We have four person board majority who making decisions for Rocklin USD based on their personal politics:
- Board President Tiffany Saathoff
- Board Member Julie Hupp
- Board Member Dereck Counter
- Board Member Rachelle Price
Table of Contents
A Note About Politics
In the vast majority of states, including California, school board elections are nonpartisan: this means the political affiliation of the candidates is not displayed on the ballot.
Conflict on a governing board is productive when it leads to informed debate and reasoned decision-making. Conflict is destructive when it becomes entrenched or predictable regardless of the issue being discussed.
If you’ve reviewed our school board meetings here in Rocklin, this definition of destructive conflict is clearly exemplified in what you’ve seen. For most topics brought to the board you know exactly how the votes will go depending on how the topic relates to the larger culture war the board majority is fighting, as well as their personal politics. This does not set a good example for our students, nor does it lead to a healthy and productive school district or local community.
Informed Parents of Rocklin
Informed Parents of Rocklin was a conservative action group created in 2019 to push politics and religion into Rocklin schools. One of their first actions was to oppose an updated High School curriculum they viewed as “pornographic” due to the inclusion of LGBTQ figures in the curriculum.
Notable members included:
- Rocklin USD Board President Tiffany Saathoff
- CA Assemblyman Joe Patterson
- Rocklin USD Board Member Rachelle Price
- Rocklin City Councilman Bill Halldin
It was this group that organized and pushed for the election of the conservative board majority. Since then, we’ve seen the results of that reflected in the divisive policies this board has passed.
Politics on the Board
Board President Tiffany Saathoff is a current employee of CA Assemblyman Joe Patterson. After her boss was unable to pass a notification policy in the legislature via CA AB-1314, she was in position to force the issue through.
These conservative culture war goals align closely with their religious allies. They are a distraction for our kids and have wasted millions of dollars of taxpayer money.
Failed Bill CA AB-1314
In 2023, California Republicans failed to pass a state-level gender notification policy with CA AB-1314.
At a Rocklin School Board meeting Assemblyman Bill Essayli, the original author of AB-1314, had this to say:
This is a fight we will take, and it’s a fight we want, and we will take it to the Supreme Court.
What he did not mention is that Rocklin taxpayer dollars budgeted for the district are paying the lawyers to do it, and as a result our students have less money for books, facilities, and teachers.
Controlling Elective Classes
In September 2021, the Rocklin school board voted to give themselves final approval for any new elective courses at the high school level. Traditionally elective courses were approved by district staff, however once an Ethic Studies course was set to be piloted at Rocklin High School, the board majority suddenly wanted to re-evaluate that class specifically, along with deciding what elective classes are available for our students in the future.
Our current board majority were all on the board at that time and voted 4-1 to take final approval away from district staff for new elective class approvals. You can watch the board meeting to hear board member Julie Hupp talk about “the climate [of fear] that is coming and is only increasing” as a reason for this policy, the same words she used when caught on tape advocating for bringing religion into our schools.
You can hear worried parents ask “what is coming” and why the board is “speaking in coded messages.” There are many additional public comments in the meeting from teachers calling out the lack of trust with the board as well as other parents concerned about the policy and the motivation behind it.
Moms for Liberty
Moms for Liberty has made a name for themselves the last few years. Whether it’s multiple chapters across the country quoting Hitler, banning books, or a disastrous 60 Minutes interview, they’ve been all over the news. In 2023, a library in Davis dealt with multiple bomb threats after kicking out a Moms for Liberty group due to a disturbance.
Moms for Liberty has endorsed both Tiffany Saathoff and Dereck Counter.
We had one coming to board meetings a few times to praise the conservative majority, but no one knew her - it turns out she homeschools her children.
Links
March 07, 2023 | Sac Bee: A Placer County high school agreed to host a drag show. Then conservatives found out
August 29, 2023 | Advocate: Davis Library That Kicked Out Moms for Liberty Group Suffers Third Bomb Threat
August 23, 2023 | CA Legislature: CA AB-1314
September 28, 2022 | Sac Bee: Rocklin school board candidates reflect division. Time to return the focus to education
Updated September 26, 2022 | Sac Bee: A fed-up Rocklin mom is running for school board. She wants the focus back on education
Updated July 04, 2022 | Sac Bee: ‘I was publicly shamed’: A Rocklin teacher was punished for showing students the news
Updated September 30, 2021 | Sac Bee: ‘Mob rule’: Rocklin school board meetings overwhelmed by chaos, threats and misinformation
September 24, 2021 | CBS13: Meeting Gets Heated After School Board Vote Gives Them Final Say On District Extracurriculars
Sep 19, 2019 | KCRA3: Teacher fights for equality after Rocklin school board selection controversy