Temecula’s conservative school board majority fired Superintendent Jodi McClay on Tuesday night, June 13 — six months after the trio joined the board.
After a massive afternoon protest by teachers and others rallying against its blocking of a curriculum that mentioned slain gay rights leader Harvey Milk, the board began the open section of its meeting with the announcement.
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School board President Joseph Komrosky announced McClay’s dismissal — which is effective immediately — during a meeting moved to Temecula Valley High School’s theater because of the expected crowds.
The vote was 3-1. New conservative board members Komrosky, Danny Gonzalez and Jen Wiersma voted to terminate McClay. Trustee Allison Barclay voted no. Board member Steven Schwartz, who often votes along with Barclay, was absent.
McClay had led the Temecula Valley Unified School District as schools chief since June 2020 and according to her contract, was set to end June 30. She had worked in the district for more than 20 years, and was assistant superintendent for educational support services before taking the helm of the district. Her annual salary was $308, 441, according to the district.
Earlier in the meeting, McClay walked onto the stage in the high school’s theater and waved to the crowd, receiving a standing ovation. Some in the audience chanted “Jodi, Jodi.”
The school board’s Tuesday agenda included, under the closed session portion of the meeting, a performance review of McClay. Subsections of that item listed “discipline/dismissal/suspension” of a public employee and the potential appointment of an “interim superintendent.”
In a statement issued Wednesday, June 14, Komrosky wrote: “We thank Dr. McClay for her long service to the school district, but the majority of the board determined that it was time for new leadership, with new ideas.”
In January, rumors that the board would fire McClay spread, drawing more than 200 people to a special board meeting. Unable to agree on the agenda, the board rejected the agenda with a 3-2 vote and McClay was not fired.
McClay found support from local school and government officials and state educators before Tuesday’s meeting.
The Association of California School Administrators, in a letter signed by Executive Director Edgar Zazueta backed her.
“As superintendent, she has demonstrated a deep commitment to meeting the needs of all students and ensuring that they have access to a safe, supportive learning environment,” states the letter sent to the board before the session. It added that the organization stands with McClay and offers its “unwavering support for her leadership” of Temecula Valley schools.
Another letter set to be presented at the school board was signed by 14 past Temecula school district leaders, including superintendents, administrators and board members.
“Under Dr. McClay’s leadership, at all levels over a career spanning two decades, TVUSD established and maintained a solid record of instructional excellence,” the letter states. “We hereby declare Dr. McClay to be of outstanding character and a leader of the most excellent caliber.”
Maryann Edwards, a former Temecula city councilmember, mayor and Temecula school board member, signed the letter.
“I have lived in Temecula for about 37 years and … I would caution board members that there is no time to insert your political beliefs in making decisions like this,” Edwards said by phone before the meeting. “A big problem is just the lack of communications from the board members and the fact we don’t know what’s going to happen or why dismissing Jodi is even on the table.”
The board majority of three conservative Christian candidates — Komrosky, Wiersma and Gonzalez — was elected in November. At their first meeting in December, the trio voted to ban critical race theory in the district. The three later voted to hire a consultant to conduct sessions about critical race theory. Last month, they voted to block a curriculum that mentioned slain gay rights leader Harvey Milk.
