Temecula school policies to stand

Judge rules against suit challenging district's critical race theory ban, transgender notice

A judge won't block Temecula schools' critical race theory ban and transgender notification policy.

Riverside Superior Court Judge Eric Keen on Friday denied requests for court orders seeking to stop the Temecula Valley Unified

School District from enforcing the two controversial policies. Keen did not elaborate on his ruling during the court hearing.

Last week, Keen ruled that the lawsuit, described as a groundbreaking challenge of a critical race theory ban, could move forward.

His denial of a temporary injunction to stop the transgender policy is in contrast with another judge's ruling that granted California Attorney General Rob Bonta's request for an injunction to block enforcement of a virtually identical policy approved by the Chino Valley Unified School District. The Murrieta Valley and Orange school districts also have similar policies.

Public Counsel, the self-described public interest law firm that sought the injunction, will appeal Keen's ruling, Public Counsel attorney Amanda Mangaser Savage said after the hearing.

“We always knew that this case was going to go up on appeal, whether we prevailed or not,” she said. “This is a question that the California appellate courts really need to decide to set a precedent for superior courts across the state of California.”

She added: “While yes, we are disappointed in today's ruling, we are excited about the possibility of taking this up on appeal and having a court rule on the merits of our claims in a way that will impact courts across California.”

The school district's attorney, Mariah Gondeiro of the Murrietabased Advocates for Faith & Freedom, said via an emailed statement: “This was a hard-fought battle that paid off for parents. This ruling vindicates the actions