Temecula Valley USD Board Agrees On How To Fill Open Seat

TEMECULA, CA ? Qualified applicants interested in serving on the Temecula Valley Unified School District governing board have a chance to try out for the post left vacant Friday by Area 2 Trustee Danny Gonzalez.

In a 4-0 vote Monday morning, the TVUSD board of trustees agreed that Gonzalez's empty seat should be filled by appointment, not by a costly special election. Trustees Allison Barclay and Dr. Joseph Komrosky will serve on a subcommittee to ensure all applicants seeking the post meet the basic required qualifications, which include that candidates reside in Trustee Area 2 (see a map here).

From there, the full board will interview the applicants during an upcoming public meeting.

The board has 60 days to appoint a provisional Trustee Area 2 replacement. The appointee will serve through November and has the option of running for the seat during the 2024 Presidential Election.

Gonzalez's four-year term was slated through Nov. 2026.

If the board ? which is now divided right down the middle ? cannot agree by Feb. 15 on an appointee, then the matter will be put to the voters of Trustee Area 2 during a special election.

Several public speakers told the board Monday that they want it to consider candidates who will bring good governance; collaboration; fiscal responsibility; fact-based decision-making void of religious dogma; professionalism; honesty; and someone who follows the rules of the office, including adhering to state law on diversity, equity and inclusion.

"Please do better," one public speaker said.

The board and its meetings were chaotic over the last year. Gonzalez, Komrosky and Jennifer Wiersma were voted onto the TVUSD board in November 2022. Their campaigns were backed by the Inland Empire Family PAC, which works "to stop the indoctrination of our children by placing candidates on school boards who will fight for Christian and conservative values."

The result was a slew of controversial policies swiftly approved by the three trustees who held a majority on the five-member board. School board meetings were rife with division on the dais and in the audience.

Monday's meeting was the opposite. The board members agreed on the appointment process and the meeting's decorum was calm and civil.

In the coming days, the TVUSD is expected to post details on its website for candidates interested in applying for the open seat.

Related:

Temecula Valley USD Board Loses Conservative Majority

Temecula Valley Unified School District Trustee Danny Gonzalez resigned Friday.