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Pomona meeting features sharply divided public comments on Pride partnerships and book access in school libraries
Summary
Public commenters at the June 11 Pomona Unified board meeting voiced strong, opposing views on district partnerships with Pomona Valley Pride and on library book content and availability. Supporters described youth services and graduation outcomes; opponents raised concerns about specific titles and requested lists of library holdings.
A lengthy audience‑comment period at the Pomona Unified School District board meeting on June 11 featured opposing public testimony about the district’s partnerships with Pomona Valley Pride and the content and availability of certain library books.
Supporters of the Pride center and allied community partners described services, student outcomes and on‑campus work. Frank Guzman, executive director of Pomona Valley Pride, said the organization has supported students and ‘‘implemented over 60 action plans for students including, but not limited to, college and career plans, identity and coming out plans’’ and that 28 seniors who worked with the program graduated this year. Ariana Guzman, youth services director at Pomona Valley Pride, told the board the group has hired 15 PUSD students through its program and has supported about 200 students with individualized plans. Several other community speakers and nonprofit partners described mentoring, anti‑bullying work and partnerships with the district.
Supporters framed their remarks around student safety and mental‑health outcomes. Joel (last name not provided) said inclusion ‘‘literally saves lives’’ and described research linking identity‑affirming school environments to lower rates of bullying, depression and suicide risk for LGBTQ+ youth.
Opponents raised concerns about specific library holdings and asked the district for lists of materials. Public commenters cited titles they described as sexually explicit and inappropriate for minors; one speaker referred to the book Flamer and summarized passages he described as sexual and unsuitable for people under 18. Several commenters said they had requested an inventory of library holdings and asked staff to provide it; board staff and the superintendent said the district would provide site‑by‑site lists on request and staff would follow up with timeline information.
The meeting included calls for transparency and differing views about parental rights and curricular content. Board members and staff repeatedly urged respectful public discourse; Superintendent Darren Knowles and others emphasized the district’s obligation to provide a safe and nondiscriminatory environment and reiterated procedures for handling immigration‑related inquiries on campus.
What the board will do next: district staff said they are preparing responses and will provide the requested library lists by site. The board did not take formal policy action on library materials at the June 11 meeting.
