Board rejects censure resolution after heated debate and union-backed defense of trustee

The Apple Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees considered a detailed resolution (No. 2526-26) accusing Trustee Renee Longshore of repeated conduct that the drafters said violated board bylaws and governance standards. Trustee Rick Raleigh presented the resolution and said it was based on publicly available records and video clips.

Supporters of the resolution argued the documented incidents went beyond ordinary disagreement and that corrective measures were needed to preserve board functioning. “When elected members make allegations that either imply gross mismanagement or embezzlement,” Raleigh said during debate, “the board must act to protect the district’s reputation.” (Raleigh’s remarks were part of the public record introduced with the resolution.)

Opponents — including Longshore, union leaders and multiple community speakers — said the proposal would punish oversight and chill protected speech. JC Scott, president of the local chapter of the California School Employees Association, criticized what he called targeted disciplinary action and warned that board members’ public comments expose them to different legal standards than employees. “You are an elected public official and your comments can expose not only yourself but potentially the district to allegations of slander and defamation,” Scott said in public comment, adding that the union would continue to press concerns about employee treatment.

Karen Sabers, president of the Apple Valley Unified Teachers Association, urged trustees to reject the resolution and to focus on rebuilding trust. “Silencing or censoring a trustee for doing so sends a troubling message about transparency and open governance,” Sabers told the board.

Trustee Longshore called the censure attempt “ridiculous” and defended her oversight work, saying she would continue asking questions on behalf of staff and students. “I will not apologize for fulfilling my responsibility to the students, families, and taxpayers by asking difficult questions and expecting clear answers,” Longshore said.

After extended discussion and public testimony, the board took a roll-call vote. The transcript records Trustees Rick Raleigh and Amanda Buchanan voting in favor and Trustees Renee Longshore, Anita Tucker and Miss Apara voting against; the motion did not receive a majority and therefore failed.

The debate followed earlier closed-session actions in which the board unanimously denied two claims presented in closed session and then resumed the public meeting. The censure discussion also prompted direction to staff to pursue governance training options and to consider budget-workshop support from School Services of California.

What happens next: the resolution did not pass, and Trustees who called for training and facilitated discussion asked staff to bring budget and governance training proposals back to the board before the fall. Additional public comments and union requests for oversight will likely shape the board’s fall agenda.