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Community speakers urge trustee Carol Durney to resign; others call for board to protect LGBTQ students
Summary
A lengthy public‑comment period at the Escondido Union High School District board meeting focused on Trustee Carol Durney’s announcement that she had come out as transgender. Multiple speakers urged Durney to step down; other speakers and a faith leader urged the board to support LGBTQ students and avoid fear‑based rhetoric.
Trustee Carol Durney’s public coming‑out prompted a sustained public‑comment block at the Aug. 5 Escondido Union High School District board meeting, with several residents urging Durney to resign and others urging the district to protect and affirm LGBTQ students.
Dwayne Reese told the board: "You are a man by birth. You need to stay in your lane, man. Please step down now from this board." Several other speakers echoed that view, urging resignation on religious grounds and citing concerns about children in classrooms. Rosie Higuera, identifying herself as president of the North County Republican Assembly, asked Durney to "please step down" and called gender transition a moral issue.
Not all public comment took the same position. Michael Davis, who identified himself as a faith leader and an advocate for LGBTQIA+ students, said board members should not "succumb to fear" and urged creation of "educational environments that are affirming to all students, especially our LGBTQIA+ students." Davis praised Trustee Durney’s bravery and asked the board to consider the impact of fear‑filled statements on students.
Board President Bob Weller thanked speakers for participating and reminded the room that the board cannot take action on non‑agendized matters during the meeting. No formal motions or votes were made related to resignation during the session. The board proceeded to regular business after public comment.
Why it matters: The exchange illustrates a sharply divided public reaction to a trustee’s identity and highlights the challenge school districts face balancing freedom of speech, community norms, and the district’s stated duty to serve all students. The board did not take formal action on the issue during the meeting; any future action would require an agendized item and formal vote.
What’s next: The board moved on to business items; speakers on both sides indicated they would continue to engage board members outside the meeting.
