC, but | was not privy to any of thelr conversation with the SPLC; they just made me aware. They feel very strongly about this issue. | believe they were intimidated by you when you told them to disperse fram your office area last week and when you chastised our staff photographer, and that is why they did nat go directly to you with their concems, In class, we have talked about the Student Press Law Center before when we studied the First Amendment, 80 my editors are aware of the help the SPLC gives student newspaper.Just to let you know, the Speech and Debate kids also fee! very strongly about this issue, and they announced on FB that they will be attending the June 2 board meeting, Students also released e video saying thanks to Mi. Nguyen that is also now circulating on Facebook, which we felt compelled to put on The Matador news site as, part of our on-going coverage of this situation. Finally, yes, | believe we have sold out of yearbooks. The student banker thinks we have, We do have about 20 extra copies that Herff Jones just give us over our order. But we don't have to sell those; we can return them for an $800 credit. If we do sell them, that is profit for the school Thanks again for everything and all your support and understanding Jennifer PS. | also saw on FB that Leo Ramirez's friends put out a GoF undMe to help pay for hs funeral costs. Jennifer Kim Publications ‘San Gabriel High Schoo} {votes tot nase May 29, 2016 at 2:07 PM inst To: Jennifer Kin Point of clarity Debbie and ! spent approx 45 minutes with three senior debate team members who came to speak to us to represent the team. They made an appointment ahead of time, | walked out from that meeting and have over 20 students there talking and crowded to a small space. When | looked up | see a photographer pointing his camera at me. | did not chastise him but told him he did not nave permission to take my picture at that point. He said he was not but | was in the frame of what he was doing, We asked for one representative to come in and speak on everyone's behalf We gave her all the time she needed. The kids remained for several minutes talking, etc. We sent them out because | could tell Peria could not hear the person on the phone. Please do not think | chastised him. | felt blindsided and that has not been a hallmark of your staffs who have heen fair and impartial Off the record: | wish they would consider who made the hire of thelr teacher in the first place despite reservations from others, included a senior from last year who thought he should not be coach. | listened but moved forward to hire him as a teacher, This is @ classroom teacher not debate coach decision. | would not have ‘made the decision without losing much sleep, having lengthy discussions, looking for glimmers of hope, etc. It was not easy. | saw two girls today and was happy to see them. They showed a student tribute video to Andrew. It was very touching and | gave a positive comment on it. | also encouraged ther to be at Tuesday's Board Meeting and cover tne story fully,| do not think the students are making any effort to look at this story objectively. | wish they would. | am nat sure the best reporting comes from emotions for those so close to the story, Just some thoughts. Please do not assume | chastised your student. Ifhe feels ! did, | would love to sit down with him and clear the air in a positive way, [voted txt non Larsen —! Fri, May 29, 2015 at To: dim Schofield ¢ ‘My photographer told me you "yelled" at him. | know kids are emotional here, I'm trying to get them to be objective but i's hard when you redirected thelr story inthe first place, PM Jim, | have to be a journalism teacher and an adviser to these kids, Thelr motta is to be the voice for the voiceless. They think the letting go of Nguyen was a wrong decision and many cn campus share that sentiment. if you grant them interviews, they can be more objective, And please give them names of other people they can interview, so that the other side of this story can be told. They interviewed Justin Yeh All the kids writing the story are not on the speech and debate team and they do not have a personal connection with Nguyen. They are objective. Jennifer Sent from my iPhone (utes txt racy Jim Schofield <| Fri, May 29, 2016 al 3:12 PM To: — —_— AAs thelr teacher | hope you have told them there are things | cannot discuss, | hate the fact the kids don't have the full rationale for the decision. Two of your students asked for a quote about the video today. | gladly gave them a positive quote and spent time to see the entire video. There is a diference between what we want fo say and what we can say. Sent from my iPhone (Quoted text mien)Fwd: Letter of concern, San Gabriel High School Matador newspaper and website 1 message Forwarded message From: Jim Schofield Date: Fri, May 29, 2015 at 3:12 PM ‘Subject: Re: Letter of concem, San Gabriel High School Matador newspaper and website a As their teacher | hope you have told them there are things I cannot discuss. | hate the fact the kids dorit have {he full rationale for the decision. Two of your students asked for a quote about the video feday. I gladly gave them a positive quote and spent time to See the entire video. There Is a uifference between what we want to say and what we can say. Sent from my iPhone Onttey 25,2015 225 ET On May 29, 2015, at 2:41 PM, Jim Schofield iE. v.rote > According to the Pasadena Star News the newspaper kids are going to > protest outside of graduation. | looked out for Andrews privacy and > the schools best interest in not violating @ confidential matter. Once > the article came 1 did not tell you to remove anything. | have > encouraged the students to fully cover the board meeting and the > presentations being made. > Do we really want the kids taking the graduation ceremony and making > it about something other than a celebration about our class of 205, > Sent from my iPhone Singerely, James T. Schofield Director of English Language Development, Alhambra Unified School District ‘This message may contain confidential material. The family Rights and Privacy act of 1974 (LP93- 380) makes it unlawful for the receiving person or agency to permit any party aside from the agency's authorized personnel to have access to the records without written consent of the parent or guardian If you have received this message in error, please respond by email that you have received it and then permanently delete it from your inbox and computer. w