Temecula Valley USD Board Member Resigns Over Vaccination Mandate

TEMECULA, CA — Temecula Valley Unified School District Board Trustee Steve Loner has resigned his position over refusal to get the COVID-19 vaccination.

Loner, who represented Trustee Area 1, released a statement via YouTube on Oct. 11.

"For many reasons, this vaccination is not something I'm comfortable injecting into my body," he said.

Loner will pull his kids out of school when the COVID-19 vaccine is mandated for children, and he will "seek out a new educational mechanism" for them, he told YouTube viewers.

Earlier this month, Gov. Gavin Newsom said the vaccine will be mandated for in-person middle and high school grades once it receives full approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine (now marketed as Comirnaty) has full FDA approval for use in people 16 years of age and older. The vaccine also continues to be available under emergency use authorization for kids 12 through 15 years of age. A booster dose of the vaccine also has emergency use authorization.

California schools already mandate many other immunizations to enter in-person learning.

Some parents threatened to pull their children from school Monday in protest of the governor's COVID-19 vaccine mandate. Many health care leaders and education officials have applauded Newsom's move.

In August, the governor announced teachers and staff were required to get vaccinated or submit to regular COVID testing.

"My resignation was inevitable," Loner said.

The TVUSD received Loner's notice Oct. 7.

On Oct. 14, TVUSD Board Trustees voted 3-0 to appoint Loner's replacement rather than hold a special election in Trustee Area 1. During last week's meeting, Trustee Barbara Brosch was absent.

Loner was elected by voters in November. His term was scheduled to expire in December 2024.

The TVUSD is now accepting applications from candidates who would like to be considered
for appointment to the Trustee Area 1 vacancy. Applications are due by 4:30 p.m. Nov. 3.

A board subcommittee consisting of Trustees Sandy Hinkson and Steven Schwartz will confirm applicants' eligibility. Eligible applicants will then be interviewed at a public school board meeting and the selection of the provisional appointee will be by a majority vote.

Get more information about the application process and eligibility here.