WPUSD launches investigation into The Landing Spot

Western Placer Unified School District officials announced at Tuesday's meeting that they are launching a third-party investigation into The Landing Spot and its leader, Rev. Casey Tinnin. The Landing Spot is a non-religious support group for LGBTQ+ youth and their parents in Placer County, according to its website. After the Project Veritas organization released a viral video March 19 that focused on the leader of The Landing Spot, Tinnin, Roseville Joint Union High School District, Placer Union High School District and Western Placer Unified School District removed Tinnin's group from all their campuses. Tinnin, also the leader of Loomis Basin United Congregational Church, said that the video was "highly-edited" and that his statements were taken out of context. "This is to determine if there was any wrong-doing. Obviously that's a huge concern," said Western Placer Unified School District assistant superintendent of personnel services Cliff De Graw. He filled in for Superintendent Kerry Callahan who was on vacation. "Anytime you have someone who isn't being fully truthful with families and parents, especially at school, I can understand why that would be alarming," De Graw said. "We do have students who need support and this doesn't mean we can't find other ways to provide that support. It may not be this organization (The Landing Spot) but that doesn't mean this district doesn't value that support." De Graw said the issue is "dear to Callahan's heart" and that the district will continue to follow up on the investigation and additional resources for students. "I don't even know why we're discussing The Landing Spot," said parent Susan Martinell. "Why is this even a debate? What they've done is a crime and I'd hate for the board to be held accountable for allowing crimes to take place in our schools." Martinell added that she didn't appreciate The Landing Spot's attempted drag show at Roseville Joint Union High School District and said they're inappropriate for children. About seven parents who spoke out agreed with Martinell. "You don't want religion in the classroom because it's an ideology but now you have 'Reverend Tinnin' bringing in ideologies," said Gus Murphy who said he has children within the district. "It may not be about Jesus. It may not be about Allah but it's certainly shaping the way they're supposed to be looking at the world." Murphy said some conversations "are to be had" at home. "If parents want to teach religion to their own children, that's fine. If they want to go home and over dinner confuse their children about their gender, that's fine," Murphy said. "But when you bring it into public schools you get to meet people like me and others who will speak tonight." Jeffrey Perrine, a self-described Proud Boy, attended Tuesday's meeting. On March 23, Perrine also attended a Roseville Joint Union High School District's school board meeting that ended after attendees took offense to some of his comments. But at Tuesday's Western Placer Unified School District meeting, he was welcomed with warm applause. "Project Veritas has exposed some pretty frightening things. I'm not here to stir the pot," Perrine said, "I'm just here to make sure that the board is aware that a large number of citizens and constituents in the community do not agree with the things that Mr. Tinnin was saying." As a parent of school-aged children," Perrine said, he " had concerns that The Landing Spot would be brought back to Placer County campuses. "I believe all children should have somewhere to go and talk about their problems. There should be safe spaces for Christians, Jews, Blacks, Whites, everybody," Perrine said. He requested that the board add resources for everybody as a future agenda item. Although the majority spoke in opposition of The Landing Spot, one student continued to advocate for The Landing Spot. "I know Casey and he's a good guy. I look up to him very much," said a student who identified herself as Marlene. She addressed previous concerns with drag shows. "I grew up going to drag shows. My grandmother, mom and I have gone since the age of 5 and I still go to them now. They're not sexual. My grandmother is lesbian and I'm bisexual. The Landing Spot has been a great support for us in this community," Marlene said. Student advisory board member Ariana Dolan and board member Jason Price agreed with her. "In a scary world, it sure is nice to have someone you can trust," Price said. "It's nice to have a comforting hand on your shoulder so things that are new and scary don't feel as new and scary. I don't think we (Western Placer Unified School District) are doing a good job of being that support." "While I understand that our role is to educate, when kids aren't safe, they don't learn," Price added. Price also commended the "brave" students who continually speak out through adversity. School board President April Nitsos began to cry as she addressed mental health issues in students. Nitsos said that she knew the student who committed suicide last week at Lindhurst High School in Oliveurst, 20 minutes from Lincoln. "It is a horrible reminder of the mental crisis our kids are suffering. Children are suffering right now," Nitsos said. "As a district, we need to find out what we can do to support these kids, regardless of who they are. We love them all." Nitsos said she was "extremely disturbed" with what she saw on the Project Veritas video but said that safe spaces for everyone's mental health needs are needed. Nitsos agreed with Perrine and requested resources for everyone be put as an agendized item for a future meeting. In other news Some community members spoke out to support members of the board. "I wanted to say thank you to this board under the leadership of April, George and Marjorie. You guys have made huge strides," said Mike Murray. "You've worked hard to put the focus back on education and get the nonsense off of campus. Don't let the bullies and loud mouths who make up a small minority of this district discourage you." A community member spoke out to defend board member Marjorie Proffitt. "I'm here to speak on the lack of respect and decorum from some community members, teachers and parents in the audience," said Mike Maldonado. He said that someone yelled out that Proffitt is racist at a previous meeting. "She is far from that. She's married to a man who is Mexican. I'm a good friend of his and I'm also Hispanic. I've never, and I repeat never, heard her say anything that could be deemed as racist," Maldonado said. "Her reputation and integrity has been damaged because of it and it stops now."