Placentia-Yorba Linda school district trustees discard resolution on women's sports participants on 3-2 vote

 A resolution stating that the “Placentia-Yorba Linda Board of Education supports policies that restrict participation in women's sports to athletes who are biological females” was discarded on a 3-2 vote by the district's trustees at the board's regular May meeting.

The resolution was presented by trustee Leandra Blades and supported by trustee Todd Frazier. Opposition votes were cast by board president Marilyn Anderson, vice president Carrie Buck and trustee Tricia Quintero.

According to the resolution, the restriction was proposed “in order to promote competitive fairness, athlete safety and the integrity of women's athletics.” The restriction would be “advanced within the scope of the board's authority and in compliance with Title IX and federal law.”

Title IX became federal law in 1972 to ensure that male and female students and employees in educational settings that receive federal financial support are treated equally and fairly. The law also protects transgender students and students who don't conform to gender stereotypes.

The failed Placentia-Yorba Linda resolution stated that participation by biological males in women's sports “raised concerns about maintaining competitive balance, ensuring athlete safety and preserving opportunities for female athletes.”

The resolution also stated, “Title IX was hard fought fifty years ago and put in place to protect women and provide fair opportunities” and further stated the board “affirms its commitment to supporting and promoting opportunities for female athletes in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.”

Blades said that females were “losing scholarships and rankings” and that it “is time we take a stand for the girls.” Frazier said he agreed and that the resolution is “common sense” and “the right thing to do.”

Buck said the resolution “violates the law” and cited various state education code sections. She presented an alternate resolution, but her wording never came to a vote. Quintero said that the district has no transgirls in sports and agreed with Buck to deny the Blades resolution.

Anderson stated the resolution would “open the door to litigation” and that proponents should “go to legislators and advocate” their positions. She noted that trustees “do not make the law.”

Interestingly, the recently toughened public comment policy calling for civility from members of the public during trustee meetings was invoked several times by board president Anderson, with warnings issued to audience members who shouted comments during board discussions.

Also interesting: board members who frequently interrupt and talk over other board members during discussions that involve controversial issues, such as the women's athletic resolution.

Trustees should watch the Yorba Linda City Council meetings to see how the mayor, as the presiding officer, recognizes individual council members who indicate they wish to comment.

Placentia-Yorba Linda school district trustees seek new superintendent after Alex Cherniss resignation

 A first step in the process to hire a new superintendent has been taken by trustees of the 22,700-student, 34-campus Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District: Trustees voted5-0 to send executive search firms requests for bids to aid the district in hiring procedures.

The vote was taken at an April 22 board meeting after the trustees' unanimous vote to accept a request by Alex Cherniss to waive the 45-day resignation notice in his employment contract and approve his departure effective April 30.

The request for proposal will be developed by Acting Superintendent Allan Mucerino. He told trustees that now is “beyond” the best time to begin a search to have someone on board July 1. He said the “next best time” for a new superintendent to start is Jan. 1.

Mucerino said most superintendents would say that Jan. 1 would be the best time to start, because they would have the chance to “listen and learn,” make observations, see district processes and build relationships instead of preparing for the start of a new school year.

During discussion, trustees indicated they wanted a search firm that would conduct surveys and hold focus groups to gather input for making a decision. Mucerino noted that input from students would be “critical” in the information-gathering process.

Cherniss, who was placed on paid leave by a 5-0 vote of the Placentia-Yorba Linda trustees at a Dec. 19 meeting, submitted his resignation after he was hired as superintendent for the Bevery Hills Unified School District on a 3-2 trustee vote.

Cherniss' three-year contract with the 3,300-student, four-campus district was approved on a 5-0 vote April 15. He started his career in the district teaching middle school math, serving as an elementary school principal and later as an assistant superintendent of business services.

Among the speakers at the Beverly Hills district's April 15 session were Placentia-Yorba Linda district trustee Leandra Blades and the former principal of the district's Orange County School of Computer Science charter Beth Fisher.

They praised Cherniss' contributions to the Placentia-Yorba Linda district, specifically citing his role in creating the district's computer science charter and the Universal Sports Institute.

If the Placentia-Yorba Linda district hires a superintendent before the end of 2025, he or she will be the eighth person to helm the district in the past 10 years, starting with Doug Domene (2012-2016), followed by Greg Plutko (2016-2020) and James Elsasser (2021-June 2022).

Also: Michael Matthews (acting July 2022-April 2023), Cherniss (May 2023-on leave December 2024), Renee Gray (acting December 2024-February 2025) and Mucerino (acting February 2025-present).

The most recent longest-serving superintendents were Dennis Smith (12 years, from 2000 to 2012) and James Fleming (13 years, from 1987 to 2000). Current superintendent pay is $1,518 per day for a 247-day year.