WPUSD cuts ties with The Landing Spot after Project Veritas video

The Western Placer Unified School District cut ties with The Landing Spot after a national undercover reporting group released a viral video Sunday showing some of the organization's inner workings. That's according to the school district Superintendent Kerry Callahan. The Landing Spot is a non-religious support group for LGBTQIA+ youth and their parents in Placer County, according to its website. The group's volunteers meet with students at some campus wellness centers in Placer County, including Lincoln High School. The Landing Spot is led by Rev. Casey Tinnin-Martinez of Loomis Basin Congregational United Church of Christ in Loomis. In the video, Tinnin-Martinez said he discusses sexual identity and gender without the parents' acknowledgement. Callahan said that Lincoln High School was the only Western Placer Unified School District campus involved with The Landing Pot and addressed the video by reading aloud a letter she sent Monday to parents on behalf of the district following the video's release. "We were made aware of a video released by Project Veritas, an undercover investigative reporting organization, wherein a Loomis pastor, Reverend Tinnin-Martinez, discussed components of the organization, The Landing Spot, and their approach when interacting with students," the letter said. "We share the concerns expressed by our school community. We would like to be clear that the video does not represent our board or district values, nor the important work of our wellness centers and dedicated staff." Project Veritas is an undercover group that investigates and exposes corruption, dishonesty, self-dealing, waste, fraud and other misconduct in public and private institutions, according to its website at www.projectveritas.com. In the video, Tinnin-Martinez made statements such as "When they (parents) know that their queer kid is coming to me for support, they're going to be upset" and "I call CPS (Child Protective Services)" when parents misgender their kids." On the video, Tinnin-Martinez said "it's not lying but it's not fully telling the truth," when it comes to his conversations with parents. Because of "the troubling statements made by Rev. Tinnin-Martinez," Callahan said, the district has "ultimately chosen to cease further operation with The Landing Spot and their volunteers." Gold Country Media reached out to Tinnin-Martinez for comment but did not receive a response in time for print. In other news More parents, students and teachers voiced their opinions about "The Hate U Give" being a part of the English 9 required-reading curriculum at Tuesday's Western Placer Unified School Board meeting. For the past few weeks, they have been at odds about whether the controversial book whom the author, Angie Thomas, said is inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement, should be required ninth-grade reading at Twelve Bridges High. Board meetings have been filled with community members voicing their concerns. "Not all teachers are for this book," said Ronda Silva, a Spanish teacher at Twelve Bridges High. "They won't speak out because they fear tactics being used against them." Silva said the book is inappropriate for ninth-graders. "I have no judgment on the author. I judge the school district for teaching it to ninth-grade students," Silva said. "If my kids were in the district, I would pull them out because I don't trust you to make the right decisions." About four other parents commented and agreed with her. "I regret not speaking out at the last meeting," said a parent of three children in the district. "I left feeling sad and unheard. We can't discuss the use of profanity around children without being labeled something we're not. We're not racist." The parent said her issue with the book is the frequent use of profanity. Nearly an equal number of parents and students advocated to keep the book. "It's not right for a student to only be exposed to one experience of a particular group," said one parent of a daughter within the district. "I hope the community continues to rally around this issue." School district Superintendent Kerry Callahan said that a review team, which will include former board members Kris Wyatt and Damien Armitage, will help decide the current English 9 required-reading curriculum. Meetings will start March 30 and, according to protocol, a decision is required to be made within 30 days of the review meeting. During a special meeting Monday, Bryce Lauritzen, a parent, addressed the board about a violation of board policy and "constitutionally-protected speech" by board Member Marjorie Proffitt. "On Saturday, March 11, 2023, board member Marjorie Proffitt posted an update on her official Western Placer Unified School District Facebook page," Lauritzen said. "The post discussed the board meeting from March 10 and a justification of her positions. I attended the meeting and felt a duty to respond to her post and advocate for my family's beliefs and values." "Mrs. Proffitt elected to respond and engage in a dialogue, which she described as a "civil debate. However, later that afternoon, she turned off the ability to reply to comments," Lauritzen continued, "My comments were not derogatory in any way but did speak against her position. Her censorship made it impossible for me and the entire Western Placer community to engage in a public discourse. This clearly violated my First Amendment rights and Board Policy 9012, which states, 'the Board member shall not block access to a member of the public based on the viewpoint expressed by that individual.'" The FaceBook post has since been deleted. At Tuesday's school district meeting, Proffitt apologized for her actions. "I made a big mistake," she said. "I put up a statement on my public profile and there was some back and forth." Proffitt said she limited comments on the post "before it got toxic." Proffitt "didn't realize it was a violation of policy" and apologized to Lauritzen. Proffitt also apologized for "the harm" she caused by suggesting that Lincoln High School and Twelve Bridges High School be allowed to read books that better suit their "demographics." "The words I used had an impact in the wrong way. What I said was hurtful and harmful," Proffitt said. Also during the school board meeting, a resolution was passed to oppose a required HPV vaccine in Western Placer Unified School District schools. The resolution passed unanimously.