The Temecula Valley Unified School District (TVUSD) board meeting on January 28 was a contentious affair, showcasing sharp divisions, policy debates, and financial concerns. Trustees engaged in heated discussions over procedural rules, fiscal responsibility, and public engagement, while new board members demonstrated a commitment to learning the ropes.

 As the new Murrieta Valley Unified School District board wrestles with its first major action, a few board members are raising legitimate concerns from their constituents about traffic congestion and student bus ride time. 

This month we recognize Dr. Anderson’s efforts to streamline the meeting process, follow the rules that govern trustees, and focus on responsible governance. 

Mr. Schwartz continued to put students, academics and safety first, seeking collaboration and consensus with other board members.

If you didn’t attend or watch the Tuesday, January 28 Temecula Valley Unified School District school board meeting, it was a doozy for a multitude of reasons. 

Objectively speaking, a more than six-hour meeting is enough to qualify as such. 

In this report, we will tackle the Closed Session portion of the meeting as it showed a lack of cohesion on the board.

It was almost as if trustees were having two separate discussions at the Jan. 23 MVUSD board meeting. While most board members were focused on the issue of overcrowded schools, one trustee was focused on self-preservation as he downplayed redistricting complications. 

Before we get into the content of these policies, let’s focus on process; the basics of how TVUSD School board is supposed to conduct business (as opposed to how they conducted business in the past when Komrosky, Gonzalez and Wiersma were the majority).

Every month, we will publish the 1TVPAC Good Governance report card to evaluate TVUSD School Board trustees. 

Remember, Thanksgiving is a time to celebrate the people in your life and the values that bring you together. With patience and a little effort, you can navigate political discussions while keeping the holiday spirit intact.