Brea

Candidate for PYLUSD Trustee Area 1

https://www.instagram.com/quintero4pylusd/

Tricia’s endorsement page on her campaign website does not include political organizations, focusing instead on educators, students, and parents.

Endorsed by Nancy Watkins, OC BOE candidate who has fought anti-LGBTQ+ extremism in Orange County schools.

Endorsed by WAVE, who said about their endorsement choice: “These races are critical, and our endorsed candidates are running a fight against some of the most extremist visionaries in public education. In the wake of book banning, anti-equitable curriculum, and LGBTQ+ violations infiltrating their way into public school leadership, it is imperative that we elect our endorsed candidates to combat this wave of extremism.”

On her campaign page, she says, “What’s your position on teaching CRT?  I can assure you that my two PYLUSD graduates were never taught this academic and legal framework. CRT is a graduate-level course at a university level. I support an accurate teaching of historical events. Ensuring students and teachers can have open discussions is a crucial part of creating critical thinking skills. Social studies curriculum should follow the California State Standards.” 

She says: “What are your thoughts on parents’ rights? As a teacher, parents are always welcome in the classroom, and parent involvement is encouraged. Parents have always had rights in our educational system. Legal documents, such as information in a student’s permanent files, are not allowed to be changed without parent permission. This law has never changed, even with the passing of AB 1955. I do believe that parents should be notified if their child is dealing with difficult issues. PYLUSD has a system in place to help parents and students. Resources can be provided with parent permission.”

OC Register 2024 General Election Candidate Questionnaire
Tricia Quintero, Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District Trustee Area 1 candidate, 2024 election questionnaire
Q: California has a new law, set to go into effect in 2025, that prohibits districts from enforcing what’s been called parental notification policies, rules for school employees to contact parents if their child may be changing their gender identity. What do you see as the role of parents in education? Is there a limitation?
A: Parents are always welcome in my classroom, and I encourage their active involvement. Parents have always had rights in our educational system. Legal documents, such as a student’s permanent files, are not allowed to be changed without parental permission. I strongly believe that parents should be notified if their child is dealing with difficult issues. PYLUSD has a system in place to help parents and students, and resources can be provided with parental permission.

California’s SAFETY Act is designed to extend resources to all schools. In my opinion, trained professionals, such as counselors, should be the source of sharing sensitive information with parents, not the teacher. Teachers need to have a relationship of trust with students and should be seen as the educational piece of the puzzle. We as teachers do form a caring bond with our students but realize we cannot take the place of a parent or a trained counselor when dealing with sensitive matters.

Candidate for PYLUSD Trustee Area 1

Endorsed by Moms for Liberty

Endorsed by OC GOP

Endorsed by Pat Nixon Republican Women

Endorsed by Reform CA

Endorsed by Nancy’s Picks

OC Register 2024 General Election Candidate Questionnaire
Ryan James Miller, Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District Trustee Area 1 candidate, 2024 election questionnaire
Q: California has a new law, set to go into effect in 2025, that prohibits districts from enforcing what’s been called parental notification policies, rules for school employees to contact parents if their child may be changing their gender identity. What do you see as the role of parents in education? Is there a limitation?
A: I am absolutely against AB 1955.

I believe parents play a vital, God-given role in their children’s education and overall development. They are the primary caretakers and should be actively involved in the decisions that affect their child’s well-being, without exclusion. Schools and educators are partners in this process, not replacements for parental authority.

While I support creating safe and supportive environments for all students, I believe that transparency and communication between schools and parents are essential. Parents have the right to know about every aspect of their child’s life to ensure they can provide the necessary guidance and support.

I do not believe in limiting parents’ access to information regarding their child. If a school feels the child’s physical safety is of concern, then they should contact the proper authorities. It is important for schools to work with police, counselors and other professionals to navigate these sensitive issues carefully, but never at the exclusion of parental involvement.

Overall, the role of parents should be respected and upheld, with schools serving as partners in their child’s education and well-being.

On his facebook, 

“I’m for parents having a clear, God-given role in their children’s education (...) But I’m also fighting against divisive ideologies that misrepresent our history and tear apart our community. I’m fighting against policies that would withhold important information from parents about their own children. And I’m fighting against ideas that compromise the safety and well-being of our students”.
Miller is referring to fears about CRT, AB 1955, and curriculum that is inclusive of marginalized communities. 

He says on his facebook; “why is the (teachers) union in support of allowing boys in girls bathrooms”, and “The union endorses CRT (critical race theory) and propagates gender dysphoria ideologies and policies which are a huge distraction to our students education.”

“I am committed to keeping everything inappropriate from being taught or propagated in our schools to ensure our children get what they need from school, the best education possible.”

In a comment response to someone asking if he would be non-discriminatory to non-Christian religions, he said “I am non-discriminatory but I definitely do not have to embrace all religions and would never ask anyone to do so.”

On his facebook he references a meeting he had with David Schmus, Executive Director of Christian Educators.  Christian Educators describes itself as ““We are working towards a bigger vision…our calling is to raise up an army of thriving ambassadors for Jesus in our public schools.”

He claims on his facebook - “Let me let you in on a little secret. The teachers union, CTA and APLE, want power so they can manipulate our curriculum, control the staff, and have their way in our district. We cannot let that happen”.

He claims about his opponent, “My opponent is heavily supported by organizations and individuals who are focused on promoting liberal, progressive ideologies including CRT (critical race theory), gender mutilation and dysphoria, the removal of parental notification, and the overall destruction of good family values that we as a community have loved for decades in Placentia and Yorba Linda.” 

On his campaign website, he prioritizes;

“Rejecting Inappropriate content: Our classrooms should be safe spaces for learning, not places where children are exposed to inappropriate or divisive content. I will work to keep such material out of our schools to protect the innocence of our children.”

“Protecting our Values: I stand against divisive ideologies like CRT, which misrepresent history and create division. I believe in teaching unity and progress, not resentment. I also oppose any policy that withholds information from parents about their children's well-being.”

“‘Protecting Girls’ Rights: I believe in protecting our girls from policies that force them to share bathrooms or sports teams with boys. Schools should provide a safe, respectful environment for all students.”

“Safeguarding parental roles: Parents have a God-given role in their children’s education. I will always promote transparency and parental involvement, ensuring that schools communicate openly with parents and respect their voices in decision-making.”

Follow the Money:
His campaign treasurer is Lysa Ray, who is running the campaigns of several anti-LGBTQ candidates throughout Southern California, and who is also the treasurer for Andrew Do, the OC County Supervisor who is in the process of being ousted after serious alleged financial corruption scandals that led to his home being raised by the FBI. 

He received a $250 campaign donation from Brett Barbe, Yorba Linda Water District director and Epoch Times contributor. 

He received $500 from Paul Hernandez, a Senior Executive at Irvine Company

He received $500 from Eric Silverman, CEO of Voluntary Disruption, a company that teaches corporations about shifting the language around ‘voluntary’, employee funded benefits. Silverman is the author of a book titled “Breaking Through the Status Quo: How Innovative Companies are Changing the Benefits Game to Help Their Employees and Boost their Bottom Line”.  We’ve included this as we are interested in the connection between this donor and a candidate who has been open about his opposition to unions.

Candidate for PYLUSD Trustee Area1

Candidate did not submit a candidate statement when he filed to run, nor has he provided any campaign finance filings to the OC Registrar of Voters

As far as we can tell, he is not endorsed by anyone

He does not seem to have a campaign website or campaign social media

Per Ballot Pedia, it does not seem that he has run for office before

OC Register 2024 General Election Candidate Questionnaire
Nicolas Cardenas, Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District Trustee Area 1 candidate, 2024 election questionnaire
Q: California has a new law, set to go into effect in 2025, that prohibits districts from enforcing what’s been called parental notification policies, rules for school employees to contact parents if their child may be changing their gender identity. What do you see as the role of parents in education? Is there a limitation?
A: I am a person of faith, and that faith requires that in all I do, it be done in love. Policies requiring district employees to contact parents if their child may be changing their gender identity are neither loving toward the student or the staff member.

My focus as a parent and as a potential board member will always be on creating a safe and positive school climate and enabling a focus on student well-being, learning, and achievement — for all students.

Regarding, parental notification policies and/or rules requiring school employees to contact parents if their child may be changing their gender identity, my understanding is that PYLUSD adopted a policy that would not notify parents if their child showed signs of being transgender — but rather if a student posed a “clear and present danger” to themselves or others.

It is also my understanding that the policy was adopted on a first and only reading, perhaps to avoid further questions by the community. I oppose adopting policies in such a manner. Open and honest dialogue is a fundamental and necessary right of every parent and guardian.

I am opposed to any attempt to weaponize existing PYLUSD policy to target LGBTQ+ students.

Candidate for PYLUSD Trustee Area 2

https://andersonforschoolboard2024.com/

Endorsed by the local teachers’ union, Association of Placentia Yorba Linda Educators

Anderson voted against the forced outing policy in PYLUSD

October 10, 2023 Board meeting

“Aren’t all school employees (already) mandated reporters?” Pushed against narrative that the proposed PYLUSD policy was just about mandated reporting when students were in crisis, because that policy already existed.  Our read on her statements: no need to create an additional policy that could be used to forcibly out students. 

“As I read this, if we use this parental notification policy for clear and present danger, then it needs to come back to us to update our board policies. (...) we have board policies on weapons and dangerous instruments, we have board policies on suicide prevention, even on infectious disease, that could be it - we have lots of policies, so if this becomes an issue then we have to go back and add parent notifications to each of the policies, is that correct?”

Raised concerns during discussion on this topic, on the lack of clarity in the policy and how it would be utilized. 

Expressed her agreement with the PYLUSD student board member that tried in vain in 2023 to persuade the board trustees to explicitly state that their ‘Parental Notification Policy” would not be used to forcibly out queer youth, saying “...I feel like we need to further differentiate this policy so it cannot be used against the LGBTQ+ community in the same way (as other forced outing policies”. Anderson said ‘I don’t have a problem with that language being added”.  Unfortunately, she was outvoted. 

Marilyn is a board member of the local nonprofit “Love Placentia”, which is dedicated to “demonstrate kindness, meet the needs of others, and impact lives in the city of Placentia” https://andersonforschoolboard2024.com/endorsements

Anderson worked to implement live streams of the school board meetings, increasing accessibility for a greater involvement in civics from the community. 

In the last couple years, Anderson has shifted to a more moderate position on the board and often challenges the extremist, anti-LGBTQ+ views active in the school board meetings.

In 2022, Marilyn voted against Yes on an agenda item to ban “Critical Race Theory” in PYLUSD. 

https://voiceofoc.org/2022/01/hanzo-truth-is-the-first-casualty-of-the-pylusd-culture-war-on-critical-race-theory/

She expressed opposition to teaching about systemic racism in America, opposing “one race is inherently or intentionally racist and/or responsible for stereotyping, scapegoating, and oppression of another race” - something that Pride at the Pier feels is a misrepresentation of what curriculum that discusses systemic racism and discrimination in our nation’s history is about.

OC Register 2024 General Election Candidate Questionnaire
Marilyn Anderson, Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District Trustee Area 2 candidate, 2024 election questionnaire
Q: California has a new law, set to go into effect in 2025, that prohibits districts from enforcing what’s been called parental notification policies, rules for school employees to contact parents if their child may be changing their gender identity. What do you see as the role of parents in education? Is there a limitation?
A: Parents play a crucial role in education, as they are integral to their child’s academic and emotional development. Their involvement can significantly enhance a child’s learning experience and overall well-being. I believe that every effort should be made to ensure students are open and honest with their parents, fostering a supportive environment at home and school.

As a school board trustee, I do not create laws — that responsibility falls to the legislature. My role is to set policies within the framework of existing laws. Therefore, it is essential to develop a supportive framework that respects both students’ needs and parental involvement. Schools should focus on fostering open communication, providing resources, and offering guidance to help students navigate complex issues while maintaining a respectful and inclusive environment.

Candidate for PYLUSD Trustee Area 2

Endorsements: 

• Endorsed by M4L - https://www.instagram.com/p/C-jogBRxQGQ/

• Endorsed by Ken Williams, Mari Barke, Lisa Sparks, Tim Shaw, Jorge Valdez, the anti-LGBTQ+ members of the OC Board of Education

• Endorsed by the OC GOP

• Endorsed by Leandra Blades, Todd Frazier, Shawn Youngblood, PYLUSD trustees who voted for forced outing policies. 

Follows PYL4Choice on Instagram, an anti-LGBTQ+ activism group within PYL, which is highly connected to current PYL board president, Leandra Blades.

Opposes AB 1955, calling it “deceitful” and suggesting incorrectly that it “takes rights away from parents.”

On her main website, it says “ I will advocate for the preservation of the District’s existing parental notification systems” - this is in reference to the vague forced outing policy that PYLUSD passed last year that they cannot now legally enforce under AB 1955. 

On her social media, she refers to a trustee who voted against forced outing policies as “betraying families”. 

Her campaign website repeatedly touts her as a strong advocate for “parental rights”, the new dog-whistle for anti-LGBTQ+ activism in our public schools (as well as targeting unions, funding for public schools, and curriculum that reflects our diverse community)

Her website includes language that claims that the teachers’ unions do not support children in public schools, which feeds into a common narrative within anti-LGBTQ+ circles that suggest that teachers are harming children, part of the “grooming” narrative.

The candidate did not respond to the OC Register 2024 election questionnaire. You can find links to the responses from participating candidates in their candidate research sections.

Candidate for PYLUSD Trustee Area 3

https://www.misty4pylusd.com/

Endorsed by Nancy Watkins, the OC BOE candidate who has consistently been an ally to LGBTQ+ students and spoke at a forum held by the LGBTQ Center this past February

Misty spoke out at a June PYLUSD meeting, expressing concern about “the mismanagement of personnel and the fiscal irresponsibility of the board as of late (...) it casts doubt on the integrity of this district”. Her opponent, Leandra Blades, shared this video on her campaign instagram, using it as an opportunity to further justify forced outing policies. 

She’s an independent candidate, running with no clear affiliation to either the OC Dems or OC GOP.  She says on her campaign website, “Education over Politics: Divisive partisan politics have no place on a school board. I will serve all parents and students fairly and enthusiastically regardless of political affiliation. I will gladly collaborate with anyone who wants to see our children succeed in the classroom and life.I don’t have a hidden agenda. I’m running as an independent candidate and have no direct association with any party or outside organization. I’m not interested in using this role as a stepping stone into higher office. My only focus is restoring the academic integrity that has always been the hallmark of our district.”

Endorsed by Aiden Mintzer, the PYLUSD student board member that tried in vain in 2023 to persuade the board trustees to explicitly state that their ‘Parental Notification Policy” would not be used to forcibly out queer youth, saying “...I feel like we need to further differentiate this policy so it cannot be used against the LGBTQ+ community in the same way (as other forced outing policies”.  Unfortunately, his suggestion was not included in the final policy that was passed.  Aiden left the meeting in protest after this policy was passed. Aiden said in his endorsement: “"I have experience working with the adults on the PYLUSD school board and Misty Janssen would bring a refreshing change. She would look out for students and respect all peoples opinions."

Misty has focused heavily on the endorsement of individual students, parents, and teachers on her campaign website including one from a parent who says “"I proudly endorse Misty because our core values of inclusion, respect, diversity, and fairness align."” 

Misty is a U.S Marine of over 2 decades, assigned to the 4th Medical Battalion - 4th Medical Battalion is a unit of the United States Marine Corps, staffed by personnel from both the United States Marine Corps and the United States Navy that provides medical support to United States Marine Corps forces. It’s based out of San Dego. She says of her experience in the USMC; “I work with Marines from every demographic, level of education, and socio-economic background. My job is to bring incredibly diverse groups of people together, to make great things happen and accomplish missions they simply couldn’t do without each other”.  

About “CRT”, she says; “I do not support CRT, a graduate level college course, to be taught in TK through 12th grade. CRT was not and is not taught in our schools except for one High School AP course that requires it for college credit. The term CRT has been hijacked and turned into a political football to scare people. Also, I can say with certainty that in the past 4+ years not a single person who has talked to me has suggested they want CRT to be a part of our district curriculum either.”

About Book Bans, she says; “I believe parents can make the best choices for their kids when it comes to the classes they take and the books they read. Expanding curriculum via age-appropriate electives allows families the options of choosing courses their children might be interested in. It’s not about me, it’s about you. You are the parent and you can decide. When school boards make unilateral decisions to ban anything, they take those rights from parents. I am here to make sure parents and students have every right to navigate their education however they think is best for them and their families.”

About “Parental notification policies” she says; “I fully support parents being notified if a staff member believes a child is in danger. Our district has always had such policies in place and has followed CA Ed Code on this issue.”  - We think it’s notable that she is specifying here that policies for advising a parent when students’ life is in danger already exist under CA ed code and under the district’s policies - this is a challenge to the underhanded manner in which anti-LGBTQ+ activists claim that forced outing policies are in some way protecting students in any way that Ed code doesn’t already provide. It seems clear that she’s not signaling any support for policies that forcibly out LGBTQ+ students. 

Andy Falco, extremist anti-LGBTQ+ activist, has created a considerable amount of content attacking Misty, as well the other candidates in PYLUSD who do not align with anti-LGBTQ+ sentiments. He’s claimed that she “doesn’t like rich white people”, that she’s supported by the “far left arena of progressives”, that she “has no interest in educating your children”. He references an old tweet (screenshotted, we can’t confirm its legitimacy) from Misty where she apparently said “I find it surprising that they are fine with broadcasting this kind of news, but god forbid they talk about real sex education or the use of preferred pronouns”.  (It’s unclear which ‘news’ was being referenced in the alleged tweet). Falco read this tweet and then said, “She wants sex being taught in our schools, she loves that, um, and she wants kids to believe that there’s 50 other pronouns”.   He goes on to suggest that “if you’re in that demographic (white), she despises you, um, she wants more sex in the schools, um, she thinks everybody’s racist apparently, and uh, she wants more sex in the schools”. (Repeated words are his, not ours.)

OC Register 2024 General Election Candidate Questionnaire
Misty Janssen, Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District Trustee Area 3 candidate, 2024 election questionnaire
Q: California has a new law, set to go into effect in 2025, that prohibits districts from enforcing what’s been called parental notification policies, rules for school employees to contact parents if their child may be changing their gender identity. What do you see as the role of parents in education? Is there a limitation?
A: I fully support parents and/or guardians being notified if a staff member believes a child is in danger. Our district has always had such policies in place and has followed California Education Code on this issue. It’s essential that we support parents as partners to ensure their children are safe and receive the highest quality education possible. When possible, parents should get involved in their children’s schools in whatever capacity they are able — classroom helper, PTA, School Site Council, Boosters, English Language and Special Education Advisory Committees, and more. The more connected parents are with our schools, the stronger our district will be for every child.

Candidate for PYLUSD Trustee Area 3

Endorsements:

• Endorsed by OC Sheriff Don Barnes

• Endorsed by Congresswomen Michelle Steel and Young Kim, who are extreme anti-LGBTQ+ politicians

• Endorsed by the OC GOP

• Endorsed by the OC Board of Education, whose 5 board members have taken anti-LGBTQ+ stances consistently

• Endorsed by Calvary Chapel Chino Hills lead pastor Jack Hibbs

• Endorsed by Reform California, a CA political organization with anti-LGBTQ+ views

On her website’s page “Key Issues” she poses and answers the following questions: 

• “How do you feel about Boys in Girls bathrooms and Boys in Girls sports? If re-elected, I will continue to fight to protect our children from extreme ideas, promote conservative values and implement common sense policies.  I believe we should NOT allow boys in girls bathrooms and boys should stay OUT of girls sports. “

• “Where do you stand on CRT? I have chosen to keep politics out of our schools by ensuring topics or theories outside of our district curriculum, such as the teaching of critical race theory, are not taught. It is a disadvantage to our students if any teacher deviates from the district curriculum in order to teach alternate subjects.”

• “What is your position on Parental Rights & Parental Notification? Under my leadership, I implemented a Parental Notification Policy to ensure parents are in the driver's seat of their children's education and are notified immediately of any "happenings" while at school.”

OC Register 2024 General Election Candidate Questionnaire
Leandra Blades, Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District Trustee Area 3 candidate, 2024 election questionnaire
Q: California has a new law, set to go into effect in 2025, that prohibits districts from enforcing what’s been called parental notification policies, rules for school employees to contact parents if their child may be changing their gender identity. What do you see as the role of parents in education? Is there a limitation?
A: Our School Board implemented a parental notification policy in 2023. We did not focus on gender identity or gender issues, but made the policy applicable to all students. Any student in a mental crisis or dealing with tough issues, the first call should be to the parents. A parent should have the opportunity to know what is happening with their child and be involved in the decision-making. A student should not be sent to a school mental health counselor without a parent’s knowledge. If a parent would like to seek help from a family physician or counselor outside of the school, that should be the decision of the parent.

It is baffling to me that we have reached this point where this is actually a discussion or a law. Parents should always be in the driver’s seat in their students lives and school districts and personnel should not keep secrets from parents. If there are issues with a student … the parents, teachers, and staff should have the opportunity to work together to do what’s best for the student. Parents should never be removed from the equation (only of course if there is abuse involved). We need to continue to fight against this erosion of parent’s rights in California.

She says of herself, “In 2020 I ran to restore parental rights to our community and to remove politics, social justice and social issues that were creeping into our classroom and schools by Sacramento and the teachers union. 

Blades voted Yes on PYLUSD’s vague forced outing policy, as well as asking to waive the second reading of the policy, with the intent to limit public discussion on the agenda item. 

Using dog whistles, Blades equated being transgender to an eating disorder during the October 10th, 2023 school board meeting discussion on forced outing https://youtu.be/FvBoeYgZYqY?si=XRdvn3059RVYS_wh

“We are looking out for the safety of these students, which are we responsible to do” 

When the student board member asked if the policy could include language in the policy that would have made it clear that it would not be used to forcibly out students, to differentiate it from other Forced Outing policies, Blades dismissed his suggestion.  “We heard you (...) We have a motion on the table to waive the second reading”. 

Was a guest speaker for far right group Real Impact, which is affiliated with Calvary Chapel, an extreme anti-LGBTQ+ Evangelical Christian church. Is connected to Calvary Chapel Chino Hills, whose head pastor, Jack Hibbs, is a prominent figure in the Southern California anti-LGBTQ+ political movement.  https://www.instagram.com/p/C6G7NN6Og9J/?hl=en

Affiliated with the IG page PYL4Choice, which has shared anti-LGBTQ posts. https://www.instagram.com/p/DATpt7ZvET2/?hl=en&img_index=1

She is closely affiliated with a number of extremist anti-LGBTQ+ leaders in Southern California, including Sonja Shaw, the champion in California school boards of Forced Outing Policies and anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric. 

She is anti-union, claiming “Unions are directly attacking families through legislation such as AB1955 and many other bills.” https://www.instagram.com/p/C_vrWt3vRe-/?hl=en&img_index=1 , highlighting a post from the California Teachers’ Association that speaks in favor of LGBTQ+ issues (among others, such as racial justice and mental health) as a threat against “our students’ everyday lifestyles’. 

Has claimed that her opponents are seeking to put “controversial, pornographic and sexually explicit books in libraries ages K-8”. https://www.instagram.com/p/C9vVLvgyjNX/?hl=en&img_index=1

Opposes the updated federal policy Title IX that ensures equal protection in publicly funded schools, regardless of gender identity and sexual orientation, with the hashtag “protectwomenssports”. https://www.instagram.com/p/C88kyV9R75M/?hl=en

Claims that AB 1955 “Takes Rights Away from Parents”,  that it’s about keeping “secrets” from parents 

Has claimed that people speaking against her policies at school meetings are “creating a culture of fear, confusion, and intimidation in our cities”. https://www.instagram.com/p/DAAhRDXxnab/?hl=en

Claimed on her IG page: “The teachers union is trying to get politics into the schools that fits their agenda…I have gotten it out of our classrooms. The teachers union would not support anyone in this election who isn’t willing to carry out their agenda.

I am standing in the way of the teachers unions agenda. All parties should unite with me. Let’s stand together for a strong education for our children. We do not want Sacramento politics in our schools!”

https://www.instagram.com/p/C_36IvWSptM/?hl=en

Blades is closely affiliated with Madison Miner, former/recalled OUSD Trustee and current Moms For Liberty OC Chair. 

Blades posted transphobic rhetoric on her personal social media surrounding Olympic boxer and cis woman Imane Khelif. 

Blades set up a paid entry system for a board meeting, which is wildly illegal. 

Blades participated with the crowd of Trump supporters on Capitol Hill on January 6th, 2021, and is very open about being proud of her involvement in that event. 

She has participated in a mass firing of PYLUSD faculty, which many have concerns was influenced by political perspectives, including a hesitation among faculty to enforce anti-LGBTQ+ policies. 

In 2022, Voted Yes on a ban on “CRT” in PYLUSD. https://voiceofoc.org/2022/01/hanzo-truth-is-the-first-casualty-of-the-pylusd-culture-war-on-critical-race-theory/

Per the Voice of OC, “Trustee Blades has stated that there is no such thing as institutional racism, to justify a school district policy that curbs learning real history. It’s a breathtaking limit on academic freedom that every American, regardless of political party, should resist. Our country’s history of segregation and discrimination must be taught honestly in order to prevent that cruelty from happening again.

All three Board members claim CRT stigmatizes white students as oppressors and students of color as the oppressed but do not present a shred of proof to back that up.

In fact, the three have taken a position using the philosophy and language of prominent white supremacists who frame ANY discussion of race in America as anti-white. It is outrageous that Blades, Anderson, and Youngblood would use such a discredited proposition as a basis for school policy.”

Blades, in her career as a Downey Police Department officer, was responsible for a police shooting of a unhoused man in 2012.  The man, Manuel Tovar Vargas, was “armed” with a stick at the time. Blades, who at the time was known by her unmarried name, Leandra Weisenburger, was one of two officers who shot and killed him. The DA determined that Leandra and her fellow officer acted in self-defense. 

Leandra worked with former Gays Against Groomers leader Frank Rodriguez - the same man who ripped up a Pride flag at the podium in HB last year - to coach her minor son to commit election fraud in an effort to damage the OUSD Recall campaign in March of 2024. https://www.orangejuiceblog.com/2023/09/ousd-recall-leandra-blades-coaches-minor-son-to-commit-felony-fraud-at-street-fair/

While we CANNOT verify this and do not present it as unimpeachable truth, we are sharing a controversial post from an anonymous user who claims to have supported Blades’ campaign in 2020 - this anonymous person claims that Blades has a history of deceitful tactics in her campaigns, including ruining her own signs and claiming her opponent did it, using smear campaigns to influence the election, and intimidating other OC Republicans into endorsing her to avoid being targeted.  This person also claims that Blades has old Nazi memorabilia hanging up in her house. https://www.orangejuiceblog.com/2024/09/a-former-close-friend-spills-the-tea-on-pylusds-leandra-blades/