Jen Wiersma Must Resign — TVUSD Can’t Afford More Chaos and Legal Defeat

1TVPAC Team 

Temecula Valley Unified School District Trustee Jen Wiersma has made herself the face of dysfunction in our district and proven herself to be unfit for office — the time has come for her to resign.

The recent release of a third-party investigation thoroughly discredited Wiersma’s public sexual harassment accusation against fellow Trustee Steven Schwartz. The report from Nicole Miller & Associates found the claim unsubstantiated, inconsistent, and likely driven by political and personal grievances, including Wiersma’s disappointment at not being named board president.

Her actions weren’t just embarrassing — they were dangerous. She made the accusation during a public board meeting, against legal advice, causing serious reputational harm, eroding trust, and wasting taxpayer money on a months-long investigation. According to the report:

• Her claims lacked consistency and credible evidence.

• No witnesses supported her version of events.

• Key individuals she cited — including Board President Dr. Melinda Anderson — outright denied her account.

• Nearly all interviewed witnesses believed her complaint was dishonest or politically motivated.

• The allegation was likely not made in good faith.

The result? The board was thrown into chaos, and valuable public funds were diverted from classrooms to legal costs. Wiersma should not only resign — she should repay the district for the cost of this taxpayer-funded investigation.

But this is not an isolated lapse in judgment. Wiersma’s tenure on the board has been marked by a pattern of politically motivated overreach, repeated legal losses, and costly consequences for the district.

Let’s look at the record:

Neutral Classroom Policy – Wiersma championed this policy banning “non-approved” flags in classrooms, including Pride flags. It was challenged as discriminatory and lost in a PERB ruling, which found the district violated labor law by refusing to negotiate with the teachers’ union before implementing it. The decision forced the district to rescind the policy and take corrective action.

Forced Parental Notification Policy – Wiersma pushed a requirement for schools to notify parents if a student identified as transgender — regardless of the student’s safety. That, too, was later found to be an unlawful violation of labor rights in another PERB ruling, again for failing to bargain in good faith with the union.

Anti-Critical Race Theory Resolution – Another politically charged move with no basis in actual curriculum. It deepened community division and sowed distrust among teachers. The district was forced to reverse course after legal challenges revealed its lack of constitutional and educational grounding. The district is likely on the hook in a settlement for more than $1 million. 

These losses aren’t symbolic — unlike her performative actions — they are real legal defeats handed to her by courts for violating existing law. Each one cost time, money, and credibility. Each one set our district further back from its core mission: educating and supporting students.

Wiersma’s personal agenda has wasted taxpayer money and cost the district thousands of dollars, at a time when TVUSD is in a budget crisis and using their financial reserves. This latest stunt by Wiersma added to the debt TVUSD is going into, spending more than is coming in.

This is not good governance. This is ideological crusading, and it's hurting our schools.

And now, with the revelation that Wiersma made false and defamatory allegations against a colleague — allegations thoroughly debunked by a credible, independent investigation — it’s no longer a question of politics or policy. 

It’s a question of character, credibility, and fitness for public office.

Wiersma has shown no remorse. She has offered no apology. Instead, she continues to frame legitimate accountability as “punishment” designed to hurt her politically. But this isn’t about punishment or politics — it’s about protecting the integrity and ethics of our school board and restoring focus on students.

The taxpayers of Temecula deserve better. So do our teachers. And most of all, our students — who are watching and learning from how adults in leadership conduct themselves.

Wiersma should step down immediately. And she should repay the public for the cost of an investigation initiated by her dishonest and defamatory claims against Schwartz and TVUSD. 

Enough grandstanding. Enough lawsuits. Enough distraction. Enough embarrassment. 

It’s time to put students first — and that begins with Wiersma’s resignation.