Fick

Parents of high school baseball players urge school officials to fire the coach. The coach sues the parents for libel, slander and interference with prospective economic advantage. The parents bring a special motion to strike (hereafter “anti-SLAPP motion” [strategic lawsuit against public participation]) pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure section 425.16.

Here we hold that discussions among the parents in preparation for their complaints before school officials are privileged under Civil Code section 47, subdivision (b). This in turn brings the coach’s complaint within the antiSLAPP motion.

The trial court granted the motion on one cause of action and denied it for the others. Both sides appeal. We affirm the grant, and reverse the denials.

. FACTS

Michael Lee is a certified teacher at Newbury Park High School (NPHS). He was hired to coach the NPHS varsity baseball team beginning in 2001. His first amended complaint named as defendants Charles and Kathleen Pick and four other parents of players Lee had coached. Only the Picks are subject to this appeal.

Lee’s first cause of action, for libel, alleged that on or about May 22, 2003, the Picks published a letter making…