The Temecula Valley Unified School District Board of Education Monday unanimously voted to move forward with the process of appointing a person to the board following Danny Gonzalez’s resignation.
“I think because of the business of the board that we have to conduct, we need to get somebody up here, so that we can vote on things that are critical that come up and not have a two-two vote on everything where we can’t get things moved,” Board Member Steven Schwartz said. “I was hoping that with the new year coming, we can perhaps foster a new spirit of cooperation on the board where we all work together for the benefit of the students in the district.”
Ahead of the vote, members of the public called on the board to work together to fill the vacant seat and find a way to move forward in a more positive manner.
“I really hope that you choose to appoint versus special election, that you as a board really choose to start working together, to collaborate, to seek consensus and make decisions together as a group, to really stop the negativity and the insults that we’ve seen coming from up here,” Kristi McClure said.
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McClure also said that she hoped the person appointed to the board would be fiscally responsible; make decisions based not on “personal opinions or religious doctrine,” but on fact; act professionally both at the board meetings and in public; emphasize input from people in the community; ensure policies are in accordance with the diversity, equity and inclusion goals of the district; avoid spreading falsehoods and misinformation; and follow all applicable federal, state and local laws and policies.
“We already have one very likely special election happening because of bad governance,” Christine Massa said, referencing the possible recall election of Board President Joseph Komrosky. “However, you can choose to use good governance and appoint someone and avoid another special election. This is in your control, you can come together and do this. Remember, it’s about the kids.”
The board ultimately voted to move forward with the appointment process with the understanding that an election would be held this November to fill the seat through the remainder of the term, which ends in December 2026, with Komrosky and Board Member Allison Barclay working together on an appointment subcommittee.
Additional details about the process will be discussed and decided on at a future board meeting, including the possibility of bringing in a representative from the California School Boards Association to provide additional training for the board about the process.
“I think the extra training might actually help,” Komrosky said.
A video of the meeting can be found here on the district’s YouTube page.
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