Board approves Islamic Networks Group panel for IB world religions class after contentious public comments

The Temecula Valley Unified School District governing board voted 3–2 on April 15 to approve a vendor agreement for a one-hour, 15-minute Zoom interfaith panel presented by the Islamic Networks Group for an International Baccalaureate (IB) world religions class at Great Oak High School.

The decision followed more than an hour of public comment during which several community members — many identifying themselves as practicing Hindus or leaders in the local Hindu community — urged the board to arrange for a Hindu scholar from the community rather than the vendor listed on the agenda. Commentators repeatedly said authentic representation and accuracy in teaching Hindu beliefs required a speaker who practices the religion and that the district should prioritize local experts who might present without charge.

Board and staff said the panel is intended as a field-trip-style learning opportunity tied to the IB comparative/world religions curriculum. Eva Velez, district staff, said the presentation will be an “interfaith panel” with three individual panelists representing Muslim, Buddhist and Hindu faiths; it will be delivered by Zoom to 38 enrolled IB students to support the second-semester, in-depth portion of the course. Velez said the district previously used the same vendor and panelists in 2023 and that the $700 fee on the vendor contract covers the vendor’s services and associated requirements such as insurance. The district said it requires presenters to carry liability coverage to work with students.

Community speakers said they had not been told who the Hindu speaker would be and asked for the name and credentials; staff replied the Hindu panelist’s name was not listed on the agenda packet but that the vendor had supplied the same three panelists previously. Multiple speakers requested the district recruit local Hindu scholars instead of using the Islamic Networks Group umbrella vendor. Others expressed concern that the vendor’s name suggested a focus on Islam and questioned whether the organization would present an even-handed account of other faiths.

Board members debated whether a single outside vendor could adequately represent multiple religions. Board member Melinda Anderson said she preferred recruiting local presenters or adding additional faith voices (for example a rabbi or evangelical Christian) so panels felt balanced. Board member Joseph Kamrowski said the IB course is a high-level, assessment-driven program and that outside panels are one of several learning experiences called for by the IB guide; he also noted the district’s IB students exceed global pass rates on assessments. Board President Emil Barham and member Steven Schwartz supported approving the vendor for the classroom session; Jennifer Wiersma and Kamrowski voted no.

The roll call produced these votes: Steven Schwartz — yes; Jennifer Wiersma — no; Joseph Kamrowski — no; Emil Barham — yes; Melinda Anderson — yes. Outcome: motion approved 3–2. The district staff confirmed the panelists are contracted through the single ING agreement and that the $700 fee will be paid to ING; the transcript does not break out how that fee is allocated to the individual panelists. The Hindu representative’s name was not specified in the public record provided at the meeting.

The board discussion and the public comments acknowledged the IB course’s scope: nine religions are surveyed in the first semester, and the second semester contains in-depth study of two or three faiths for student assessments. Staff said the panel was intended to supplement that in-depth study, not to replace the course teacher’s instruction.

The board’s approval permits the presentation to proceed as listed on the agenda; staff said the session will happen by Zoom on the scheduled date and be available to the enrolled IB students only.

The board did not vote to change the vendor process or to require local-only presenters. Staff said they would share additional vendor details if available and that, where possible, local presenters could be used for future events.