Governor Gavin Newsom of California, a Democrat, has taken a firm stance against a local school board’s decision and pledged to personally ensure that students receive a book that was rejected by the board.
The controversial move came after the Temecula County school board voted against including a particular social studies book in their curriculum. The book in question referenced Harvey Milk, a prominent LGBT activist and politician. Prior to the vote, Board President Dr. Joseph Komrosky made a statement alluding to an alleged sexual relationship between Milk and a 16-year-old boy, questioning the book’s appropriateness. The vote ultimately passed with a 3-2 margin.
One Temecula Valley, a Political Action Committee, is collecting signatures to recall several members of the school board. The school board members — Komrosky, Danny Gonzalez and Jen Wiersma — have also reportedly banned critical race theory in the district.
“Cancel culture has gone too far in Temecula: radicalized zealots on the school board rejected a textbook used by hundreds of thousands of students and now children will begin the school year without the tools they need to learn,” Newsom said in a press release. “If the school board won’t do its job by its next board meeting to ensure kids start the school year with basic materials, the state will deliver the book into the hands of children and their parents — and we’ll send the district the bill and fine them for violating state law.”
“I am glad to join in this action with Governor Newsom today and thank him for his leadership in calling for Temecula’s school board to reverse course to prevent further harm to students,” State Superintendent Tony Thurmond said. “Inclusive education promotes the academic achievement and social development of our students. School Districts should not ban books in California, especially as it harms students of color and LGBTQ+ youth. AB1078 lays out the structure for today’s action and I am proud to have sponsored this bill to protect our students from the harmful effects of book banning, exclusion of inclusive textbooks and discrimination.”
After the Temecula school board voted against the curriculum in May, Newsom sent a letter to the board, warning them that “[i]f your local educational agency does remove or ban instructional materials from classrooms or libraries, you may be requested to provide the Attorney General’s Office with materials to allow it to analyze your agency’s actions and procedures.”
