Should a teacher who was set to be fired for immoral conduct serve as a school board trustee?
Should a teacher who was set to be fired for immoral conduct serve as a school board trustee?
Welcome to local politics and why your voice, but more importantly your vote, makes a difference.
Let’s back up: Placer Union High School District is nestled in the Northern Sierra Foothills, east of Sacramento in Placer County California (where I live), and serves multiple communities, such as north Auburn, Colfax, and meadow vista, among others.
Jeremy Jeffreys, a former history and video production teacher at Del Oro High School, was set to be fired in 2022 for immoral and unprofessional conduct, dishonesty, and other violations. The Sac Bee obtained records which confirmed allegations against him included inappropriate physical contact with a student and refusal to adhere to special education laws. Jeffreys resigned before the district could officially dismiss him.
Source: The Sac Bee, https://www.sacbee.com/news/local/education/article297254314.html
In 2024, Jeffreys ran for School Board Trustee, saying he wanted to “establish policies that would better protect staff members.”
In October, a month before the Nov. 2024 election for the Placer Union School board seat, he dropped out of the race saying it was because he failed to secure the endorsement of the district's teachers union.
It was too late to remove his name from the ballot and Jeffreys claimed he would decline the oath of office if he won. Spoiler: he won and he didn’t decline.
Despite dropping out of the race, an unidentified group continued campaigning for Jeffreys, including putting out campaign signs. Jeffreys was previously endorsed by conservative special interest groups, such as Moms for Liberty. Jeffreys was still leading the race, and ultimately won.
Just last week, Jeffreys was sworn in as a board trustee, with community members literally standing up and protesting at the swearing-in.
But despite all of that, Jeffreys will serve as a board member AND the board is now controlled by a majority of individuals who received endorsements and backing from conservative special interest groups. Conservative Political money has infiltrated school boards and are actively dismantling our educational systems right here in Placer County. Just before the election the superintendent, who had been in teaching for over 30 years, was fired by the board. I fear what this will mean for Placer Union high school.
This is the consequence of elections.
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