Dear Editor,
We attend school board meetings across Southern California to help safeguard students and parents—but I’ve never witnessed anything as dysfunctional as the Temecula Valley Unified School District meeting under Board President Malinda Anderson on July 21, 2025.
From the start, Anderson reversed the board agenda—allowing trustees to speak before public comment, violating standard procedure.
She repeatedly interrupted public speakers, shouting “Point of Order” in ways that likely violated the Brown Act. Only after public pushback—including a suggestion from a community member named Erica—did she allow censored speakers a second chance.
Worse, Anderson removed a key agenda item mid-meeting—silencing community members who had prepared to speak. That move violated their constitutional rights and will likely trigger a grand jury complaint.
Anderson, Schwartz and Barham spent much of the evening undermining Trustee Jen Wiersma.
Many online commenters described her behavior—and the meeting overall—as “embarrassing.”
Most alarming was her response to the alleged sexual harassment of Trustee Wiersma by Trustee Steve Schwartz. Instead of addressing it behind closed doors, Anderson reportedly told a constituent, “Steve is just being Steve” who later signed an affidavit. That’s not leadership—it’s enabling a pattern of misconduct.
Anderson’s mishandling has now cost taxpayers $40,000. Yet, the three union controlled Trustees spent hours blaming the victim—Wiersma—for the investigation the board itself approved.
As Trustee Komrosky said, “It’s like a group going out for dinner and telling Jen she has to pay the bill.”
At least one community member plans to file a formal complaint.
Anderson should resign—or at the very least step down as president.
Trustee Barham’s abusive attacks on Wiersma raise serious questions about how he treats students—or anyone else in his life.
Meanwhile, Trustee Schwartz might want to reconsider his behavior—or risk consequences beyond public shame.
Despite it all, Trustee Wiersma stood strong, showing more dignity than all three union-aligned trustees combined.
Temecula families deserve better, for the verbal attacks on the parent-approved, Trustee Weirsma tend to be on-going.
Voters should consider recalling Anderson and Schwartz, then replace Barham in 2026.
Marci Strange
Founder, Taxpayer’s Oversight for Parents & Students
