Newsom fines school district for rejecting curriculum that includes LGBT book

California Governor Gavin Newsom announced that he fined the Temecula Valley Unified School District (TVUSD) $1.5 million for refusing to include books with LGBT content.

Although Temecula County School Board conducted a vote on the syllabus and the majority chose to reject the text, the Democratic governor circumvented the board's decision by imposing the fine and assuring that he would still provide the books to students before the start of the new school year.

"California will ensure students in Temecula begin the school year with access to materials reviewed by parents and recommended by teachers across the district," the governor said.

Newsom stated that in addition to the fine, the state will force the county to pay for the purchase and shipment of the books, estimated to be $1.6 million.

"After we deliver the textbooks into the hands of students and their parents, the state will deliver the bill — along with a $1.5 million fine — to the school board for its decision to willfully violate the law, subvert the will of parents, and force children to use an out-of-print textbook from 17 years ago," he said.

Concerns about the text

Board members expressed concern that the curriculum includes a text about Harvey Milk, a gay rights activist who allegedly had a relationship with a teenager while in his 30s.

"My question is, why even mention a pedophile?" asked Dr. Joseph Komrosky, chairman of the county board.