Nazi haircuts, conspiracy theories and bible verses...

Must be another Peoria Unified School Board meeting

Another week, another Peoria Unified School District (PUSD) board meeting…

As I arrived, there were very few people inside or outside the building. I got a little excited, thinking “maybe the fascists are all on summer vacation,” and allowed myself to hope that this board meeting would be normal, and without a bunch of TPUSA conspiracy theorists spouting hate speech.

I was wrong.

They must have all been having dinner together somewhere that Charlie Kirk ISN’T boycotting at the moment, and they came in just before the 6:00 start time. All the usual folks were there, complete with their Nazi haircuts and ‘Murica wardrobes to spout disinformation, scripture, and hate. 

Once again, Board Members Hill and Rooks read scripture (Hill - Deuteronomy 5:29; Rooks - Ephesians 6:13) and continued with their nonsense about “Every Student, Every Day, Except the Girls” as part of their weekly temper tantrum about not being able to discriminate against trans students. 

Thankfully, Board Member Ewing called them both out for reading scripture, reminding them that they’ve been warned about this and that it is a violation of the Establishment Clause to proselytize from the dais. More of this, please. 

But here’s the thing, y’all: 

They.

Don’t.

Care.

In fact, as far as I can tell, their goal is to bring lawsuits. This is a win-win for them. They WANT to bankrupt the district with frivolous lawsuits. Additionally, they know that the courts have all kinds of Federalist Society judges at every level, so they may just get a Bible-thumping judge who is sympathetic to their god-bothering nonsense. 

Oh, did I mention that January 6th insurrectionist, Anthony Kern was there? (And…have any of you noticed that he looks like Mama Fratelli from the Goonies?) 

Just sayin’...

Moving on. Regular attendee and district teacher Trina Berg got up to thank Dr. Reynolds and another administrator who is leaving for their service to the district, and wished them great success in the future. She went on to plead with Board Members Rooks and Hill to stop with their new “motto” for the district, rightfully explaining that they are essentially telling trans students that they don’t matter.

I’m sure they’ll stop doing this immediately. 

Next, another regular to the meetings came up with her manilla envelopes, and “served” Board Members, Ewing, Sandoval, and Sorensen, and I couldn’t help myself because I legit guffawed at this performative act.  

Next, I was up! First, I wished everyone a happy pride month and a happy indictment day to all who celebrate. I reminded the board that by quoting scripture, they’re alienating their own constituents, and potentially retraumatizing folks who’ve experienced religious trauma. Oh, and then I decided to read the Seven Fundamental Tenets of The Satanic Temple because why not.  

After me, 🧻USA operative and Anthony Kern fangirl, Tiffany Benson was up. Y’all should check out the video, because the minute she came up to the lectern, Senator Kern was visibly excited.

Like, giddy.

His posture changed, and he had this smitten look on his face. He couldn’t take his eyes off her as she spoke about “secularists who are grossly misinforming the public” and whipped out copies of the Constitution. She read the 1st Amendment, and then said there is no separation of church and state. 

It was hella confusing, but it usually is whenever she opens her mouth. She said something about triggering “anti-god, anti-Christian, prejudiced, hetero-phobic, Target moms and Bud Light dads and Disney district employees who are obsessed with sexualizing children” and then said only fools believe there is no god. Then she gave all board members a pocket Constitution. All she gave me was a headache. 

Next, a lovely grandmother came up to let everyone know — apropos of nothing —  that she isn’t a Christian terrorist. Good to know.

After that, local activist Elijah Watson came up to speak, and much like Ms. Berg, pointed out how the decision of Board Members Hill and Rooks to alter the motto alienates and harms LGBTQ students. 

Some more sanity came from a woman named Leanne Roberts, who encouraged Board Members Ewing, Sandoval, and Sorensen to run again, and that they have mad support from voters in the district. She pointed out how Rooks and Hill are violating their oaths and various district policies. I personally think that Ms. Roberts would make a spectacular candidate.

Anytime board members are mentioned by name, they have an opportunity to respond, and Hill claimed she isn’t transphobic 👀 and Rooks repeated her motto redux (because of course she did). 

Then, it got a little scary. Lil’ Benjamin Larrabee, another TPUSA operative, and big fan of the Hitler Youth hairstyle, complete with that hard part, came directly after Board Member Ewing, and cited the Loudoun County story that the GQP loves so much. The way that he addressed her can only be described as threatening, and he ended his speech by saying she has no right to privacy. 

Next up, another regular to these meetings came up and quoted scripture, and again, Senator Kern was visibly GIDDY with excitement. She denied the existence of trans people, and said (incorrectly) that there are no laws or legal precedent that protects trans people. She was also mad about a medical release form the district includes in their registration packet, but it was so dumb, I’m not even going to waste my time talking about it. 

Next on the agenda, there was a personnel vote. Even though Rooks and Hill promised to vote against absolutely everything on the agenda at every meeting going forward as part of their temper tantrum about bathrooms, the hiring was approved unanimously. There were other agenda items about compensation and salary schedules, and again, they were unanimously approved.

I guess they’ll only abstain from voting on the sexier items, but logic and reason aren’t something these two seem to possess, so who knows?

I decided to leave at that point, but I will be back. I’ll be back because I know how tough it is to be on a board like this. 

Just a reminder: Though their voices may be loud, these extremists are in the minority. A very recent survey found that less than 20 percent of Americans sympathize with Christian nationalist views, and only 10 percent consider themselves to be Christian nationalists.

The vast majority of Arizonans don’t agree with these blatant constitutional violations, bizarre conspiracy theories, and bigoted discrimination directed at our LGBTQ students and families. 

Unfortunately, these hateful voices are loud, and there are board members all over the state who need to see friendly faces at their board meetings (emails help too!). Please get involved in your local school board meetings and support pro-public education candidates whenever you can.

Sign up for our Action Alerts so you know when and where the next board meeting in your area is taking place.