Danny Gonzalez, one of the three conservative board members who garnered national attention this year, is purportedly relocating to Texas for work.
One of the three conservative members of the Temecula Valley Unified School Board, Danny Gonzalez, announced his resignation on December 15 with immediate effect.
The Press-Enterprise reported that Mr. Gonzalez stated he is relocating to Texas to pursue a job.
In a statement, Mr. Gonzalez said, “It was an honor and privilege to serve the Temecula community and it is with a heavy heart that [I am] leaving.” “[I] appreciate the support we have received over the past year and wish [the school district] and the entire valley well.”
Additionally, according to The Press-Enterprise, the school board has chosen to proceed with selecting his replacement instead of calling a special election.
The five-member school board will no longer have a conservative majority as a result of the trustee’s resignation.
This summer, the board attracted attention from across the state when it rejected an elementary social studies textbook twice before approving it. Board President Joseph Komrosky felt that the textbook was inappropriate because it featured LGBT activist Harvey Milk, whom the board president referred to as a “paedophile” because of allegations that he had sex with a minor as an adult.
Gov. Gavin Newsom took notice of Mr. Komrosky’s remark and threatened to send copies of the contentious “Social Studies Alive” textbook to Temecula students. He also threatened to pass legislation that would fine the district $1.5 million if the board rejected the textbook.
The curriculum was ultimately approved by the board, with the recommendation that teachers replace the Mr. Milk-related content with more “age appropriate” content.
Mr. Komrosky stated that the vote was taken to save the district money rather than in response to Mr. Newsom’s threats.
In July, the governor ordered a civil rights investigation into the district despite the board’s reversal on the matter.
Shortly after taking office in December of last year, the three trustees also decided to outlaw critical race theory in the district.
A recall campaign has also been launched against Mr. Komrosky. A recall committee announced last week that they had gathered enough signatures to call for an election.
The county registrar of voters is currently confirming the signatures.
