Attorneys suing the Temecula Valley Unified School District over its recent decision to ban teachings on race and LGBTQ+ history are now asking a judge to temporarily halt the ban while the case is being heard.
If the injunction is granted, the disputed curriculum topics could continue to be taught until a final decision is made in the lawsuit.
The lawsuit, filed by a coalition of Temecula parents, students, and teachers, stems from the conservative-majority school board’s December 2022 decision to prohibit the teaching of “Critical Race Theory or other similar frameworks.” The plaintiffs say the rule will prevent teachers from meeting state-mandated curriculum requirements.
In June, the board also voted to reject a social studies curriculum that mentioned Harvey Milk, with president Joseph Komrosky calling the trailblazing gay politician a “pedophile.” In response, Gov. Gavin Newsom slapped the school district with a $1.5 million fine for violating state curriculum laws.
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The preliminary injunction filed Thursday asks a judge to temporarily block those policies until the case is settled, along with an August decision that requires schools to notify parents if their students are transgender.
“Safe Space for LGBTQ students in Temecula has had to refer multiple students to a crisis hotline, so we know that it is impacting students right now,” said Amanda Mangaser Savage, one of the attorneys who filed the suit.
The Temecula Valley Unified School District is represented by Advocates for Faith and Freedom, a law firm known for backing Christian conservative causes.
A judge will rule on the preliminary injunction in late January.
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