If there’s a clear winner in the ongoing culture war clashes involving Temecula’s school board, it’s probably the lawyers.
Temecula Valley Unified School District board members, from left, Steven Schwartz, Jen Wiersma, Danny Gonzalez, Joseph Komrosky and Allison Barclay speak with each other before the July 18, 2023, meeting. Since a trio of conservatives took control of the five-member board in December, legal costs directly tied to the board have risen 377% to more than $81,000.
Temecula school board member Jen Wiersma, seen Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023, is part of the board’s conservative majority. She said “the increased need for counsel has been essential for thwarting these repeated attacks” from the “ union members” and “community activists.” “Challenging the status quo with standards of accountability has resulted in union members and community activists filing frivolous lawsuits and complaints in retaliation,” she said via email.
“But in the climate that we’re in now where our new board members are trying to push the envelope on every issue, it does get sticky,” Barclay said. “And so all of us are consulting attorneys more often than we ever would have.”of a local Christian conservative political action committee, Gonzalez, Komrosky and Wiersma were elected one year ago on a platform of promoting parents’ rights and ridding the district of what they said was inappropriate sexual material and political indoctrination.
Barclay worries the time and money the board spends on matters involving lawyers is taking away from pressing district needs, including plans to repair or renovate school buildings.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Budget masterpiece Galaxy Tab S6 Lite 2022 with S Pen is heavily discounted on AmazonAnam Hamid is a computer scientist turned tech journalist who has a keen interest in the tech world, with a particular focus on smartphones and tablets. She has previously written for Android Headlines and has also been a ghostwriter for several tech and car publications.
Read more »
Fendi balances past, present in fall/winter 2022 collection, campaignItalian fashion house Fendi has debuted creative director Kim Jones’ fall/winter 2022 collection with a campaign starring American model Bella Hadid.
Read more »
Florida gas prices reach lowest average since December 2022, AAA saysSunday’s state average was $3.17 per gallon, which is 5 cents less than the previous low from March.
Read more »
Florida gas prices reach lowest average since December 2022, AAA saysSunday’s state average was $3.17 per gallon, which is 5 cents less than the previous low from March.
Read more »
Crypto funds hit six-week inflow streak, ether sees largest since August 2022Digital asset investment products added $261 million to a $767 million six-week inflow streak — surpassing 2022's total inflows alone.
Read more »