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Parents, unions and faith leaders clash at Chino Valley Unified over flag, book and LGBTQ+ policies
Summary
Public comment at the board meeting focused on a recent PERB decision, district flag and curriculum policies, book removal procedures and protections for LGBTQ+ students. Speakers included union representatives, faith leaders, transgender residents and parents; the meeting was briefly cleared after disruptive exchanges.
Public commenters and community representatives filled the boardroom to address a string of district policies and legal rulings that have drawn local attention. The meeting featured repeated public testimony about a PERB ruling, district flag and parental notification policies, book-review procedures and treatment of LGBTQ+ students.
Steven Frazier, an ACT union representative, told the board that the Public Employment Relations Board (PERB) found the district violated state labor law by 22unilaterally adopting and maintaining the flag display22 policy and by 22unilaterally adopting the parental notification policy and its replacement.22 Frazier quoted the PERB order and said, 22An appeal does not erase the decision or suspend the decision.22 He urged the district to rescind the policies and bargain in good faith rather than pursue appeals.
Multiple speakers referenced a July policy update on classroom flags; commenters disagreed about whether the current district policy still restricts classroom displays to the U.S. and California flags and military flags. One commenter, Damon Trentis, read language from a PERB-related ruling and said an amendment rescinding a June 2023 change had been ordered.
Faith leaders, led by Reverend Dr. Jacob Buchholz, delivered letters from clergy urging the board to avoid policies that marginalize LGBTQ+ students and to preserve representation and supportive practices. Dr. Buchholz read a portion of a letter and said clergy and interfaith leaders 22stand with LGBTQ plus students, not in spite of our faith, but because of it.22 A transgender resident, Celeste Erwin, spoke about her personal experience and urged the board to consider the mental-health impacts of exclusionary policies.
Other public commenters raised related concerns including alleged examples of classroom conduct, special-education IEP timing and eligibility for extracurriculars, book removals or censorship, and requests for timely parent notifications about safety incidents. A small number of speakers used sharply critical language toward board members and other speakers; the president cleared the room and paused the meeting to restore order before reconvening at 7:35 p.m.
The board disclosed in its closed-session report earlier that it had voted to authorize Advocates for Faith and Freedom to file a notice of appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit regarding a pending matter; that vote was announced as 42D0. The PERB ruling and the board27s subsequent legal steps were the central focus of many public comments.
No new board policy action was taken in open session on the contested policies during this meeting; several speakers requested the board publicly clarify translation and outreach practices, book-review procedures, and protections for students.
Direct quotes from the meeting reflect the contention: 22The district is ordered to cease and desist from interfering with employees' rights to bargaining good faith with ACT before adopting similar policies,22 Frazier said quoting PERB. Rev. Buchholz said faith leaders 22stand with LGBTQ plus students, not in spite of our faith, but because of it.22 Celeste Erwin closed her remarks by saying, 22Jesus loves you.22
