Two conservative members of a California school board may be recalled after implementing a transgender policy that requires schools to inform parents that their child identifies as transgender or non-binary.
The Orange Unified School District board may have enough signatures to place a recall initiative on the ballot for conservative members Madison Miner and Rick Ledesma, according to a report by Politico. The recall election could apply to other conservative school board members as well.
Both Miner and Ledesma are under fire for their role in implementing a transgender policy that requires schools in the district to notify parents or guardians if their child wishes to identify as transgender or non-binary at school. The two school board members were also criticized for the firing of a superintendent in the district.
In a statement to Voice of OC, Ledesma stated that he is being targeted for his advocation of parental rights and attempts to protect children.
“This is what happens when you advocate for parents’ rights and the protection of children from forced indoctrination in beliefs and values that don’t align with their family,” Ledesma said.
Likewise, Miner called the recall efforts “radical,” adding that her sole purpose is to protect children.
“It’s essential to note that protecting students is my sole purpose, and the radical recall movement has made it clear that their quest for power over the children is nothing more than a strong political maneuver to influence and shape the children of Orange Unified,” Miner said. “This has nothing to do with protecting or educating children.”
The county is currently verifying the signatures that were obtained to enact a recall. Once the county verifies that the number of signatures exceeds the legal threshold, the school board will set a date for a recall election.
