Critical race theory workshop in Temecula Valley disrupted by critics, proponents

City News Service

Acritical and school board members scrambling Friday to answer questions about their decision to ban teaching CRT in the district. During public comment at the school board meeting

Wednesday night, a Black man identified only as Deon argued that banning teaching CRT in the Temecula Valley Unified School District was unnecessary because no school in the country teaches it to kindergarten through 12th grade students. After making his comments, a woman told him to “get out of the country.”

It prompted the man to yell at the woman, saying, “My family has been here since August 16th, 1619.” The exchange was shared on social media by others who attended the meeting. The school board president, Joseph Komrosky, warned the man he would be asked to leave if he continued to disrupt the meeting.

The workshop and meeting was attended by Melissa Melendez, former state senator, Edwin Gomez, Riverside County Superintendent of Schools, Heather Williams, Riverside Assistant Superintendent, the members of the Riverside County Board of Education, members of the Temecula

City Council, Trustees from Hemet and Orange County and the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.

Komrosky eventually asked the man to be removed from the meeting. People in the audience demanded the woman also being asked to be removed from the meeting.

Sheriff deputies eventually removed the woman from the meeting.

School board member Steven Schwartz said the woman was asked to leave.

“The meeting devolved into chaos, and the board president declared a recess,” he said.

The Temecula Valley Unified School District board voted in December to stop teaching CRT, a decision that has sparked protests from students, educators and community members.

Eighteen states have imposed bans and restrictions on the teaching of critical race theory or on how teachers can discuss racism and sexism since January 2021, according to Education Week.

Man suspected of building barn without approval, stealing money for permits

A56-year-old unlicensed contractor suspected of pocketing money for building permits that he never obtained from the city of Temecula before he proceeded with building a barn for a resident was out of custody Wednesday on a $15,000 bond.

Garrett Kameo Hodson of Temecula was arrested and booked into the Byrd Detention Center in Murrieta on Monday on suspicion of theft by false pretenses, submitting false financial statements, providing professional services without certification and driving on a suspended license.

Hodson posted bail Tuesday and was released from jail.

According to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, deputies were alerted by city of Temecula building inspectors Monday morning that Hodson and another man, as yet unidentified, had allegedly

By City News Service

engaged in an unlawful construction project.

Sgt. Frank Tiburzio said inspectors and the owner of a property in the 30700 block of San Pasqual Road revealed that Hodson had constructed a barn at the location, but without adhering to municipal requirements.

“The homeowner built the barn with the belief Hodson submitted his building plans to the city and obtained the proper permits,” Tiburzio said. “The investigation revealed Hodson never submitted any plans to the city, nor did he obtain the proper building permits.”

When Hodson returned to carry out a final site check of the completed barn, along with the other man, whom he introduced as a Temecula building official, city officials were waiting with the resident, according to the sergeant.

The inspectors “confirmed the building plans Hodson was in possession of, and all related documents, were illegitimate,” Tiburzio said.

“It is believed Hodson’s motive was to pocket the costs for the building permits in lieu of paying the city,” he said.

Hodson remained at the residence after he was confronted with the evidence, Tiburzio said, but the suspect’s cohort, allegedly posing as the city building inspector, fled prior to deputies’ arrival.

“This investigation continues, and we are working to identify all suspects involved,” the sergeant said.

There’s no record of Hodson being registered with the California Contractors State License Board.

Tiburzio asked anyone who may be aware of the suspect performing similar work throughout the Temecula Valley to contact him at the sheriff’s Southwest station, 951-6963043.