The Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District, responding through its legal counsel, has extended the time to determine whether it has disclosable public records responsive to The Olive Grove Newspaper’s request concerning former school board member Chris Staples. Staples is seeking election to the district’s Trustee Area 6 seat on November 3. The district’s stated November 9 determination date falls after Election Day. Los Angeles County’s candidate list identifies him as Christopher Staples.
The newspaper submitted its records request October 14 following the circulation of an anonymous flyer concerning Staples. The flyer’s authorship and claims remain unverified. In an October 16 email responding to the newspaper’s inquiry, Staples stated: “I do not comment on baseless rumors.”
In an October 26 letter, attorney James B. Fernow of Fagen Friedman & Fulfrost, LLP, writing on behalf of the district, cited “unusual circumstances” under the California Public Records Act as the basis for extending the time for an initial determination.
The district said it expects to make that determination November 9, 2026. If applicable, it will also provide an estimated date when disclosable records will be available. The letter does not promise that documents will be released November 9.
The newspaper’s request sought communications from Staples or attorneys representing him concerning claims made against him; written responses from the district or its counsel; and claims presented to the district naming or concerning Staples.
Most of the request covers August 1, 2020, through the request date. The portion seeking claims presented to the district begins January 1, 2020. The newspaper expressly excluded confidential communications between the district and its legal counsel.
Superintendent Tania Magaña acknowledged receipt of the request, stating that it would be forwarded to appropriate district staff for review and processing.
The subsequent legal letter lists four statutory circumstances that may support an extension: collecting records from separate locations; examining a substantial volume of records; consulting with another agency or among district departments; and compiling or extracting electronic data. They did not state that no records exist.
The letter states that “one or more” circumstances named above apply without identifying which specifically affected this request. The response letter did not specify which one of these conditions apply.
Neither page of the two-page letter provides a substantive answer to an individual request item. Although the letter refers to a forthcoming determination on “the rest of your requests,” it does not identify any portion as being resolved.
Separately, in an October 13 statement answering the newspaper’s inquiry before the records request was submitted; district Public Information Officer Eric Perez said the district was aware of allegations involving a former board member and would monitor developments. That statement did not name Staples or confirm a complaint, investigation or findings.
The October 26 response letter concerns the processing of the records request. It does not address the merits of the flyer’s claims or confirm whether a complaint, investigation or finding involving Staples exists.
The Olive Grove Newspaper will continue seeking documentation and report on the district’s determination and any records made available.
